The Cherry Pit

I got a groupon and we decided to check this place out. We usually stay away from the East Side because well, tough guys and drug addicts just aren’t our scene. With this being said, we had an amazing Sunday lunch there! The patio was much nicer than we expected it would be. The stuffed mushrooms were fantastic as was my red pepper jelly burger. Our server was perfect and polite and we couldn’t have been happier with her! The bathrooms were very clean and newly remodeled. We will definitely be back for lunch there again!

When I entered, for a moment, I thought a favorite bar hang out had been taken over by a church because there was music (I later discovered was keroke) and most of the patrons holding hands (apparently praying).
As time went on I later discovered the connection, some one who couldn’t sing AND WAS DRUNK, was practicing karaōke and everybody was praying that either he would get better or stop. Or, management would turn off his microphone.
Anyhow, prayers were answered, he did stop singing so I will give cherry pit a 3 in this review instead of a 1.

I agree with the pleasant surprise! It’s a bar and its a little dark on a Saturday afternoon, but dang if it wasn’t a happy atmosphere! Our server was amazing and every interaction with the staff was very positive. And then there’s the food. Surprisingly some really great buffalo wings; extremely meaty, crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and not too spicy. Great cheese curds! They need some better dipping sauces for them, like a sweat and spicy choice. The wonton tacos are super good as well. Surprisingly again, the place was packed at 12:30 and we were the only ones eating. We had a groupon and I’m glad I checked it out. Five stars and I’ll be back.

It you stay away from Fridays apparently you’re safer according to other Unilocal reviews. The location is less than ideal for parking but the food is pretty darn good. Had the chicken wonton tacos. They are their best seller and there’s a reason why. It’s a must order. The curd burger and aussie burger are equally amazing. The meat tasted fresh and is apparently bought from the local meat marker. The fries were unfortunately completely soaked through with grease and inedible. The menu says crispy, they definitely are far from that.
The place was pretty packed for a weeknight but it’s meat raffle Tuesday apparently. The waitress was friendly and comped $ 4 for the app since it came out significantly later than our meals. Our bill was also incorrect with other patrons drinks on it totalling $ 17 extra. Beers were forgotten about on ²⁄₄ orders. Not a good average.
Worth a try for a mean burger and apps.

Definitely the best cheese curds around.
And the chicken wonton tacos are seriously delicious! Too good to pass up if you ever go there.

I live nearby and go all the time. Cheese curds are the best on the east side, buffalo chicken wrap can’t be beat, and their burgers are juicy and delicious. Wings and other apps are also bomb. You can get tots, fresh cut fries or waffle fries with sandwiches and all are good so it’s not a gamble, just get what you’re in the mood for. Patio is nice, despite a busy corner. Sometimes it gets busy, but that’s just a symptom of a great bar. Reason I’ll never stop going.
One pointer if you go… they don’t always have wait staff, so you might need to order with the bartender.

$ 1 Burgers. I am not kidding. This place offers $ 1 quarter pound, full size burgers in the afternoons, I think from 3 – 6 pm. Check with them to make sure, my information is not deemed totally reliable, but I think the bartender said they have the $ 1 burgers every day from 3−6pm. 50 cents per topping or something like that, so anyway my burger with grilled onions and a side of mayo was only $ 1.50 or something like that. When food is that cheap, I kind of phase out. A big basket of fries was only $ 4.
Was it the best burger in the world? What do you want for $ 1.50? It was pretty darn good and a full size quarter pound burger. The place has a patio, we had thoroughly decent service from the bartender, and $ 1 burgers. I’m giving them 5 stars.

I came here on a Sunday with my wife and our friend. We sat outside on the patio and waited for a waitress to take our order. And waited. And waited.
Eventually we had to go inside to the bar to place our order.
Plus side: The booze was cheap. And they had a rather good musical duo playing on the patio.

This place just feels gross, the bar is pretty average, the food I had was tolerable, but the people and staff made it beyond salvaging. Most of the patrons were clearly regulars who spent enough time in the bar that they felt at home, and dropped any efforts towards public decency years ago. I don’t have an issue with regulars, but it becomes a problem when it starts to feel like you’re being cased by half the room, call me paranoid but I left after 1 beer and kept my eyes peeled walking to my car. I will say this, friendly people exist, they go out to bars, just not to this one, so I would just skip this place altogether.

My husband and I stopped by for Pitgo last night. We sat at a table and there were menus for food. My husband grabbed a couple of bingo cards and we began playing while also trying to read the menu between numbers. We didn’t realise there was no server, so we were trying to decide what to order. Meanwhile, my husband happened to win that round of bingo. As soon as he got back to our table with his winnings (a tshirt) the ponytailed bartender rudely said that we had to order a drink from the bar if we were going to play bingo. Apparently he didn’t notice that we had been perusing the menu for the last 5 minutes? We each ordered a drink, which we had been planning to do, and decided to leave after we finished. We did not order food or additional drinks, as we had planned. We have been customers before and enjoyed the food, but we didn’t appreciate the rude service (or lack thereof) on this visit. Bingo was fun and we would have loved to stay, but clearly we weren’t wanted!

