Are you coming to Minnesota for Super Bowl 52? Cool.
Literally, we mean it’s going to be cool. So pack extra cloths. We’re a hardy bunch, so the negative degrees won’t be fazing us. But you’re going to want to consider some long underwear. It’s more stylish than you might be thinking. There are even leggings with fleece lining. You can get some at Lillian’s in Hutchinson. The owners Stacey and Danielle can hook you up. There are a few little boutiques on that block and a great local bakery.
Speaking of hooking up, I mean Hutchinson, we’ve got a lot going on here in our town and if you want to get outta the Twin Cities for a mini-road trip, you should come here.
Besides stopping into Lillian’s for your new pairs of leggings, you might want to head to our county Fair Grounds on Saturday, February 3rd for Winterfest. It’s more than just a Hallmark movie thing, we actually have one. There will be dog sled rides, opportunities to have your photo taken with Elsa, Anna, and Olaf from the Frozen movie, hot chocolate, and you can make a clay snow person at the Clay Coyote table. By the way, this event is free to attend and a blast for kids of all ages.
Speaking of the Clay Coyote, we’re here in Hutch. We have been making pottery on our 54-acre hobby farm for more than two decades. Our pots are hot, we were even named to the Super Bowl 52 Business Connect Resource Guild as VIP gifts. We have a few of our commemorative, Limited Edition LII Grill Baskets still in stock (as of typing this there are 11 in the Gallery). The Clay Coyote makes the only handmade clay grill basket in the USA. We use our own special clay and glaze that’s designed to take direct, extreme heat. We also make other items with this special clay/glaze combo that are in our Chef’s Line. And have many other cups, plates, mugs, and (super) bowls handmade right here at our Studio. We offer free tours every day, no appointment needed and can show you how we make the pots. Not to worry, we offer shipping anywhere so you can pick all sorts of great things out and we’ll have them set to meet you at home. No need to find extra luggage space.
Speaking of cooking, you’re going to want a few good meals while you’re out and about seeing the Bold North. If you’re in Hutch you can’t miss these great local faves:
- Zellas is a farm to table restaurant that serves lunch and dinner, Ian, Clay Coyote’s co-owner and unabashed Patriots Fan (he’s from Cape Cod, Massachusetts), would strongly recommend the meatloaf and a Todd the Axeman beer from Minnesota brewer Surly. I’m a big fan of the wedge salad and a wood fired pizza, ask for the Italian Stallion, it’s not on the menu, but all the insiders know what it is and you’ll be rewarded with a great pizza. Two can get a full meal and a beer/wine for about $50.
- Landy’s Lodge is a pub that has a great local atmosphere, good burgers, and a nice selection of local Minnesota beers. Get the burger, go for the onion rings (come on you’re on vacation) and talk your companion into getting the waffle fries with the special sauce. The burger meat is never frozen and provided by Benny’s the local butcher, so you’re in good hands. Two burgers and beers will be under $30.
- Crow River Winery is on the Highway as you’re coming in and out of Hutch, it’s a great place to stop for a tasting of local Minnesota wines. They’re a little sweet so if you’re used to dryer variety then I’d recommend their Marquette red that has a lot of cheery and dark undertones or the Frontenac Gris which is sweet and made from MN grown Honeycrisp Apples (fun fact the University of Minnesota bred the honeycrisp to be the perfect apple, and we’re pretty much on board. Massachusetts visitors might appreciate some of the wines that have cranberry notes). The Winery has a Bistro where you can get a really nice cheese plate and other snacks. Tasting plus a cheese plate will run you about $25.
- I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Hutch Cafe, celebrating it’s 50th year. It’s what you on the East Coast would call a greasy spoon diner. Much like the Amish counter in Reading Terminal Market these stools have heard a lot of stories. (Note, see Philly I din’t forget about you, I’ve got to say as a Viking fan we’re sad not to be there, but your boys played a hell of a good game and so when I’m in Philly over President’s Day weekend I will be back at the RTM getting me some scrapple and eggs.) This is the kind of place where you can get an amazing breakfast for $10.
- McCormick’s Family Restaurant was named best Eggs Benedict by WCCO and so we had to go try it out. It’s good, but they use over easy instead of poached eggs, so you can be the judge about that. They’re also pro-sauce, so if you’re hesitant you might want to take that into consideration.
If you’re planning to stay over in Hutch you’re probably at the Hutchinson AmericInn ($125 night this weekend) or the Day’s Inn ($89).
There are other sites to see in Hutch, we’re the home to the biggest 3M plant, we’ve got tons of sculptures placed around own, we have more parks per square foot than anywhere other than NYC, and there’s a good exhibit at the Hutchinson Center for the Arts.
The Clay Coyote is open daily 10am-5pm Monday-Saturday and noon-4pm on Sunday. The best way to get here from the Cities is to take Hyw 7 West for about an hour, just don’t follow GPS cuz they like the back roads. I was just down by the US Bank Stadium last night and the dive home was 1 hour 6 minutes. Hop on 394 West to 494 S, to Hyw 7 West and one hour later you’ll be in Hutch.
The Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce has a saying that there’s #muchinhutch and that’s 100% true. I hope if you want to get out and about and see a little more than just the Super Live Experience or the Mall of America you’ll consider Hutchinson a destination not to be missed.
And on Sunday, we here at the Clay Coyote are rooting for a great game. We’ll welcome you wherever you are from and whoever you root for as long as you love pottery and art.
