Great spot with friendly quick service. Came early and sat quickly, the bar area was filling up for happy hour as we left. Burger was tasty, my cheese filling squirted out and it could have been a little juicier without it but I just dipped and was very happy with my pick! Really tasty crispy fries too. read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - Juicy Nookie Burger - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

One of the best dives in the city (and yes I consider it a dive). The food is good, standard pub food with some good non-meat options and a good selection of beer. Best secret: the small bowling alley in the basement. read more

The best of the best is at the Nook. I had frequented this dive many times for lunch during the day and just went on a Sunday night. The place was hoppin but we were seated within 5 minutes (table for 5). The nook curds (maple glaze and bacon) is unmatched. The service is perfect - friendly and attentive. Street parking is the only option. We just parked one street over. I was happy to see the bowling alley downstairs was alive and well. Congrats on being a delicious place that everyone loves! read more

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How do you describe the nook? It really is a Saint Paul institution. It's a place I've been going to since college, though I won't say how long ago that was. It seems quite small when you walk into it, but don't forget there is sitting downstairs, as well as access to the bowling alley. The alcohol list is sweet and simple consisting of both local and national beers, a few wines, cider and some seltzers. I don't believe they have a liquor license, but that's OK. They have an extensive menu, with a fun variety of appetizer and meal selections. What I really like, however, is their fish fry, which goes to a whole new level during lent. Don't miss out on their excellent happy hour. Many appetizers are nearly half price plus the beers are a little cheaper. The staff is helpful and friendly. It really is a true neighborhood bar. read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - Beer - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

I remember going to The Nook a few years back and thinking they had some really good juicy lucy's. Nowadays, I love a good value meal and the happy hour does not disappoint. I got 3 burger-sized sliders (comes with cheese and pickles/onions if you ask), a large basket of fries and honey bacon cheese curds for $16.50 total for 2 people. And there was still some leftover to take to go. The sliders are scrumptious. The patty itself is on the thin side but still very flavorful. The buns are buttery and soft, and the slider goes down without being too meat heavy. The fries are cripsy and seasoned, maybe a touch too salty if I had to criticize. And the nook curds are a classic: sweet, crispy, and has that nice snap in the curd when you bite through it. Eating all of this will definitely put you in the mood for a nap later. The space is a little tight but gives off that homey chill vibe. They do have a basement area for seating as well and a bowling alley, but the food is where they thrive. The service was standard, nothing blew me away but I had no complaints either. Would come back here again if I have a burger and fries craving for sure. read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - 3 for $7 sliders, large fires, honey bacon nook curds - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

You've got to try the best Juicy Lucy in Minnesota... your taste buds will thank you. There's a reason this legendary burger has earned so many accolades and widespread recognition. The fries are perfectly seasoned and paired beautifully with the cheesy goodness of the main attraction. The restaurant itself adds to the charm. From the quirky dollar bill decor to the vintage bowling alley vibe, the atmosphere makes the experience even more memorable. Service is friendly and just what you'd expect from a place that knows how to do things right. read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - Juicy Nookie Burger - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

I did not know when the menu said "all of our burgers are cooked medium" that I still needed to verbalize that I did not want a raw burger. I was very disappointed with the inside of the burger, especially after waiting so long for it to come out. I can handle a little pink, but this was quite raw. I waited for the server to come around and check on us before mentioning that my burger was quite red and asking if they'd make me a new one. The server told me that "all our burgers are made medium, so do you want a well done burger" it seemed like she was defending the burger and saying it was medium, but she never looked at it. She then proceeded to tell the kitchen, loudly, that someone wanted a well done burger. I was very disappointed in my experience here, and I had high hopes. read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - Juicy Lucy - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

This was my last meal in Minnesota, after the Twins game. I walked in, and grabbed a seat at the bar. I placed my order for a Juicy Nooky with fries. While waiting for my food, I started a conversation with the guy next to me. Turns out that we have similarities in projects at our jobs. I was at a conference down in Florida for the week, prior to coming up to Minnesota. He attended that same conference years prior in Washington D.C. We had a great conversation while I waited for my food and while eating. How was the burger? Juicy Nooky- This burger was delicious! 2 patties stuffed with cheese. This comes plain on a bun. Keep it simple, right? I let mine simmer for a bit so the cheese didn't burn the hell out of my mouth. When I finally bit in, the cheese was oozing and perfectly warm. It was delicious! The fresh cut fries were great, too! When all is said and done, I think I liked the Nook the best out of the 3 burger places I went to. They had the friendliest customers/staff, and the burger and fries were delicious! Before I left, I went downstairs to check out the bowling alley (Yes, this place has a small bowling alley down in the basement!). It was cool! The ceilings were covered with dollar bills, and there is more seating/another bar down there. Cool spot! Before I left, I exchanged emails with my new friend, and was on my way back to the hotel. Had a great time at the Nook! read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - Juicy Nooky with great hand cut fries! - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

