The Palmer House is a historic hotel and restaurant in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.
Depending on your interests, the Palmer House is either famous as the model for the Minniemashie House in Sinclair Lewis’ Main Street or for its paranormal activity.
It SHOULD be famous for its house burger – a good, but otherwise fairly ordinary burger made sublime by the addition of bacon relish.
Yes, you read that right. The key addition is a sweet-savory bacon and onion relish. (They gave me extra – apparently in response to my concern that a relish couldn’t possibly replace a few strips of bacon – so I can assure you the relish is delicious on its own!)
I’ll be the first in line to buy a jar of it if it ever shows up in my local market. Until then, I may have to find more opportunities to make a stop in Sauk Centre for one of those burgers!
Sauk Centre is right on the freeway, half way between Saint Cloud and Alexandria. Next time you are in central Minnesota, take a few extra minutes to get off the freeway and head downtown for lunch. Not only will you be rewarded with a great burger, but you’ll get to see the original Main Street too.