USA Today Ranks our Burger Number #1 in Minnesota

If Minnesota has a state burger, it's the Juicy Lucy, a molten cheese-stuffed burger. Serious burger lovers flock to Casper & Runyon's Nook in St. Paul for a modern, gourmet Juicy update. A fresh bakery bun, real cheese and quality beef make this explosive entree the local taste champion.

Ted and Mike!

The lifelong friendship between Ted Casper and Mike Runyon came into fruition because of the lasting friendship between their fathers, Tom Casper and Pete Runyon, who graduated together from the 1969 class of Cretin. Accordingly, Ted and Mike have known each other since they were in diapers. 

On October 1, 2000 the duo had the opportunity to buy The Nook from Chuck Mitsch. They seized on it. Chuck purchased Mickey's Nook, as it was then known, in 1997 from Mickey Braunsen, who owned the establishment from 1967 to 1997. 

The Nook started out for them as a little hole-in-the-wall, 3.2 bar that wasn't very busy. Nevertheless, with Tom's guidance, Mickey's cooking help and the hard work of Ted and Mike--not to mention thanks to the many Nook regulars and local patrons--we found a place on the map. It's now known for some of the best burgers in Minnesota, featured on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. 

In December of 2006, Ted and Mike decided they needed more than the 12 tables and 15 bar spots that The Nook allows and bought Shamrocks. Ted and Mike are very fortunate to have a loyal customer following and hope to satisfy their customers' burger appetite for many years to come!