My friends and I arrived at 8:00pm on a Saturday night and it was about a 20 minute wait. We were seated downstairs in a booth. The ambiance is fun, you can watch people bowl and they have TV's going with whatever sports team is on. The basement is a little hot, not much airflow. I ordered the Lodge Burger, the chipotle mayo on it was delicious and the burger was cooked perfectly! The fries don't come with salt, they definitely did taste fresh. We had good attentive service. read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - Lodge Burger with Fresh-Cut Homade Fries - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Seated downstairs in the very last booth toward the back. No other customers were present. Workers kept going past us to get into whatever storeroom was just off this booth, dropping things, etc. Beer was lukewarm and so was the food. Apps were as expensive as entrees. Service and vibe were lackluster. $150 for food and tip. I expect a better experience for this kind of outlay. read more

This was part of our Triple D tour. Stopped here late at night and it was packed. We got Guys Big Bite burger, fried green beans and nook cheese curds with honey and bacon. The curds and burger was top notch delicious! Fried green beans were slightly over fried and the service was a little licking due to all the staff watching a big game on tv. Sports bar ambiance. read more

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Great burgers in a tiny space! Make sure you either get there early, or come prepared to wait for a spot to sit if you get there during any normal meal time. The staff is kind and friendly, and the menu is quite extensive with plenty of burger options, both stuffed or regular with tasty toppings. The fries are hand cut and delicious. There's a reason they were on diners, drive-ins and dives - it's delicious! read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - Cheeseburger - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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I wanted to try Juicy Lucy again, so I tried The Nook! The place is very small, but has a good amount of seating. The staff are friendly and there is only street parking but there was plenty of parking when I went. The only thing I would say I was disappointed on was the fries. Unfortunately for me it was a bit bland and soggy. I usually like a crunchier, salty flavor. The burger itself was delicious. I wasn't blown away by it but it was still a good burger! I got the #7 burger which was stuffed juicy nookie, topped with bacon, tomato, smoked cheddar and chipotle mayo. Overall, Juicy Lucy is pretty food, but I'd still like to try other places in the Twin Cities! read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - #7 burger - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

This place always hits the spot. May not be home to the original Jucy Lucys, but it is second to none! We've been coming here for years and were thrilled to bring some European friends over. Don't be deceived by the "divey" look, it just has a lot of character! We always go for the Spanish Fly (which mixes chorizo with the patty), and our friends went we a traditional Juicy Lucy. The fries are always meaty and well seasoned, and the burger has the perfect balance of flavor, juiciness, and ooziness from the cheese. I can't believe it took me this long to finally review this place. read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - The Spanish Fly - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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We brought our friends from out of town to try a Juicy Lucy at our favorite spot for them. We gave a bit of a disclaimer that although it's kind of a dive bar, the food is spot on. That sentiment rang true today. We had the Spanish fly while our friends had the standard Juicy Lucy. As usual, the fries were meaty and well seasoned, the ranch was flavorful, and the burger packed a punch. How can you beat a stuffed burger made of beef and chorizo? (You can't IMO). If you get a stuffed burger, BE CAREFUL! They will be hot - although the cheese may ooze, you'll save your mouth from burning. Parking is street only. If you sit downstairs, it will be near the bowling alley portion. read more

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I understand that this is an old building but it is very much teetering on the decrepit side of things. It's good for groups of friends or families but I it is quite run down, especially the basement. The burgers are truly very tasty, but watch out for all the up charge for lettuce, mayo, etc.. The kids meal are nice because you can pick your own side, so you can either do fries or pick a fruit or veggies to be healthier. The kid's meal also comes with soft serve ice cream which was a huge hit! read more

