Restaurants...

Island Hopper looks good

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Not my type of thing, but people certainly go nuts for those hollowed out pineapple drinks at that one place in the Food Building.

Tipsy Pies are pretty awesome. I usually get the blueberry-lemon one, but I might try the new one this year.

A good friend of mine knows the gal that run's the Tipsy Pies. He always tells her to try to be on 'Shark Tank'. Btw... the blueberry-lemon is the best one!!!

If someone wants to put vodka in a pie I won’t stop them. The cotton candy is weird, but I can pull that off (like a pickle in a hamburger).

I think this is fair criticism (no pun intended). I will say there is a lot that goes into what they are going to sell at the fair. I worked at The Blue Barn three years in a row. I talked to the head chef about how they came up with what they were going to sell.

Cost and availability of ingredients is an issue. Since they own several restaurants in town, they want to try to use ingredients that they can use at their other restaurants. I joked with the chef once that they should sell saffron encrusted king crab legs.

Another is preparation. There are several different "stations" at The Blue Barn (deep fryer, griddle, etc). They don't want to sell something that makes them have to run all around the kitchen to prepare it. The first year I worked there, EVERYTHING was made right on site and since everything was made from scratch the kitchen area was crazy and crowded. For the second year I was there they had since purchased Mercury in downtown Mpls which also had an event space. They were able to make a lot of the products off site and then deliver them each day. Not sure what they will do this year as Mercury has closed. For those smaller spaces they really need to be creative with what they they sell.

I think some day (maybe as retirement comes into the horizon) I’d love to see the fair through the lens of one of the food booths like you’ve done. Just the experience of it would be interesting and getting a perspective of just how hard the work is would intrigue me a lot

My wife used to do food fests fairly often. Even doing one for 3 days was just short of a nightmare and never with a crowd approaching that of the Fair. I can't imagine doing that for 10 days for several reasons.

I really liked working at The Blue Barn for several reasons (besides that the owners were acquaintances). (1) I knew it was going to be busy and time would go by really fast (2) It was a larger setting so there would be lots of different people and different jobs to do. I would hate to work in one of the Pronto Pup stands or something of similar size. Would just get boring and redundant.

Another aspect of menu items that I forgot to mention was the need to have different items to accommodate the many different dietary needs (gluten free, vegan/vegetarian, etc). Blue Barn had one set of fryers that was clearly marked that only one specific item was to be made in it as it was vegan and could not cross contaminate. They also did not have a single ingredient in the kitchen area or any menu item that contained nuts.

One thing I found interesting about the fair in general was the the apparent rarity of food safety issues. When the health inspector would come by I would ask how often they would find food safety issues. She said it was really rare as businesses were extra precautious as they could not afford any kind of shut down or bad publicity.

You might want to re-read the description on the Tipsy Pie. It's topped with cotton candy SUGAR, not cotton candy. That's akin to sprinkling coarse sugar on a blueberry muffin.

Because it’s kind of messy (nothing wrong with that in the right situation) I have a great recipe where you cut off the kernels, sauté the corn and then toss with dressing made with Mayo, grated cheese, lime zest and juice, and a dash of chili powder. Tastes exactly like Elote grilled corn but easier to eat!

I have to say the Sidecar (my personal favorite cocktail) Sandwich and the Cucumber Jalapeño Limeaide would be my top picks.

I’m not a big sweets person so most of those desserts look disgusting to me, but I’m all in for pork and something tart.

Willing to share? Would love to try it when you have a chance - and you're willing.

I’m going to have to go back and give this another try. Stopped a few years back with the youngest son. Thought the add ons were very interesting, but the corn itself was not good. Almost like field corn.

The street corn at El Burrito is likely made with Crema and not Mayo like most places. Yumm

If you’re going to go to El Burrito you might as well also stop and get some Cora’s chicken wings around the corner.

A little Asian/Mexican fusion never hurt anyone.

Mexican Elote Corn

3-4 ears corn, kernels cut off

2 T Mayo

1/2 lime, zest and juice

1/2-1 tsp chili powder to taste

1/2 cup finely grated parmigiana cheese

Sauté corn in 1 T olive oil, until cooked but still crisp.

Mix Mayo, lime zest, lime juice and chili powder in small bowl.

Toss with the corn.

Add cheese and toss again.

Serving size depends…this will easily be consumed by my husband and I in one sitting.

Duke's on Hwy 7 opened up this past week. Used to be Christo's (by the Famous Dave's).

170-seat patio.

I hope to check it out this weekend. Owned by the same group that owns Pub 819 in Hopkins, etc. I think this is their 5th place in the business family.

Anyone eaten at Dehn’s Country Manor in Maple Grove? It was the last place we had a team dinner before things got shut down for work travel. At first I thought it was hokey, but the meal was like a I grew up with and the place just felt like being at my grandma’s or old aunt’s house for a holiday dinner when I was a kid.

