Somewhere in Minnesota, a candy shop dips potato chips in chocolate, and it calls them a signature treat. I read that once and immediately needed a road trip.
The salty-sweet chips are only the start. One small-town meat market on this list traces its roots back to 1914. A North Shore smokehouse sits right along Lake Superior, selling smoked fish and cheese.
I love that these stops are mostly simple counters, cases, and shelves. Nobody needs a fancy dining room when the bacon, donuts, and cheese curds do the talking. The goods travel home with you, too, which means the fun keeps going long after the drive.
So here is my question. Would you add an hour to your trip for a sausage stick, a Scandinavian donut, or a scoop of creamery ice cream? After reading about these shops, I think you might.
1. Schmidt’s Meat Market
Award-winning bacon in a town this small? Nicollet sure knows how to keep a secret worth sharing.
Schmidt’s Meat Market is a traditional butcher shop on a quiet downtown street in southern Minnesota. The focus is clear from the start, with smoked meats, artisanal sausages, and bacon leading the show.
Let’s talk about that bacon first. It has earned awards, and the shop’s sausage sticks have collected honors too. That’s a pretty good track record for a small farming community. You can shop the cases, grab what you need, and keep rolling.
The shop also works as a deli, so it’s more than a raw meat counter. Smoked goods make easy road trip snacks, and they pack well for later meals. Planning helps here. Saturday mornings and afternoons tend to be the busiest stretch of the week.
Weekdays are calmer, which makes them great for browsing. You can take your time picking out sausages without feeling rushed. Hours run from early morning into the evening on weekdays. Saturdays wrap up a little earlier, and the shop stays closed on Sundays.
Here’s my tip for you. Grab a few sausage sticks for the drive and some bacon for Sunday breakfast at home. That way the trip pays off twice. Once in the car, and again at the kitchen table.
Address: 319 Pine St, Nicollet, MN 56074
2. Thielen Meats of Pierz
Some detours cost you time, and this one gives you beef sticks in return. That’s a trade most snackers will happily make. Thielen Meats of Pierz is a long-standing butcher shop on Main Street in central Minnesota. It’s a classic small-town fixture, and the meat cases explain why.
Bacon and beef sticks are the headliners. Both have built a strong reputation, and they make the shop a favorite reason to swing through Pierz. The quality of the products stands out, and so does the service. Staff behind the counter help keep the visit smooth and friendly.
Plenty of travelers think the stop is worth adding an hour to a trip. Once you taste a beef stick, you might start planning your route around it. Friday is a smart day to know about. The shop stays open until 7 PM, later than other weekdays.
That evening window is handy if you’re heading north for the weekend. Just expect Friday afternoons and Saturdays to be the busiest times. Quieter hours land on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday mornings. Those are good picks if you want time to look around.
Bring a cooler if you can. Stocking up on bacon makes a lot of sense when you’ve driven this far. Sundays are closed, so plan around that. Your future breakfast will thank you.
Address: 310 Main St N, Pierz, MN 56364
3. McDonald’s Meats
Forget the golden arches. In Clear Lake, the name McDonald’s means homemade sausage, and it has since 1914. McDonald’s Meats is a family-run meat market on the main road through this small central Minnesota town. More than a century of business tells you something is working.
The selection is large, which is great news for indecisive shoppers. Homemade sausages and jerky are big draws, and the smoked bacon earns serious praise. That bacon gets described as so good it deserves a different name. I love that kind of over-the-top compliment.
Major renovations have refreshed the space. Now it’s a pleasant place to hunt for all kinds of tasty foods. Unlike several shops on this list, McDonald’s Meats opens on Sundays. Hours run from 10 AM to 4 PM that day.
Weekdays stretch until 6:30 PM, so after-work runs are easy. Saturdays close at 4 PM. Friday afternoons and Saturdays draw the biggest crowds. Monday and Wednesday mornings are usually calmer.
