Favorite Restaurants

[nofishfisherman]

I love finding new restaurants in the Twin Cities and around the state.  Lets hear some of your favorites so that I know where to eat when I'm out and about in the state.

I'll get things started with just a few of my favorites. 

Twin Cities

The Craftsman - Amazing food, really good signature cocktails, a bit pricey but a great place for a special occasion. 

Ristorante Luci - Really good upscale Italian food with always changing menus.

Mama's - Italian on the other end of the spectrum.  This is your typical red sauce Italian with generous amounts of cheese. The thin crust pizza is also really good.

Outside Metro

Trail Center (Gunflint Trail) - A great place for a pre or post BWCA meal. Biscuits and gravy are the best I've found in MN.  Biggest pancakes you're likely to ever find.

Duluth Grill - This is a traditional lunch or breakfast spot for my wife and I when we are in Duluth.

 

I could keep going but lets hear some of your favorites.

[leechlake]

Best Pizza in town

Pizzeria Lola 45th and Xerxes Edina

[ThunderLund78]

Oh man, You're opening up a big ol' door here to all of us Big Galutes on this page.  Where to start... a few of my personal stand-outs (I live and work in the South metro, so these are just my normal haunts):

Burger/Beer joint:

Buffalo Tap in Savage - Specifically the Parmesan Juicy Lucy Patty Melt with whatever your favorite wings are on the side (If you're one of those wretched Green Bay fans - it draws a Packer crowd on Sunday, but I'm willing to look past it). Schedule an angioplasty afterwards.

Pizza: 

It's a toss-up between Pizzeria Lola and Red Wagon pizza - both kind of in the same neighborhood in Minneapolis - 50th/France area.  True artisan pizza with fresh ingredients... I especially recommend the "Sunnyside" at Lola, gotta love a pizza with a fried egg on it.

Italian:

Guiseppe's in Burnsville. Completely unassuming strip mall Italian joint - literally used to be a Subway - now converted to a small sit-down Italian Bistro (floor tile is a giveaway) Big, delicious portions and the bread and dipping sauce is to die for! 

Perron's Sul Lago in Prior Lake - who knew you could find such great Italian and American Fare on the ground floor of a retirement complex next to an insurance office and a dry cleaner.

Mexican:

In a hurry: Andele Taqueria & Mercado in Richfield - used to be the Denny's off Nicollet.  Outstanding authentic Mexican street food for a very good price.  The Cabeza tacos (Beef Head) are my favorite.

Sit-down: Pepitos in South Minneapolis - Spicy Pork Chimi - enough said.

Supper Club:

The Ranchero in Webster, MN - A true hidden gem that's worth the drive to the sticks! about 15 miles south of Prior Lake in a little farm elevator town.  All the great things about a rural supper club with a German flare. Friendly service, relish tray, more dishes ending in "schnitzel" than you can shake a stick at, spaetzel, great import beer selection, and desert drinks.

Pub:

George & The Dragon - another Minneapolis Mainstay.  Great English/Irish pub - Bangers & Mash, Toasties, Fish & Chips.  The Burgers are also out of this world.  Beer & Wine only but the Tap selection is very good if you're into Stouts and Porters.

Breakfast:

The Big Steer in Northfield - go with "The Fuel Injector!"  Ironically, you're gonna want to lie on the couch for the rest of the day.

There's SO much more, impossible to pick just one - and I haven't even gotten to my favorite Greater Minnesota Restaurants.

Best Pizza in town

Pizzeria Lola 45th and Xerxes Edina

Funny, Leechlake!  I was writing my novel when you doubled-me up on Lola!

[RebelSS]

In St, Paul.....on Grand Ave.... Tavern on Grand....for fish. Dixie's for ribs and Mexican.

[bobberineyes]

+ 2 on lolas,  it'susually a dead giveaway when it comes to the smaller seating establishments when the line is out the door, theirs good grub to be had inside. But ya know it's only been a handful of times I've gone back and thru a tip at the cook, and that's the small town cafe's, they sure can throw a breakfast together. .

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Andele Taqueria & Mercado in Richfield - used to be the Denny's off Nicollet.  Outstanding authentic Mexican street food for a very good price.  The Cabeza tacos (Beef Head) are my favorite.

 

Thunder: I hit this place every time I go to Menards.  Love the tacos and price.  The tortas are also pretty good.  Order the Cubana sometime.  I did it once.  

CUBANA..... $9.99
Breaded steak, sliced hot dogs, scrambled eggs, chorizo, ham, fresco cheese, lettuce, avocado, onions, mayonnaise, tomato and jalapeños.

[eyeguy 54]

Jimmys Pour House has great food here and the burgers are our favorites around here. The beer tastes like everywhere else  

[delcecchi]

Hello Pizza in Edina was pretty good. 

[reinhard1]

My house.  I know it's boring for most but we rarely go out to eat.  Maybe once a year  tops.  Best place I can remember was in Wisconsin in Hayward.  I think it was called Lumberjack something.  Long time ago but they sat you on a picnic table and brought a pitcher of milk, a whole pie, loaf of bread and plenty of main course.  When I do go out somewhere [usually invited for a special occasion] regardless of the place I always order their best burger.  This way I know I'm walking out full.  good luck.

