Birchwood Cafe

There's a lot in the Birchwood name. Established in 1926 by the Bursch family, the cafe was originally a dairy. In the 1940's, Cy and Del Bursch converted the dairy into a neighborhood grocery, which quickly became an essential part of neighborhood life. Food staples, penny candy and neighborhood news established the Birchwood as a favorite meeting place and after-school hangout.

In 1995, Cy and Del handed the Birchwood Store over to us and once again the Birchwood was reborn, this time as the Birchwood Cafe. Keeping the traditions of freshness and community alive, we made the Birchwood a friendly place to find good food and good people. Thirteen years (and counting!) later, the Birchwood is not just for neighbors anymore. Now a popular destination, people drive from miles around to feel right at home.

• The Latest Buzz from the Birchwood Cafe:
Mid-July / August Newsletter (PDF)

• July 14, 2008 - The Birchwood Cafe is one of the best lunch places in the Twin Cities. (PDF)

July 10, 2008 - vitaMN.com Birchwood Cafe staff + friends join Common Roots Cafe for a day at Riverbend Farm, in southern Minnesota.
Photos by Steve Rice.

• July 9, 2008 - Rick Nelson (of the Star Tribune) interviewed our chef, Marshall Paulsen, for his running Farm Report.

• July 6, 2008 - Riverbend Farm Newsletter (PDF)

• June 29, 2008 - Riverbend Farm Newsletter (PDF)

• May 26, 2008 - Riverbend Farm Newsletter (PDF)

• May 23, 2008 - The New York Times -- public drinking water: Minneapolis is leading the way!

• May 11, 2008 - The New York Times
Dan Barber, chef and owner of Blue Hill Restaurant in New York City, shares his thoughts about "Change We Can Stomach."

• May 4, 2008 - Riverbend Farm Newsletter (PDF)

• April 23, 2008 - The Star Tribune highlights how Etica wines (served at the Birchwood) are changing the world, one bottle at a time.

• April 22, 2008 - Riverbend Farm Newsletter (PDF)

• April 2008 - The Birchwood Cafe is leading the way for Seward Businesses in Organics Composting (PDF)

• April 10, 2008 - The Star Tribune 14 Twin Cities restaurants join the "tap-water brigade."

• The Seward Youth Peace Garden needs your support - www.sng.org

• Check out + join the Featherstone Farms CSA!

• March 16, 2008 - Riverbend Farm Newsletter (PDF)

• March 1, 2008 - The New York Times
Local food is making big news; hear what Jack Hedin from Featherstone Farms, our CSA farmer, has to say.

• December 2007 - Mpls/St.Paul Magazine
Birchwood Cafe deemed the "Best Earnest Eatin".

• October 2007 - Mpls/St.Paul Magazine
Birchwood Cafe named one of the best Bakery Hangouts in town.

• March 2007 - Mpls/St.Paul Magazine
Tracy Singleton, owner of the Birchwood Cafe, is honored as a "Restaurateur of the Year".

• vita.mn - reviews the Birchwood; users share their thoughts + photos.

• June 2006 - Mpls/St.Paul Magazine
Steven Brown (MSP Mag's "Frugal Gourmet") reviews our original vegetarian burger, the Vegy Lucy!

•. •. •. •. •