Nelson Bros Restaurant & Bakery

Traveling through MN yesterday, my mother and I stopped here for lunch. We each ordered coffee (I had to pour as the server plunked it down on the table and walked away), as well as a cup of wild rice soup and a taco salad. After 50 minutes of waiting, we walked out, which is something I’ve never done in my entire life. What made this all the more frustrating was the fact our server never once returned to explain the delay, ask how we were doing, or anything. It’s as if we were invisible. As I tried to pay for our coffee when leaving (which the register clerk wouldn’t take), I explained why we were leaving. The clerk was very kind and stated she would be speaking with the server. I expressed my opinion that the server needed a lot more training.

If you’re driving past Clearwater, stop and get a sandwich at their sandwich bar. They look expensive, but they are large enough for 2 meals. And did I mention they are delicious.

Omg never disappointed! Had the Bros Choice and wow! Lots of food! Ate it all too… They make the most perfectly poached eggs here. Perfectly jiggly and whites cooked! Lots of ‼ in this review. BF had Alfredo omelet… Good too but I had way more food. Even the little apples as garnish are crispy. Attention to detail here. Service is alway good too. They actually come back in a few minutes when u need a bit more time. We saw the bloody Mary’s come out with a shorty on the side… Awhhh cuuuute. Wished we weren’t driving. That table of 12 knows how to bring in the New Year! With coffee and tea our bill was only $ 24.60! Not bad at all. Happy New Year!!!

Food was fair that I had, processed meatloaf com out of can no flavor other than gravy on it coleslaw was watery potatoes were dry and overpriced for that meal, I’m disappointed with that meal.

So how nice are these folk? Very!
Big smiles, happy to see ya, genuinely polite. Love it. Coming from my home in California this is pretty strange behavior.
So they have just a whole menu full of American comfort foods. The ones we tried were delicious and well portioned. The prices were on point.
Last words… a breath of fresh air.

We had been wanting to come here forever, and finally had a chance to this weekend on our drive up north.
No wait as it was really early, but, when we swung back through on the way home, a 30 minute wait at 10am — so plan accordingly. The place did fill up really quick when we were here around 7.30, so again, plan accordingly.
Service was great for the most part, except a very long wait down the stretch for plate clearing, waters, and our check when our waitress got really busy with an influx of people.
The food was amazing. We both opted for a Bros fritter french toast– she went with the raspberry fritter and I went with apple. Comes with hash, sausage, and eggs. We added toast because eating eggs without toast seems like something a commie would try. To get something quickly we ordered a caramel roll from the case up front as well.
Really long wait for the food, which was offset by the arrival of a big caramel roll. No idea why they include a knife with it, easily one of the softest, fork tender rolls we’ve had. Pulled apart really easy and was great to indulge in before breakfast arrived. Perfect amount of icing on it too which didn’t take away from the buttery/​cinnamony goodness we were fork fighting over.
Food arrives, and it’s amazing looking. Two types of syrup too, berry and maple. TRY THE FRENCH TOAST WITHOUT FIRST. It’s so god damn good even without syrup. The raspberry is lights out, straight cash money, hell yeah where have you been all my life good! Apple was good, but, paled in comparison to the raspberry. Perfectly tarty-​sweet that was just perfect. Happy she could only eat half of hers haha!
And for those breakfast junkies like us, the woman says she prefers this fritter french toast over Fat Nats… and I agree with her. I know, it’s that damn good.
Hash was perfectly crisp, not over done, and very flavorful. Loved every bite. Eggs weren’t screwed up and were tasty.
Sausage. I loved the sausage, she didn’t think they were that good. The addition of some wild rice into the sausage was a great touch and something I can’t remember tasting before. Touch this up with a little syrup, and really enjoy!
A great place that I can’t wait to hit up again when we road trip up to Moorhead.

VERY average food. I’m guessing the high reviews are for the pastries or perhaps the breakfasts. Our nachos were COLD and my chicken quesadilla was basically chicken pot pie squished flat. Also lukewarm.

Wow, Jackie was a phenomenal waitress, food was excellent.
Best spot in Billings and the prices were very reasonable.
Don’t miss out on their homemade rolls, to die for…

Someone told me that if I passed this place on my road trip that I should stop by this place for lunch. I decided to go a few miles out of my way and give it a try.
The place was very busy and I had to wait about 15 to 20 minutes. They don’t have much of a waiting area but they give you a hockey puck pager so you can wander.
The food was truck stop food nothing special and a place this busy does not appeal to me. They say you have to try the frisbee style pastries so I did and it was big and a pastry.

Good food but this place is run by teenagers who all seem to want to be someplace else. It would help to smile at your customers sometime. Fritter bread is awesome, great coffee! Will be back and hope to see a smiling face.

Love the sandwich bar, coffee, donuts, and restaurant. The sandwich bar has so many options, the veggies are piled on and the taste is delicious. Perfect for a picnic date with my lil man (1.5yrs) on the go. THANK YOU Travel Plaza!

I mean check out the donut sizes! That alone should tell you they don’t cut corners here. If you are on a diet, avoid this place! The fritters and fritter bread are amazing! The rolls also put to shame any other touristy bakery, yeah I’m talking about you Toby’s! All of their baked goods are great. If you need a sugar rush and craving sweet rolls, stop here!

Best truck stop I’ve ever been to to call this restaurant a truck stop is an understatement incredible food incredible baked goods and credible service guaranteed to stop again God bless you all

We had the chili with fresh homemade rye bread and the beef pot roast. Both were great and recommend. We always return and food is consistent in quality.

When my date and I first walked in, the restaurant had a very comfortable atmosphere. We were seated promptly and our waitress was at our side within two minutes. Very pleasant service, but I can not give enough praise to the Chef and kitchen crew. It was obvious to me that our Chef (Rob) was trained in classic French cuisine. The menu may look like American traditional, but my taste buds were screaming a perfect fusion of American/​French deliciousness. My lady (who while in the US Air Force) remarked that her meal was the best of her life. And that’s really saying a lot!

Very good food and staff is top notch even when they are busy!

I usually love Nelson Bros, but today the flavor fled. My husband and I ordered meatloaf and hot roast beef sandwich plate, respectively. When the meals came, you couldn’t tell them apart under the deluge of brown gravy. The gravy was a slightly congealed entity. I had also ordered wild rice soup, which must have come from the bottom of the pot, as it had the consistency of pudding, and was as yellow as squash. I like my wild rice soup to be… well, soupy.
I still will go back there, I am going to chalk up the mediocre meal to a rare happenstance (I hope).
Keep you posted after next visit!
**returned a few weeks later and had a much better selection of food. I had salmon Alfredo and hubby had smothered burger. I really enjoyed my selection that night.
Only faux pas: when I unrolled the flatware from the SEALED napkin, they were covered in food grossness. How does unwashed flatware get rolled up and sealed in a napkin? Idk, maybe it’s done by machine?
Anyway, once it was replaced all was well. Service slightly slow, but it’s mostly high school, college aged gals who have pleasant attitudes.

If you want real honest good home cooking this is the place. Huge portions fantastic food, well worth the stop. This is honest to goodness good old fashioned cooking at it’s best. Not a flash in the pan hipster sort of place.

Nice warm staff, nice food, cold beer
What more does one want?
Reasonable price
I like it!

Eaten here many times. It’s the best restaurant between Saint Cloud and Minneapolis. Biggest caramel roll I’ve ever seen!