Slim's Bar & Grill

Slims Bar & Grill was opened by Larry and Connie Jacobson in the fall of 1989. One could say that Slims Bar & Grill was the culmination of Larrys lifelong experiences in the food industries. Larry and his father started Jakes Pizza (pizza was a new thing in Minnesota) in Albert Lea in 1965 and it grew to 18 locations in Minnesota and northern Iowa. In Bemidji, after competing with Daves Pizza and Keiths Pizza, Larry decided to go a different direction. After opening L.T. Jacobs and Hard Times Saloon, he developed Slims Bar & Grill, which had the right mix. It was efficient, inviting, friendly and profitable. Several have tried to copy Slims format but only one is a true associate: Genes Bar & Grill was built in Roseau with friend and business partner, Gene Fichter. In 2005 Larry and Connie sold the business to their son Karl and his wife Erin. Among the faces you see now at Slims, is longtime treasured employee Lisa Beer Freise, who has worked with the Jacobsons since 1980. Many valuable employees, including Larry and Connies daughter Erika, worked by their side to make Slims what it is today. Lisa and her husband John bought Slims in 2014. Slims prides itself in using local businesses for their suppliers, including fresh Raphaels Bakery buns, freshly ground beef from Stittsworths Meats and Beers BBQ Sauce. Wanting to support the local community, Slims has sponsored numerous events with Bemidji State University and organized a day long fundraiser for the 2006 Olympic Curling teams of Pete Fenson and Cassie Johnson of Bemidji. News of the event made its way into the pages of the Wall Street Journal. In the summer of 2007, after his season of playing with the Anaheim Ducks, Bemidji native Joe Motzko brought the Stanley Cup to Slims for an evening of celebration with the local community and friends. Slims strives to be a supporter of the community with friendly service, quality burgers and a place to gather for all.