No Lutefisk, But Familiar Faces Aplenty at 50th Street Cafe

For the new 50th Street Cafe, it’s about striking a balance. Opening just last month in the space that had (and for the previous 37 years), the diner aims to retain its regulars while attracting a new crowd.

“We’d like to keep as many customers as we can but we’re definitely trying to get another crowd in here too–change the scene a little bit,” Acting General Manager Deacon Eells said.

The restaurant’s new owner, John McCarty, is no stranger to the breakfast and lunch world. McCarty also owns the Uptown Diner, Woodbury Cafe, Louisiana Cafe and Grandview Grill, as patrons of those restaurants may already have guessed, given the recognizable logo on the new 50th Street Cafe sign. 

Getting the new restaurant on its feet, Deacon Eels hails from the Woodbury Cafe and has been working for McCarty for 10 years. It’s not all new faces at the 50th Street Cafe, though. Staying on as a cook for now with plans to transition into the role of general manager is Phil Pearson, a third-generation member of the Pearson restaurant business.

Phil’s parents ran Pearson’s Edina Restaurant for 37 years. He grew up in the space and said is isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Most recently managing the restaurant, Pearson officially started working there in 1993.

Unofficially, Pearson started working in the restaurant when he was only six years old.

"I stood on milk crates and washed dishes," he recalled.

As for why his parents chose to sell the iconic restaurant, Pearson said it was simply a matter of timing.

"The right opportunity came along and they decided to take it." 

Along with Pearson, a cook and a server from the original restaurant are part of the staff at 50th Street Cafe.

The new cafe occupies the front portion of what was Pearson’s, with seating for about 72 people. The former dining room is set to house another restaurant at a later date, most likely this summer or fall.

Aside from the cozier size, the interior remains—at least for now—largely the same. Some booths were replaced with tables, and the restaurant got a new paint job, but it retains its charm and has the same small-town diner feel.

As for the menu, Eells said the offerings — including old fashioned pancakes, classic eggs benedict and a veggie burger — are nearly identical to those at Woodbury Cafe. That is, of course, aside from five Pearson’s Favorites, advertised on table tents in the restaurant: a diner style hot turkey sandwich, Helen’s chicken pot pie, salmon casserole, Swedish meatballs and the reuben.

You read it right—no lutefisk. It’s the end of the line for the well-known dish at 50th and Ewing. For his part, Phil Pearson isn’t feeling overly sentimental about it, though he noted that could change.

"I am not a fan of lutefisk, that’s all I can really say," he said. "But it might be one of those things where you don’t miss it 'til it's gone."

Deacon Eells explained the Pearson’s Favorites were chosen by looking at the top selling items and the ones that would complement the new menu most effectively. Lutefisk just didn’t make the cut.

In the first few weeks of life as the 50th Street Cafe, Eells said reactions were mixed. 

"We’ve had a lot of people walk in the door and they’re not too happy that [Pearson’s is] gone," Eells said. "But we’ve had some people that are pretty positive and excited for the change, too."

Eells is confident the new cafe will be successful and, while Pearson’s Edina Restaurant had 37 years to perfect the plate, he noted McCarty isn’t new to the restaurant game. 

"We’ve been doing it for 25 years, this company," Eells said. "Once we work out the kinks ... we’re going to put out a really good product and make a lot of people happy."

The 50th Street Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.