Support Local Businesses: Dolsie’s Lunch Box Grille [LISTEN]

It's more important now than ever to support local businesses like bars and restaurants during the shut down.

Every weekday morning at 8 a.m. we'll be visiting with a local restaurant operator to find out how they are doing during the pandemic. We'll check-in and find out what specials they're running, how you can order for delivery, take-out our curbside pickup.

Today, were joined on the show by Paul Dols with Dolsie's Lunch Box Grille in downtown St. Cloud.

They're known for their home cooking. Dolsie's menu features a wide range of homemade soups, fresh popovers, fresh baked bread, sandwiches, fish and chips, fresh battered chicken fingers and cod along with panko breaded shrimp, salads, wraps and more. Dols says their number one seller is the gourmet cheese steak.

Olies are another one of their staple items. It's a round crinkle cut french fry, named after Dols's daughter Olivia, served up with a homemade cheese sauce. When they were putting the restaurant together 8 years ago, Oliva, asked to have an item on the menu named after her. Thus, Olies were born.

The restaurant even has a copy of the former OK Cafe's beloved chow mein recipe that they make every three weeks or so. "Anyone that's younger than 45 probably doesn't remember the OK Cafe," laughed Dols.

When OK Cafe's owner passed away, his daughter shared some of his recipes with people who attended his funeral. "I was lucky enough to get a copy of the recipe," said Dols.

"Our menu is pretty extensive … not too big. Just big enough to handle for a mom and pop shop," said Dols.

Many restaurants are having to temporarily scale back their menu during Minnesota's restaurant and bar shutdown, but not Dolsie's. They've got a loyal fan base in the community and on social media. "If I take something off the menu, they'd kill me," he laughed.

The restaurant has been partnering with Food Dudes, a third party delivery service, since before the shutdown. Dols credits this partnership for the steady flow of business they've had, "before the shut down we were always doing about 30 percent with delivery and takeout anyway. For us, it was an easy transition unlike a lot of places in town that didn't have that."

In addition to pickup and delivery, you can also support the restaurant by purchasing gift cards. They're available for pickup or by mail by calling the restaurant directly at 320-774-1255.

Dolsie's posts their specials daily on their website and social media pages. They're open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can find them at 810 West St. Germain Street in St. Cloud.