Walkin' Dog was an American hot dog stand located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Owned by Dave Magnuson, the restaurant had been located inside the first floor food court of the Northstar Center office complex from 1991 to 2023, though it relocated to a different retail space within the same building in 2021. The restaurant's menu consisted of mostly hot dogs, made with Vienna sausage and including Chicago-style, in addition to nachos, pretzels, and ice cream. It was frequently cited by local publications as one of the most affordable dining options in the Minneapolis Skyway System.
| Walkin' Dog | |
|---|---|
 Walkin' Dog's Northstar Center storefront in April 2023 | |
 | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1991 |
| Closed | April 21, 2023 |
| Owner(s) | Dave Magnuson |
| Food type | American |
| Street address | 618 Second Avenue South |
| City | Minneapolis |
| County | Hennepin |
| State | Minnesota |
| Postal/ZIP Code | 55402 |
| Country | United States |
| Website | walkindog |
Following the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and nearby George Floyd protests, the restaurant experienced a significant loss in customers beginning in 2020, and as a result of Northstar Center's renovation project, Walkin' Dog closed on April 21, 2023. The following year, Magnuson announced the restaurant would reopen following the completion of renovations.
Description
editThe shop's menu consists of mostly hot dogs, in addition to pretzels, nachos, popcorn, and ice cream. They offer made-to-order hot dogs using imported Vienna sausage, and are noted for their Chicago-style hot dogs with a poppyseed bun and its traditional green relish.
History
editWalkin' Dog originally occupied the smallest stall in the Northstar Center's lower level food court, in a 250 square feet (23 m2) space adjacent to the building's interior hotel entrance.[1] It is located one floor below the Minneapolis Skyway System and once neighbored eateries like Arby's, Burger King, and Cheetah Pizza.[2] Rachel Hutton from the Star Tribune described its offbeat location as being "wedged into a dark corner", while Minnesota Monthly's Susan Du compared it to the size of a postage stamp.[3][4] Owner Dave Magnuson took over the business in 1991 following a newspaper ad seeking food service workers. After Northstar Center lost several major tenants in the 1990s, he began dressing up in a hot dog costume and would walk the Skyway System to promote his business. American sports writer Sid Hartman was a regular customer during his tenure at nearby WCCO Radio.[3]
Following the closure of the neighboring Arby's restaurant in 2018, Walkin' Dog became the longest operational tenant at Northstar Center.[5] During the COVID-19 pandemic and after unrest as a result of the George Floyd protests, the restaurant experienced a 70 to 80% reduction in business. In addition, it became the last remaining tenant in Northstar Center's food court during its final operational year, with Magnuson remarking: "It was a neighborhood down here and now I'm the only one left".[6][7] He described Minneapolis as eerie after the COVID-19 pandemic and compared the drastic loss of downtown customers to that of the city following the September 11 attacks in 2001; he said: "Honestly I'm kind of glad I'm at the age where I cannot do this a whole lot longer if I choose not to, it's kind of terrifying."[8] Later in 2021, Walkin' Dog moved to a different space within the same Northstar Center food court, taking over a space previously housing Cayol's Oasis Frozen Yogurt.[9]
Beginning in 2022, Northstar Center started a renovation project that would turn the former Crowne Plaza hotel into a Hotel Indigo, convert the eastern office tower into apartment residences, and refurbish the existing western office tower.[10] According to a Facebook post shared on the restaurant's official page, Walkin' Dog will close on April 21, 2023, as a result of the renovation project, which would close the food court for the duration of a year. Magnuson stated that the building's property management offered Walkin' Dog a new space following its reopening, but he declined their offer.[11] He wrote: "We wish to thank you for your patronage, conversation, encouragement, and mostly, your friendship in the last 31+ years."[12]
In January 2024, Magnuson announced via LinkedIn that he would reopen a new Walkin' Dog location inside of Northstar Center later that year, following the commencement of building renovations.[13]
Reception
editThe restaurant has been noted for its affordability.[14] In 1999, the Star Tribune highlighted its prices in an article covering cheap Minneapolis meals, such as US$2.50 for two hot dogs, or $1.25 for a milkshake.[2] A 2019 article from the same publication noted that despite downtown Minneapolis' decrease in popularity for typical fast food spots, Walkin' Dog was an exception and still offered menu items for $2.45.[15] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Magnuson stated he was urged by customers to raise prices due to operational cost increases, but decided against it to prevent spending on new signage.[16]
The Star Tribune's Rick Nelson recommended Walkin' Dog as one of the nine best food staples within the Minneapolis Skyway System.[17]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Retail Opportunities for Lease: Northstar Center". Colliers International. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ a b Ewoldt, John; Nelson, Rick (February 25, 1999). "Dollars & sense, food for a fiver: Here are some great places to find a meal for $5 or less in downtown Minneapolis and near the University of Minnesota – just in time for the prep tournaments: [Metro Edition]". Star Tribune: 1E. ProQuest 427098730. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b Hutton, Rachel (June 2, 2019). "Walkin' Dog's top dog relishes his role". Star Tribune: E12. ProQuest 2262655724. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Du, Susan (February 24, 2021). "Downtown Minneapolis Is Still Holding On". Minnesota Monthly. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ Ramstad, Evan (December 17, 2018). "An Arby's closes and a fast food gap emerges in downtown Minneapolis". Star Tribune. ProQuest 2157801677. Retrieved April 11, 2023 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Summers, Joy (April 11, 2023). "Downtown Minneapolis' beloved hot dog stand to close April 21". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ Ewoldt, John (March 28, 2021). "Skyway retail hangs in limbo: Businesses connected to Minneapolis' iconic downtown artery face uncertainty amid pandemic". Star Tribune: D1. ProQuest 2506091691. Retrieved April 11, 2023 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Du, Susan (September 6, 2021). "Downtown's dual council members take polar positions on public safety". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ Magnuson, Dave (September 2021). Walkin' Dog is now open! (Stand inside Northstar Center's second level).
We will be closed September 27th thru October 1st! We are moving around the corner to the former yogurt/fruit stand space!
- ^ Busche, Kelly (May 23, 2022). "While half of Northstar Center is going residential, other half will stay offices with $70 million upgrade". Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ Reilly, Mark (April 10, 2023). "Walkin' Dog in Northstar Center will close for good after 31 years". Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ "After 30+ years of business, Walkin' Dog closes in downtown Minneapolis". CBS News. April 11, 2023. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ Jackson, Sharyn; Summers, Joy (January 3, 2024). "3 new ice bars, the return of Walkin' Dog, the closure of Salut, and more restaurant news". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "Where to Get Delicious Hot Dogs in Minneapolis". Eater. July 12, 2021. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ Hutton, Rachel (June 2, 2019). "Walkin' Dog's top dog relishes his role". Star Tribune: E1. Retrieved April 11, 2023 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Kumar, Kavita (July 11, 2022). "Hungry for lunch in the skyway but need to keep your budget balanced? A meal can be had for $10 or less, but it was not easy to find". Star Tribune: D1. ProQuest 2687866335. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Nelson, Rick (February 7, 2008). "Pie in the sky: 9 more spots worth checking out via skyway". Star Tribune: 22. ProQuest 427948485. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023 – via ProQuest.