The Cedar Chest Restaurant and Bar has been around a while. It was built in 1968 or 1969 (not exactly sure on completion), as a spec home overlooking Big Pine Lake, located just 2 ½ miles south of beautiful uptown Crosslake. In 1971 it was converted to a restaurant, with the unique concept of grilling your own steaks. In fact, you could bring your own steak and for less than $3.00, receive a salad and a potato and service with a smile. That’s been a few years back now, it’s changed hands a few times as well, but it still offers for a reasonable price, good food, a good drink, and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere from a great staff who we like to say is “Minnesota nice with a little bit of spice.”