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Remember what it was like to ride your bike over to Grandma's house? All of her treasures were a little mismatched -- including the plates and glasses.  But the food was wonderful and her house was warm and inviting.

Well, I've found the next best thing to Grandma's.  It's Jordie's Trail Side Cafe and Catering in Bowlus, Minnesota, along the Soo Line Bike Trail.

Jordie's is formerly a saloon and opera house.  The black building behind the cafe -- where they now show outdoor movies -- used to be a hotel.

If you're riding your bike along the Soo Line Trail, you have to stop by and refuel at Jordie's. I'm a foodie and I think the food at Jordie's is to die for. Everything is homemade, they've got daily lunch specials and of course, there's Sonja's homemade pie that will rival your Grandma's.

You can also hang-out in Jordie's wonderful garden, full of  tomatoes and green peppers that they use in their homemade soups and sandwiches.

Jordie's is serious about its buffets. They run the breakfast buffet from 8 until noon  Saturdays and Sundays, and there are lunch and dinner buffets Monday through Friday.  Lunch is served 11 to 2  and the dinner buffet is from 4 until 7. Plus, they have an all-you-can-eat fish fry on Friday evenings. Just the thing to fuel-up cyclists and non-bikers alike.

If that isn't enough, Jordie's is a hub of all kind of community activities. Every Thursday, they host a flea and farmers market from 5 to 7 p.m., right in front of the cafe.  Then, you can stick around for "Movies in the Gardens" beginning at dusk.

Whether you ride your bike -- or you drive there -- Jordie's is a must stop and I highly recommend it.  I think Grandma would approve, too.

Check out some of our video highlights after our most recent trip.

 

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