Business Details
42 Years
experience
Your Trusted Restaurant for Fresh, Flavorful Dining in Rochester
Since 1984, the Canadian Honker has been a cornerstone of Rochester, Minnesota's dining scene, dedicated to serving fresh, made-from-scratch meals crafted with USDA choice hand-cut steaks, prime rib, and seasonal produce. Our family-owned establishment takes pride in offering a welcoming atmosphere where guests enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites, including the Honker Breakfast Feast, Bunnies Coconut Cake, and pan-seared walleye. With decades of culinary expertise, we prioritize quality ingredients and exceptional service, complemented by a full bar featuring unique local brews and signature cocktails.Our commitment extends beyond the kitchen through community initiatives like the Rochester Community Food Relief Center and veteran support programs, reflecting our belief in social responsibility. Recognized for catering excellence as a top-five finalist for the CaterSource ACE award, we continue to innovate while maintaining the warmth of a home-away-from-home. Our team, led by owner Joe Powers, combines generational experience with a passion for hospitality, ensuring every guest experiences the same dedication that has served over 3 million customers since our founding.
Services
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Boxed Lunches
Gluten Free
Vegetarian
Gift Cards
Online Ordering
Catering Services
Details
- Year established: 1984
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of family-owned restaurant expertise since 1984
- Our menu features USDA choice hand-cut steaks and fresh seasonal produce
- Recognized as CaterSource ACE award top-five finalists for catering excellence
- We support community initiatives serving over 3 million meals to those in need
- Family-friendly atmosphere with dedicated children's and senior dining options
What people say
Exceptional customer service
Fresh made-to-order meals
Welcoming atmosphere
Catering excellence
Community-focused initiatives
Services
Breakfast Service
Our breakfast service features made-to-order dishes served daily from 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM weekdays and 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM weekends. The Honker Breakfast Feast includes eggs, pancakes, and meats, complemented by freshly squeezed orange juice and Torke Coffee products. This service caters to both quick morning meals and leisurely weekend dining experiences.
Catering Services
Pinnacle Catering provides full-service event catering with custom menus combining culinary expertise and artistic presentation. Available for corporate events, weddings, and private parties, our team delivers fresh, high-quality dishes using the same ingredients as our restaurant. Recognized as CaterSource ACE award finalists, we serve Rochester and surrounding areas with professional event coordination.
Dinner Service
Dinner service offers USDA choice hand-cut steaks, prime rib, and fresh seafood nightly until 9:00 PM. Signature dishes include pan-seared walleye and jumbo shrimp with seasonal sides. The menu features gluten-free and vegetarian options, complemented by a full bar with local brews and signature cocktails in a welcoming atmosphere.
Boxed Lunches
Boxed lunch options are available through Pinnacle Catering for business meetings and on-the-go dining. These pre-packaged meals use fresh ingredients and restaurant-quality preparations. Available for pickup or delivery through DoorDash, the menu includes sandwiches, salads, and specialty items that maintain the same quality standards as our dine-in offerings.
Community Programs
Community programs include food donations to the Rochester Community Food Relief Center and serving over 3 million meals to those in need. The restaurant supports veterans through annual breakfast events and partners with local organizations like the Salvation Army. These initiatives reflect our commitment to social responsibility and community well-being.
People
Joe Powers
Owner
Owner Joe Powers founded the Canadian Honker at 21 after working in the food industry since high school. With over 28 years of experience, he leads Powers Ventures and serves on multiple community boards while maintaining culinary excellence.
Nick Powers
President
President Nick Powers began working at the restaurant at age 8 and progressed through all roles before becoming President of Powers Ventures. He combines generational knowledge with modern leadership while participating in local business development programs.
Samm Wilschek
General Manager
General Manager Samm Wilschek brings hospitality expertise from New York catering experience to Rochester operations. She transitioned from bartender to management while maintaining customer service excellence and overseeing daily restaurant operations.
Sue Lee
CFO
CFO Sue Lee has served Powers Ventures since 1994, managing financial operations while maintaining direct customer service involvement. With 30+ years in food service, she provides business guidance and financial expertise to restaurant and catering operations.
Kaitlyn Nelson
Manager
Manager Kaitlyn Nelson brings 15+ years of hospitality experience from host to server roles before joining management. A Rochester native, she focuses on quality food delivery and exceptional service while balancing operational leadership with guest relations.
Questions
What are Canadian Honker Restaurant's operating hours?
We're open daily from 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM. Weekday breakfast ends at 11:00 AM, with weekend breakfast served until 12:00 PM.
Do you offer gluten-free and vegetarian options?
Yes, we provide dedicated gluten-free and vegetarian menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with fresh, specially prepared dishes.
How can I order catering services?
Contact our catering department at 507-258-4633 or visit Pinnacle Catering's website for event menu options and booking.
Do you have gift cards available?
Yes, purchase gift cards online through our website or in-person at the restaurant location.
What community initiatives do you support?
We support the Rochester Community Food Relief Center, Salvation Army, and veteran programs through meal donations and event sponsorships.
Are boxed lunches available for pickup?
Yes, boxed lunch options are available through Pinnacle Catering with pickup arrangements made via phone at 507-258-4633.
Videos
Reviews (6)
Kaydi Flug
Jun 25, 2022
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Absolutely delicious. My nachos were amazing. My husband said his portobello burger was the best he's had. We absolutely loved eating here. Our waitress was so kind and attentive. Service was fast. I'd give more than 5 starts if it was an option.
Gary T.
Jun 13, 2022
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Best place for Sunday breakfast, good food, good service, good atmosphere. Never a disappointment; a great place to take guests.
Tom C.
Jun 09, 2022
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I thought it was excellent. We sat out on the sidewalk. The service was great. The menu was interesting and original. I had a walleye sandwich that was delicious, with crispy onions and thousand island dressing. It's right across the street from St. Mary's Hospital, so if you are there caring for a loved one, it's a convenient place to cross the street at eat. Highly recommended.
Joy M.
Jun 02, 2022
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We especially enjoyed the fried cheese curds. The portions were good. My son really enjoyed the walleye sandwich.
Cameron W.
May 25, 2022
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Came here for lunch-was pleasantly surprised! The chicken jack club was great. Chicken was crispy, and they did the bacon right! Usually the bacon is skimpy on stuff like this. Server was very friendly. They were also super quick. I would not hesitate to come back.
Katie H.
May 24, 2022
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5/16/22 - Back in town once again for another Mayo Clinic visit. Another great breakfast visit! This time I took a piece of delicious-looking coconut cake to go with me, and oh my gosh! One of the best pieces of cake I've ever had! So great!
