Lindey's Prime Steak House

I only knew Lindey's from a highway sign, not by its apparently legendary reputation in the Twin Cities. However, I love good steak, and my experience has been that local steak houses beat the chains by a long shot. Lindeys was truly a unique experience. This is the kind of restaurant that locals have been coming to for years, and apparently know what they like. Lindey's gives them exactly that and no more. There may be more nostalgia in the reviews than objective assessment of quality. The atmosphere is definitely ""homey"" but that can be charming in today's overdecorated eateries. I have hardly ever been to a restaurant where there were only three choices of entre. Since the difference between the Prime Sirloin and the Special was only a dollar, everyone goes for the top-priced cut. Sixteen dollars for chopped sirloin is really absurd as a third choice. The sirloin was large (I couldn't finish it) and reasonably well prepared, but I would have preferred a more seared exterior. It was tender, but as others have noted, surprisingly flavorless. The sauce was buttery and more tasty than the meat. I ordered sauteed mushrooms at $4.95, but they appeared to be canned. The salad was truly a joke. A bit of iceberg lettuce and one cherry tomato in what seemed to be a mixture of catsup and mayonnaise. I come from the Southwest. There are better, more flavorful steak cuts than sirloin, and my steak at Lindey's, while perhaps prime beef, tasted as if it never had been aged, so there was no really beefy taste. I had a good martini for $5.00, and a good glass of cabernet. I guess I need to try a few more places. It would be sad if this was truly the best steak house the Twin Cities has to offer. Again, I think this is a place that rests on its local reputation. The manager seemed to be part of the family, and greeted many happy diners by name, and this kind of personal attention rather than the objective quality of the food is what brings people back. Pros: Pleasant service; good cheap drinks, ample parking; big portions; happy groups of diners Cons: Extremely limited menu; bland steak more

Don't bother, the chain steak houses are head-and-shoulders better. \r \r We tried this place with a buddy who was back in town for a weekend from Asia. We picked Lindey's because we wanted some good steak but didn't want to driver far. I had some reservations about the place since I'd lived near the area of 10 years and no-one suggested we go there. Howerver after reading many solid reviews here we decided to try it out. \r \r Bad mistake. We tried their signature steak and it was truely horrible. Although rare like we like steak, it was tasteless and basically a flavorless piece of cheap meat. But cheap meat usually has a good meat taste to it that this lacked. At nearly $30/person that was extremely over priced and poor quality. The only thing that I could recommend is the garlic toast. \r \r If you are on the fence because of the varying reviews like I was, don't. We'll never go back eventhough its nearly in our backyard. Pros: Good garlic bread Cons: Steak was terrible but you still get to pay a lot for it. more

My husband and I were visiting our daughter who attends a college close by to Lindey's. Thinking we wanted to take her to a ""nice"" dinner, we chose Lindey's due to recommendations from locals. To our great disappointment, the food was expensive, only choice of two steaks on the poster sized menu that night. Our salad was iceberg lettuce with a pale tomato wedge and not sure what the standard dressing was. No choice of potato with the meal as it came with Lindey's ""secret recipe potato"" that tasted something like over fried potato with vicks vapo rub seasoning. The steak was just ok without much flavor. Still wonder what everyone sees in this place, is the portion size, we would rather have ""good"" food vs large portions. Atmosphere reminded me of my grandmothers house, not quaint and smelled like Grandpa had been smoking his pipe there for 50 years. Don't waste your time or $$. Pros: parking Cons: expensive, lack of menu choices, poor quality food more

This is a steak place!!?? I understand that this is what they are SUPPOSED to do well. So, my wife & I ordered STEAK (their BEST NY Sirloin). What we received was the possibly most flavorless excuse for a steak that I have ever eaten. It was definitely the worst steak that ran $35 I've ever had. The potatoes were OK. I will avoid going too much into the weird pickled watermelon/jello/goo or the salad as this is a ""steak place"". On the positive side, we attended on a Thursday & were able to get right in (guess that should have been a red flag) the wait staff was attentive. Overall, very disappointed with the food. We did like the Northwoods feel & appreciated the wait staff. Pros: Ambiance, Wait Staff Cons: Food more

