When boats were still powered by steam, Excelsior was a booming resort town that attracted lake lovers from around the country. After hype died down in the mid 20th century, the small lakeside town had been looking for a comeback on the water. Sitting in the bay of Excelsior lays a chunk of land that has hosted an amusement park, and many different restaurants that have tried and failed at serving the perfect meal on the water. With the arrival of Maynards in the 90's, Excelsior has been doing anything but declining in hype.
When arriving at Maynards (on a boat or car), odds are you won't find a spot in their private lot unless you bring a wallet full of ones reserved for their valet service. Restricted parking doesn't seem to slow down the traffic coming into the family restaurant on any given night given the many other small lots in Excelsior available for parking. Their inside restaurant boasts a full well rounded American menu with everything from burgers to fish tacos. On a sunny summer night, finding a table inside the well kept building takes no effort. That is because the party is outside on their "wharf". With outdoor TVs playing the current sports game to fireplaces warming up anyone who gets a little chilly from the breeze blowing off the lake, the place has plenty to offer to its customers. Their newest claim to fame (not that a view of Lake Minnetonka isn't enough) is their Thursday night "Oak On The Water" which offers free music hosted by one of the cities radio stations. With bands such as O.A.R to solo acts with Eric Hutchinson, you can't complain about anything other than the longer than usual wait for a beer. The scene at Maynards doesn't slow down after the last family leaves to put the kids to bed. On any given weekend, expect the wharf to stay busy until bar close at 1AM with anyone from the age of 21 to the adults who could find a babysitter for the night.
When arriving at Maynards (on a boat or car), odds are you won't find a spot in their private lot unless you bring a wallet full of ones reserved for their valet service. Restricted parking doesn't seem to slow down the traffic coming into the family restaurant on any given night given the many other small lots in Excelsior available for parking. Their inside restaurant boasts a full well rounded American menu with everything from burgers to fish tacos. On a sunny summer night, finding a table inside the well kept building takes no effort. That is because the party is outside on their "wharf". With outdoor TVs playing the current sports game to fireplaces warming up anyone who gets a little chilly from the breeze blowing off the lake, the place has plenty to offer to its customers. Their newest claim to fame (not that a view of Lake Minnetonka isn't enough) is their Thursday night "Oak On The Water" which offers free music hosted by one of the cities radio stations. With bands such as O.A.R to solo acts with Eric Hutchinson, you can't complain about anything other than the longer than usual wait for a beer. The scene at Maynards doesn't slow down after the last family leaves to put the kids to bed. On any given weekend, expect the wharf to stay busy until bar close at 1AM with anyone from the age of 21 to the adults who could find a babysitter for the night.
For those familiar with Maynards' main competitor, Lord Fletchers, expect a little more mature of a crowd but don't think that means the music stops before bar close. And even though their outdoor menu only offers a handful of entrees and their tap selection isn't the greatest, putting Maynards on your to-do list for the summer is definitely a must for anyone looking to get one of the best views of Lake Minnetonka you can find.
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