Celebrate the best of Twin Cities Dining with 6 days of great deals to dozens of local restaurants with a week’s worth of great deals in the Twin Cities trendiest and best restaurants from February 23-28, 2020.
Participating restaurants will serve two-course lunches for $10-$25 and three-course dinners for $15- $35 (beverage, tax and gratuity not included).
Mpls.St.Paul Magazine’s Restaurant Week started in 2007 in an effort to connect Twin Cities food enthusiasts with the best in Twin Cities dining. Since then, Restaurant Week has become a tradition embraced by Minnesotans.
Join the Wise Acre Eatery next Tuesday for supper! Enjoy a delicious multi-course, farm-fresh meal, followed by a stimulating discussion with Farmer Dean discussing the future of farming and eating for a healthier planet. Tickets sell fast, so be sure to get yours soon, visit: tangletowngardens.
Kale Thome and Travail Collective are proud to announce the grand opening of Minnesota Barbecue Company. Located at 816 Lowry Avenue in Northeast Minneapolis, the take-out craft barbecue restaurant is a collaboration between Thome, longtime executive chef at Travail, and Travail co-founders Mike Brown, James Winberg and Bob Gerken.
“I grew up in Wichita, Kansas, where barbecue is a way of life,” says Thome. “At this point in my career, I’m excited to go back to my roots and use the abundance of wonderful local products to bring my own brand of Minnesota craft barbecue to the neighborhood.”
Located between Quincy and Jackson Streets, the former abandoned 800-sq.-ft. building has been transformed into a modern barbecue joint with a custom smoker designed by the chefs and built by Sam Linhoff, a local artisan metalsmith who crafts lighting and other design elements for Travail and Pig Ate My Pizza. Joy Martin, AIA, of Minneapolis-based Joy Architecture collaborated with the chefs on the design of the space. In between opening Travail’s Minneapolis Residency and overseeing the design and construction of the new Travail and Pig Ate My Pizza on Broadway Avenue in the heart of Robbinsdale, the chefs did triple-duty as general contractors, carpenters, tile-setters and drywall installers.
Thome’s debut menu features St. Louis pork ribs, smoked to perfection until the meat falls off the bone, tender brisket and chicken served up with sweet-and-savory sauce alongside dirty rice and beans, creamed sweet potatoes, cheesy noodles, apple fennel slaw, and cucumber salad. The menu will also evolve to include other modern riffs on timeless barbecue favorites including pulled pork, smoked duck and house-made apple bacon sausage, as well as long-simmered baked beans, homemade potato salad, leafy green salad, fresh-baked onion buns and other specialties.
Throughout the past year, restaurants new and old have delighted diners with amazing food in every corner of Minnesota. It’s impossible to visit every restaurant – especially with new ones popping up all the time – but there are some must-stop restaurants in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. There are many more to choose from, but we’ve gathered a few of our favorite Minnesota restaurants here. Next time you’re looking for a new place to dine in 2020, check out this list for inspiration:
In Eden Prairie, Minnesota, this delightful restaurant serves up some of the tastiest BBQ this side of the Mississippi. The pig-themed restaurant has charming vibes, and the food is as flavorful as it gets. Stop in for amazing food in a comfortable atmosphere. We especially recommend the ribs! Learn more, click here
You don’t have to go south of the border for tasty Mexican food, and this Duluth restaurant proves it! They specialize in burritos, though there are many other favorites on the menu. Each comes in a variety of flavors, so there’s sure to be something for everyone. Round out your meal with an ice-cold margarita! Learn more, click here
Q. Cumbers proves that buffets don’t have to be unhealthy! This delicious buffet specializes in fresh, flavorful options that are much healthier than traditional buffet offerings. Anyone who loves veggies will love their 50-foot-long salad bar! Learn more click here
Cecil’s Deli is a longstanding spot, but a surprising number of Minnesotans have not yet been there. Why not make 2020 the year you finally try it out? Fresh sandwiches, salads, and soups make up the menu at this 70-year-old deli. Learn more, click here
It’s always fun to visit a themed restaurant! The School House Cafe in McGregor, Minnesota, has schoolhouse vibes. But you’ll find much better than school lunches there. They focus on hearty favorites that’ll fill you up for the whole day. Grab a tasty breakfast, and take one of their famous sweet rolls to go. Learn more, click here
If you like chicken, you’ll love Carl’s Corner. This roadside spot has made a name for itself thanks to its famous broasted chicken. The flavorful chicken comes in generous portions accompanied by tasty sides. It’s no wonder it’s been named the best in Minnesota! Check it out in 2020 to see for yourself. Learn more, click here
Princeton, Minnesota, is home to the longstanding K-Bob Cafe. This little spot is well known among locals for its comfortable atmosphere, great service, and delicious food. Go in early for breakfast, or stop in for a tasty sandwich or burger lunch.
