Gordy's competes in 'Burger Bracket'

A new radio program on Minnesota Public Radio is trying to muster up some interest through potential listeners' stomachs. The Warming House program, which began running on MPR stations in January as a balm for pandemic-induced tedium, has set up tournament bracket-style face-offs between favorite burger joints across the state.

Yes, Gordy's Hi-Hat made the tournament field and votes are being tabulated this week. It's good timing, as Cloquet's landmark seasonal restaurant is scheduled to open on March 24.

Dubbed The Great Minnesota Burger Bracket, the show hosts declared that it's "our chance to declare once and for all Minnesota's best burger." Gordy's joined the second week of voting on Monday, facing off against Matt's of Minneapolis.

Gordy's owner Dan Lundquist was pleasantly surprised to learn about the burger bracket and excited that MPR chose to feature the Hi-Hat.

"I hope we do OK," Lundquist said. "Matt's has a big market there, and they do a good job."

Online voting is easy and remains open until midnight Saturday. To vote, visit mprnews.org/thewarminghouse.

The winners of each face-off are announced on the Warming House broadcast at 7 p.m. Sunday night. By the end of the month, it expects to name a burger champion.

As for the opening later this month, Lundquist said Gordy's Hi-Hat will again use the "good old-fashioned car hop" model it fine-tuned last season to serve customers during the pandemic.

"It was the safest way for both our customers and our staff last year; we're proud that we made it through last year without any Covid incidents," he said. "As summer goes on, we'll see if we can morph into indoor dining too."

They have made some improvements this year, including a walk up line to better serve local customers who may walk or bike there, as well as a better way to accommodate motorcyclists so they don't have to wait in a long line of cars. There will be more tables for outside dining and they're opening up the screen porch for diners. They've also made the checkout and payment system more efficient, Lundquist said.

Many stars of last year's car hop service - other than the food - will be returning as well.

"We have a bunch of return flaggers," Lundquist said of the staff who often flamboyantly directed vehicles into parking spaces. "They've been working on their routines. I know people appreciated that entertainment, especially last year."