Newt's South

Saw their billboard driving thru Rochester for years, finally made it!! Didn’t realize there were 2 in Rochester 1 in Apple Valley. We ate at Rochester South. Great atmosphere and good service! We started out with a cider and a Bloody Mary which was quite tasty! We ordered onion rings. They were crisp and had a good batter. We both ordered chicken avocado melts w/side salads. Both were delicious. Salads garnished nicely. Chicken melts came toasted on a tasty sourdough bread! We were glad we stopped. Maybe will try out Apple Valley as it’s closer to home.

Service has been outstanding every time we've gone. The food, especially the burgers is amazing. The only reason they didn't get 5 stars is because of the sides and how they charge for them. We ordered burgers and my wife wanted to sub cheese curds and I wanted onion rings instead of fries. Rather than having an uncharted, I could see $2 or so, they charge the full price for the burger (and fries) and then charge for a full appetizer for the alternate sides. That is a bit ridiculous. So, what should have been a $30 meal ended up being $55. I certainly do not like that. We will go back but definitely will not ask to substitute sides any more. If we wanted appetizers, we would ask for them.

Cheese curds are amazing! You also get free popcorn as an appetizer!!

Food was better than anticipated or expected. I had the Jalapeño Popper burger and my partner had the Cheese Curds Burger. Solid 8.5/10!! I tried the one of the local in house hard ciders, 9/10!!! Happy hour and drink options, 9/10!! Our server was quite amazing as well! Will be back for their happy hour and to try more burgers.

Ordered through DoorDash :) Cheese burger and fries are amazing 🤩

This place has such a fun atmosphere. They have drink specials and a ton of tap beers. They have some of the best popcorn in town! The staff are always very nice. There's a wide variety of burgers and sandwiches to choose from. We come here often and plan to return again!

The service was pretty good. However, the french fries were cold, and for some reason, stale like they sat out for some time. The onion rings got cold and soggy. I have been told by a lot of people that I need to check this place out. So we came with family to celebrate our anniversary and I was very disappointed. The burger I had was a Marvin burger with Chipotle sauce. Well, it looked like someone took a small spoon and put a blob of it in one spot. Not even in the middle of the burger. It was on the edge like someone was in a hurry. The burger itself was good and hot, at least. I don't think I will be back, which is too bad. The cheese curds were just ok. At least they, too, were hot.

A friend told me about this great burger place so i had to give it a shot. I was not disappointed at all. Great burger, nice atmosphere, just a really good place to eat. They were a little on the busy side while I was there but our server Nya knocked it out of the park and even had us laughing a couple times. Will definitely be back again! And the popcorn, who can complain about popcorn. :-)

We have always loved coming to Newt's after our weekly trips to Rochester from La Crosse, WI. We can't eat as much food being on GLP -1's so we always get the Marvin Burger. Most of the time we get great service, but today wasn't the case. I had to call the serve over several times. I think it's because this person was manning the bar too, but if that's the case, someone else needs to cover for that time. It hurts business to have tables get neglected. Usually, I wouldn't tip someone who isn't putting the work in except taking the order. As far as taking the order. I had to call the waiter over and make sure I made eye contact. Otherwise, I don't think they would have come to the table. We shared the Marvin's burger entree. When he brought it to the table, instantly, we looked at the fries before touching them and could tell they were old. You'll see the "old" fries in the bowl that's in the attached picture. We asked for new fries and there was a monumental difference. They were fresh, but lacked the seasoning they usually put on it. I was happy that they were fresh, as they should be! It seemed like the other fries were sitting under the warmer too long. The burger always tastes great. We will come back, but I just hope for more attentive service. If the waiter had to make drinks because of being short handed or whatever, cool, but just have a backup plan!

Good place to get some classic burgers. Lots of options including different kinds of smash burger. I ended up ordering the California smash burger and it was delicious! I asked for the basil mayo on the side and I'm glad I did as it was really rich and I think it would have over powered the burger. Additionally we got nachos... and they were very subpar. 20 dollars and truly nothing very special to them, would skip out on ordering them next time. Staff was super nice and the restaurant was clean and cozy!