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Came here to try a juicy Lucy. The servers were very nice and friendly. It was our first time so she was pretty informative. We got the #7 burger on her rec - cheddar stuffed, bacon, lettuce. It was Okay... we would not get it again. Maybe we'll try the original instead. It wasn't messy due to the cheese, but from the lettuce/bacon grease. All the extra toppings on the burger kept falling out. And maybe the American cheese would have been better than the cheddar. Got the nook curds - honey bacon. It's not just a small drizzle of honey. It is very doused in honey. I like sweet and savory but this was a bit much. The texture of the curds were good though if it was not drenched. Fries were okay. I was expecting some good seasoning on it. But it was quite plain. Not sure if we would try nooks again but a diff burger. We did venture downstairs on our servers rec. it's cool with the bowling alley. Extra bathrooms downstairs too. read more

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This has definitely been cleaned up and commercialized from what it started as, the local dive bar. But I came for the burger, on a pretzel bun no less, and was not disappointed. Wash it down with a malt. If you like banana peppers and pickles they have a "pickles and peppers" dish that they recently added to the menu that I hope they keep on. Really nice. read more

The nook is the best burger place in the twin cities, hands down. The vibes, the food, the service are all top notch. Whoever the original jucy lucy was doesn't matter, because they make the best one! I get the Paul molitar jucy everytime and it is always fantastic. The fries are perfect (paired with the house made ranch!) and the cheese curds are done the right way-- beer battered. For an extra experience, get the nook curds with honey and bacon. We love the basement, which is plastered with dollar bills and beer signs. They have a happy hour for some appetizers and beers from 3:30-5:30 on week nights. We went before a wild game and there was no wait for a table but it gets busy later on. There's always plenty of street parking out front. read more

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"That was a great place!" "That was perfect." Had a guys night out with my family and they wanted dive bar food - beer, burgers, and wings. I had been to The Nook before -- late nite, and it really hit the spot, but was it as good as I remembered? YES, in fact better as not only were the burger and fries delicious but the wings and hot dogs as well! Ambiance: vintage, establishment, dive type feel, crowded and lively both times I went. Think Al's Breakfast but more spacious. Service: pretty quick, nice folks. Of course should mention that Guy Fieri has been here and has an item on the menu. But this place's real merit is in all the happy customers it's served for over 80 years. From off the website: "The Nook has been a part of the St. Paul neighborhood scene since 1938. Folklore has that the location was once a horse barn and then a gas station before it was Wally's Nook, The Nook, Mickey's Nook, and finally, Casper's & Runyon's Nook." Tips - their Juicy Lucy is a delicious novelty, but classic cheese on top burger is the way to go #justsaying #lovemycheeseburger - Consider the wings as a shared appetizer. The house made buffalo sauce is fantastic, albeit not that spicy. - They have a bottle of sriracha you can ask for - Street parking only - is this the best burger in the MSP area? Tough call but this place does so many things well ... if you're considering dining out here, good choice!! read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - Attractive menu, personality-wise. Great: burger, fries, wings. Hot dogs in the flip side! - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Was recommended this spot while in town and couldn't be more pleased with the experience. Very cozy atmosphere, and finally got to try a juicy Lucy which was amazing. Friendly staff and an overall great spot. Definitely recommend, whether you're local or just visiting! read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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The Nook Went here late night for a juicy Lucy and some fries! It was quite good. The burger we had (#7) was good for the patty, but the toppings we had were pretty low quality. The fries and curds were all decent but nothing out of this world. The vibes and atmosphere were 10/10 - super classic and old school. read more

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Updated review: Came back with some friends and had a much better experience ! Sat upstairs and really enjoyed the burgers. read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - Paul Monitor Burger - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

A fun change of pace --- old-timey bowling alley with more food than most can eat. The juicy lucy burgers are served piping hot, so hold your appetite a couple of minutes. read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - Bowling lanes - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Great spot for a Juicy Lucy! The Dive Bar setting was unexpected. There is a top and bottom level with a bowling alley downstairs. Ordered: - Nookie Burger (4.5/5): Terrific! There was so much cheese oozing out but it really complemented with the dense patty. The server warned us to not eat right away since it can hot so be careful Overall this is a must try spot. It has value ($13-14 for burger) with fries. read more

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Let's start it by just putting it out there now, I believe that respectfully, the Nook has the best juicy Lucy in the twin cities. I still have the most respect your game @ 5-8 club and Matt's bar. The burger is made just right and the fries are fresh and the perfect compliment. This is how a burger should taste. The cheese curds are a very solid starter and the classic wisco cheese curd. All the Wisconsinite cheeseheads would be proud. Love the whole in the wall diners drive ins and dives vibe it has on the inside. read more

