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It’s about having fun

And he means it. Traudt spent 15 years as a YMCA director, creating memories for area youth. After opening Andy’s in 2000, he has hired high school and college students from all over the area, many of them having little or no job experience.

“Sometimes we hire people who have really struggled in the community, and we give them a chance to do some great work,” he said. “Some of them have flourished and some didn’t work out, but in the end, it’s just part of our mission- reaching out to the community and giving everyone the shot they deserve.”

Whatever Traudt’s motto is, it seems to be paying off. Andy’s Garage has already earned several awards and nominations in its short life, including “Best Start-Up Business of the Year”, “Best First-Date Spot”,
“Best Family Restaurant in the Twin Cities” and several architectural and design awards.

It is no wonder why Andy’s is so well received by the community. The Traudt’s generously provide space for fundraisers and often donate proceeds to local organizations. During the summer months, the diner opens up its garage doors and offers outdoor dining. Andy’s Garage features live music every Saturday night and offers many ways to amuse its younger guests. Kids can pick up bowling bags full of toys and games to keep them occupied before, after, and in some cases, during dinner, and there is a mechanical bull in the back of the restaurant. If customers can spy Mr. Potato Head hiding around the diner, they are offered a free tootsie-pop!

“We do offer a lot of things to keep kids entertained,” said Traudt. “We’re a family business, but we’re really a place for everyone- young, old, single, married, intergenerational- we get every group you could think of, and that’s really what we’re trying to do here.”

Lots of fun for everyone

One Saint Paul family, who claims to eat at Andy’s “at least twice a month,” would agree.

“We come here for the fries, the malts, the decorations and the people,” said father James Davis.
“Everyone is friendly, my [five-year old] son always has something to do, and the food draws in all sorts of people.”

The five and under set are not the only customers who enjoy Andy’s mixture of food and fun. 20-year-old Josh Wilson enjoyed a game of Barrel O’ Monkeys before digging into his chocolate malt.

“The malt is great,” he said, “but you can’t beat Barrel O’ Monkeys at the dinner table.”

The homemade malts and fresh-cut fries are just the beginning of Andy’s menu, which was just updated in
February. In addition to their more traditional items, Andy’s now offers health-conscious and vegetarian dishes like soup, salad, and wraps.

Hamline Connection

Hamline Senior David Leigh has been working at Andy’s Garage since September and really enjoys being part of a community-oriented business.

“The atmosphere is so fun and inviting,” Leigh said. “It’s just a good place to hang out and it’s really comfortable and relaxed. Any old Joe Schmoe can walk in and have a good time.”

Leigh isn’t the Traudts’ only connection to Hamline. The family lives just blocks away from the university on Englewood and has hosted Hamline international students for the past 26 years.

“We have had a lot of students come stay with us, and we love it,” said Traudt. “Juan Grimaldo, who lived with us when ‘Andy’ was just a baby, actually works in Admissions at Hamline now.”

Andy’s Garage has connections not only with Hamline, but with the entire Hamline Midway Community.
Traudt said the restaurant is one of the few remaining pieces of the cherished throughway from
Minneapolis to St. Paul that University Avenue once was. Leigh agrees that Andy’s is reminiscent of a time when things were simpler and the Midway was thriving.

“It’s an open, positive place,” he said. “It kind of takes you back to a time that people my age never got to experience. I guess [Andy’s] is as close as we’ll get.”