Been to this location several times. Food is always spot on. Service is attentive and friendly. I like the neighborhood bar feel. The nachos (this one w/ added beef and beans), was excellent, huge, nicely layered (no naked chips at the bottom) and very good price. Another time got the chicken bacon ranch sandwich which is the bomb. If you get to-go, presentation and packaging is excellent. Ice cold tap beers, and good na options (besides soda).

Air conditioning is awesome after a day of hot humid weather while riding! The beer is cold and that's a huge plus!! Staff is super friendly and informative! Place is chill with a great vibe! Had the fish and chips and it was amazing! Being a fish and chips snob, I found these to be very good!!! Overall, this was a great experience!! Check it out!!!

As always Newts was amazing! Great food and a lot to select from. Staff and workers were friendly and provided great service! A relaxed environment with many TVs and great decor. Our young daughters enjoyed their food and time at Newts!

Super good burgers! Went here for the first time and it did not disappoint. Our server was very nice and our food came in a timely manner. I will be coming back again.

I love Newt's ambience, like an old, comfortable friend's kitchen. Feels homey. Love their popcorn for appetizer, always fresh and perfectly seasoned! The burgers are consistent, well cooked, the toppings are great (you do have to specifically ask for lettuce and tomato, though), and the combinations of flavors are excellent. I personally prefer burgers that come in a Brioche or Pretzel bun, hence the 4 stars instead of 5... but that is a preference. Always good, solid, reliable burger. They make a great spicy Bloody Mary of that is your thing, too.

Five of us ate dinner here last night (7/31/25). We all simply LOVED our smash burgers. Their fries are some of the best I've ever had. The parking was great. The service was fantastic. The atmosphere of the place is that of a traditional sports bar. We all devoured the free popcorn that was immediately delivered to our table. This place rates a solid 5 stars.

I'd heard decent things about Newt's and was excited to try and a good burger. We came in later on a Sunday and it wasn't super busy, but I wasn't overly impressed with the service. For how few people were in, I think it took a little too long for our server to show up and she was kind of weird about checking in on us throughout the time we were there. Asked if we were doing okay when we were clearly almost done, but scurried away before we could ask for to-go boxes. Not anything that would ultimately be the dealbreaker in if I came back or not, but just a minor annoyance. We ordered some cheese curds and those were pretty good!! I love tasty cheese curds and Rochester doesn't seem to lack in them - it's great. I also ordered the Marvin's burger and, honestly, it was kind of disappointing. The fries weren't a standout at all. They weren't bad, but probably the worst French fries I've had in Rochester - just not really well seasoned and completely unremarkable. A bummer. I thought the Marvin's burger would be great, but to me it was just another burger. Again, not bad, but disappointingly dull. I didn't hate Newt's, I wouldn't say it was gross or the service was so horrible I would never return. I simply just won't return because the experience and the food made no impact on my life. There's definitely better burger places in Rochester and next time I'm craving a burger, I'll probably go to one of them instead. 5/10.

The meal started with an appetizer - delicious cheese curds we shared - each bite a burst of creamy, melty goodness that dances on the tongue and rests there to become fully acquainted with your tastebuds. The perfect combination of salty, savory, and oh-so-satisfying. My wife's fish and chips, a true taste of the sea. Crispy batter giving way to tender, flaky fish, paired perfectly with golden, crispy fries. It's a classic dish done to perfection, each bite transporting you to a seaside paradise. It's so much more than just a burger. I mean, that first bite, oh, what heaven that first bite is. The bun, soft, soft like the breast of an angel resting gently on the ketchup and mustard below. Flavors mingling in a seductive pas de deux. And then, a pickle! The most playful little pickle. Then a slice of tomato, a leaf of lettuce, and a patty of ground beef so exquisite. Swirling in your mouth breaking apart and combining again in a fugue of sweet and savory so delightful. This is no mere sandwich of grilled meat and toasted bread. This is God, speaking to us through food. And let's not forget the impeccable service we received at this cozy sit-down burger joint. The server was attentive and friendly, making sure we had everything we needed to fully enjoy our meal. Their knowledge of the menu and recommendations truly enhanced our dining experience, adding an extra layer of warmth and hospitality to the meal. The ambiance of the restaurant added to the overall charm of the experience as well. With its dimly-lit interior, soft music playing in the background, and the comforting hum of conversation around us, it felt like we had stumbled upon a hidden gem. The cozy booths and casual, laid-back atmosphere made us feel right at home, creating the perfect setting for our culinary adventure. All in all, it was a meal to remember - one that not only tantalized our taste buds but also nourished our souls. The combination of delicious food, delightful company, and top-notch service made it an experience we won't soon forget. A simple 5 stars does no justice, no, this lives far beyond the stars where galaxies are formed and the heavens span.