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The Nook is a neighborhood joint that has character, quick/friendly service, and good food. What more could you want? I ordered the #7 burger - a stuffed Juicy Nookie with plenty of toppings, it was oozing with delicious cheese. Also had small fries with the cheese sauce. The cheese sauce was a little thin and flavor was "fine". But the burger more than made up for it, bursting with flavor. Plenty of TV's on the wall with the latest sports on and local pics and prints. One row of tables on the right and the bar on the left with the kitchen down at the end of the long, narrow space. I'd come back in a heartbeat. read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - #7 burger with small fries and cheese sauce - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

The MN wild dry rub wings are worth coming here for if you're a wing person. The flamin hot cheese curds were not as flavorful as I expected, lacking a bit of a punch in each bite. I didn't get to try the burger but would 100% come back for the wings. That said, I did also order their buffalo wings which were good but did lack some sauce and came out a little dry. It's dimly lit, and you will prolly catch the present sport on television. It's what you would expect from a typical pub/bar in terms of cleanliness. Our server was super nice though and made sure we were taken care of. Would come back for the wings. read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - Flamin hot cheese curds with a hot honey sauce on the side - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

We love eating here, haven't been here for awhile. 15 wait staff/servers are outrageous, take into accounting 8 people 12 people eating here, tables were dirty, we had to seat ourselves, and ask someone to wipe down our tables. There's a woman who s acting like a total Karen , not wearing Nook Attire and a cook in the back smoking something while cooking food, and a guy delivering food while eating. Safe to say the food is still edible but we won't be back! read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - #7, guys big bite and a cheeseburger - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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All great. Best burgers in the Twin Cities. No internet, they expect you to make conversation. 5 stars read more

The food here was so good! I was following all the rage reviews this place has on Yelp when we made our decision to come here. I'm from LA where usually dive bars have terrible food, so I was pretty surprised when I first walked in and saw what appeared to be a dive bar. They asked us if we wanted to be seated upstairs or downstairs, we asked the server what he preferred and he said he likes the vibe downstairs so we agreed. I recommend anyone going their first time to definitely ask to be seated downstairs because the ambiance down there just has such unique character. There were one dollar bills everywhere, the server said there's between 7-14k singles hanging from the ceiling and the walls, and it definitely looks like it. There's also a bowling alley there which caught me by surprise. Okay let's talk about the food: We ordered 3 things: The juicy Lucy (I local Minnesota dish which we had to try). The server warned us that the cheese inside is incredibly hot so eat with caution, so we are this last time give some time for the cheese to cool off. When it was time to eat, the cheese was oozing out popping the whole burger with incredible flavor. I've never had anything like it, we both thought this was the best burger ever. They used a Brioche bun and it looks like they buttered the top and bottom on a griddle before placing the patty in it. Habanero pepper wings (which were incredibly spicy but actually had flavor). The spice level was bold of the chef to allow it to go that hot, but we both love spice and it actually reached a little past out upper limit of tolerability. What made us keep eating it was that no matter how spicy it was it never lost this uniquely awesome flavor that kept us crying our way into eating more. They say love hurts and we sure did love them! The flaming hot flavored Wisconsin cheese curds. Well we both love cheese curds and we love flaming hot Cheetos but to see it together was masterful. The cheese curds we're thick enough that when you pick them up the cheese strings across till you break it off. I haven't had a better cheese curd anywhere. Let me tell you something, all 3 items we tried were out of this world good and I usually have some kind of critique about the food I eat. read more

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This is a super fun bar! Now, I don't drink, so maybe that disqualifies me from being the authority on "a super fun bar", but I eat, and I do trivia, and I bowl, and this is the funnest place I've been to for all that stuff! The first time I came here, years ago, before I was as diligent a Yelper as I am now, I thought this was the best place for Juicy Lucys ("Stuffed Burgers" on their menu). But I've been coming in for Sunday Night Trivia and having a great time! The servers are all really friendly in a way that kind of seems like they're hanging out with you. But, yet, also bringing your food very professionally. The space is kind of tight, both in the main floor bar and in the downstairs area. We have to arrive pretty early to get a table for Trivia. But it works, and is lively and fun every time. The food is really good. I love the fries (good enough for no condiments) and, yes, the Stuffed Burgers. My friends get the Walleye Sandwich and the Reuben and the Nook Curds, love those curds. This last time I got a chicken club, which came with a full grilled filet on a burger bun, which was a pleasant surprise. You should come hang out. But if you come on Sunday night for trivia, you will probably lose to me and my friends just like everyone else did last time. read more

