Restaurant Histories: 525 Cokato St. W.

Article by Cokato Museum Staff

In the early 1970s, Highway 12 gained another commercial building, 525 Cokato Street West.  Since opening its doors on Monday, February 22, 1971, the building has housed four different businesses throughout its existence, each a part of the food industry.  These include the Norseman Restaurant, Daniel's Family Restaurant, The Red Goat Bar and Grill, and The Bait & Hook.

1971 - 2003

The Norseman Restaurant was started by a father son duo, Bjarne and Forrest "Butch" Amundsen who also owned a restaurant in St. Bonifacius.  Bjarne operated the St. Bonifacius restaurant while Butch managed the Cokato restaurant.
The Norseman became a great place to socialize. The February 27, 1996 Enterprise Dispatch stated, "The Norseman has succeeded beyond these men's expectations, expanding twice and serving as formal and informal meeting place for everyone... The Lower banquet room accommodates up to 125 people." 
The Norseman had a very Scandinavian feel to it. There were wood carvings and paintings of Vikings and ships found throughout the restaurant.
After 32 years of providing good food, coffee, and a community gathering space, Butch retired and sold the restaurant to Pam Bratz who had worked at the Norseman for 15 years.

2003 - 2013

The Norseman closed and four days later, on August 5, 2003, the Daniel's Family Restaurant was open for business. According to the Enterprise Dispatch, the name of the new restaurant came from Pam's father, Daniel, who had enjoyed going to the Norseman.  
Changes that Bratz brought to the restaurant were: a new name; new decor, which focused on a country theme rather than Scandinavian; a fresh coat of paint (yellow, green and maroon); and a new spin on the old Norseman menu.

2013 - 2016

The Daniel's Family Restaurant was bought by the Becker family in 2013.  The family started The Red Goat Bar & Grill in Watkins in 2010 and later expanded to Cokato in 2013.  The Red Goat name was inspired by the red goatee grown on the face Derek, one of the Becker family members.
Many renovations were made to the interior of the building before The Red Goat opened to the public on May 28, 2016.  According to the Enterprise Dispatch updates included: new paint, wiring, plumbing, wood paneling, a new bar area, and the replacement of the solarium with a solid wall (the solarium had been in poor condition).
Specialty foods included: Red Goat Burger and Pizza, jo-jo's, and haystack onions.

2016 - Present

The Bait & Hook is the latest chapter in the history of 525 Cokato St W.  During the 2016 Cokato Corn Carnival the Bait & Hook held the soft opening of its restaurant.
Two of the biggest differences between the Bait & Hook and the former restaurants are the hours of operation and the menu.  The Bait & Hook is open Thursday - Saturday, rather than every weekday, and the focus of its menu is Seafood.
​It will be interesting to see how this business will continue to make its mark on the community of Cokato.