Vintage Minnesota: Fire destroys Minneapolis landmark Harry's Cafe

Photo originally published in January 1978:

From 1926 on, Harry's Cafe was a landmark in downtown Minneapolis. It became a favorite haunt of Minneapolis Tribune "After Last Night" columnist Will Jones, who frequented "this Minneapolis institution" for its "a long and substantial chophouse menu," and for being "one of the places I think of almost automatically when I yearn for a good steamed live lobster." He wrote, "The giant Harry's martini is the original Minnesota White Death."

For its 50th anniversary, the cafe, which was founded by Harry Doust, offered special celebration dinners: prime rib or cod à la capers for $5.50; New York cut sirloin for $6.50. In early 1978, the restaurant, at 11th Street and Nicollet Avenue, was destroyed in a fire. No one was injured, but it was the end of a culinary tradition.