Culinary Showdowns

WHO HAS THE BETTER JUICY (JUCY?) LUCY?

The debate over who makes the best hamburger is a topic upon which studies and papers have even been written and published. Besides beer, it is hard to imagine a more quintessential food item. The only possible acceptable way to attack such a problem requires us to break it down to fundamental pieces, at which point we find ourselves in the presence of such truly noble battles that only two contenders may exist in a given weight class... In Minneapolis, MN, such a fight between two legendary establishments rages on.

In case you've never heard of this intense little rivalry, the story dates back about 70 some odd years to the 1950s. As the story goes, a patron entering Matt's Bar on Cedar St. asked for two hamburger patties with a slice of cheese melted in the middle. When he bit into it, he exclaimed, "That's one JUICY LUCY!", resulting in the legendary, iconic burger whose name is purposely misspelled on Matt's Bar's menu. However, an old speakeasy with roots dating back to the 1920s—the 5-8 Club, also on Cedar St.—also lays claim to having invented this epic creation. With no clear proof for either one being the originator, the division between sides seems cut straight down the middle.

THE CONTENDERS

Matt's Bar

"Jucy Lucy"

Serves up a deliciously simple American cheese-stuffed burger without frills. There is not much else on the menu. Your burger is served on a plain old, non-descript hamburger bun with fries on the side. Proper bar fare, as food goes.

⚠️ FIRST-TIMER WARNING: The only real question you are asked here is "Have you ever had one before?" If the answer is no, you get a quick breakdown explaining that the molten cheese inside is basically hot lava ready to erupt like a volcano all over you, so bite carefully.

The 5-8 Club

"Juicy Lucy"

More of a proper restaurant than a dive bar. You will receive a full menu featuring appetizers, salads, chili, sandwiches, wings, and a kids' menu.

They offer at least six varieties of Juicy Lucys depending on seasonal rotations, using cheeses ranging from American and Pepper-Jack to Bleu cheese, you can even get one stuffed with Peanut Butter. Standard condiments available such as lettuce, tomato, and bacon. Served on a bakery-fresh bun with your choice of fries, carrot sticks, or coleslaw. Pickles come standard.

The iconic Jucy Lucy burger at Matt's Bar showing molten cheese pouring out of a bitten burger patty

A Juicy Lucy burger cut in half at the 5-8 Club showcasing melted cheese inside the patty served with a basket of French fries

Disclaimer Before I declare my favorite, I want to make one thing clear: Both of these burgers are at the absolute top of the burger game. On any definitive list of the best burgers ever made, both of these entries firmly land in the top 10, if not the top 5. My decision comes down to a strict matter of personal preference and judgment. Try both and decide for yourself. That said...

👑 The Verdict

MY WINNER: MATT'S BAR

The Misspelled Masterpiece: "Jucy Lucy"

Why Simplicity Wins

This was not an easy decision. For me, personal preference leans heavily into the smaller, atmospheric bar-like environment at Matt's versus the more standardized restaurant setup at the 5-8 Club.

The burger at Matt's Bar is brilliantly simple and refuses to dress itself up as anything other than what it is. It doesn't look for validation from condiments, lettuce, tomato, or a premium artisanal bun. It stands entirely alone: a cheese-stuffed powerhouse that proudly mandates a safety warning for newcomers.

If I send you to the 5-8 Club, you and I could eat two completely different configurations and walk away with entirely different experiences. But if I send you to Matt's, you are going to eat the exact same Jucy Lucy I did, built the exact same way, every single time. For that unwavering consistency and raw simplicity, Matt's gets my ultimate nod of approval.