Stopped for lunch on a Friday to get burgers with a good friend! Crazy impressed with the service, young gentlemen seemed to be covering most of the dining room & bar, the guy was incredible! Service wonderful, food was hot, delicious & good portions! So many great options on the menu, love this place!

Hmmm. We'll see what happens. I've just had the manager explain to me that the raw center on my hamburger is "their medium rare", and that if I want a warm, pink center, that I actually should have ordered medium or medium well. If raw beef is their medium rare, I wonder what passes for rare or raw. I just want dinner without getting sick. The waitress has been quite adequate, and the fries are piping hot. Our appetizer was wonderfully hot, and served with our sandwiches. The burger that my wife has is actually the temp that she ordered. It's odd to me to have someone spend time to educate me on their version of meat temps, rather than get the raw food off of the table and make it correctly. The remade sandwich was prepared correctly.

Do you enjoy being ignored, underserved, and rushed out? Newts South is for you! I arrived around 230 this weekend. I was seated right away, and then I waited, and waited, and got popcorn, and waited. It was about 15 minutes from arrival to placing my drink and burger order. They both arrived pretty quickly, and I got to work on my burger. What? I'm getting the bill with "no rush or anything" before you've even asked how things are? What if I wanted another drink or dessert? If the server was going off service, typically someone takes over, not just the feeling of being shoved out before I've even gotten half through my food. Once I was ready to pay, he was gone again and again I waited. My burger was decent. The Gustavo burger has a good amount of spicy guac and melty pepper jack cheese. The burger itself is hand pattied and juicy. I didn't ask for a certain temp but it came out with no pink (my preferred temp). Tortilla chips give the burger an extra layer of texture and have a double purpose to scoop up guacamole that spills out. I just don't think it was worth it to feel so awkward at this restaurant.

Service was amazing. Food was excellent, the onion rings are fantastic! Nice old-fashioned pub atmosphere. And they even had a good joke on the receipt. Why did the french fries say owl. Because it stubbed its pota-toe :). We will be coming back..

Had a good dinner with friends. I would say the ambiance was good for a typical standard American/Sports Bar type feel. I ordered a burger and my daughter had the fried mashed potatoes as an entree. The burger based on the reviews and pictures in my opinion underperformed. The temp was okay and I felt the buns were a little soggy. Not sure if it sat loner than it should have but I would give the burger itself 3 out of 10. The serving size of fries that accompanied it was above average on size and overall good, not great or amazing. The fried mashed potato balls were the highlight for me. They were different than what I expected. The cream cheese and chive spread was super tasty. My only ask if I were to make a request would be to increase the spice with jalapeños.

Met our family (6 adults) at 6 PM and the place was nearly empty - should have been our 1st warning. We order burgers and all were very greasy and not cooked as ordered. Fries were served cold and greasy. To brag about their burger is crazy as any fast food place would have been better. The person that served the food could not speak english and the waitress was no where to be found. A good place to stay away from.

We stopped in for a burger and a gopher game. We were not disappointed in either! The Minnesota Gophers defeated Peen State for a 9-0 record which was the first time since 1904 that happened! The meal was just as exciting. The waitress greeted us with a bowl of fresh popped popcorn and was fast to serve our drinks as well as taking our order. I decided to try the Todd Burger which was basically a "breakfast" burger with 2 eggs, bacon, cheese atop a 1/3lb burger. The meal was served within my 15 minute window and the place was rock'n with golden gopher fans! The burger had very good flavor and the fries are always a treat. No disappointment here and one of my "go to" places in Rochester.

