Wooden Spoon

For residents of Southern Minnesota, especially those in the Mankato and Blue Earth County area, the Wooden Spoon is a landmark establishment that offers a truly unique combination of services. It is much more than just a place to grab a morning muffin; it is a full-service bakery, a convenient lunch spot, a high-volume catering food and drink supplier, and a dedicated caterer—all rolled into one professional, women-owned business.

Located conveniently on North Riverfront Drive, the Wooden Spoon has become a cornerstone of the local food scene, recognized not only for its decadent baked goods but also for its practical, ready-to-eat meal solutions. Its business model, which caters to everything from a quick individual visit to large corporate catering contracts and customized party venue rental, demonstrates a commitment to meeting the diverse needs of the busy Minnesota community. The variety of offerings is staggering, ranging from classic bakery items like pies, cakes, and fresh pastries, to an extensive menu of individual and family-style meals designed for easy at-home consumption or meal prep.

Customer feedback consistently praises the delicious quality of the food and the exceptional, personalized service. As a friendly, professionally-run establishment that identifies as women-owned and proudly supports an inclusive environment, the Wooden Spoon is truly a unique and valuable part of the Mankato experience.

The Wooden Spoon is ideally situated for easy access in the heart of Mankato, making it a convenient stop for locals and those commuting into the city.

The exact location is: 515 N Riverfront Dr, Mankato, MN 56001, USA.

Accessibility is a clear priority for this establishment, ensuring that all community members can visit comfortably. The venue offers comprehensive accessibility features, which are vital for a caterer and event venue:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance.
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot (often located around back in an alley, offering ample room for navigation and parking).
• Wheelchair accessible seating within the venue.

The customer reviews highlight this commitment, with one patron noting that the back entrance, featuring a ramp, was especially helpful for elderly guests attending an event in the Creamery Room. Additionally, the bakery offers highly convenient parking options, featuring both a Free parking lot and Free street parking, which removes the stress of a downtown visit. This combination of central location and accessibility makes the Wooden Spoon an excellent choice for any type of visit—from a casual quick stop for coffee to hosting a large, multi-generational gathering.

The Wooden Spoon’s service model is incredibly robust, covering four distinct but complementary business types: Bakery, Lunch Restaurant, Caterer, and Catering Food & Drink Supplier.

• Comprehensive In-House Dining and Takeout: Offering Dine-in, Takeout, In-store pickup, Curbside pickup, and Delivery, providing maximum convenience for all patrons.
• Full-Service Catering: Specializing in catering for a variety of events, including bridal showers, office parties, and special dietary needs accommodation, as confirmed by customer testimonials.
• Individual Meal Prep Options: An extensive menu of over 40 individual, ready-to-eat meals, with a highly valuable discounted price of $$11.00 for six or more meals, making it a top choice for healthy, convenient meal prepping in the region.
• Easy At-Home Meal Kits and Family Meals: Offering pre-made options that are ready in 24 hours or less (like Sandwich and Wrap Box Lunches, Picnic Packs, and Savory Pastries), as well as larger Grab & Go Family Meals (like Beef Lasagna, Tator Tot Hot Dish, and Beef Pasta Bake) ready in two days or less.
• Event Venue Rental: The business offers the "Creamery Room," an ideal, reasonably priced venue for private events such as showers and parties, accommodating mid-sized groups comfortably with on-site catering available.
• Custom Baked Goods Orders: Providing a wide array of pies (Apple, Cherry, Chocolate Meringue, and more), three and six-layer cakes, cobblers, traditional cookies, and brownies, with specific lead times required for custom orders.

What truly sets the Wooden Spoon apart in the Southern Minnesota market are its thoughtful features and strong community focus.

• Dedicated Dietary Options: The bakery features a specific gluten-free section in its offerings and meals, including items like Keto Cheese Noodle Beef Lasagna, Sesame Chicken, and GF Apple Cobbler, demonstrating a crucial commitment to special dietary needs.
• Inclusive and Welcoming Environment: The business explicitly identifies as LGBTQ+ friendly and a Transgender safespace, fostering a genuinely welcoming atmosphere for all members of the community.
• Women-Owned and Operated: The business proudly Identifies as women-owned, which is a significant factor for Minnesotans looking to support local, diverse enterprises.
• Multi-Purpose Venue and Catering: Not only can you enjoy a Breakfast or Lunch in the restaurant, but the availability of the Creamery Room for rental creates a full-circle service offering for local parties and events.
• Tech-Friendly Amenities: Customers can enjoy Wi-Fi and make quick, modern payments using Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.
• Extensive Meal Variety: The menu is exceptionally diverse, offering everything from classic comfort foods like Turkey Commercial and Mac And Cheese, to international flavors like Sugaar Digaag and Thai Peanut Chicken, including numerous Veggie Option Available labels across the entire meal prep section.

Whether you are scheduling an event in the Creamery Room, ordering meal prep for the week, or placing a custom pie order, the Wooden Spoon team is easily accessible via phone.

Address: 515 N Riverfront Dr, Mankato, MN 56001, USA

Phone: (507) 345-4114

Mobile Phone: +1 507-345-4114

For custom cakes and pies, please note that specific lead times (up to five business days for custom cakes) are generally required to ensure the highest quality of the final product.

For anyone in the Mankato area, the Wooden Spoon is an essential local resource. You should choose this establishment because it expertly addresses the complete spectrum of food needs for a busy Minnesota lifestyle—from daily sustenance to special celebrations. It successfully combines the home-baked quality of a traditional bakery with the efficiency of modern meal preparation and the professional capacity of a full-scale caterer. The vast menu, including clearly labeled gluten-free, Keto, and dairy-free options, ensures that every diet is catered to with delicious food. Finally, the business’s strong, publicly stated commitment to community—as a women-owned, LGBTQ+ friendly, and accessible venue with a private event space—makes the Wooden Spoon not just a business, but a valued local partner and a safe, welcoming hub on the Riverfront Drive in Mankato.

Wooden Spoon

515 N Riverfront Dr, Mankato, MN 56001, USA