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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 cc76n7/XZ/4IZWR8xkz2Fg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-059584.txt : 20041217
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-059584.hdr.sgml : 20041217
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041217143749
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-059584
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041213
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041217
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041217

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BUCA INC /MN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001046501
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812]
		IRS NUMBER:				411802364
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1227

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1300 NICOLLET MALL
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3043
		CITY:			MINNEAPOLIS
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55403
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6122882382

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1300 NICOLLET MALL
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3043
		CITY:			MINNEAPOLIS
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55403

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WHALEY JOHN P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001185205

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-25721
		FILM NUMBER:		041211022

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3600 IDS CENTER
		STREET 2:		80 SOUTH EIGHTH ST
		CITY:			MINNEAPOLIS
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55402
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6122151667
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd61545.xml
<DESCRIPTION>WHALEY 12/13/04 FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-13</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001046501</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BUCA INC /MN</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BUCA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001185205</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WHALEY JOHN P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3600 IDS CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>80 SOUTH EIGHTH STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MINNEAPOLIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>55402</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>6.36</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-12-13</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-12-13</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Mary E. Shaffner, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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