Jerky is a natural pick for the road. Sausages and bacon are better for grilling or breakfast back home. Why not grab a little of each? With a selection this big, sampling a few things just feels like good research.
Address: 8601 Main Ave, Clear Lake, MN 55319
4. Russ Kendall’s Smoke House
Lake Superior gives the North Shore its views. Knife River adds smoked fish to the deal. Russ Kendall’s Smoke House is a seafood market in the small coastal village of Knife River. It sits along Scenic Drive, a lovely route hugging the big lake.
Smoked fish is the main event here, and you’ll find a variety of it. Artisanal cheese shares the spotlight too. That combo makes this a top stop for charcuterie fans. Pick up fish and cheese, add crackers, and you’ve got a lakeside picnic.
Plenty of folks driving the shore treat this as a must-stop. The smoked fish has a reputation that reaches far past this tiny village. Watch the calendar before you go. The shop closes on Wednesdays but opens the other six days.
Hours run 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM on open days. Weekend afternoons, especially Sundays, tend to get busy. One practical note helps. There’s no restroom on site, so plan your pit stops elsewhere.
Smoked fish makes a great gift for friends back home. A small cooler keeps it in good shape on the drive. Honestly, the hardest part is not snacking before you reach your picnic spot. Good luck with that challenge.
Address: 149 Scenic Dr, Knife River, MN 55609
5. Bloedow Bakery
A Bacon Maple Long John might be the most Minnesota breakfast ever invented. Bloedow Bakery makes one, and it’s been baking in Winona since 1924.
This old-fashioned, family-owned bakery is a true landmark. The historic store is clean and attractive, sitting on a neighborhood street in this Mississippi River bluff town.
Filled donuts are a big reason people line up. Pastries, rolls, and breads round out the cases. Look for garlic toasts and scones too. Seven-layer bars, pies, and buns also show up in the lineup.
Friday brings a special treat. Apple turnovers appear only that day, so plan accordingly if you love them. Barrel Bread is another fun pick. It’s a vegan option for anyone who skips eggs and dairy.
Prices are friendly, and there’s window pickup for quick grabs. Free parking is available in the lot and on the street. Get there early for the best choices. Doors open at 6 AM Tuesday through Friday and 7:30 AM on Saturday.
The bakery closes by mid-afternoon and takes Sundays and Mondays off. There’s no dine-in, so plan to eat on the go. A box of donuts makes you very popular at work. Trust the math on that one.
Address: 451 E Broadway St, Winona, MN 55987
6. Widmans Candy Shop
Chocolate-covered potato chips sound like a late-night kitchen experiment. In Crookston, they’re a signature treat. Widmans Candy Shop is a historic candy store in downtown Crookston. It sits in the Red River Valley of northwestern Minnesota.
The shop keeps things simple inside. The real attraction is in the cases, where handmade treats wait for you. Those famous chips blend salty crunch with smooth chocolate. If you’ve never tried the combo, this is the place to start.
You’ll also find a wide variety of chocolate-covered candy. Picking just one might be the toughest decision of your day. Before you go, look up the shop’s history. Knowing the backstory makes each bite feel like a small piece of local tradition.
Hours start bright and early at 7:30 AM. Weekdays run until 5 PM. Saturdays close at 2 PM, so don’t sleep in too long. Sundays are closed.
A mixed box makes a sweet gift. It’s also a handy excuse to buy extra for yourself. The chocolate chips are perfect for sharing on a road trip. Well, sharing is the plan, anyway.
Address: 116 S Broadway, Crookston, MN 56716
7. Lindström Bakery
Lindstrom proudly wears its Swedish heritage, and the local bakery serves it up with glaze. Scandinavian donuts are the star here. Lindström Bakery is a small-town shop on Lake Boulevard. It specializes in Scandinavian-style donuts along with plenty of other baked treats.
Glazed and honey glazed old-fashioned donuts are big favorites. Some fans call them the best old-fashioned donuts they’ve had anywhere. Apple crispies are another must-try. Peanut butter cookies and molasses cookies also earn plenty of love.
