J.D. Fratzke’s new restaurant, Falls Landing, is nearing its opening at Artisan Plaza in Cannon Falls // Photo via Artisan Plaza’s Facebook
Updated June 6, 2019
Order Up! is the Growler’s ongoing biweekly account of noteworthy Minnesota restaurant openings, closings, and future openings. Please send any tips to [email protected]
All dates are approximate based on best information available; opening dates, in particular, tend to shift around a lot.
THIS WEEK’S GYST: The upcoming opening this summer of Falls Landing in Cannon Falls, a project led by chef and Growler magazine contributor J.D. Fratzke, is big news for anyone dining in that part of the state; Fratzke’s reputation proceeds him. But what’s less obvious is that it’s part of a distinct and welcome trend in Minnesota—celebrated high-end chefs serving up much more accessible fare with an emphasis on scratch-made food and quality. Chef Doug Flicker’s tenure at Bull’s Horn is a great example—two of his previous gigs, Auriga and Piccolo, moved the needle on fine dining throughout the state. The team up at Poplar Haus on the Gunflint Trail hails from everywhere from Smack Shack to La Belle Vie to (again) Piccolo. This year, the team behind Chef Shack gave up their Franklin Avenue restaurant in Minneapolis and food trucks and set up permanent residence in Bay City, Wisconsin. And when it came time for acclaimed chef Erick Harcey to open a restaurant after the closure of Upton 43 and Victory 44, he went home to Cambridge, Minnesota, and opened Willard’s. Chalk it up, perhaps, to Upper Midwestern chefs feeling less pressure to conform to New York City and Paris-inspired dining standards, and more freedom to connect with their own upbringings, friends, and personal tastes.
RECENTLY OPENED (Up to 2 Months)
Duluth Coffee Company is opening a satellite location inside the Ripple Bar at Hoops Brewing // Photo via Duluth Coffee’s Instagram
Duluth Coffee Company (satellite location at Hoops Brewing), 325 S. Lake Ave., Duluth ■ A second location for Duluth Coffee Company, extending its footprint into Duluth’s popular Canal Park neighborhood and operated in conjunction with the Ripple Bar at Hoops Brewing. Opened June 1, 2019. Read our Duluth and Superior food roundup, “Taste of the Twin Ports.”
Cheese Louise, 4279 Sheridan Ave. S., Minneapolis ■ Brunch, salads, and gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches makes up the bill of fare at this food-truck-gone-brick-and-mortar in Linden Hills, run by Cheryl Rossi (an alum of Lucia’s in Uptown) and business partner Holly Miller-Byzewski. Opened May 21, 2019.
The Fitz, 173 Western Ave. N., St. Paul ■ The Fitz is a more casual, Justin Sutherland-run reboot of the former Fitzgerald’s space in St. Paul’s Cathedral Hill neighborhood, featuring deep-dish pizza. Opened May 20, 2019.
Pig Ate My Pizza Kitchen + Brewery (reopening), 4124 W. Broadway Ave., Robbinsdale ■ A popular Travail collective-owned pizzeria has reopened after a renovation that incorporates a brewery into the business model. Opened May 15, 2019.
Pimento Jamaican Kitchen (Keg and Case location), 928 W. 7th St., St. Paul ■ After months of delays, the Keg and Case food hall location of Jamaican street food-restaurant Pimento is now open. Opened May 14, 2019.
The Prodigal Pub, 25 E. 26th St., Minneapolis ■ A British Isles–inspired tavern now open in the former Gyst space near Eat Street. Opened May 9, 2019.
Taco Arcada, 1910 W. Superior St., Duluth ■ The latest new concept from the Duluth Grill / OMC Smokehouse / Corktown Deli team, combining a bar, arcade, and “fresh-Mex” food. Opened May 5, 2019.
Minnesota BBQ Co., 816 Lowry Ave. NE, Minneapolis ■ A mostly catering- and takeout-focused BBQ spot by the team behind Travail. Opened May 3, 2019. Listen to our segment on MPR’s Appetites program, “Where to Find Good Barbecue in Minnesota.”
Hamburguesas El Gordo (reopening), 1731 S. Robert St., West St. Paul ■ The St. Paul location of the popular Mexican hamburger restaurant shut down after losing its lease; it reopened this spring. Opens Summer 2019. Also see our Minnesota Taco Atlas.
Meseret Ethiopian, 3867 Minnehaha Ave. S., Minneapolis ■ An East African market and catering operation expands into the world of sit-down food service with this new restaurant concept on Minnehaha. Soft opening April 25, 2019.
Elephant Bar, 213 E. 4th St., Ste. 100, St. Paul ■ A new restaurant by chef Lucas Almendinger replacing the former Hygga space in Lowertown, with some Pakistani flavor influences. Opened April 23. Read our Bite of the Week, “Kebab Roll at Elephant Bar.”
Don Raúl, 4953 Xerxes Ave., Minneapolis ■ A new restaurant for Hector Ruiz (Cafe Ena, Rincon 38, Costa Blanca), opening at 50th and Xerxes. Menu feature dishes including Tacos de Pato (duck tacos), Lechon (pork tenderloin medallions), Skuna salmon, and more. Opened April 12, 2019.
Bark and the Bite, 2186 Marshall Ave., St. Paul ■ The popular BBQ food stand (based in Sunny’s Market in Northeast) has moved to a bricks-and-mortar space in St. Paul in the former Heirloom location. Opened April 9, 2019.
RECENTLY CLOSED (Up to 2 Months)
Vegetable curry at Marla’s Caribbean Cuisine // Photo via Marla’s Facebook
Marla’s Caribbean Cuisine ■ Marla’s, a beloved South Minneapolis institution known for its chickpea doubles and other Trinidadian fare, is calling it quits after a decade-plus run. Will close mid-June. Update: The restaurant is hoping to reopen in a new location.
