Deacon Eells

When you hear “restaurant entrepreneur,” you might picture shiny suits, fast talk, or maybe a graduate of a prestigious culinary school. But meet Deacon Eells, and you’ll find something entirely different: practical, approachable, and refreshingly down-to-earth. The man behind several of the Twin Cities’ most beloved establishments—including Coalition Excelsior, Coalition on 50th and France, Luna and the Bear, MoonWater Gin Bar, and Buster’s on 28th—Deacon has taken a nontraditional path to culinary success, one built on hustle, humility, and human connection.

College wasn’t Deacon’s thing. “I was better at building relationships and copying homework,” he admits with a grin. He got his start at 16 washing dishes—a job that soon turned into cooking, and later, managing. By his early twenties, Deacon had already landed a high-paying position running a successful breakfast chain. But comfort wasn’t what he was after.

When an old acquaintance and chef from his hometown of River Falls, Eli, floated the idea of opening a boutique restaurant together, Deacon jumped. Coalition Excelsior was born, with Eli running the kitchen and Deacon managing operations, finances, and front of house. “The first few weeks were insanely stressful,” Deacon recalls, “but a year in, I was bored.” So they doubled down—launching two more restaurants the next year. “In hindsight, it was probably too much. But I learned so much through it all”

Deacon now brings that same spirit to Round Table. Whether hosting private dining experiences for members or engaging in thoughtful conversation, his strength is in creating spaces where people feel welcome. His gift isn’t just food—it’s connection. “When I meet people, I try not to focus on the differences. We may not agree on everything, but there’s always common ground.”

That perspective isn’t just refreshing—it’s essential. It’s what makes Deacon a vital part of the Round Table community, where mutual respect and meaningful connection matter more than status, background, or belief.