SO good!! Large portions, great food!! Friendly staff. We had burgers and fish n chips

We stopped in to try their burgers. Our appetizer came out so quickly, followed very timely by our burgers. Would love to try more menu items but our stay in Rochester is too short.

Consistently great food regardless of which location. Nice atmosphere with really good service. We always stop at Newt's when in Rochester.

Been to Newts north a few times, first time to Newts South. We won't be going back. Hostess was extremely rude. Wife asked for burger medium well and got a medium rare. Waitress was ok. Only pro was portions were huge.

Had a lovely experience here tonight. Our wonderful server was attentive and got our order correct. The meat in our burgers was juicy and flavorful. Fries were crispy outside and soft inside. The chipotle mayonnaise is devine.

Really great burgers and nachos. Comfy, cozy atmosphere. Large portions. Margaritas were okay. Service was so so.

We used to love Newts. They had delicious burgers and the best fish. We were very disappointed in our last visit. We went on a Sunday in the middle of the day and they weren't overly busy. They had a couple large tables that had kids screaming and running everywhere. The waiter greeted us shortly after we sat ourselves (per the sign). He was friendly and took our drink order right away. We ordered when he came back after getting our drinks. I had a new special, the "peachy king burger", ordered as medium and fries cooked extra crispy. My husband had the fish and chips and the rest of the group split nachos. The kitchen was slow. It took around 20-30 minutes to get our order (the large tables were already paying when we got there and there were only 4 other tables, most of which already had their food). My burger was just okay. It was definitely closer to well done than it was medium. The fries were limp and not crispy. The burger itself had very little flavor. It had the funk of the Brie cheese, but not much else. Very little sweetness from the peaches or onions, no heat from the cayenne. Disappointing. My husband (who used to adore their fish), left it mainly uneaten. Instead of cod loins, they now have the tails. Which were soggy, fishy and not good. He was super disappointed with his meal. The group liked their nachos. Tons of chips, cheese, beans, beef and toppings. Our waiter never returned during the meal. He was friendly and attentive at the beginning, but seemed to disappear after the food was served. No

I sat at the bar. Server was nice and polite. Had some good local crafts but also had other selections. Place is a burger joint with an attitude. Mine patty melt was good and the onion rings are the bomb.

This is my favorite newts in down. I'm a burger enficiado and they make the best cheese burger. Service is friendly and theres plenty of parking in shopping center lot. Be careful pulling out on broadway though an be a bit of a challenge.

First time ever and went with the MacDaddy special. Delicious ! Good fries too. Our table ordered fish and chips and we were happy with those. Friendly service from Scott

One of the best burgers I have ever had. Cooked perfectly. Fries and onion rings were made in house. Onion rings were the best since Porky's closed.

Fantastic burgers - we love grabbing burgers at Newt's whenever we happen to be in Rochester, MN ...

A mainstay of Rochester since 1980 with 3 locations and over a dozen burgers to choose from. Center bar with padded stools dominate the room with booths lining the walls and tables filling in the middle. Framed pictures of the past, mounted trophy heads and other bar memorabilia give it that pub like feel. The special Mac Daddy was a fresh, juicy, hand patted 1/2 pound nicely grilled burger with shredded lettuce, tomato, American cheese and hardwood smoked hickory bacon. A pickle spear and a mound of hand cut fries on the side. A plus was the pre-meal bowl of popcorn. Stacia was our friendly server and she made it a habit of swinging by the table frequently.

Newt's is pretty casual, seat yourself, menus are on the tables. Inside it has a pub-like feel. Our waiter was prompt and friendly. I ordered their famed fried chicken strips, which they claim are hand dipped in their special beer batter. I will say they were quite good. Anesthetically, when they came out, I was on the fence. They have an almost burnt appearance, but they hit the mark on taste. The batter is very light and flaky with a surprisingly delicate texture. The fries were ok, standard. My husband ordered Marvin's burger which includes a patty with their secret seasoning, hickory smoked bacon, cheddar and chipotle mayo. The bun was not at all what I expected. It was a cross between a brioche roll and a croissant. Very light, almost to the point that it falls apart when up against the meat patty. The burger was as good as advertised. It came with a side of fried pickles (for a slight up charge). The pickles were dipped in the same batter as the chicken strips, which offered the same incredible texture. If you're in Rochester, Newt's is worth trying for their slightly better than average pub food.

