Iron Exchange - Maple Plain

The dining area is bright and contemporary, with a smaller, dog-friendly covered patio. Everyone on staff was very friendly, and we even had the chance to meet... read more The dining area is bright and contemporary, with a smaller, dog-friendly covered patio. Everyone on staff was very friendly, and we even had the chance to meet the chef, who was eager to chat about the portobello sandwich I ordered. While the service was a bit slow—we were the only patrons on the patio at opening and had to retrieve our own silverware—it felt more like we were momentarily overlooked than anything else. We tried a flight of beers, which turned out to be our least favorite part of the meal. Most of the darker beers tasted quite thin, resulting in slight variations of a watery base. However, the cream ale stood out as the best option; it was highly carbonated, reminiscent of a cream soda. The pretzel sticks were surprisingly delightful. They were light and airy, with a thin crust that had a nice chewiness, almost like a fluffy pub style combined with a less sweet, chewier ballpark treat. The accompanying beer cheese was decent but could have benefited from some black pepper, hot sauce, or crushed pepper flakes to enhance its flavor, as it also lacked the punch I expected from a flavorful beer pairing. On the other hand, the cherry mustard was fantastic—sweet, tart, and just the right amount of bite. I even found myself eating it straight from the spoon—definitely a 10/10. I was really impressed with the portobello sandwich. The bread was an exceptionally soft Italian style, almost enriched to a brioche level, and not as chewy as traditional ciabatta. The portobello itself had been brined for two days and was cooked to perfection, maintaining a satisfying texture without shrinking down like mushrooms often do at other places. The aioli added a lot of flavor, too. The side Caesar salad was enjoyable—a blend of classic Caesar and Greek styles, with olives, red onion, tomatoes, and croutons. It was delicious without being overly dressed. Overall, I had a great experience and would certainly return, especially if I’m looking to catch a game or if I’m biking or hiking in the vicinity. Vegetarian options: Highly recommend the portobello sandwich—very tasty!

The staff at the restaurant is truly outstanding – they are kind and wonderful people. As for the drinks, they are great! Unfortunately, the food hasn't impress... read more The staff at the restaurant is truly outstanding – they are kind and wonderful people. As for the drinks, they are great! Unfortunately, the food hasn't impressed us as much. We've visited the restaurant four times, hoping for a better experience each time. The standout item on the menu is definitely the tater tots, especially with the amazing beer cheese. We've also tried the pizza, chicken, and walleye, but I don’t know what it is… it's not "BAD" food, but some menu items just don’t seem worthy of a restaurant setting to me. With only three bar/restaurants in Maple Plain, I really want to like this place. I will likely give it another chance in the future, but I hesitate to spend that much money on food that is just… well, lackluster. You know what I mean?

Excellent Walleye dinner and very friendly service. Grateful my sister told me to go and try the Iron Exchange. I haven't tried their pizza yet, but I will be s... read more Excellent Walleye dinner and very friendly service. Grateful my sister told me to go and try the Iron Exchange. I haven't tried their pizza yet, but I will be soon. Very nice place and highly recommend.

Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 read more Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of gluten-free options available! You do need to inquire about them, but Lindsey was incredibly knowledgeable and help... read more I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of gluten-free options available! You do need to inquire about them, but Lindsey was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. The food was excellent as well! The average cost per person is around $20 to $30.