Matt’s Bar and the 5-8 Club Both Claim They Invented the Juicy Lucy. Here’s How the Two Minneapolis Burgers Actually Differ

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The Juicy Lucy in Minneapolis is a burger with the cheese sealed inside the patty instead of on top. When it comes off the griddle, the cheese has turned into a molten core that bursts out with the first bite. Two south Minneapolis bars, Matt’s Bar and the 5-8 Club, both say they invented it, and they sit about three miles apart on the same road, Cedar Avenue South.

Here’s how they actually differ. Matt’s Bar spells it “Jucy Lucy,” uses only American cheese, and serves the burger on a sheet of wax paper in a small, crowded corner bar. The 5-8 Club spells it “Juicy Lucy,” lets you choose from several cheeses, and serves it in a bigger sit-down restaurant in a building that was a speakeasy in the 1920s. Matt’s is the purist’s pick. The 5-8 Club is better for groups and people who want options.

Neither bar can prove it came first, and the debate has become part of the Twin Cities’ identity. Many locals settle it the only fair way: they eat at both.

How the Two Minneapolis Burgers Actually Differ

Here’s how the two compare, point by point.

The spelling

Matt’s Bar leaves the “i” out of “Juicy,” and its menu and sign say “Jucy Lucy.” The common story is that the missing letter was a mistake that stuck. The 5-8 Club uses the standard spelling. If you ask for a “Jucy” at the 5-8 Club or a “Juicy” at Matt’s, nobody will mind. But using each bar’s spelling shows you know the story.

The cheese

At Matt’s, there’s one choice: American cheese. It melts smoothly and gives the burger its classic flavor. The 5-8 Club offers several types of cheese, including American, pepper jack, and blue cheese, and sometimes specialty versions. Purists say the burger should only be made with American, while others enjoy trying different flavors.

The setting

Matt’s Bar, at 3500 Cedar Avenue South, opened in 1954. It’s a small neighborhood tavern with dark wood, a long bar, and a few booths. The griddle is right behind the counter, so you can watch the cooks press the patties. It’s often crowded, especially on weekends, and the line can extend out the door. Service is quick and basic: a burger, fries in a paper boat, and a beer or soda.

The 5-8 Club, at 5800 Cedar Avenue South, is in a building that dates back to the 1920s, when it was a speakeasy during Prohibition. It became a bar and restaurant after Prohibition ended. Today it’s bigger, with more tables, a full menu, and table service. The brand has also opened other locations in the Twin Cities area over the years. It’s a better choice for groups and families.

The rest of the menu

Matt’s keeps it short: Jucy Lucy, regular burgers, fries, and drinks. The 5-8 Club’s menu is longer, with appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and other burgers in addition to its Juicy Lucy options.

Payment and price

Both bars are casual and reasonably priced for a burger in a major city. Matt’s has a reputation as a cash-friendly place. Check current payment options before you go, since policies change.

The Origin Debate Behind the Juicy Lucy in Minneapolis

Both bars claim the Juicy Lucy was invented at their location in the 1950s. Matt’s version is that a customer asked for two patties with a slice of cheese sealed between them, took a bite, and said, “That’s one juicy Lucy.” The 5-8 Club tells its own version of the story. With no definitive records, the argument continues.

What the two bars agree on is that the Juicy Lucy belongs to south Minneapolis. The burger has drawn national attention for years, from television food shows to visits from well-known people. President Barack Obama stopped at Matt’s Bar in 2014 for a Jucy Lucy, and photos from that visit are a point of local pride.

Other Twin Cities restaurants have created their own takes. The Blue Door Pub, which has locations in St. Paul and Minneapolis, serves “Blucys” with fillings like blue cheese and garlic. The Nook, a St. Paul sports bar, is also known for its version. These are worth trying, but Matt’s and the 5-8 Club are the originals.

How to Eat a Juicy Lucy Without Burning Your Mouth

The biggest mistake first-timers make is biting in right away. The cheese inside comes off the griddle extremely hot and stays that way for several minutes, longer than you’d expect. Both bars warn customers about this, and they mean it.