Food was good. Above average. Bar tender was self conceded and brag about himself. Calling himself the meat whore and talking to customers rather than serving the bar. Talking about his city boy hunting story which could get someone killed before first light. I grew up hunting so red flag. He spilled a drink on the cook which didn’t communicate he was behind him. Beer taps were clean and the beer was tasty. Coming from a undercover bar and food advisor and taster, this place gets 2 stars. I didn’t see how clean their kitchen was. They also didn’t have table numbers or were organized. They had to rely on the bartenders knowledge. Can work, but seen fail by more. Knowing John Taffer and being in his organization. I can say this bar needs improvements. Seems like they have good clientele from an older crowd playing bingo.

The food is very good, way above average for bar food, its the one reason I really go here. They have tons of TVs for the game but the fact is that I wish they had better service. I usually go earlier and latter it’s not so bad, just depends but it always feels like they screw up a drink order or my glass is empty and its 20 min of standing at the bar wait for the lady to end her conversation before I get another. It could be an awesome place if they just managed their people better.

Even though the drinks aren’t so «fancy» I always seem to have a good time.
A few more beer choices would be nice, but when I feel like drinking high life this is the place for me.
Good neighborhood bar.
I remember the burgers being pretty good too.

It’s just ok. You pretty much have to flag down a bartender to get a drink as they are usually talking with the drunk regulars at the bar. Once it gets dark, you basically have a group of drunks just looking to start a fight.

This place is great, just had lunch with my boss! The service is excellent and the food is amazing, especially the blue cheese and bacon burger!

I decided after living in the area for almost 3 years that i should stop in and check this place out. I went on a Thursday night with a friend of mine. I do have to say that this place has terrible service. We waited almost 30 mins. before being asked if we wanted drinks. Then waited another hour for food. It wasn’t busy at all. There were also three bartenders working. I will not be returning anytime soon.

I love «The Pit»! There are some older reviews that aren’t so great, but they were probably warranted. I have been coming here for a few years now and I’ve never seen or had a problem. Karaōke is fun, in fact I’ll be going this Sunday for my bday. That’s just a tiny part of the reason that I love this place. Their food is awesome, for a neighborhood bar. Good $ 1 burgers, excellent onion rings, wings, and lots of other good bar fare. GREAT bloody marys, most times served with a pickle, olive, celery stick, cheese and a bit of beef stick. Although, last Sunday, I stopped in for a bloody and it came with jalapeño bacon… YUMMM! Very friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere. I will admit, on a weekend night, it can be a lil crowded… but it’s a bar. Shouldn’t it be? Also it CAN sometimes be like stepping into a reunion, if you’re from the east side, but… I like that. :)

I absolutely can’t stand this place.
The food blows, the drinks are sub-​par, the service is «meh» at best and the patrons? Complete drunken jackasses.
I’m not sure what it takes to get kicked out at this place but it must take quite a bit.
Arguments and physical altercations seem to be commonplace.
I don’t know. Maybe this just isn’t my bag of chips. Maybe I’m too old (and far too uninterested) to deal with slovenly, dumpy, drunken assholes raising up their shirts and calling one another out. Maybe this place just completely blows.
I’m going to say it’s the last one.

I went here for a pre-​game Sunday and was pleasantly surprised. We were the first and only couple in the bar, but found the bartender excellent. The bloody mary’s were great, garnished with an olive, pickle, and celery spear; also well crafted.
We had great conversation with the bartender and some of the other patrons, as they made their way in. I am not sure about the other negative reviews listed, perhaps that sort of thing happens late at night on the weekends?
Anyways, kudos to the bartender (Chris) and the establishment. It is more of a dive like bar, but fits right in as an establishment in East Saint Paul.
The food… We had the buffalo wings which were pretty good at $ 6.50 per 12. We also tried the cheese curds, which I would recommend passing on. They resembled the“Culver’s style” and not freshly battered. Feel free to try one of their burgers. We had a regular one with cheese and pickles. I thought it was one of the better burgers I have had at a bar, perfectly grilled patty and a nice toasty bun.
All in all, fantastic neighborhood bar! The only downside I saw was the restrooms. I guess you can’t expect pure perfection in a neighborhood bar though. We will return!

This place is a high school reunion every day for Harding Alum’s. I always run into at least 3 people I graduated with every time I come here.
I don’t come much anymore because both of my brothers and my dad have life bans from the place, I’d hate to make 4 for 4. If you come here on a Friday or Saturday night, you will see a fight. There have also been shootings, R.I.P. Blaine.