Opinion: This Should Be Duluth’s Next Chain Restaurant Addition
Let's be honest, we all love new additions to the Twin Ports and the Northland in general. We are blessed with some amazing restaurants but in my opinion, the merrier.
Duluth is known for its amazing local restaurants and I absolutely love them all. We have so many local restaurants that there have been several featured on national television. Places like Duluth Grill and Gordy's Hi-Hat have been staples on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.
We are likely to get more local additions in the future as well. A taco shop is opening up in the Lincoln Park area of Duluth and it is already a huge hit thanks to its first location in Grand Marais. It will be opening sometime in early 2022.
However, just like anywhere else, there are chain restaurants as well. I also enjoy eating at those from time to time and was recently thinking about what would make a good new addition.
We all know there is an Applebee's in both Duluth and Superior. I mention this because Walker Hayes had the biggest song of the year and it included an Applebee's name drop. Ha! We are also lucky to have other chains like Olive Garden and Texas Roadhouse.
This got me thinking: what chain should come to town next? There are a ton to choose from but I really think it would be awesome to have a Cheesecake Factory! I haven't been to one in years but I think it would fit in nicely in Duluth.
The reason I think it would make a great addition is because there is something for everyone on the menu! This would solve many fights between you and your significant other about where you are going to eat because their menu is huge. Ha!
The menu has salads, appetizers, pastas, sandwiches and dessert, among so many other things. The last time I went, the menu was pages long. I got overwhelmed just looking at it.
There are a few locations around Minnesota but nowhere close to the Twin Ports. There are locations in Minnetonka and Edina. Why not branch out and open up a location in Duluth? We love new restaurants.
A good location for the new spot could be in West Duluth, where the old Kmart location sits vacant. While nothing has been confirmed to be moving in there, many locals have some great ideas about what could go into the space.
Of course, this is just an opinion and not something that is happening. You never know what could happen. For example, a Popeye's location was supposed to open on Central Entrance in Duluth. They announced this news earlier this year.
However, that never happened and still might not happen. I reached out to developers recently and they said that they are still figuring things out, in so many words. As of now, it doesn't seem like a sure thing moving forward.
Plus, rumor has it that there is another fast food restaurant that could open in our area soon. There hasn't been any word on if it is actually going to happen but it was looking likely in March of this year. We will see what happens in 2022!