3 Places In Minnesota You Can Still Find The Iconic ‘Happy Chef’

Did you know Minnesota is home to some giants? The 16-foot-tall statues are a reminder of a business that once had more than 60 locations across the Midwest, but now only one remains in Minnesota. Even though the chain has mostly closed, you can still see a tall reminder in three different places across the land of 10,000 statues. How many of you remember the restaurant chain, Happy Chef?

Three Places You Can Still See The 'Happy Chef'

While there is just one Happy Chef left in Minnesota, there are two other locations in Minnesota where you can still spot the giant mascot holding his spoon high, and one is just down the road from St. Cloud.

Princeton's Happy Chef

Outside of A-Z Restaurant Equipment in Princeton sits a former Happy Chef statue, with the letters 'A - Z' painted in green on his iconic chef's hat. This Happy Chef also has had his vest/undershirt painted green. You can see him standing tall as you pass him going North on Highway 169.

Wyoming's Happy Chef

Closer to the metro, down in Wyoming, Minnesota, you can see another former Happy Chef statue just off Vikings Blvd. This Happy Chef is outside Linwood Country Store & Pizza. The Happy 'Pizza' Chef has a very patriotic red, white, and blue vest/undershirt paint job, and while he isn't holding his iconic spoon in his hand, he does have something, maybe a pizza cutter?

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Mankato's Happy Chef

If you take the drive south on Highway 169, just outside of Mankato, you'll find Minnesota's lone Happy Chef restaurant (51646 US-169, Mankato, MN 56001), and outside of course is another Happy Chef statue, true to form, with the words 'Happy Chef' on his hat.

The iconic brand, Happy Chef, was a popular late-night stop for many people, as it offered great food at a reasonable price. You can still get your fill of both food and memories at the last Happy Chef in Mankato.

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