Once upon a time, Americans picnicked in cemeteries. And while the practice of graveside picnicking largely died out about a century ago, picnics seem due for a comeback—the food’s affordable, the opportunity for connection and camaraderie is strong, and no matter what’s happening on the streets, we ultimately have to eat. A good picnic meal … [ Read more]
Order Up! Rustica is expanding and Steve Horton is back at the helm
July 2, 2020 by
Updated July 2, 2020 Order Up! is the Growler’s ongoing weekly account of noteworthy Minnesota restaurant openings, closings, and future openings. Due to the impact of COVID-19, much of this column documents restaurants altering, ceasing, or resuming service based on current pandemic conditions. Please send any tips to [email protected] All dates are approximate based on … [ Read more]
Order Up! State of the Minnesota Dining Room – The Latest Restaurant Openings and Closings
June 25, 2020 by
Updated June 25, 2020 Order Up! is the Growler’s ongoing weekly account of noteworthy Minnesota restaurant openings, closings, and future openings. Due to the impact of COVID-19, much of this column documents restaurants altering, ceasing, or resuming service based on current pandemic conditions. Please send any tips to [email protected] All dates are approximate based on … [ Read more]
Dinner and the Plague: Even as the state okays dining out, patrons need to do the right thing
June 18, 2020 by
James Norton is The Growler’s Food Editor. The views and opinions expressed in this essay are his own. My mask is in my left hand. My glass is in my right hand. As the first sip of junmai ginjo sake hits my mouth, I can feel my eyes watering in response. I live with my … [ Read more]
Operation: Take-Out • Pork Belly and Chopped Bacon Tacos for Two at Hope Breakfast Bar
June 12, 2020 by
Each week, Operation: Take-Out brings you specially crafted meals for two with ideal beverage pairings from your favorite local restaurants. We’d like to thank Hop & Barrel Brewing for their underwriting support in the month of June. THE RESTAURANT: This week’s bacon taco meal comes from Hope Breakfast Bar in St. Paul. Founded in a 142-year-old … [ Read more]
Operation: Take-Out • Beef Brisket Taco Feast at Lakeville Brewing Company
June 12, 2020 by
Each week, Operation: Take-Out brings you specially crafted meals for two with ideal beverage pairings from your favorite local restaurants. We’d like to thank Hop & Barrel Brewing for their underwriting support in the month of June. THE RESTAURANT: This week’s beef brisket taco feast comes from Lakeville Brewing Company, a sister brewpub to Inver Grove … [ Read more]
Operation: Take-Out • Braised Pork Belly Carnitas Super Nachos and Poblano-Stuffed Tamales from Travail
June 5, 2020 by
Each week, Operation: Take-Out brings you specially crafted meals for two with ideal beverage pairings from your favorite local restaurants. We’d like to thank Hop & Barrel Brewing for their underwriting support in the month of June. THE RESTAURANT: This week’s carnitas nachos meal comes from Travail in Robbinsdale. The team at Travail has built a … [ Read more]
Operation: Take-Out • 9″ frozen, ready-to-heat Piggy Pie or Vegetarian Supreme Pie with salad and churros from Pig Ate My Pizza
June 5, 2020 by
Each week, Operation: Take-Out brings you specially crafted meals for two with ideal beverage pairings from your favorite local restaurants. We’d like to thank Hop & Barrel Brewing for their underwriting support in the month of June. THE RESTAURANT: This week’s risen brioche crust pizza comes from Pig Ate My Pizza in Robbinsdale, a part of … [ Read more]
Operation: Take-Out • Smoked Pork Rib Feast for Two from Minnesota Barbecue Co.
June 5, 2020 by
Each week, Operation: Take-Out brings you specially crafted meals for two with ideal beverage pairings from your favorite local restaurants. We’d like to thank Hop & Barrel Brewing for their underwriting support in the month of June. THE RESTAURANT: This week’s pork rib feast hails from Minnesota Barbecue Co., a Northeast Minneapolis-based shop at the forefront … [ Read more]
Operation: Take-Out • Slow-Roasted Pork Shank Tacos and Mexican Vienna Lager from Inver Grove Brewing Company
May 29, 2020 by
Each week, Operation: Take-Out brings you specially crafted meals for two with ideal beverage pairings from your favorite local restaurants. We’d like to thank Hop & Barrel Brewing for their underwriting support in the month of June. THE RESTAURANT: This week’s pork shank taco spread comes from Inver Grove Brewing Company, a sister brewpub to the … [ Read more]
United Front: Inspired by Taiwan’s fight against COVID-19, United Noodles uses assertive tactics
May 11, 2020 by
When you’re fighting an invisible enemy, it helps to have a battle plan. For owner Eric Fung and the staff at the United Noodles Asian grocery store in Minneapolis, the successful fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan has been both a blueprint and an inspiration, and has led to some of the most aggressive tactics against the disease … [ Read more]
Review: Yumi’s Big Gamble – The silliness of massive ‘stunt sushi’ is self-evident, but the dish has many layers
April 3, 2020 by
Nearly a decade ago, I walked into a suburban restaurant and was greeted by a hostess eager to talk about the mussels special of the day. “The mussels today,” she said, her voice tingling with enthusiasm, “are huge!” I’d eaten moules-frites up and down the Eastern Seaboard in previous years, and I’d never before heard … [ Read more]
Coffee at the Crossroads: Somali-American-owned Nori Cafe in St. Cloud is part coffee shop, part cultural bridge
April 3, 2020 by
Few words are more loaded with subtext than “coffee.” The word refers to a caffeinated beverage, sure. But it also means “comfort.” It means “conversation.” And it means “connection.” Person-to-person, sure. But it can be far more than that: business-to-business, culture-to-culture, nation-to-world. At the Somali-owned Nori Cafe in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the word “coffee” comes … [ Read more]
A Brief Introduction To Latin Markets
April 3, 2020 by
If you’ve never crossed the threshold of a Latin market, rest assured that you’re missing out. The Minneapolis–St. Paul metro area has dozens and they offer ingredients, culinary tools, and flavors that simply can’t be had anywhere else. The markets feature amenities including (but not limited to!) an en-suite taqueria, hot bar, extensive deli with … [ Read more]
The Growler’s Tourism Guide 2020: Supper clubs that reigns supreme
April 3, 2020 by
Find more great travel ideas in The Growler’s Tourism Guide 2020 It’s the great, once-unsung Upper Midwestern place to eat: a civilized outpost of prime rib, steak, fried fish, and strong cocktails set against a backdrop of sprawling wilderness—the country supper club. Recent years have started to change the “unsung” part of the story: “The … [ Read more]
