Updated February 28, 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 GIST: Matty O’Reilly’s Spring Cafe at Como Lake’s pavilion is getting new ownership as O’Reilly pares back his restaurant group and pivots toward consulting. National catering company Lancer Hospitality will be taking over concessions at the pavilion and at O’Reilly’s Red River Kitchen at City House on the Mississippi.
Cult favorite Mediterranean restaurant Marina Grill and Deli (in Northeast Minneapolis) has shuttered as per a “Closed—thanks for your support” sign posted on its front window. Its Columbia Heights cousin, Big Marina Grill and Deli (similar concept, different ownership), remains open, and a new place in Fridley called Sultan Lebanese has started gaining attention for its Middle Eastern fare. (We visited Sultan and got an excellent chicken schwarma wrap and a big slice of namoura—semolina and pistachio cake drenched in honey syrup.)
Upcoming changes at the Ox Cart Ale House (soon to be rechristened the Ox Cart Arcade) reflect what is starting to feel like a legitimate trend: video games and arcade-like setups creeping into bar and restaurant spaces throughout the metro. The popularity of Up-Down in Uptown, the generally packed house at Can Can Wonderland, the opening of Voxel Virtual Reality Parlour in St. Paul, and the upcoming Taco Arcada in Duluth may be just the tip of the iceberg as food and drink purveyors look for ways to stay fresh and attract younger crowds.
RECENTLY OPENED (Up to 2 Months)
Photo via demi website
Demi, 212 N. 2nd St., Suite 100, Minneapolis ■ The latest from Gavin Kaysen’s restaurant group, which includes Spoon and Stable and Bellecour. Demi is small (20 seats) and focused on locally derived tasting menus. Opened February 15, 2019.
Beast BBQ, 825 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis ■ Another new barbecue spot, owned by the Eli’s crew and located in the former Legends. Formerly announced as Lipstick Pig BBQ. Opened January 31, 2019.
The Copper Cow, 5445 Eden Prairie Rd., Minnetonka ■ A new eatery from the Copper Hen team. Opened January 29, 2019.
Market BBQ (moving from current location), 220 Lowry Ave. NE, Minneapolis ■ The venerable Eat Street BBQ joint has picked up stakes and moved into a fresh new location in trendy Northeast. Opened January 9, 2019.
P.S. Steak, 510 Groveland Ave., Minneapolis ■ The former La Belle Vie space will see an injection of culinary ambition with this new, steak-focused concept featuring high-flying talent including Mike DeCamp of Jester Concepts (who spent a decade in La Belle Vie’s kitchen) and Wyatt Evans (formerly of Heirloom). Opened January 7, 2019. Read our Bite of the Week: “Baked Alaska at P.S. Steak”
Ziadi’s Mediterranean Cuisine at Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake St., Minneapolis ■ A major expansion of the popular Moroccan Flavors stand into the former Rabbit Hole location in Midtown Global Market, Ziadi’s features lunch and dinner service. Opened January 2, 2019.
Union Kitchen at Sociable Cider Werks, 1500 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis ■ Yia Vang’s Hmong-cooking-meets-Minnesota-fare concept moves from pop-up to medium-term residency, kicking off the Sociable Cider Werks on-site food truck program. Opened December 31, 2018. Read our profile of Yia Vang and our coverage of the Sociable residency program: “The Very Visible Yia Vang” and “‘Chef Incubator’ food trailer coming to Sociable Cider Werks”
Bus Stop Burgers and Brewhouse, 620 S. 4th St., Suite 130, Minneapolis ■ Blended burgers and craft beer from the team behind Target Center’s Cargo Food Authority. Opened December 30, 2018.
RECENTLY CLOSED (Up to 2 Months)
Spaghetti napolitana marinara with ricotta and pecorino romano // Photo via D’Amico & Sons Facebook
D’Amico and Sons, Grand Avenue Location ■ After more than 20 years of serving pasta (and more), this Grand Avenue mainstay has shut its doors for good. Closed February 24, 2019.
Lucky Oven ■ The neighborhood scratch bakery and breakfast shop had a brief but tasty run in the Armatage neighborhood. Closed February 9, 2019.
Mi Casa Su Casa ■ The metro’s only Mexican-Pinoy spot called it quits after a short run on University Avenue in St. Paul. Closed February 9, 2019. Read our “Bite of the Week: Chicken Adobo at Mi Casa Su Casa.”
Chef Shack (trucks and restaurant) ■ Street food pioneers Lisa Carlson and Carrie Summer closed their Seward restaurant late last year, but only recently did they announce that they’ll also be selling their locally famous food trucks. Closed January 24, 2019.
Hasty Tasty ■ Well-received smoked meats and craft cocktails weren’t able to keep the lights on at this newly arrived Lyn-Lake resident. Closed January 10, 2019. Read our “Craft Cocktail: Of the Northern Fashioned at The Hasty Tasty.”
Pearl & the Thief ■ This popular Southern-themed spot in Stillwater has closed to relocate to downtown Minneapolis. Closed December 31, 2018. Read our “First Look: Pearl and the Thief brings Southern comfort to Stillwater.”
Blue Moon Coffee Cafe ■ A 24-year-old stalwart of East Lake Street wraps up its long run. Closed December 31, 2018.
Dalton and Wade ■ A lovingly curated whiskey menu couldn’t keep the doors open for this North Loop-located, Southern-focused Minneapolis spot. Closed December 31, 2018.
Draft Horse ■ The Food Building’s resident tavern-style local fare-fueled eatery has called it quits. Closed December 30, 2018. Read: “Embracing Limitation at the Draft Horse.”
UPCOMING (Most Imminent to Furthest Out)
Photo via Hamburguesas El Gordo Facebook
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 February 2019.
Elephant Bar, 213 E. 4th St., Suite 100, St. Paul ■ A new restaurant by chef Lucas Almendinger is replacing the former Hygga space in Lowertown, with some Pakistani flavor influences. Opens March 2019.
Ox Cart Arcade, 255 E. 6th St., St. Paul ■ A reboot of the Ox Cart Ale House, featuring arcade games and boozy snow cones. Opens March 2019.
Bark and the Bite, 2186 Marshall Ave., St. Paul ■ The popular BBQ food stand (based in Sunny’s Market in Northeast) is moving to a bricks-and-mortar space in St. Paul in the former Heirloom location. Opens April 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. Opens Spring 2019.
JD Fratzke Supper Club at Artisan Plaza [Name TBD], 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 already open Artisan Plaza in Cannon Falls. Opens Spring 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.
Minnesota BBQ Co., 816 Lowry Ave. NE, Minneapolis ■ A mostly catering- and takeout-focused BBQ spot by the team behind Travail. 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.
