Charlie's Cafe
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Charlie's Cafe
Our friendly staff will ensure that you are taken care of from start to finish. From great food to excellent service, Charlie's Cafe will make sure that you leave full and satisfied. Charlie's Cafe is delicious food at its best. With tasty specials, breakfast, lunch and dinner options along with appetizers and desserts, it's impossible to go wrong.

Our daily specials are always a hit; it might be just what you're craving. Your hardest decision will be what to order, we guarantee it. Check out our menu to see exactly what we offer. After your done, don't forget to take some caramel rolls home with you. Charlie's Cafe is the perfect place to meet.
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With a story as genuine as its food, the history of Charlie's Cafe is like a delicious serving of homemade meringue pie. Sit back, relax and let Charlie himself introduce you to the beginning of Charlie's Cafe! The bank payment per month was $89.83. A few months after Charlie bought the restaurant, Dick Laing came and offered Charlie half price of what Charlie paid for it or he would build a new one on main street.
Located at the halfway point between Alexandria and St. Cloud, Charlie's Cafe becomes the ideal place to meet! We not only boast great food at unbelievable prices but also the service you expect. Our staff will ensure that your orders are fast, accurate and most importantly hot (or cold). Charlie's Cafe has now gone wireless!
Reviews (20)
Jody Nathe
Jody Nathe
Jan 21, 2022
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Stopped by on our way to the lake. Wife's bacon was cold and very slimy from the grease. Toast was cold and way over buttered, it didn't meet other reviews. Not going to recommend this place to other people.
Bill W.
Bill W.
Jan 14, 2022
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Consistently good spot to eat off 94 if your heading through…. Saved my appetite for Freeport!
John Matthes
John Matthes
Jan 04, 2022
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What an excellent amazing place to eat. I came in on German night and had the beef with potato pancake and German cabbage and it was a solid 10. The service was very good too. God bless the owner who obviously works very hard on providing wonderful food and service. Sorry I didn't take pics!
John Contreras
John Contreras
Dec 24, 2021
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Stopped by for a bite and my goodness was the food delicious! Got the smoked pork chop and it blew my mind away. Highly recommend eating here!
Jacob Salo
Jacob Salo
Sep 29, 2021
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A quick stop for lunch we were looking for and found Charlie's, an amazing little cafe. The service was pretty good, the food was great and fast. I definitely recommend this place if you like Minnesota cafe's. A great place to eat!
Maureen Miller
Maureen Miller
Sep 04, 2021
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This place is the best! Charlie's is an absolute must if you are driving by. Be sure to get one of their legendary caramel rolls! We live in Florida but always make a point to stop here when driving between the Twin Cities and ND.
John & Jody Vossen
John & Jody Vossen
Jun 15, 2021
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Drove by the sign for Charlie's for 20 years. Finally pulled off to eat there and I was not disappointed. Very good California Buger and classic diner crinkle fries. Just a neat little stop. GREAT PRICES.
Venessa Coates
Venessa Coates
Jun 02, 2021
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We loveee this place. We always stop for rolls on the way up to a cabin. But every time we go to the zoo we stop for a brunch too. Food is always 👏good. Staff is quick and nice and super great. Did I mention the rolls....stop and try it all you won't regret it! Good size portions of food for a decent price. Cute little restaurant.
L. T.
L. T.
May 29, 2021
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Stopped by while driving through & we were thrilled to find this little gem. We all ordered breakfast & we were all thrilled with our choices. I had the breakfast skillet which was perfectly sized & perfectly cooked.

If you're in this area I'd definitely recommend it. I wish we had time to taste all the sweets they had available- each one of them looked incredible.
Sarah S.
Sarah S.
Feb 06, 2021
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Great halfway stopping point point between the cities and Ottertail Lake. Food like mama used to make. So much to choose from. Never a bad meal. I always make sure to get a slice of pie.
Chackos
Chackos
Jan 13, 2021
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I really liked Charlie's Cafe. The restaurant is kind of an old school diner vibe. I was REALLY impressed with how clean everything was and how well cared for this restaurant appears. The owners obviously take pride in this neat little cafe. The food was portioned well and was very good. It was also priced very reasonably. Last but not least, the staff, was very helpful and very friendly. Their back and forth banter with customers who were obviously "regulars", made me wish I was a "regular" too. I've driven past the Freeport exit for years and never knew what was there. Now that I do, I doubt
Kathy S.
Kathy S.
Sep 07, 2020
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I love the food here and have it a lower rating due to the lack of social distancing in the place. The place was kept at 100% capacity and did not even try to social distance. With table being back to back, you can't even be a foot away from each other. Masks were not being worn. I was disappointed as there are state mandates surrounding the Coronavirus and this place ignored them all. With the state mandates, it should make people feel safe, not potentially infect people. Not good business practice for sure!
Dj H.
Dj H.
Aug 28, 2020
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We enjoyed our meal here, mainly for the old-time feel and the really nice waitperson. Food-wise it was Ok, but not spectacular.

This is more of a nostalgia place to visit Vs a really good place to eat. The food was decent, but not wonderful.

They did have some nice deserts and any place the has chicken fried steak is Ok in my book!
Douglas W.
Douglas W.
Jan 27, 2020
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Saw the sign on the freeway thought we would give it a try. What a treat!! Incredibly fast, friendly service. Impeccably clean. It was a treat to watch the staff-they all hustled ! Refreshing in today's world.
Down home cooking. We will be a stopping again when passing through.
Kirsikka L.
Kirsikka L.
Sep 26, 2019
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This is a must stop if your in the area! Always good food & service. Sour cream raisin pie 😛 or the Carmel Roll, lunch or the dinner specials you will not be disappointed.
Rod K.
Rod K.
Jun 21, 2019
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Food is great, very nice staff, most important the place is very clean, highly recommended if you are passing through Freeport and are getting hungry.
Mandy K.
Mandy K.
Oct 18, 2018
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This place is a win! Must stop if your traveling on 94! Very small town, but the place was packed for a Thursday at lunch. Service was super fast and super nice!!! Food was excellent (country fried steak). I will def be coming back to get the Beef Commercial! Everyone around us was ordering it and talking about how amazing it is! Can't wait for the next visit!
Frankie C.
Frankie C.
Aug 05, 2018
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We (my stepdad and I) stopped here on our way to Fargo from the Cities. My stepdad has Celiac, so we were excited to see a gluten free menu sitting with the rest of the menus! It wasn't too busy (although we came at 3pm on a Sunday), and the service was quick and friendly.

The food was great. It's not fancy, but fancy isn't what you come for at a small town cafe. It's simple. They give you enough, but not huge plates of food that most never finish anyway.

We felt like this broke up our trip to Fargo nicely. It was great to get out of the car, sit down and just chat for a
M. S.
M. S.
Oct 24, 2016
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Great home cooking style with fair prices - just off the interstate so fast in and out - GO! Great eats
Tim D.
Tim D.
Sep 16, 2015
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The story goes that this is where Garrison Keillor hung out listening to the conversations that led to his best-selling book "Lake Wobegon Days." Regardless of whether you're a Keillor fan or not, this very typical small-town diner/cafe is what you'd expect. It's almost like it's frozen in time. You'll find tables spaced closely together, fresh, hot cafe-style food in good portions, and delicious desserts. I can't believe that someone wrote to avoid the pie. The pies I've tasted have been excellent, as have the caramel rolls, the breakfasts, and the