As with all phenomenal neighborhood restaurants, especially those that are chef-driven, open with fan-faire, but after time, Press starts to dillute and concentrate on new places.  One place that is still press-worthy, however, is Cafe Maude.

Cafe Maude’s original South Minneapolis location might no longer be new, but it’s earned the title of “Twin Cities Institution,” and over the years has not only upped it’s game, but has also created one of my favorite happy hours.

The only real bummer is that happy hour ends at 6pm, making it tough to make for anyone without the day off, but if you do, make sure to pencil it in your calendar!

CAFE MAUDE

SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS

CURRENTLY 4-6 PM  |   Updated Happy Hour

HAPPY HOUR DRINKS

A simple, cheap list of drinks specials is at the forefront of Cafe Maude’s Happy Hour.

$5 Craft Cocktail: A new daily cocktail is the feature and on special. Cafe Maude is noted as one of the founders of MN’s craft cocktail culture, so you know it will be good.  Often times, it’s designed to compliment the chef’s special (good Wed-Thu).

$2.75 PINTS!  – it’s been hard to find beer under $3, especially beer like Victory’s Prima Pilsner, Fulton’s Ringer, or Surly Seasonals, but all taps are on special.

It’s important to note the tap beer list is pretty small, but that means they only have room for phenomenal flagship beers, meaning no matter what style you like best, or best compliments your food, will be there, and on special.

Other drink specials are on a decent house wine ($4) and rail cocktails ($3.25).

HAPPY HOUR FOOD MENU

The real highlight, and why it’s worth traveling over to South Minneapolis next time you can make it is the ample-sized, gourmet-level happy hour food menu.

Here is what we had on our last trip over there, in order of best, to slightly less best.

MUSSELS IN CURRY BUTTER- $7

Although not the FULL sized appetizer, it is an AMPLE-sized portion of mussels, served in, arguably, the BEST CURRY SAUCE I’VE EVER HAD. Period.  By far the table favorite, a rich, spicy, sweet, flavorful, buttery curry meant the only thing lacking on this dish was more bread to sop it up!

CHICKEN WINGS- $5

Though I usually prefer crispy chicken wings, the wings at Cafe Maude are all about tenderness and sauce; a nice sweet-spicy Asian-style pepper sauce. HUGE meaty wings a real plus too!

CHARCUTERIE PLATE- $6

CHEESE CURDS- $6

* After seeing the Truffle Fries ($5) at our neighboring table I was sad not to order that.  Also the Lamb slider ($3.50) seemed like a great deal and comes with small side salad.