OK everyone, here is the deal.. This is a steak place. It is not supposed to be anything else. They only offer steak because that is what they do best. Go there expecting steak, great steak, the best steak anywhere. Not for shrimp or chicken! The potatoes are pretty darn good too. Also expect the atmosphere to be casual, and like a north woods supper club. It is worth the wait but we never had to wait more than 15 minutes. It is so worth the drive. The flavor is phenomenal and oh so tender. And they actually cook the steak the way it should be cooked. You will be stuffed when you leave, the steaks are huge!!! They have all you can eat bread and potatoes too. Go, have a drink or two, relax and enjoy!! Pros: Great Food at a Great Price, Relaxed Atmosphere, A Hidden Gem Cons: None that I can possibly think of. more

The reviews above which rip Lindey's for being overpriced and informal obviously thought they were going to a Murray's-esque establishment. \r Look, if you're going to Lindey's, you're going to experience a fun, loud atmosphere and have a great-tasting, hearty meal. The wait staff hasn't turned over since the Nixon administration, and it doesn't appear there has been remodeling since then either. In my opinion, this adds to Lindey's character in a good way.\r Great place to bring a group and have a fun time. Pros: Steak, atmosphere, garlic mashed potatoes Cons: A little pricey, but on occassion is worth it more

The outside looks like a Dairy Queen. The inside is Grandpa's house circa 1972. Despite perhaps 6 filled tables in the entire restaurant, we had a leisurely wait to get greeted and receive our beverages. We mentioned we'd never been there before to our server, hoping for some guidance. She dragged over the 3-item menu sign and disappeared. The accoutrements: stingy portions of the cheapest ingredients. Iceberg salad? Hot dog bun garlic bread? What the hell was that dressing?! Buttermilk and BBQ sauce?! I'm sure the 2 pieces of watermelon rind are a huge crowd-pleaser. The main dishes were tender but nearly flavorless. The best part was when we asked for our leftovers to go. The waitress stuck her hand in a bag she pulled from her apron and grabbed the meat and potatoes like she was picking up dog poop. Classy to the end. Pros: Parking Cons: Everything else more

My husband and I, and our parents, have been going to Lindey's for as long as we can remember. It's still our favorite restaurant. I've been to my share of trendy, high priced restaurants that are generally overrated and pretentious. I've never had a better steak than Lindey's - my husband says that one place in Chicago MAY be as good. At Lindey's you can dress up or wear jeans, no one cares. The decor, while outdated, adds to the charm of the place. It looks like a eartery or saloon you might find in Northern Minnesota or NW Wisconsin. If you don't like steak or if you're looking for trendy with pretty napkins and decor, then Lindey's isn't for you. If you're looking for awesome steak and an extremely laid back, casual, atmosphere where everyone feels welcome, visit Lindey's. And, I agree, their house wines are very good! Pros: Charm, Great food, Never changes more

We traveled from NEPA and had read this was one of the best places to have a steak dinner. I am not a beef eater but I expected to be able to choose from a complete menu pf beef selections. To my surpirse I had to dine on a plate of so-so mushrooms and a small salad. Establishment was empty, service was slow and I couldn't believe that the staff couldn't make the salad larger for someone who didn't have anything else. Prices were too expensive for my taste. Our son who lives in MN did like the watermelon rind. This won't be one of the must do again places to go to when we visit MN again! Cons: Limited Menu, decor more

Like all restaurants, it's not for everybody, as you can see from some reviews. But for my money, this is the best steakhouse in town. I can't disagree with reviewers that complain about limited menu choices and uninspiring salad, but if you're looking for the most tender piece of steak you'll ever eat head to Arden Hills. If you demand multiple menu options go head somewhere else. But if you can appreciate the quirky nature of an old-style restaurant that has based its reputation on one steak for many years you have to try Lindey's! more

