Discovering Dolsie’s in Downtown St. Cloud

The backbone of any community is the locally owned businesses that its citizens start and put their blood, sweat and tears into.  

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These are the same people who support other causes in their community, not just because they want to get more people into their business, but because it’s the right thing to do. 

Since moving to Minnesota, I’ve enjoyed getting to know a few local business owners, and their businesses. The folks at “Up in Smoke BBQ” have been awesome and supportive of the radio show I co-host, and I appreciate them for that. Again, pouring back into the local community.  

When people find out that my wife and I are new to the area, they tend to offer advice on places we should shop and eat. We’ve been told on several occasions we should try Dolsie's Lunch Box Grille in Downtown St. Cloud.  

Saturday my wife and I took the opportunity to give it a try. We were greeted by the owners, Paul and Pam Dols, who during the process of ordering our food, picked up our accents (we’re from North Carolina) that aren’t native to Minnesota.

We really enjoyed the atmosphere in Dolsie's, but we noticed how they treated us, was the way they treated each of the customers that came in. A few times we heard them welcome first-time customers, and chat with customers they recognized from being there before.  

Paul even came by the tables chatting with customers and talked about the “Fresh Hot Popover” my wife had ordered, and he even carried a few of our empty plates away. They ask politely that you place your dishes in a certain area, which customers happily oblige. But he took a few of ours, and other customers as well.  

My wife pointed out the fact they use real dishes, which doesn’t happen a lot anymore.  

We really enjoyed the food, and by the comments from those sitting around us, so did everyone else. The selection of items on the menu was impressive and they say they make comfort foods you’ll crave. For sure, Dolsie's Lunch Box Grille has that down.  

Even to the point they put in writing that if there’s something wrong with your food, they’ll make it right, or they’ll make you something else.  

Every town has one or two places that just feels like the town and its people. Dolsie's has the feel of the people we’ve met here so far, which is as comforting as their food.  

It’s really a hard toss-up of why people keep going back like they do, is it the food, or the welcoming service? I think the answer is simply Yes.  

Dolsies Lunch Box Grille is open Tuesdays-Fridays 10-2:30 and Saturdays 10-2. Find them at 810 West Saint Germain Street in St. Cloud.