Newspaper Clipping - Newspaper Clipping Scan - Al Baker's restaurant ws at the corner of Yankee Doodle Road and Pilot Knob Road. - 7/1/1998Dining
Al Baker's in Eagan offers versatility
Story by Renee Berg,
Photo by David Eyestone
You can feel com-
fortable coming
here in a three-
piece suit or a pair of jeans."
That's how Donna Baker
describes her family's restau-
rant, Al Baker's, in Eagan. On
any given day or night, you'll
find business types bantering
over a meal and families enjoy-
ing food they didn't have to prepare.
The twenties crowd is also there, spread
out in the sports bar and the restaurant.
AI and Donna Baker opened Al Baker's
Restaurant & Saloon at the intersection
of Pilot Knob and Yankee Doodle roads
in Eagan 12 years ago.
The Bakers have changed their menu
slightly over the years, but burgers,
sandwiches, pasta and steak can always
be found. The baby -back ribs "melt in
your mouth,' Donna said, and the chil-
dren's menu is a plus for families.
Al can be seen working the crowd on a
variety of nights, and the Bakers also
employ their two daughters, son and
son-in-law. "So we are truly a family -
owned business," Al said.'
Employees have become difficult to find
through the years and competition with
big business has become fierce, but the
family's keys to success have remained
the same — offer comfortable, afford-
able dining, learn to adapt and stay
involved with the community.
"We're in Eagan, but Apple Valley,
Rosemount and Burnsville - they all really
think we're part of their community," Al said.
The Bakers have updated the restaurant
according to the times, recently imple-
menting a new computer system. But the
most exciting addition to the restaurant
lately is the new patio for outdoor din-
ing. It seats 70, provides southern expo-
sure beneath tables with umbrellas and
offers a nice relaxing atmosphere, per-
fectly compatible to summer.
The bar and saloon area will also be
expanded this year to project a more
open, energized feeling to the space.
Three TV's will be added as well.
"This thing's like owning a dairy — it's
always here," Al said. "We don't plan on
going anyplace. We plan to continue to
be a viable restaurant south of the river."
The Bakers offer lunch and dinner spe-
cials and the Sunday buffet, served from
9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., is also popular.
Restaurant hours are I I a.m. to 1 a.m.
Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to
midnight on Sunday.
The saloon's happy hour runs from 4:30
to 6:30 Monday through Friday, and
late -night appetizer specials are also
available. For information or to make
reservations, call 454-9000.
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OUR NEW OUTDOOR
PATIO IS OPENH
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(S ' for 70 for Coda& & Dining
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Full Menu Available
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Yhink Sunshine!
Otte block Family owned and Operated
For information and reservations call:
West of at
4C,�-9000
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Pilot Knoobb and
Yankee Doodle DOEIuret r
Road in Eagan PRICED FULL MENU
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Handicapped Accessible
Spacious No Smoking Areas