[smurfy]

In St, Paul.....on Grand Ave.... Tavern on Grand....for fish. Dixie's for ribs and Mexican.

you go out for fish at a restaurant?? Most us here catch our own.

My favorite is the sawmill inn in grand rapids or on 371 north of branierd. Think it's call timberjack smoke house.

[Boar]

LMAO! I live in the middle of no where nd hour from the arctic circle it seems, ive got nuthing, if your in my neck of the woods, call me cause I'l gill a steak better than any resturant with an hour of me.

[leech~~]

LMAO! I live in the middle of no where nd hour from the arctic circle it seems, ive got nuthing, if your in my neck of the woods, call me cause I'l gill a steak better than any resturant with an hour of me.

Ring-ring, on the way!

[Boar]

just pick up the steak buddy, I'll fire up the grill and sbake some sweet tater, and sautee some onions and shrooms.

[nofishfisherman]

Interesting Pizzeria Lola is getting so much love.  My wife and I just went there for the first time last month.  We had tried before but the line was around the block and my wife was 8 month pregnant so we opted not to wait. 

We both thought the pizza was very good with interesting toppings but I'm not sure its my favorite wood fire pizza in town.  I think that honor still goes to Punch Pizza, specifically one of their calzones that use to be on their Highland Park location.  I have been known to order 2 at a time, one to eat there and one to bring home.  Punch ingredients are a bit for straight forward without the as much creativity but overall I think the pizzas are more well done.

I've got to keep this list handy for future reference.  There are some good suggestions that I haven't been to yet.  Including Boar's house and reinhard1's house.  Send me your addresses and I'll add you to my list.   Do you take reservations or do you prefer walk in customers?

[leech~~]

just pick up the steak buddy, I'll fire up the grill and sbake some sweet tater, and sautee some onions and shrooms.

Well maybe we have to wait for some ice to get hard so I have another reason to drive up that way!

[ThunderLund78]

Lola's never used to have a line out the door, but they got the Golden Goose when they were featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.  Just like how COMPLETE s-holes like Matt's Bar are now trendy nationwide foodie landmarks.  My Dad grew up in South Minneapolis in the 50's and Matt's was a neighborhood hang-out.  I took him back there recently and he was beside himself that his old dive bar had a line out the door full of people from out-of-state waiting for an average-tasting greasy burger with cheese in the middle. He said the carpet was old when he was young...and it's still the same carpet 

Andele Taqueria is the same way - was recently on DDD, it's always crowded anyway, but now, good luck.  It's still worth the wait, in my opinion.

[RebelSS]

Lola's never used to have a line out the door, but they got the Golden Goose when they were featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.  Just like how COMPLETE s-holes like Matt's Bar are now trendy nationwide foodie landmarks.  My Dad grew up in South Minneapolis in the 50's and Matt's was a neighborhood hang-out.  I took him back there recently and he was beside himself that his old dive bar had a line out the door full of people from out-of-state waiting for an average-tasting greasy burger with cheese in the middle. He said the carpet was old when he was young...and it's still the same carpet 

Andele Taqueria is the same way - was recently on DDD, it's always crowded anyway, but now, good luck.  It's still worth the wait, in my opinion.

Matt's...ha! Home of the overcooked grease burger. Of course, look who HOSTS the DDD show. Another grease burger. 

[leechlake]

DDD has run its course for me.  I don't mind watching it while I'm making dinner since it makes me hungry though.  Guy has a handful of reactions and everything is always great.  I think I heard once he didn't like something.  Patrons reactions are usually similar.  "Great comfort food and always homemade..."  Blah blah blah.

Regarding Matt's...last time I couldn't get in I called a buddy and he recommended a "diner" called the Little Diner that is south of Matts.  Awesome food .  I'd bet that the Golden Goose for many places is to have a local restaurant be on DDD and then pick off the local/loyal customers who can't get in the door at the other place anymore because some hun yuck from Red Lake Falls is in town and wants to try Matts.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

[RebelSS]

That would make anyone lose their lunch. 

[ThunderLund78]

Interesting Comment, Leechlake! I really never thought of the overflow effect for other area businesses - restaurants or otherwise. We're fortunate to have a lot of good options in our area.

[Big Dave2]

Went to the new "Charlie's" on Prior Lake a couple weeks ago and I thought it was very good.

For a small town burger and decent tap beer selection try The Henderson RoadHaus.

 

[ThunderLund78]

Went to the new "Charlie's" on Prior Lake a couple weeks ago and I thought it was very good.

For a small town burger and decent tap beer selection try The Henderson RoadHaus.

 

I grew up in Henderhole, and my parents still live there. They have really re-vitalized the historic downtown. I do need to make the 20 minute drive and check-out the RoadHaus, I've heard form more than a few that it's a great burger and good beer.

[RebelSS]

Ban's in McGregor on lake Minnewawa. Breakfast, lunch, dinner there when up for the June Tournaments every year. Just plain great home-cooking.

[Leaky]

I can't go to NE Mpls without eating cafeteria style at Kramarczuk's.  Could go there 5 days a week and have something different each time.  Best Cabbage Rolls and Split Pea Soup around.