Minnesota Spotlight: NOLO’s Kitchen & Bar

NOLO’s Kitchen & Bar is a notable dining establishment located in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota, known for its modern take on American comfort food and unique multi-level spaces.¹

🌟 What Makes NOLO’s Unique?

NOLO’s stands out by offering a multi-faceted experience within a single, historic building, the former Maytag Co.² building.

• Three Concepts in One: The establishment comprises:

  • NOLO’s Kitchen & Bar (Upstairs): The main, bright, and modern bistro serving comfort food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.³

     

  • The Basement Bar: A darker, more casual burger-and-beer hideout downstairs, complete with a quirky atmosphere and an indoor food truck concept for bar food.⁴

     

  • The Rooftop Bar: A seasonal bar offering spectacular views of the North Loop neighborhood, converted warehouses, and the Downtown skyline.⁵

     

• Modern Comfort Food: The menu focuses on modern American comfort food with familiar dishes but refined preparation, emphasizing ingredients that are easy to pronounce and often locally sourced.⁶

   

• Atmosphere: The design seamlessly blends the historic warehouse character with modern, clean aesthetics, creating a charismatic and approachable neighborhood tavern feel.⁷

   

📜 History and Background

• Location: NOLO’s is housed in the historic Gardner Hardware store building (which was originally the Maytag Co.⁸ building) at 515 N Washington Avenue.⁹

   

• Founding: The restaurant opened around 2017, marking a significant addition to the revitalized North Loop/Warehouse District.¹⁰

   

• Owners/Team: It was a collaboration between two experienced Minneapolis restaurateurs, Marty Collins (of McCoy’s Public House) and Brett Johnson (of The Hilltop Restaurant), and Minnesota-born Head Chef Peter Hoff, who brought his culinary vision from California.¹¹ Their goal was to create a long-term neighborhood fixture.¹²

   

🍽️ Highlight Menu Items

The menu is celebrated for its elevated comfort dishes, especially its brunch offerings.

• The Cheeseburger: An award-winning item featuring double meat, double cheese, caramelized onion, and a special spread.¹³ It uses Peterson’s ground beef.¹⁴

   

• Walleye Sandwich: A nod to Minnesota cuisine, this features Walleye with spicy mayo and napa cabbage slaw.¹⁵

   

• Cheddar Cornmeal Waffle: Often highlighted for its pairing with buttermilk fried chicken for a comforting, indulgent brunch.¹⁶

   

• Cinnamon Sticky Bun: A popular starter or dessert, served with salted caramel sauce.¹⁷

   

• Seven Bridges Yum Yum Sauce: A wildly popular house-made sauce (ginger, garlic, soy-forward, less sweet than traditional versions) that was so beloved it was bottled and launched into grocery stores by Chef Peter Hoff.¹⁸

   

💬 Customer Feedback

NOLO’s generally receives positive feedback, often achieving ratings around 4.4-4.7 out of 5 on various platforms.¹⁹

• High Praise: Reviewers frequently praise the flavorful food, attentive and friendly service, great atmosphere, and the interesting menu offerings.²⁰ The Rooftop Bar is also a major draw for its ambiance and views.

   

• Common Mentions: Specific shout-outs are often given to the Yucca Fries, Walleye Sandwich, and the various comfort food specialties.²¹ The restaurant is noted as being great for brunch, group gatherings, and dates.²²

   

📅 Significant Events

While NOLO’s is a popular spot for private events (birthdays, corporate parties, rehearsal dinners) and features regular happenings like live music in The Basement Bar, a particularly notable development is:

• The Launch of Seven Bridges Yum Yum Sauce: This development extends the NOLO’s brand beyond the restaurant walls, with their beloved sauce being bottled and sold in grocery stores, a testament to the popularity of Chef Peter Hoff’s culinary creations.²³

   

• Future Concept Collaboration: Co-owner Marty Collins is teaming up with Billy Tserenbat of Billy Sushi for a new, bold dining and nightlife concept nearby, suggesting NOLO’s ownership continues to be a key player in the North Loop’s vibrant food scene.²⁴

   

📍 Location and Contact Information