distractions Food and Drink

Specialties

We are a unique, privately owned restaurant. What you would call a «onesie». We serve made-​from-​scratch and fresh menu items. From appetizers, soups/salads;specialty burgers/​broasted chicken/​pizza to steak & shrimp. We have a chicken wild rice soup to die for. Our signature items such as onion rings, loaded rueben, loaded nachos, chips & queso and St. Michael Burger featuring 2– ½ lb. burgers are quite popular. Our pizza sauce is from a 30 year old recipe and developing quite a reputation. We are not «gourmet» pizza.(gourmet pizza aka «excuse for minimal toppings»). We have a creative kids menu allowing children under 12 to choose each course. And, they are not your typical processed or fast-​food like meals. Created with the help of our daughter when she was 9, she asked, «Mom, why can’t kids ever have adult meals but just smaller?» instead of microwaved mac & cheese or fried chicken nuggets. There is even a steak option for kids.

Our atmosphere is casual, but there is nothing casual about the quality of our food. You can enjoy upscale quality in a comfortable dining room or sit at our bar featuring shaker cocktail drinks and the coldest tap beer around.

Opened in July of 2012, we have already been awarded «Best Dinner» People’s Choice Awards, Crow River News for 2 years in a row. And, recently honored as «Most Romantic Restaurant» as well.

Our customers leave knowing they were served a «great value». We hope you try us out and if you like us, spread the word.

History

Established in 2012.

distractions Food and Drink was established in July of 2012. Co-​Owner, Jeff Murray has over 30 years experience across the county, in the food and beverage industry. Julie Pittman is a long time resident of the area with 20 years experience in the food service industry. Together they determined there was a shortage of quality dining establishments in the St. Michael area and understood that many local residents travel into the Twin Cities to dine out. In addition travelers like to get out of the busy downtown Minneapolis area before stopping to dine.

Also needed in more local food establishments was quality, made from scratch and fresh, non-​processed menu items. Many restaurants boast «homemade», but in reality most of the recipe items are purchased frozen, or are highly processed.

Quality, location and the love of cooking food & entertaining was the impetus behind the creation of distractions Food and Drink over two years ago.

Meet the Business Owner

Jeff M.

Business Owner

Jeff Murray began his restaurant experience at the age of 15 working in pizza shops around the Twin Cities. At 19 years old he owned his first pizza restaurant in St. Paul, MN. In the early 90’s Jeff assumed a position at Mystic Lake Casino within the Food and Beverage department. He later managed the Food and Beverage operations at Shooting Star Casino, MN and The Palace Casino in CA. He earned many awards throughout the years for his employers, praising his food quality and performance.

Jeff’s ultimate lifetime goal was to create a unique restaurant and bar with quality food, a great atmosphere and affordable prices. Hence, distractions Food and Drink in St. Michael, MN