The Celebrity-Owned Handsome Hog Is One Of The Best Places To Plant Some Southern Roots In Minnesota
…
The North Star State has its fair share of celebrities and celebrity hangouts, but when it comes to restaurants, there just aren’t really many places anymore that could be considered a celebrity-owned restaurant in Minnesota – unless we’re talking about celebrity chefs. The most famous celebrity chef living in Minnesota is, arguably, Andrew Zimmern, and he does not currently have a dining establishment in the state. Chef, writer, Food Network personality, and James Beard Award-winning cookbook author Amy Thielen also does not own a restaurant in Minnesota.
Two James Beard Award-winning chefs, Gavin Kaysen of Spoon & Stable, Demi, and other ventures, and Sean Sherman of Owamni, enjoy considerable renown at both the local and national levels. Sherman, in fact, was named one of Time Magazine’s Most Influential People of 2023. Another James Beard Award winner, Ann Kim of Young Joni and others, also enjoys quite a bit of regional and national acclaim. However, Kaysen, Sherman, and Kim aren’t really “celebrities” in a more general sense (yet!). Food Network host and cookbook author Molly Yeh opened Bernie’s in East Grand Forks in 2022, which is pretty close to a celebrity-owned restaurant but also not quite there yet.
In Minnesota, the closest place we have to a restaurant owned by a celebrity is The Handsome Hog, which was opened by chef and television personality Justin Sutherland.
Has has also made many other national media appearances on programs such as the Rachael Ray and Drew Barrymore shows. In 2021, he became a host on TruTV’s competition show, Fast Foodies.
Monarch butterflies are beautiful insects that are famous for their cross-country migration every spring and fall. They are Minnesota’s state butterfly!
…
Here in Minnesota, most of us are familiar with the Canada goose migration every spring and fall. These noisy birds fly over our state every spring, taking up residence in ponds and lakes before it is time to head south once again. But there’s another famous migration that takes place in Minnesota every year. It’s much quieter, but just as beautiful. Millions of monarch butterflies are headed straight for Minnesota this spring.
…
Every spring, millions of monarch butterflies begin a migration from their wintering site in Mexico. They fly north into the United States and parts of Canada.
In just a few short weeks, these colorful insects will be ready to depart once again. Tens of millions of monarchs will fly out of Minnesota between July and October. They’ll head back to their winter grounds in Mexico.
Those butterflies that make the journey will spend the winter in warm weather before continuing the cycle again next spring. The monarch butterfly migration brings beautiful insects to Minnesota every year!
Have you ever spotted a monarch in Minnesota? While these butterflies still arrive by the millions, their numbers are dwindling. For more information about the insects, check out the DNR monarch butterfly page. And for information about attracting the butterflies to your yard, check out their butterfly garden page.
North Coop’s tangy, tender ribs pair perfectly with the restaurant’s creamy mac and cheese.
…
The Entire Menu At North Coop In Minnesota Is So Good, You’ll Want To Order One Of Everything!
…
Opened in 2019 by a local couple with Southern roots, Excelsior’s North Coop boasts one of the best menus in Minnesota. You’ll want to order one of everything from the restaurant’s down-South-inspired bill of fare North Coop, which was opened by the same restaraunteur couple behind the locally beloved Lago Tacos, brings an explosion of Southern flavor to the Lake Minnetonka food scene.
Mac and cheese … But North Coop’s real power comes from its incredible chicken. The tenders, which are served in its chicken and waffles dish, are probably the best in the Cities, if not the state.
…
On weekends, North Coop brings a little Southern flair to brunch.
…
Although, you may not be all that hungry if you start with one of the loaded bloody Marys from North Coop’s full bar.
…
As far as atmosphere, the space is light and airy, with plenty of room at the big bar. It’s a great space for game day – and the specials are nothing to complain about, either.
…
The patio is also a fantastic option when the weather cooperates.
…
Unless you’re a serious eater with plenty of room in your fridge, you’ll have to visit North Coop several times to try everything on the menu, but believe us – it’s worth it.
The Hubbell House is a historic restaurant in the tiny southern Minnesota town of Mantorville. Minnesota became a state on May 11, 1858, but people have been in the Land of 10,000 Lakes for much longer. The state was first home to Native Americans, who have been here for millennia. Then, the first European settlers arrived in the 1600s. A couple hundred years later, one of the state’s first restaurants was established. This historic restaurant has been around since before Minnesota was even a state, and it still serves up delicious food. Take a look:
The Hubbell House has a long history. The present building, built in 1856, predates Minnesota by two years.
Anyone who’s ever visited Lake Superior can attest to the fact that it truly looks like an endless sea. As the largest of the Great Lakes – it contains more water than the other four combined – and the second-largest lake in the world by surface area, Lake Superior certainly lives up to its name. Here in Minnesota, we are lucky to have more than 100 miles of shoreline along this beautiful lake, including many wonderful beaches. Below, you’ll learn about five of the best Lake Superior beaches in Minnesota. Visit them, and you’ll feel like you’re at the ocean!
Black Beach is a fascinating spot along Minnesota’s North Shore. The black sand is unlike anything else in the state. It was created from taconite tailings that were dumped into the lake by past mining operations. The black sand is harmless, but it does provide a beautiful backdrop to your visit, especially when combined with the blue sky and water and the rugged red cliffs nearby. Not only is black beach gorgeous, but it is also a great place to dip your toe in the lake’s icy waters!
…
2. Iona’s Beach Scientific and Natural Area (SNA), 3548 MN-61, Two Harbors, MN
Iona’s Beach is often called Minnesota’s singing beach. When you visit, you’ll soon understand why. As Lake Superior’s waves wash ashore, the pink pebbles that make up the beach move together to create a high, tinkling sound. The chiming rocks combine with the expansive view of Lake Superior, making visitors feel like they are far from Minnesota – perhaps at an ocean thousands of miles away.
Park Point Beach is perhaps the most ocean-like beach in Minnesota. It’s located all along the world’s largest sandbar – also called Minnesota Point – in Duluth. There’s plenty of sand for spreading out a beach blanket, and it’s an excellent place to swim. The cold water of Lake Superior will cool you down on hot summer days.
Artist’s Point is not your traditional beach. It doesn’t have any of the sand – or even pebbles – that make up other North Shore beaches. But that’s what makes it so uniquely beautiful. Flat rock formations look out over the endless water, making this beach feel like it’s on a rugged ocean coast halfway around the world. The beautiful scenery and easy hike to Artists’s Point make it a popular stop for northern Minnesota travelers.
Found within the borders of one of Minnesota’s most popular state parks, Agate Beach is just steps away from the gorgeous Gooseberry Falls. But when you visit, your eyes will be on the powerful waves of Lake Superior as they wash ashore on this rugged coastline. This is not a swimming beach, but it is well worth visiting for those who love to explore the North Shore.