Lola on the Lake (temporary, due to fire) ■ Lola on the Lake, a pavilion restaurant on the northeast corner of Bde Maka Ska, suffered what police are presuming to be an arson attack and is closed until further notice. Closed May 16.
Gazta and Enhancements ■ The high-end cheese-pairing restaurant in Keg and Case food hall on West 7th in St. Paul has closed to rebrand as a more casual grilled cheese concept under the O’Cheeze name. Closed May 14. Read our review of Gazta and other Keg and Case restaurants in “Case Study.”
Lee’s Liquor Lounge ■ After 62 years of operation, this legendary dive bar and live music venue is calling it quits. Closed May 14.
Russian Tea House ■ Forty years of borscht, piroshki (Russian hamburgers), and folk music come to a close with the shuttering of this charming little University Avenue spot. Closed May 4.
Meyvn ■ Uptown’s stylish artisan bagel spot called it quits after a bit less than a year of operation. Closed April 21. Read our profile of owner Tim Niver, “Dollars to Dumplings.”
just/us ■ Citing a major bump in rent, the St. Paul-based chef collective known for burgers and clever coursed meals closed on April 20. The collective plans to reopen in Lowertown (see Upcoming, below.) Read our review, “Raw Talent.”
Martha’s Daughter ■ After a high profile but rocky run in Duluth, Martha’s Daughter has closed its doors—the concept will live on as a series of pop-up dinners in Duluth, Superior, and beyond. Closed April 9. Read our Duluth and Superior food roundup, “Taste of the Twin Ports.”
UPCOMING (Most Imminent to Furthest Out)
Half quail / sriracha paper / tomato / cucumber / thai basil at Just/Us, which will reopen in Lowertown St. Paul // Photo by Sam Ziegler
Loon Cafe, 426 Saint Peter St., St. Paul ■ A second location for the 37-year-old Minneapolis stalwart of the same name, located in the former Great Waters location. Opens June 2019.
Falls Landing at Artisan Plaza Eatery and Market, 1223 4th St. S., Cannon Falls ■ The next step for St. Paul mainstay J.D. Fratzke (Bar Brigade, Strip Club Meat and Fish) is a supper club-style restaurant at the Artisan Plaza in Cannon Falls. Opens June 2019.
Prieto, 701 W. Lake St., Minneapolis ■ Alejandro Castillon (Sonora Grill) will be taking advantage of the massive smoker at the old Hasty Tasty location to bring smoked meats together with house-made tortillas to Lyn-Lake. Opens Summer 2019.
A Dozen Excuses (second location), 4328 E. Superior St., Duluth ■ This Superior, Wisconsin–based doughnut bakery is bringing its fresh, classic product to a second location in the Lakeside neighborhood of Duluth. Opens Summer 2019.
Due Focacceria, 475 Fairview Ave. S., St. Paul ■ The former Espresso Royale space is being reinvented as a combination Italian market and restaurant. Opens Summer 2019.
Thr3 Jack, 729 Washington Ave. N., Minneapolis ■ Six state-of-the-art golf simulators and elevated comfort food will define this new 200-seat restaurant in the North Loop’s soon-to-open Nordic mixed-use complex. Opens Summer 2019.
Provision Community Restaurant, 2940 Harriet Ave., Minneapolis ■ A shared community kitchen and pay-what-you-can cafe are at the heart of this new business in the former Salty Tart space. Opens Summer 2019.
Pearl and the Thief, 811 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis ■ This former Stillwater-based restaurant is in the process of relocating to downtown Minneapolis, colocating with the Moxy Downtown Minneapolis hotel and Ironclad Residential development. Opens Summer 2019.
The Nordic Galley Group project, 729 Washington Ave. N., Minneapolis ■ A four-restaurant food hall / incubator in the new Nordic development. Part of a series of Galley Group incubator spaces including spots in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Detroit. Opens Summer 2019.
Alemar Cheese Co. at The Food Building, 525 N. 3rd St., Minneapolis ■ A well-regarded Mankato-based creamery will open a facility at Northeast Minneapolis’ Food Building, taking the slot once occupied by Lone Grazer. Opens July 2019.
Graze Provisions and Libations, 525 N. 3rd St., Minneapolis ■ A new North Loop food hall with an exclusive emphasis on chef-driven dining. Opens Summer 2019.
just/us, 275 4th St. E., St. Paul ■ This chef-driven collective restaurant, open for about a year at 465 Wabasha Street, is reopening in the former Golden’s Deli space in Lowertown St. Paul with support from crowdfunding. Opens Summer 2019. Read our review, “Raw Talent.”
Snack Bar, 800 Washington Ave. N., Minneapolis ■ The couple between 112 Eatery, Burch, and Bar La Grassa (Isaac Becker and Nancy St. Pierre) are opening a New York-inspired pizza slice shop and wine bar in the former Be’Wiched space. Opens late Summer 2019.
New Vestalia Hospitality Concept [Name TBD], 1432 W. 31st St., Minneapolis ■ A new spot from Ann Kim’s restaurant group focused on tacos wrapped in handmade, traditional tortillas. 2019.
Dayton’s Food Hall & Market, 700 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis ■ Major new 40,000-square-foot food hall curated by Andrew Zimmern. 2019.
The Sioux Chef Restaurant at Water Works, On the Mississippi River, behind the Mill City Museum ■ A restaurant focused on American Indian cuisine as imagined by Sean Sherman, The Sioux Chef. 2019.
Malcolm Yards Market, 501 30th Ave. SE, Minneapolis ■ A food hall that will capitalize on its proximity to Surly’s massive brewery/restaurant complex. 2019.