Good things come in small packages. That’s certainly the case for Ideal Diner, a tiny little spot in Minneapolis that has only 14 seats. But trust us, it’s worth the wait. Ideal Diner serves up delicious American fare in hearty portions. Make a point to stop here in the coming year for a truly tasty breakfast, lunch, or – on Fridays – dinner. Learn more, click here
Rochester, Minnesota, is home to many tasty restaurants that are well worth visiting this year. One of our favorites is a hole-in-the-wall spot that only locals know about. Cheap Charlie’s is known for its great service, big portions, and delicious flavor. This unassuming restaurant will make you feel right at home. Learn more, click here
Next time you’re craving a great bite as you head down I-35, stop in at Norman Quack’s! This easy-access restaurant in Forest Lake is known for its amazing burgers, ribs, walleye, and more. Add a side of onion rings to go along with your meal. They’re the best in Minnesota!
For more information about Norman Quack’s, check out our past article here
Many know and love King’s Place in Miesville, Minnesota, a tiny town 45 miles southeast of Minneapolis. It’s all thanks to the restaurant’s amazing, award-winning burgers. The busy restaurant often buzzes with visitors, but they easily keep up with demand by cooking up patties by the dozen. There are many different burgers to choose from. Visit in 2020 to find your new favorite! Learn more, click here
If you’re like most Minnesotans, you’ve never heard of Vinnie’s Dang Fine Dine. That’s because it’s nestled in the southwestern corner of the state, in a tiny town called Luverne. But if you make it to this region in the coming year, we highly recommend stopping in at this funky little restaurant. You’ll find a lively spot with a unique vibe, great service, and delicious breakfast and lunch. Learn more, click here
The Hmong people come from Southeast Asia (Laos, Vietnam, Thailand). They are nomadic with no country of their own, held together by their traditions, culture, art and cuisine. In the 1970s, many Hmong people left Asia for the United States after the Vietnam War, which brought Yia, Chris and their families to their new home in Minnesota.
ABOUT
Union Hmong Kitchen is a is a pop-up restaurant experience that features Hmong culture, stories, rituals, foods and flavors. We marry local traditions with those from back home in South and Eastern Asia to bring Hmong flavors to American palates. Every dish has a narrative and we look forward to sharing ours with you, through our food.
No matter where we were or what we were doing, we could hear the voice of my mom, a tiny Hmong woman, yelling for us to come to eat. My parents believed in eating at the table together for dinner. It was a time to take a pause in our lives and connect with each other. Sometimes there wasn’t much to talk about, and sometimes that was the moment my father took to give us a talking to. Regardless, the table was a big part of our family life. At the table we connected with each other and shared a meal.
YIA VANG
Vang was born in a Thai refugee camp, came to the United States at five years old, and eventually arrived in the Twin Cities as part of the largest urban Hmong population in the world. He cooked at Nighthawks, Borough, and Gavin Kaysen’s Spoon & Stable before starting Union Hmong Kitchen, and serves as a passionate, tireless, funny, and forgiving advocate for Hmong food as an expression of Hmong culture.
CHRIS HER
Chris was born and raised in the East side of St. Paul. After high school, he pursued a degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota Duluth. While in UMD, he found a love and passion for cooking by making dinner for his roommates and friends. After graduation, he began his career in Accounts Payable at 3M, but after a taste of the corporate world there was another taste lingering in the back of his heart…his passion for cooking. He left his office job and started working as a line cook by night and pop-up business owner by day.
Discover all the great eats on the east side of the lake: The neighborhood of Nokomis East is a small town with everything you need, down-to-earth and culinary rich if you know where to look. A neighborhood that’s quietly building its lineup of restaurants and craft beer haunts, from the delightfully uncrowded shores of Lake Nokomis and the thundering beauty of Minnehaha Falls to the well-stocked vintage shops along Minnehaha Avenue. Find great burgers, fried chicken, cupcakes, Midwestern-style pizza, and more.
This quintessential neighborhood Italian restaurant is where paper tablecloths come with a set of crayons. The walls are covered in homey murals. Huge slices of scratch-made lasagna are chock-full of every kind of meat you can imagine. Hoagies overflow with massive meatballs arrive dripping with piping-hot red sauce and provolone cheese. Best of all, huge portions don’t come with a huge price tag so you’ll leave with your belly and wallet comfortably stuffed.
