1881 Eating House

Great spot right inside Union depot, patio type seating inside the beautiful space was nice, food and drinks were great, service was amazing. Very attentive and respectful staff, food was great, we had the provoleta appetizer, delicious deconstructed bruschetta type appetizer with tomato/olives and melted provolone, my wife had the pork chop which was a 2 bone monstrosity that was delicious and I had the steak frites, perfectly cooked skirt steak with delicious parm fries. Highly recommend!

Anthony was AMAZING! Very tentative. Was engaging in conversation. I wish I could rate this place higher because of Anthony! The 2nd shift came. They were too busy stocking, cleaning, etc. we ordered the Reuben appetizer. Our meter was to expire at 2:45 so we ordered the appetizer at 2:20. We asked the bartender at 3 if she had put in the order. Said yes and walked away. We didn't get the app until close to 3:20! The Reuben balls were black. Pretty sure that's not what they should have looked like. We had a hard time trying to get another drink so we just took our tab. There were 3 people at the bar... two of them was us.

Such a cool ambiance right in Union Depot! This place fits in perfectly with the old timey train station theme, but somehow still feels modern. The bar is a perfect spot to have a drink, especially if you're waiting on a train. And the food was phenomenal! You can tell the owners of this new spot coming over from Lake Elmo are really putting a lot of thoughtfulness and pride into their 2nd run here. The chef owner came out from the back to say hi and he was all smiles and seemed full of joy bringing this place to life. Good vibes all around!

First and last time we will go here to eat. The ambiance was nonexistent since they are directly in the middle of the main doors to the depot. It is very noisy with no type of barriers (maybe some large plants or screens?) between the diners and people coming through the main doors. There was a wedding somewhere so there were lots of people. The menu is a portion of what they offer at The Lake Elmo Inn. We were really hoping to see some new items offered. There was a snafu with a wrong entree on our order (that happens) but they put my pasta dish back under the heat lamp and when I got it back it was dry and stiff. By the time someone came by I'd already eaten half of it. They did make it right and took this meal off of our bill. Service was adequate. Overall it just isn't what we are looking for when paying these prices. I don't want to be sitting in a fishbowl when dining.

Was a little disappointed that the restaurant wasn't back in the area previous Depot fine dining spots were located but after having lunch there i was very impressed! Found 1881 carries the same quality and service of the Lake Elmo Inn.Was delighted to find sunnies on the menu accompanied by wild rice and excellent asparagus! A nice place to eat, and I love the ambiance with its personal memories for me of the St Paul Depot!Thanks Lake Elmo Inn! Now, will you be doing Sunday brunch at this location?A long time fan of your establishment.

Food was excellent, had the sunnies, tasted like they had been caught minutes before being served.Ask for Cory, she will make your experience memorable! She'll make great recommendations for food and knows the wine list and how to pair. She understands service and delivers with enthusiasm!The ambiance is reminiscent of the old Nankin (you probably need to be a boomer to relate). The depot setting is fun for all ages. It's going to be a new tradition for us.

The food was a mixed bag. The cheese and meat appetizer was poor and way overpriced at $24 for what you got. The amount of bread and crackers was inadequate, and we had to keep asking for more. The cheese and meat amount was a joke. The pasta dishes were enjoyed by those who ordered them. I ordered the 1881 New York strip. It was the smallest 10oz steak and was horrible and was barely 1/4 inch thick. It was full of gristle. It tasted old, almost sour. Worst of all was the cost $45. Lake Elmo Inn is one of our favorite restaurants. The food there has always been great. Sitting in the open at a train station is not our idea of ambiance. Our waiter seemed inexperienced. For the food and experience 1881 is way overpriced. Parking is free but quite A walk. The night we were there, a man got murdered 2 blocks away.

One of the best burgers I have had in a long time. Spectacular staff and a beautiful location. I love this place.

Lake Elmo Inn 9/18/2024My husband and I had a fantastic lunch experience at Lake Elmo Inn on 9/18/24. Despite the busy lunch hour, we were seated promptly without reservations. It's worth noting that they are closed between 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., so I recommend checking their hours before visiting. I started with iced tea and a cranberry wild rice roll, which was delightful. I opted for the Reub-INN with turkey instead of corned beef, and it was delicious with Swiss cheese and thousand island dressing on pumpernickel bread. My husband enjoyed the Pork Schnitzel Sandwich, which was a flavorful special that day. We couldn't resist the carrot cake for dessert, and it was moist and flavorful with walnut-studded cream cheese icing. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, making the experience even more enjoyable. With the Christmas season approaching, I highly recommend dining at Lake Elmo Inn for a memorable experience. It's the perfect place to impress someone with great food and beautiful decorations.  Make sure you have a reservation. ou have a reservation.

Food was great and the service was prompt and friendly. We will definitely be back! Only suggestion I would have is they need larger plates. The plates need to be larger for better presentation.