Brigitte (pronounced Brah-Get-ah) came to America with a single dollar and barely a word of English—but what she lacked in cash she made up for in grit, charm, and a smile that could melt the iciest Minnesotan. After marrying a soldier and trying her hand at farm life, she started waiting tables at Fred’s Café. Through hard work and determination, she eventually bought the restaurant in 1970 and Brigitte’s Café was born. Known for her larger-than-life personality, impeccable eye for detail, and an uncanny ability to make everyone feel like family, Brigitte made her café a second home for the whole community. Over the years, it expanded from a humble Highway 10 diner to a truck stop on I-94 and even a German nightclub with lederhosen-clad servers.
Brigitte’s children—affectionately dubbed the three kinder (that’s “kids” in German)—grew up in the restaurant. In 2000, they brought the café back home to St. Cloud. David held things down in the kitchen at sunrise. Julie kept things humming out front. Michael ran the night shift, making sure things ended just as strong as they started. Together, they carried forward Brigitte’s tradition of homemade food and great service at a reasonable price.
In the summer of 2019, Brad and Arthur stepped up to continue the family tradition. To them, Grandma Gita was larger than life with her big hair and bling. She could fill a room with laughter, tell stories like no one else, and always had a surprise up her sleeve. Working alongside their grandmother, mom, and uncles left a mark that still shows up in every plate and every shift.