The building’s art deco exterior is a local landmark and has been welcoming customers for decades. Photos: Chris Emeott
Beloved diner reopens, mixing classic comfort foods with new surprises.
Convention Grill is an Edina staple. When it shuttered its doors during COVID-19, the restaurant’s cult following eagerly anticipated its reopening. It took awhile. The beloved diner is known for its classic American fare and retro ambiance. It has been a staple in the community for decades, serving up delicious burgers, malts and other delights. After years of waiting, it finally reopened in May.
“It’s an institution, really,” says Cate Gold, a Morningside resident of Edina. It’s so much of an institution that it’s ingrained in her life. She grew up two blocks away from Convention Grill and dined there at least monthly.
Staff members in their white uniforms.
“I’ve been going my whole life,” Gold says. “This is our family favorite. As we had kids and grew as a family, it was an easy comfortable place to be, and I kind of like how it has never changed. It always feels welcoming, and the food is always great. It’s just a special spot.”
Gold particularly missed Convention Grill’s malts. Her favorite is the hot fudge, while her husband likes to mix and match flavors.
Tony Rimarcik, one of the owners of Convention Grill, says he is humbled by his devoted customers. During the pandemic and even while they were closed, he would go into the restaurant to check that the heat was running on a cold day.
Tony Rimarcik
“There will be people commenting on Nextdoor [the neighborhood app] that they saw the lights on and ask if anything is happening. It’s very humbling to see that kind of following,” Rimarcik says.
Pamela Diedrich is one of those followers. The Morningside resident has frequented the restaurant for almost a decade. It is her family’s celebration spot for birthdays and welcoming out of town guests. Diedrich says she loves the ambiance of the restaurant.
“It’s the old diner. Everybody is in their white uniforms. It’s a throwback. The menu is simple. You don’t have to think too hard about it. You’re going to get burgers and fries,” she says.
The California Cheeseburger with bacon and a side of fries. Convention Grill is known for its wide variety of malts, such as this Wild Blueberry Malt.
Specifically, she adores the cheeseburgers. “They are the best cheeseburgers I’ve ever had anywhere. I don’t know what their secret ingredient is,” she says. “They use this smokey cheddar with lots of pickles. Everybody has their own way they like to eat it, but that’s my favorite way.”
Diedrich also likes the Egg Salad Sandwich. Gold’s go-to order is also along sandwich lines. “It’s the double decker grilled cheese,” she says. “They use smoked cheddar instead of standard issued cheddar. It’s extra crunchy. It’s phenomenal.”
Rimarcik is proud of Convention Grill’s menu and is excited for some updated sandwiches and even added a few vegetarian items, such as falafel and smoked, deep fried tofu. He is overjoyed with the response from the community.
Convention Grill’s classic diner interior is reminiscent of the 1950s.
“I look forward to seeing all the neighbors and longtime regular customers. I love seeing the kids grabbing some crayons and a page from a coloring book,” he says. “It might seem like a superficial relationship to see someone for a very short time every month, but when you have that relationship over years and years and you know their family and you know their difficulties and they also know yours. It becomes a bond that is part friendship and part family.”
Convention Grill
3912 Sunnyside Road; 952.920.6881
Facebook: Convention Grill
Instagram: @conventiongrill
