Ftizgerald’s / / Photo via Fitzgerald’s Facebook
Updated May 9, 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.
MN BBQ open in Northeast Minneapolis / / Photo via MN BBQ Facebook
RECENTLY OPENED (Up to 2 Months)
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.
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.
Don Raúl, 4953 Xerxes Ave., Minneapolis ■ A new restaurant for Hector Ruiz (Cafe Ena, Rincon 38, Costa Blanca), opening at 50th and Xerxes. Menu features 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.
Giulia, 215 S. 4th St., Minneapolis ■ A pizza- and pasta-focused spot with tableside mozzarella headed by former Copper Kitchen chef Josh Hedquist, housed inside the Emery hotel (the former Restaurant Max space inside the former Hotel Minneapolis). Opened April 3, 2019.
Ox Cart Arcade and Rooftop, 255 E. 6th St., St. Paul ■ A reboot of the Ox Cart Ale House, featuring arcade games and boozy snow cones. Opened March 28, 2019.
Fire & Whiskey, 230 S. Knowles Ave., New Richmond, WI ■ Chef Justin Sutherland has opened yet another outpost in his growing greater metro empire. Fire & Whiskey offers a menu focused on steaks, cocktails, and Wisconsin cheese. Opened March 20, 2019.
Habanero Tacos Grill, 3223 E. Lake St., Minneapolis ■ A new taqueria opening on a part of East Lake Street that’s still relatively devoid of Mexican food options. This is a jump to bricks-and-mortar for a long-standing food truck of the same name. Opened March 18, 2019.
Breakfast Bar, 319 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis ■ Shrimp and grits, breakfast burgers, and lobster and waffles are among the items of interest on this new breakfast spot’s menu. Opened March 15, 2019.
T-Icy Roll, 202 E. Superior St., Duluth ■ The second location for this Duluth-based Thai rolled ice cream concept. Opened March 13, 2019.
The Dude Abides Pizza / / Photo via Northern Fires Pizza Facebook
RECENTLY CLOSED (Up to 2 Months)
Lee’s Liquor Lounge ■ After 62 years of operation, this legendary dive bar and live music venue is calling it quits. Will close May 14.
Russian Tea House ■ 40 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.
Fitzgerald’s (will reopen) ■ The upscale Cathedral Hill watering hole Fitzgerald’s has shut down in order to be renovated and reopened as the more casual Fitz’s, featuring pizza (including deep dish). Closed May 3.
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. 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.”
Northern Fires Pizza, 4301 E. Lake St., Minneapolis ■ This popular wood-fired farmers’ market pizza mainstay was slated this spring to revitalize a former Chinese-American spot on East Lake Street, but shelved its plans due to unforeseen “unreasonable requests” from banks (as per a Facebook post). Opening scuttled March 25, 2019.
Forepaugh’s ■ Following the death from the flu of its chef, Kyle Bell, this more-than-40-years-old mansion-based restaurant shut its doors. Closed March 12, 2019.
The soon to be Malcom Yards Market / / Photo via Malcolm Yards Market Facebook
UPCOMING (Most Imminent to Furthest Out)
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 early May 2019.
Cheese Louise, 4279 Sheridan Ave. S., Minneapolis ■ Brunch, salads, and gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches will make up the bill of fare at this food truck-gone-bricks and mortar in Linden Hills run by Cheryl Rossi (an alum of Lucia’s in Uptown) and business partner Holly Miller-Byzewski. Opens May 2019.
Duluth Coffee Company at Hoops Brewing (second location), 325 S Lake Ave, Duluth ■ After years of incremental expansions to its original location on Superior Street, Duluth Coffee Company is opening a second shop in Canal Park. Opens June 1, 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.
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 will reopen in a larger location early this year. Opens Summer 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, WI-based doughnut bakery is bringing its fresh, classic product to a second location in the Lakeside neighborhood of Duluth. Opens Summer 2019.
Fitz’s, 173 Western Ave N, St. Paul ■ When it opens, Fitz’s will be a more casual reboot of the former Fitzgerald’s space in St. Paul’s Cathedral Hill neighborhood, featuring deep dish pizza. Opens Summer 2019.
Due Focacceria, 475 S. Fairview Ave., 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.
Pearl and the Thief, 811 S. Washington Ave., 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 3rd St. N., 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 3rd St. N., Minneapolis ■ A new North Loop food hall with an exclusive emphasis on chef-driven dining. Opens Summer 2019.
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.