The owners and staff are friendly and courteous. That kind of service makes an early morning stop even sweeter. Unlike some bakeries, this one offers coffee and dine-in seating. You can enjoy your donut right there with a hot cup.
Prices are reasonable, so filling a box won’t hurt much. A restroom is available too. Hours start at 6:30 AM on weekdays and 7 AM on Saturday. Sunday hours run 8 AM to 2 PM.
Mondays are closed. Saturdays bring the biggest crowds, so weekday visits feel calmer. The bakery is a short drive from Stillwater. That makes it an easy add-on to a St. Croix Valley day trip.
Address: 12830 Lake Blvd, Lindstrom, MN 55045
8. Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store
When a store puts its size right in its name, you know it isn’t shy. This bright yellow barn backs up the brag. Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store sits along Highway 169 outside Jordan. It’s a famous roadside stop, and the decor adds to the fun.
Candy is the obvious headliner, with sweets from around the world. Japanese candy is a highlight for curious snackers. The shelves go beyond sugar, though. You’ll find local groceries, specialty packaged foods, and fresh baked goods like homemade pies.
Puzzles show up in a wide variety too. That makes it a handy stop for rainy day supplies. Kids love the treasure hunt feel. Honestly, adults tend to get just as excited near the candy aisles.
Hours are generous, starting at 8 AM daily. The store stays open until 7 PM Monday through Thursday. Friday through Sunday, closing time pushes to 8 PM. That gives weekend travelers plenty of time to stop.
Set a budget before you start browsing. Rows of colorful treats can make that plan disappear quickly. A pie for dinner and candy for the car sounds balanced to me. Nobody needs to check my math.
Address: 20430 Johnson Memorial Dr, Jordan, MN 55352
9. Bongards Creameries – Retail Store
Cheese fresh from the creamery next door is a pretty strong selling point. Bongards keeps the trip from factory to fridge nice and short.
The Bongards Creameries Retail Store sits beside the dairy cooperative’s creamery in rural Carver County. It’s near Norwood Young America, west of the Twin Cities. A wide selection of cheese fills the store. Prices on Bongards cheese are a real draw for shoppers stocking up.
Hungry right now? Sandwiches are on hand for a quick lunch. Then there’s the signature ice cream. A scoop makes a perfect reward for driving out to farm country. The store carries tons of different items. It’s easy to find something for picky eaters and cheese lovers alike.
Weekday hours are long, running from 6:30 AM to 7 PM. Weekend hours are 9 AM to 5 PM. Here’s a twist on the usual pattern. Weekdays are busier, while weekend mornings tend to be quieter. Parking is free and right on site. That makes a quick cheese run simple.
Bring a cooler if you plan to stock up. You’ll want that cheese to make it home in style.
Address: 13200 County Rd 51, Norwood Young America, MN 55368
10. Ingebretsen’s Scandinavian Gifts & Foods
Lefse, lutefisk, and angel statues under one roof? Only on East Lake Street, and only since 1921. Ingebretsen’s Scandinavian Gifts and Foods is a market and deli in Minneapolis. It specializes in traditional items from Nordic countries.
The food side is a big reason to visit. Lefse and lutefisk sit among the deli offerings, perfect for holiday tables. A butcher counter adds even more appeal. It gives you a true meat market experience in the middle of the city.
Gifts and clothing fill out the shop. The Nordic products are high quality and often unique. Minnesota has deep Scandinavian roots, and this store celebrates them. It’s a lasting cultural food stop on a historic corridor.
Hours run 9 AM to 4 PM Monday through Saturday. Sundays are closed, so plan your visit earlier in the week. Free street parking is available nearby. A gender-neutral restroom is on site as well.
Grab lefse for breakfast and a gift for a friend. It’s an easy way to share a little Nordic tradition. Leaving with only one item is very hard here. Consider that a fair warning.
Address: 1601 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