• Wait. Give the burger a few minutes to cool before you bite.
• Poke a small hole first. Some people pierce the patty with a fork or take a tiny first bite to let the steam out.
• Hold it over the paper or plate. The cheese can run out once it’s open.
• Watch children closely. Cut a child’s burger open and let it cool before handing it over.

When to Go

Both bars are busiest on weekend evenings and during big events, like Vikings games and holiday weekends. Weekday afternoons are usually the easiest time to get a seat.

Late fall and winter are a good time to go. A hot Juicy Lucy on a cold November day is one of the best ways to warm up in Minneapolis. If you have out-of-town family visiting for Thanksgiving, a stop at one of the two bars is a good way to show them something only the Twin Cities have.

Before you go:

• Check hours. Bars may adjust their schedules around holidays, including Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• Expect a wait at Matt’s. The bar is small and doesn’t take reservations.
• Bring a group to the 5-8 Club if you want to share appetizers and try more than one cheese.

Doing a Two-Bar Taste Test

Since both bars are on Cedar Avenue South, it’s easy to visit both in one outing. Here’s how to plan it:

• Split one burger per person at each bar, so you don’t get too full to compare them fairly.
• Start at Matt’s, since lines are less predictable there.
• Drive south about three miles to the 5-8 Club, near the Minneapolis-Richfield border.
• At the 5-8 Club, order the American-cheese version to compare it directly with Matt’s, then try another cheese if you’re still hungry.

Pay attention to the patty’s texture, how much cheese is inside, how the bun holds up, and how the fries compare.

Getting There

Matt’s Bar is in the Powderhorn area of south Minneapolis, a short drive from downtown. The 5-8 Club’s original location is farther south, near the border with Richfield and not far from the airport and Mall of America. Both are easy to reach by car. Parking near Matt’s is mostly on the street and fills up during busy hours, and the 5-8 Club has more room.

Making a Juicy Lucy at Home

If you can’t get to Minneapolis, or want to try the burger at a holiday gathering, it’s simple to make. Here’s the basic method.

What you need

• Ground beef, about 80 percent lean, so the burger stays juicy.
• Sliced American cheese, for the classic Matt’s-style version. Other cheeses work too, but harder cheeses don’t melt as smoothly.
• Salt and pepper.
• Soft hamburger buns.
• Optional toppings: grilled onions and pickles, which is how many Twin Cities bars serve it.

How to make it

• Divide the beef into equal portions, two for each burger, and press each into a thin patty a little wider than the bun.
• Fold or stack a slice or two of cheese into a small square, and put it in the center of one patty.
• Place the second patty on top, and pinch the edges firmly all the way around to seal the cheese inside. Any gap will let cheese leak out.
• Cook on a hot griddle or cast-iron pan for several minutes per side, until the beef is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper.
• Let the burger rest for a few minutes before serving, so the cheese cools enough to eat safely.

The main thing that can go wrong is a leak. If the cheese bursts through the side, the burger will still taste good, but it won’t have the molten center.

Other Twin Cities Burgers Worth Knowing

The Juicy Lucy is the Twin Cities’ best-known burger, but it’s not the only one. Many neighborhood bars around Minneapolis and St. Paul are known for their burgers and draw loyal crowds, especially on game days. If you have time on a longer visit, ask locals where they go. Everyone has an opinion, and the answers will lead you to bars you won’t find in guidebooks.

Some bars have also created stuffed burgers with creative fillings, and you’ll see variations on menus across the metro. They’re worth trying, but if this is your first Juicy Lucy, start with the plain American-cheese version so you know what the original tastes like.

The Bottom Line on the Juicy Lucy in Minneapolis

Matt’s and the 5-8 Club serve the same idea in two different ways. Matt’s is small, simple, and true to its single cheese. The 5-8 Club is bigger, more comfortable, and offers more choices. Neither can prove it was first, and you don’t need to pick a side. Visit both, let your burger cool, and decide for yourself.