Great food, awesome place. We need a few in colorado Get the nachos, feeds a family 12

Great experience. Great waiter. Got everything correct on our order and didn't even write anything down. Food was excellent. Fast and great service

Huge portions. Amazing Bloody Mary's. Decent service. Clean enough. Great food. The sliders are really good. We had a burger with egg. Dripping and greasy. Perfect for a hard working man. Also the chicken burger with cream cheese. Interesting mix. We had one mashed potato ball on the Bloody and in wanted more of them. Yum. Fast service and full array of neat brews.

Came here with a large group on a weekday night. The place was packed but our server was still able to accommodate us all after a short wait. Service was great that night. Having had their burgers before, I opted for the Mac and cheese melt. It was just average. It got sloppy and hard to eat pretty quickly. The macaroni was loosely piled on the bread and half of it fell out as soon as I picked up my sandwich. My buddy had the smokey ranch burger which he swears by. He has also tried several burgers here, and claims this burger is the best, hands down. I have been here on a handful of occasions and I think it's safe to say on any given day/night you are going to be treated to a 3-4 star experience. I opted for 3 stars this time because I have had some inconsistently cooked burgers in the past and the Mac and cheese melt was a few dollars overpriced for the quality of food I received.

We found this place through Yelp and really wondered if it would live up to the hype. It did!! Both my girlfriend and I described our burgers as one of the best we've ever had and the grilled cheese off the kids menu was excellent. Service was prompt. If you're in Rochester and craving a burger, this is the spot!

Dark, dank and mediocre food. The bacon- cheese burger was dry, with no condiments. It was my first and last time. Heard a lot of praise for this place but I give it one star.

I know that burgers equal grease, but when it saturates a part of the bun, it's gross. I got the one with triple cheese, Basil got the mushroom. We both loved the taste. We got salads as a choice of side. Blue cheese was homemade and it's a generous portion for a side. I drank water since iced tea is off the gun. It was 2:00 and a lot of people were there. This is the only place I'd get a burger in this area of chains. I'm glad it's a local chain. Good service.

Not being from the area I had no idea what Newts was but I quite enjoyed myself. A good variety of beers to choose from. We started with the zippy poppers. I do recommend these. They're a deep fried garlic mashed potato ball with cheese in there. Comes with a pepper cream cheese dipping sauce. Had the Todd burger. Cooked perfect and seasoned right. Only down side was the eggs that come on the burger weren't seasoned. Also had the peanut butter burger. Wasn't my thing but my date really enjoyed it. Raved about it actually. If I'm in the area, I will definitely go back.

As someone who has stopped by Newts regularly for 2+ years, I can't believe that I haven't posted a review. In general, great staff who work their butts off and bring a smile to customers faces. Especially Mike Bishop, who was just fired from Newts. While I only have one side of the story, am under the impression that it was for no warrantable reason and that is a damn shame. Especially given his impeccable service to the restaurant, recently having picked up shifts meaning that he worked 7 days a week, often doubles, to help out other locations. If you're looking for a decent burger, or unnecessarily large nachos, this is a good place to go without breaking the bank. They have some good appetizers that I'd recommend, including their Zippy Poppers. I actually enjoy their wings. Nothing really healthy on the menu, but they do offer a few salads, and you can exchange your burger for a chicken breast which may appeal to some. Not a very diverse menu, and the menu NEVER changes, but it's decent food. I find it unacceptable, however, how the owners treat their staff. It's largely spoken among the the service industry in Rochester that Newts treats their employees poorly. Open on days where other businesses are closed (like major holidays or during serious winter storms), demoting or firing employees who are only trying to better the restaurant, only maintaining the employees who want to keep the status quo (i.e. play the game), and more. In the time that I've regularly gone to Newts (at least 1x a week over the past 2 years, often more) I've seen at least three people be fired who I thought were excellent staff, and were reasons I went to Newts. I can confidently tell you that I, and many others, go in knowing when Mike works. I'm not sure whether I'll continue to support Newts. Sadly, there are still some quality staff that I'd love to continue to give my money to, but it really hurts me to now see how staff can be treated. I supported the people who work there, more than anything, and not sure that I need the stomachache.