One of the most consistently busy places in the neighborhood is the Nokomis Beach Cafe. You’ll know you’re there by the jolly canoe-planter marking its place on the corner of 50th and 28th. One word to sum up why NBC is on the list? Waffles. Two more words? All. Day. Plus there are mile-high sandwiches made to order in front of your drooling face with bread baked same-day from A Baker’s Wife just down the street. Friendly baristas top it all off with a specialty ‘Noko’ coconut-inspired mocha or cold press brewed to perfection. With huge picture windows and only one block between you and Lake Nokomis, it’s no surprise Nokomis Beach Coffee is a favorite of the neighborhood locals.
Fresh fish, 18-hour porketta and craft beer are all smoked in-house to perfection. The cozy interior has huge picture windows and hop vines shading the patio. The hand-cut fries are just the right amount of crisp, and between the sizeable selection of house and guest taps, there’s a beer on the menu to pair with any dish. This brewpub has friendly, fast service and outrageously flavorful food.
A Baker’s Wife is where you wake up early to go stand in line for warm pastries. With cake donuts that check all the boxes—warm, soft, smooth, airy, sugary, and fresh—this no-frills bakery keeps it simple and cheap. Show up early, get two warm cinnamon-sugar donuts for less than a dollar, and enjoy alongside the life-sized cow statue as they melt in your mouth.
Go to Buster’s for happy hour. You’ll thank me later. With a tap selection over 20 craft beers deep and a happy hour that offers better-than-average pub fare—think seasonally-inspired mussels and calamari fried to perfection—Buster’s is a beer lover’s heaven and a neighborhood staple.
This adorable shop sells a creativie, variety of cupcake flavors. Moist, rich cake and perfectly-paired frosting adorn an ever-expanding selection of taste combinations.
Simple and to-the-point barbecue include ribs that are meaty and fall-off-the-bone tender. The sauce is the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, vinegary goodness. Only order hot if you can handle it, even the mild has a bit of a kick.
An ideal place to bring a giant appetite with a menu dominated by affordable burritos and tacos. The menudo and pozole are a good best on cold days, post hockey game or jaunt around the lake.
The food at Berry Sweet Kitchen is made from scratch daily, food is fresh, colorful and flavorful. Start at the breakfast menu overflowing with fluffy-crisp waffles, rich french toast and a baby-sized burrito stuffed to the breaking point. Finish with the chef’s specialty, decadent desserts lining the display case.
It’s dive bar with a heart of gold. Bull’s Horn is the work of two lifelong industry folks, Amy Greeley, with her undeniable charm and warm hospitality and her husband Doug Flicker, one of the most respected chefs in Minneapolis, long known for mind-blowing fine dining. The duo decided to ditch the high-end world, or a cozy neighborhood eatery with pickle brine fried chicken, affordable beers, free popcorn, and an awesome jukebox.
This restaurant is nothing short of an ultra-fresh umami-bomb. Creative, delicious, and surprisingly good for you—everything on Chef Tamara Brown’s menu is gluten-free and locally and sustainably sourced. While it’s difficult to pick just one thing from a menu that incorporates everything from American classics to Asian-inspired fare, don’t skip the miso-braised pork. Just, don’t.
This modest restaurant is serving some of the best lomein around. Dumpling began as a farmers market stand before finding this permanent location, and it’s built a reputation as a small Asian eatery is an under sung gem.
This is the pizza of Southeast Minneapolis legend. The original home of Parkway Pizza, its Minnehaha location is spacious-yet-cozy. Serving up proper midwestern square slices, this self-titled ‘Minneapolis Style Pizza’ comes with pretty much any topping you could ever want on a pizza. Top it off with Parkway’s excellent beer selection.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62555611/fats_cedar_ave.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62555610/Nokomis_Beach_Coffee_cr_Yelp.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62555616/Northbound_Brewhouse_cr_FB.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62555615/A_Baker_s_Wife_cr_Yelp.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62555614/Buster_s_on_28_cr_FB.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62555613/A_Cupcake_Social_cr_FB.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62555617/Ted_Cook_s_cr_Yelp.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62555620/Berry_Sweet_Kitchen.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66124891/Bull_s_Horn_beer_popcorn_back_bar_cr_BHFD.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62555609/Sassy_Spoon_cr_FB.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62555612/Parkway_Pizza_cr_FB.0.0.0.jpg)
