Red Cow 50th & France

Sun pours through the front windows by 9 a.m., and a steady murmur of conversation fills the room as the first plates of the morning hit the pass.

Set in Minneapolis, MN, Red Cow 50th & France has carved out a corner of the city's weekend brunch scene with a personality of its own. The room comfortably seats a mix of solo diners working through a coffee and a newspaper, couples splitting a stack of pancakes, and friend groups settling in for a slow, three-hour Saturday.

Order coffee black and let the kitchen do the rest — French toast made with thick-cut brioche, dusted with powdered sugar, and crowned with seasonal berries.

Menu highlights

Here is a snapshot of the kinds of brunch dishes you can expect to find on the menu at Red Cow 50th & France. Specials rotate weekly with what's in season — check the chalkboard at the host stand when you arrive.

• Country-style biscuits and sausage gravy
• Smoked brisket hash with two eggs and pickled onion
• Lox bagel sandwich with everything seasoning and dill cream cheese
• Single-origin pour-over coffee from a local roaster
• Two eggs any style with thick-cut bacon and crispy hash
• Brioche French toast dusted with powdered sugar and seasonal berries
• Breakfast burrito with eggs, chorizo, beans, cheese, and salsa roja
• Veggie scramble with spinach, mushrooms, and goat cheese

It's a tight room, with maybe a dozen tables and a handful of counter seats facing the open kitchen, where you can watch the line cooks work.

The chicken and waffles plate hits the table looking like a magazine cover and tastes even better than it looks.

Bring cash if you can — splitting the check is faster, and a few items on the daily-special board are cash-only.

Like a lot of the best brunch spots in Minneapolis, Red Cow 50th & France is at its most magical on weekend mornings, when the kitchen is firing on all burners and the room slowly fills with the kind of low, happy hum that only good food and unhurried company can produce. By the time you walk out, you'll already be planning a return visit — and probably a long walk to work off the second cup of coffee.

Tips from the regulars

• Best time to go: arrive before 9:30 a.m. on weekends to skip the worst of the wait at Red Cow 50th & France.
• Best for: groups of 2 to 4 — larger parties may want to call ahead.
• Don't miss the daily-special chalkboard near the host stand — it changes weekly and tends to feature the kitchen's best ideas.
• Coffee is taken seriously here. If you only know diner drip, ask the barista for a recommendation.
• If you're walking from public transit, the closest stop is a short stroll away — a small price to pay for the breakfast burrito.

Hours

Frequently asked questions

What time does Red Cow 50th & France open for brunch?

Posted hours are: Tu-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr 11:00-23:00; Sa 10:00-23:00; Su 10:00-22:00. Hours can change on holidays — call ahead if you're traveling.

Does Red Cow 50th & France take reservations?

Most brunch spots in Minneapolis are walk-in friendly, with a wait list during peak hours. Larger parties (5+) should call ahead to ask about a reservation.

Is Red Cow 50th & France kid-friendly?

Yes — Red Cow 50th & France welcomes families. Most brunch menus include simple kid-friendly options like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. Highchairs are usually available.

What kind of cuisine does Red Cow 50th & France serve?

It's classified under american — broadly an American-style brunch experience with regional touches you'd expect in Minneapolis.

Is there outdoor seating at Red Cow 50th & France?

Yes — outdoor seating is available, weather permitting.

Location

Located at 3624 West 50th Street. Coordinates: 44.9127, -93.3261. Use the address above with your preferred maps application for turn-by-turn directions.