Two New Restaurants Coming to Lake Elmo: Tap & Ladder and Machete Cocina Mexicana
Lake Elmo’s Old Village area is about to become one of the east metro’s most exciting new dining destinations. This week, the Lake Elmo City Council approved plans to convert two city-owned buildings — the former fire station and the old parks building — into locally owned restaurants through a $1.6 million adaptive-reuse project.
From Firehouse to Taphouse
At 3510 Laverne Avenue, the city’s historic fire station will soon become Tap & Ladder, a self-pour taphouse and casual dining restaurant with seating for roughly 150 guests. The concept, led by developers Brian Heidt and Amanda Urban with partner Julian Ocampo, aims to blend Lake Elmo’s small-town character with a modern social vibe — think local craft beer, casual dining, and community connection in a space that keeps the building’s original charm intact.
Chef-Driven Mexican in the Old Parks Building
Just down the road, the old parks building at 11200 Upper 33rd Street will transform into Machete Cocina Mexicana, a restaurant already beloved in southwest Woodbury for its bold flavors and creative menu. The Lake Elmo location will bring that same elevated Mexican dining experience closer to home for east-metro residents.
Preserving History, Building Community
City officials emphasized that the adaptive-reuse project fits perfectly with community goals for the Old Village area — preserving local history while adding dining, walkability, and family-friendly spaces. The combined $1.6 million investment includes roughly $980,000 in renovation costs for the fire station and $704,000 for the parks building.
Council member Jeff Holtz praised the proposal, saying it “aligns with the wishes of both the council and the community,” while Matt Hirn noted that seeing such high-quality submissions “gives you goosebumps.”
What It Means for Lake Elmo
For residents, this means two unique new gathering spots and a major boost to the Old Village district — without sacrificing its historic charm. Expect construction to move quickly following the council’s approval.
If you’re a fan of great food, local beer, and Minnesota charm, keep an eye on Lake Elmo — Tap & Ladder and Machete Cocina Mexicana could soon be your new go-to spots.
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