Mankato, Minnesota: Last Happy Chef
Last survivor of an iconic franchise roadside eatery, this is the only remaining Happy Chef restaurant with a talking, spoon-hoisting Happy Chef statue. 36 feet tall, counting the spoon.
Happy Chef Restaurant
- Address:
- 51646 US-169, Mankato, MN
- Directions:
- Happy Chef Restaurant. Just north of the interchange of US Hwy 14 and US Hwy 169, on the west side of US Hwy 169.
- Phone:
- 507-345-4571
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
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Visitor Tips and News About Last Happy Chef
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After 20 years of silence, the last Happy Chef has his voice back! You no longer have to press a button to hear him talk; motion sensors trigger his voice as people walk by. Kind of cool to know that they fixed him up!
[Terry Wermerskirchen, 01/07/2019]
A part of restaurant history, the Happy Chef restaurant in Mankato, Minnesota is the last of its kind. For those in larger vehicles wishing to check this place out, right next door is a BP truck stop with plenty of parking.
[Rick Sare, 06/19/2018]
A big, happy, bow-legged chef waves a big spoon at motorists on Hwy 169 north of Mankato.
[Lapchik the Motorcyclist, 02/25/2016]
The Happy Chef statue is right on the main road at a cute old restaurant that would be a good breakfast, lunch or dinner stop!
[Meredith, 07/29/2015]"Oh boys and girls," says Happy Chef when you push his button, "I'm so happy you came to see me. Did you realize I was born and raised in Mankato?"
The odd thing about the Happy Chef is that he is actually kind of sad. You press a button and he speaks (or, rather, a recording plays) and talks about how lonely and cold he is standing outside in the wind. Jeez, Happy Chef, you're bringing me down, man.
[Jenny Allan, 12/20/2013]With only one talking Happy Chef survivor, you'd think the chain would be more attentive to what he has to say. Maybe the recording was made by the store manager during a snowbound lull in business.
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Sample Happy Chef joke: "I'm old enough to remember when emojis were called hieroglyphics!"