"We looked at dozens of restaurant locations, but when we saw the old Gallivan's space we knew it was the place we wanted," Birk said. "For one, it's in St. Paul and I'm a St. Paul guy. Second, I love all the old wood. You can't find places like this anymore. It reminds me of the 100-year-old houses around here. read more
From the Pioneer Press, January 2006
Birk makes play for restaurant: Vikings center, partners plan supper club revival at former Gallivan's location.
Look out Carl Eller. There’s another Minnesota Vikings player entering the restaurant business. Pro Bowl center Matt Birk is in negotiations to open a supper club named MAtty B's in the former Gallivan's in downtown St. Paul. read more
Matt Birk
Matt Birk is (of course!) best known as the starting center for the Minnesota Vikings. But Birk’s local roots run much deeper than that. He was born and raised in St. Paul and feels a special affinity with the community. He was thrilled when presented with the restaurant idea, but clearly stated that he didn’t want to open “just another sports bar.”
A view if Gangster Alley with Hassan, Mike, Matt & Mike.
From the Villager, Wednesday, April 5, 2006
Front and center: Vikings' Birk brings a taste of old St. Paul with opening of Matty B's.
Matt Birk, the Cretin-Derham Hall graduate and all-pro center for the Minnesota Vikings,
completed something of a two-minute drill in opening his new supper club at 354 Wabasha St. in downtown St. Paul. Twenty-seven days after signing a lease for the space once occupied by Gallivan's, the restaurant was cleaned up and redecorated, the menu was created, a staff of 45 was hired and Matty B's was open for business.
