Happy Minot Monday! Today I’m taking you to one of my favorite local places eateries: Schatz Crossroads. I’ll tell you all about it in a second, but first I want to thank BeLOCAL Minot for making Minot Monday possible! For more ideas on local things to do and eateries (see here) be sure to check them out.
**COVID 19 Disclaimer** Like most things that I write about on Minot Monday, Schatz’s Crossroads is a public space. As virus cases begin to surge again (even in our safe haven of North Dakota) please use caution and your best judgement when exploring. Stay up to date with recommendations and case numbers here. I have faith that one day things will go back to normal-ish–and this library of posts will be helpful. Until then, please adhere to CDC guidelines, wash your hands often and keep your distance.
First Of All, Say The Name Right
When we lived in Minot the first time no one told me about Schatz. (Thanks for nothing, “friends.”) I was working in our garage, refinishing kitchen cabinets when I heard an ad on the radio, about a 24 hour restaurant in town, claiming to have Minot’s best burger. This was circa 2013.
My interest was piqued. At that time restaurants were still a bit understaffed (due to the flood and oil boom) and many closed early. I’d often work on house projects until late, then be starving and too exhausted…only to find that all my quick options were closed.
I didn’t quite catch the name, but a little Googling led me to the Schatz Crossroads website. Soon I asked my local friends about a place called “Shats.” This was met with laughter and lots of jokes.
“No. It’s pronounced ‘Shots,'” they said. How was I supposed to know?
All this to say. Step one of enjoying Schatz is to pronounce it right. Don’t sound like an outsider. It’s Shots, not Shats. Also, no one adds the “Crossroads” part of the name. It’s just Schatz. You’re welcome. Now you won’t sound as silly as I did.
By the way, I’ve still never had a Schatz burger.
The Schatz Crossroads Experience
Eating at Schatz Crossroads is one of my favorite Minot experiences. Depending on the day is can be very busy. (Sundays are usually crowded with a breakfast crowd followed by an after-church brunch crowd.) Is it a dive? A diner? A hole in the wall? I don’t know exactly how to classify it. It’s attached to a truck stop, but it doesn’t feel too truck-stoppy. You’ll have to decide for yourself.
It’s the kind of place where you can just sit and soak in Minot culture. You can pick up snippets of conversations from farmers and ranchers and oil field workers. You’ll hear chats about the weather from gray men drinking coffee. And you’re sure to hear some “Uffdas” and local opinions on everything from the weather modification bill to school reopenings to the construction on Broadway.
The interior is mostly brown. I love it because it’s not trying too hard. Schatz isn’t trying to change with the times. It’s steady and consistent. A place where you can almost forget all of the weird that’s been happening in 2020.
I’m enamored with its simplicity, sometimes awkwardly wide booths and the iconic “steak and eggs” lettering on the wall. That’s all it says. “Steak and Eggs.” Big enough to fill a wall. For a small-town lover, there’s nothing better.
Personally, I like to go alone and eat on the bar stools. That way I can really soak up the Minoty atmosphere. (That was my regular spot 2013-2015).
What to Eat
I hear everything at Shcatz Crossroads is delightful. But I’ll be honest, I only order off the breakfast menu. The first time I went was for breakfast, and it was so good I stopped there. Breakfast is served all day, so why not?
Here’s my usual order: Hashbrown Combo with both meats (bacon and sausage), rye toast, coffee. What is a hashbrown combo? Glad you asked.
I think of it as a reverse omelette. Instead of filling wrapped in egg, its hashbrowns wrapped like a burrito around egg, cheese and meat. Then to finish it off, there’s a big slice of American cheese on top.
We’re also fans of their pancakes (which are HUGE) and the kids meals. Kids’ meals are so reasonable and a proper amount of food for a little ($3.50 for breakfast.) But like I said, I’ve never had anything bad.
Go to Schatz, Feel More Local
The moral of the story is this: Schatz Crossroads is delightful on many levels. When you go, you’ll feel a little more local. If you are new (or even not so new) to town and feeling out of place, you should go and soak up some raw atmosphere. (Just remember to play it safe during COVID).
For more ways to eat like a local see these listings from BeLOCAL Minot (and if you’re into diners check out this post.) And for more on living in Minot and inspiration on intentional living, join me on Facebook and Instagram. (I do a weekly round up of upcoming events each Monday on my stories.) Or subscribe to get my posts directly to your inbox, so you never miss a thing. (Sign up below.) Got questions about Minot? Feel free to ask me!