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Outstanding Burgers and Wings! I think I just found my new fav burger joint. Tucked in a St Paul neighborhood this nook is a small dive-bar place with bowling downstairs and a cool vibe up. The wings were almost as good as Runyons in Mpls (not associated) with excellent blue cheese and ranch. The burgers came out just how I like mine - grilled with a hint of pink remaining. Service was Johnny on the Spot. read more

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The basement is great and service was phenomenal. Best to go to Matt's Bar if you want a good Jucy Lucy though. read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

This is a solid, classic American bar with friendly service. The cheese curds were a definite highlight--crispy and delicious! I personally would've preferred a lighter touch on the batter, but overall, they were great. Pairing a burger and a beer here in such a laid-back atmosphere feels just right. You can't go wrong with this spot. Worth a visit if you are in the area. read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Neighborhood bar featuring the infamous Juicy Lucy. This seemed like the logical stop for a tourist looking to try a local food favorite. After all, this place was on Diners Drive-ins and Dives. They even have one named after Guy Fieri. Of course I had to try it. It was a very good burger. Cheesy, as you might imagine, but plenty of meat, bacon and roast beef added to the top. As a side I chose the coleslaw. Another great feature. Sweet but not creamy. This would be a meal I would want repeatedly if I lived here. I walked in and sat at the bar. I did not get to see the entire establishment but believe there was much more to it than what I saw. The waitress that served me seemed to be hustling. Some of the others not so much. Took about 20 minutes to get my food with very few people there. Worth the wait! read more

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First time in this place (2/5/24) Been wanting to come here for years ever since I saw it on the Food Network Diners Drive-Ins and Dives!! I had the juicy Nookie their version of the Juicy Lucy it was very very good delicious I would recommend you to try that burger or any of their other burgers on the menu awesome service by everybody here! And love the ambiance with everything on the walls! Even Guy Fieri picture on the wall!! I would come here again and again!! read more

Casper's and Runyon's Nook - Juicy Nookie - Dive Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

My favorite burger spot. Go here every year for the homer burger and it never disappoints. Love the crack fries, wings are good and delicious cheese curds. Small spot, but feels cozy. Always good service. read more

What can I say! Every time I come to this place, I leave absolutely in all my experience! Thus far, I have showed up three times and have been impressed every time I leave! This past time, was no exception, and I left feeling more amazed than the first two! Upon arrival, I was greeted by Bri, who received my call when I inquired about the hours, and if they would still be open when I plan to arrive. There were not as many people there as I was expecting, which was a pleasant surprise, so my guest and I, Keith, where about to be seated immediately I felt incredibly blessed, that Bri happened to be my server this evening. I thanked her for being her and asked for one simple question, "How long have you worked here?" She replied, "3 years". This instilled confidence for several reasons, A. It proves to me, the quality of the brand and what it takes to retain quality help! B. It made me confident, knowing that I had hitched my cart to the right horse, regarding the next series of questions that I were to present. After asking her, " What would you recommend for appetizers??", I had explained that this was not my first rodeo, and these were the items that I've had thus far. She endorsed and validated my previous decisions and then asked me the question. " Have you tried the nook curds?" This piqued my interest, as I had not tried these amazing little critters! We settled on the aforementioned recommendation, in addition to the walleye fingers, which are absolutely to die for! This brings us to the main course, honestly, I have not tried anything else outside of the juicy Lucy section of this menu, and I'm not sure if I will for the foreseeable future, as these things are amazing! I took the liberty of interrupting her pitch, to explain to Keith how amazing, the sweet potato fries are! The witchcraft and wizardry involved in the preparation of these delectable treasures, is nothing short of a Food Network masterpiece! We both ate our food, and as per usual, I had plenty to take home with me! This makes for an amazing breakfast or lunch to follow up the next day! Before we left, I had to take him downstairs and show off the bar in Bowling alley combo! Bri is a true delight and gem for this amazing establishment! Bravo! ‍ read more

Hole in the wall Nook with a BOWLING ALLEY downstairs!! The food was great, esp the cheese curds!! The juicy Lucy type of burgers are what they are known for but seems like Guy Fieri has his own burger there.. My waitress Chelsea was very friendly, the whole staff was just down to earth. I'm bringing the world to this place. read more

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