A Burger and Malt Stop With Old-School Minneapolis Flavor

At Convention Grill, a malt does not arrive as a modest afterthought. The filled glass comes with the metal mixing container still holding the rest, turning one order into a second pour and giving the table a small, pleasantly old-fashioned ritual. Give that last portion a stir before topping off the glass.

This long-running burger-and-malt stop near Minneapolis has held onto the visual language of the American diner: chrome, wainscoting, vintage furnishings and a tin-style menu with a little chipped-paint character. Servers in soda-jerk-inspired uniforms complete the picture without making the room feel like a museum display.

The restaurant is associated with the Linden Hills area, though it is technically in Edina. From outside, it can appear fairly compact; inside, seating continues farther toward the back than a first glance suggests.

The appeal here is not a sleek, modern dining room. Polished chrome and old-school diner details set a different tone, one that longtime customers have connected with childhood outings and post-church malt stops across generations.

That history shows up in the pace of a meal, too. A burger, a pile of fries and a shared dessert can be a quick casual stop, but the setting invites a longer sit-down with family, friends or a date.

The dining room works comfortably for a solo lunch as well as a group gathering. At quieter times, it can be easy to settle in and talk; popular periods can bring a wait at the door.

Malts and shakes are central to the Convention Grill order. The flavor list gives people room to play: banana-blueberry, Oreo, blueberry and mint brownie are among the combinations that make the dessert menu more interesting than a standard chocolate-or-vanilla decision.

Mixing flavors is especially handy when a family or group is ordering several drinks. Everyone can claim a different combination, compare notes, and still have enough extra shake in those metal containers for another round of pouring.

For a more classic route, there are root beer floats and banana splits. A float has its own simple charm here: cold root beer, ice cream and a straw are all the ceremony required. Banana splits provide the larger, more indulgent option when a shared dessert seems like the better plan.

The savory side of the menu stays firmly in diner territory. Hamburgers, cheeseburgers and patty melts anchor the choices, with named options including the Plaza Burger, California Cheeseburger and Mushroom and Swiss burger.

A patty melt is a natural fit for the room—messy enough to require attention, familiar enough to order without studying the menu too hard. The meatloaf sandwich offers another hearty detour for diners who want something beyond the burger board.

Then come the fries. They have a hand-cut or skin-on look rather than a uniform fast-food finish, and portions can be generous enough to share among several people, with some left over. Ordering them for the table is a sensible move, particularly if malts are already in the plan.

Breakfast has broadened the Convention Grill routine beyond burgers and ice cream. The morning menu includes pancakes, eggs Benedict, chorizo with hash browns, a spinach-and-roasted-tomato omelet and a s'mores waffle that takes breakfast in a more dessert-minded direction.

The eggs Benedict brings together poached eggs, Canadian bacon, a chewy English muffin and velvety hollandaise. It is a more classic diner plate than the waffle, while the spinach-and-roasted-tomato omelet gives vegetarians a clear breakfast choice.

The s'mores waffle is for the table that sees no reason breakfast cannot finish like a treat. With hearty portions and a casual atmosphere, the morning meal fits easily into a relaxed weekend outing. Some weekend visits have included music and staff singing along, an informal bit of fun that suits the room.

Because breakfast is a newer addition, current breakfast service hours and menu availability are worth checking before making a special morning trip.

Free parking has been available in both a lot and on the street. The lot has used license-plate registration at the counter, so it is worth confirming the current procedure when you arrive.

If the front appears full, ask about the seating farther back. And if the restaurant is busy, the wait is balanced by a menu built for lingering: a burger or breakfast plate first, then a malt, float or banana split when the meal needs a proper diner ending.