Hands down best burgers in town. They are messy & greasy but oh so tasty! They cook them perfectly-just the way you ask. The cheese curds, poppers & nachos are great. As for burgers, you can't go wrong with any of them but the Jucy Lucy & Marvin's Burger are awesome. The place isn't the cleanest but it's worth it for the food!

GOOD food,great service but can you please turn the freaking music down during supper time???Was there for a family party tonite and we couldn't even hear each other talk,my dad is 82.Saw other elder couples there too.I even asked the waitress to turn down our speaker.She didnt.I love music too but whatever was playing really sucked.No one can hear the tv either.turn off the sound in the hall of dead animals so people can converse.make it loud at like 9

Tried this unique bar and burger while in Rochester, Minnesota. Very delicious burgers. I ordered peanut butter burger and was surprised how well it was done. Son had grilled cheese burger and bragged on it. We tried some local brews and was delighted with them. If you are in area is definitely must try place

We came here twice because the first night the food was fantastic. The second night, not so much. Regular cheeseburger and a specialty burger with onion rings and both were huge portions, too much actually, and hot and tasty. Last night we came back for more of the same and it wasn't. Wife got cold pulled pork slathered with coleslaw and liquid soaked bun either from the pickle or sauce. Either way it was not edible. I got the serum burger with a salad of which both were the same temperature and the salad was much juicier. If we come back to Rochester we probably won't come back here. Service was very good and I left a good tip as the cooking is not their fault. This place has good presentation but not so much on food quality at the table.

Simply lost it's cleanliness and original charm. There is an atmosphere of nonchalance and laziness; Newt's used to be a casual place to relax with good food and great service. The tables not cleaned and the filthy floors combined with a lack of any urgency on the stuff makes News South a fail in my opinion. Seems like we have watched the place go down hill over the last couple years.

Ordered takeout yesterday. Everything was fresh and ready within 15 minutes. I had the fish and chips for the first time (normally get a burger). There was a huge serving of fish. My roommate got the fish sandwich and it was huge!! We also had cheese curds are some of the best in Rochester! I have tried multiple kinds of their burgers and they've been awesome. Good work newts!

We were not sure, had passed it many times and finally decided to stop in. We were greater with a fresh bowl of popcorn at the table. The decor is rustic with different animals mounted and lots of photos, Feels way more like a bar with tables than a restaurant with a bar. The music was a good assortment of classic 70s and 80s. We ordered the cheese curds and onion rings for appetizers, the fresh breading on the onion rings blew me away! I love onion rings in order them everywhere I can honestly say this was one of the best I've ever had. We had a bacon cheeseburger and it was fantastic. The meat had enough fat content to give me that burger flavor that I was dying for but not enough that it was or felt greasy. All in all I love the joint! I don't know about the average visitor but it seems most of the people visiting Rochester are all there for the same hospital. Treat yourself to something fun and home feeling. This is not Michelin five star but if you want to relax with a good burger and good drink it is definitely five star

Came in this evening because we heard this was a great place for burgers. First of all there were only 2 girls working and one of them was the bartender, and the place was getting very busy, I feel very sorry for these girls that busy there butts for this place. I ordered a burger medium well and it came nearly burnt and chewy. The bun was very dry, the fries were cold. The only good thing about our dinner was the pickle, the popcorn, the beer and the water. With the exception of the sewer fly that kept buzzing the table. On a side note... The cheese curds were hand dipped in batter, and very good. When I told the waitress the dinner was terrible, she did give me an apology, but I still paid for the garbage they served. We'll never be back. Live and learn.

We always love Newt's! We just ordered takeout during quarantine and WOW it was SO delicious! And they give you popcorn to go with it! If you're in town and need a burger there really is no other choice than Newt's. Just a perfect rochester staple.