I have been going there for years and though tried many others I still find this unique taste and setting is most comforting. The delicate sauce on the steak and the tangy dressing and greaseless hashbrowns and the garlic bread is so good to. I think you either like it or you don't and if you do the price might be alittle high but worth it if you like it. Pros: tasty, relaxing, good parking Cons: crowed at times, expensive, closed sundays more

Three over priced selections!! and who wants to order chopped sirloin for $15.65? so you go for the top choice at $26.00 thinking hey, the ambiance is certainly nothing to talk about so the food must be pretty fantastic,right? and then, you start w/ iceberg salad w/ 1 tomato and watery dressing in a brown plastic bowl!! some stale hot dog buns made into garlic toast, and then here comes the steak, made to order but dull and certainly not worth $26.00!!(& since I wanted mine medium well I got stuck with the end pieces). Garlic mash potatoes were served to pass around, who ordered family style??? It was my husbands b-day & the place was chosen by him...boy was he bummed!! The best thing about the place were the drinks, my cosmopolitan was tasty and only $5 Service was okay...really could've been better since not very busy. Pros: drinks, parking Cons: , food, food more

If you're serious about your steak, go to Lindey's. Compared to other rip-off joints in town with their expensive ambiance, waiters who drive Porches, and prices into the hundreds of dollars, this is a no-brainer. Get comfortable in your blue jeans, order Lindey's Special Prime Sirloin with a good red wine, and you'll go home happier than you would anywhere else in town. Pros: good prices, no decisions to make, plenty of parking more

Many of the previous reviews have been quite biased in opinion. Yes, its expensive. The amount of food you get far exceeds payment...its all you can eat potatoes, and garlic toast! I've never seen such a large cut of beef in my life. You start with great salad with home made dressing. Dinner is superb, served in a buttery, yet sweet super heated sauce. Wash that down with ANY beverage of choice, very great bartenders. Very friendly staff, great for large groups, I highly recomend this dinning experience! If thats not enough, Al Capone used to hang out there. Pros: Food, Parking, Fire place more

I have had many steaks in my life, but nothing compares to the mouth watering taste of Lindey's steaks. They are terrific. If your looking for a great meal at an exceptional price, I would choose Lindey's. I can't wait to go back again! Pros: service, steaks, price more

A superb example of the northwoods supper club. Excellent custom cut of beef prepared correctly to order. Where in the Cities can you get a true rare steak time after time? Lindey's is it. In its location since Snelling was a dirt road, Lindey's offers log walls, wood ceilings, and giant steaks brought to the table on wheeled trolleys. Pleasant, experienced staff enhances the dining experience. The quality of the meat, aged on the premises, exceeds that of any steakhouse in the Cities. Pros: excellent beef, Northwoods air, good parking Cons: no reservations more

Lindey's is a crowd pleaser. It's atmosphere is completely unique and Lindey's has the best steak in MN hands down. Plus, their Gin and Tonics are superb. more

I was surprised by this restaurant's rating which has an old musty smell inside, a lack of updated decor, and an extremely limited menu. The steaks have an oily aftertaste, of which the unpleasant odor permeates throughout the dining room. Beginning with an unimaginative chunk of iceberg lettuce drenched in bottled dressing, to a greasy, flavorless steak at an unreasonably high price, even though I live across the street, I would prefer to drive as many miles as necessary to find a much better quality steakhouse. Pros: proximity Cons: price, decor, food more

I had been going to Lindy's since 1974. I have not found a better steakhouse in the country. I am retired now and do not get to the St. Paul area anymore, but I recommend this restaurant to anyone I know that wil be going to Minnesota. There is another Lindy's in Montana which I have not had the pleasure of trying. I do hope it is as good as the one in St. Paul. I plan on trying it one of these year. Thanks so much for allowing me to make this comment. Gil more

This ain't the best by a long shot!!! Quaint and unique maybe... but kinda like buca for steak more