The Strib is getting a new restaurant critic soon, Rick Nelson is changing roles within the paper. I really enjoyed his reviews but it sounds like he will be writing about architecture and I suspect those will be really good reads.

https://www.startribune.com/star-tribune-restaurant-critic-rick-nelson-shares-why-he-ll-stop-reviewing-restaurants/600073501/

From the article

We went to Revival in SLP tonight for dinner. They've got a lot of space and a nice outside seating area.

This is also the first time I've been since they put Chicken and Waffles on the menu. The Tennessee Hot mixed with the waffles are great and it's huge given you get 3 pieces of chicken.

Great Eats on BTN was also filming there tonight so I chatted with the crew for a minute on the way out. I told my 3 year old that maybe he'll be on TV and he was really excited about that.

You must have been there the same time I was. Got there around 5:30 or so. They had a camera crew taping as we waited and then seated again.

Great space and good drinks. The food was excellent. I got the shrimp and grits and we got a whole chicken. I’ll have to check out the chicken and waffles

Yes - we sat down about 5:15

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Ooof. They're going to be closed during football season and heading into the holiday's. Not good after dealing with COVID losses.

I know' they've historically been busy for Vikings and Gopher football games. I hope they can pull through. My wife and I very much like Jax.

Was always my favorite Gopher Hockey Blue Line Club venue. And one of the best Sunday bunch venues as well.

Don't laugh... Cajun Life at the MPW Mall is really good. Plus you get plenty of food for what you pay for. I've made and paid for seafood boils (shrimp, mussels, andouille sausage, corn and potatoes). So it can get expensive real fast. So I was very satisfied with the amount of shrimp they gave for the price.

Looking for recommendations on a restaurant to treat roughly 15 family members to during my return trip to MN. I'm thinking roughly $50-$75 per head pre-tax and tip. Metro only but if extended at all then west. Open to any cuisine and dress code.

Lat14, Bar LaGrassa, 112 Eatery, Restaurant Alma, Smack Shack, WA Frost, And Tilia are some that come to mind.

Some of these are pretty small places and may not be able to accommodate a party of 15

Edit: at this price point you could look at Manny’s or Murray’s steakhouses if they are open. Pittsburgh Blue could be an option too but it’s not nearly as good

The Downtowner Woodfire does a great job and had a private room. I’ve done a few events there and all were tremendous.

I agree with this. They also have their own parking lot right next door and across the street next to Burger Moe’s (same owner)

p.s. let me know if GPL/Facebook friends you’ve never met in person are invited.

Smack Shack or Freehouse could be great options downtown. Otherwise, you could try Lat14

For that number of people and price point you can probably arrange a private room and menu at quite a few places. I’ve done it for 10 and 24 people. Ask if they’ll make a limited menu at $$ per head, give people a choice of 3 things. You get space, a dedicated wait staff, the menu is pre-set, it’s great. I’ve done it several times, unfortunately at places that are now gone (Chino Latino was one), but you’d be surprised how many places would be happy to do this.

I'm seeing a lot of friends and businesses posting on Facebook for employees to work the State Fair. Since last year's fair was cancelled I think we will see record setting crowds this year. I hope staffing goes okay as I can only imagine how much longer lines will be if short staffed.

I'll take the under on that. I'm guessing too many people are still skittish of large crowds with Covid variants spreading. Adding to that, a lot of people are staying away from the Twin Cities right now because of the crime problem (real or perceived). I just don't see record crowds this year. I think attendance will be down significantly. I guess we'll see.

Appreciate the suggestions folks. Thanks

Being a guy from the western suburbs, you might want to check out Birch's on the Lake. Formerly Billy's Lighthouse.

https://birchsonthelake.com/

Agree, I think you'll see record crowds almost daily. Though it's going to be interesting on how well certain stands will be staffed. I hope for the best, but believe it's going to be bad for some stands.

I see your point and you very well could be dead on. Though I think it's going to be a record setting attendance.

:good2:

Eating lunch today at Buddy Boy’s BBQ out in Minnetrista. I’m close to a food coma from the brisket and jalapeño cheddar sausage . Highly recommend it

First time I’ve ever seen Kimchi as a side at a BBQ join.

That’s because it sucks.

Good kimchi rules. Would fit in well with BBQ. Honestly surprised we don't see more of it.

I’m not an expert on it but I liked it. I was pretty stuffed thought from a pound of brisket and sausage

Here’s a list of all of the new alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages coming to the State Fair:

https://www.mnstatefair.org/general-info/specialty-brews-and-beverages/

So apparently fruit drinks are the new trend...

56 New Brews.....

That is a ton of options. No complaints allowed. Unfortunately, with COVID ramping back up and my Canada fishing trip planned shortly after, I have to skip this year.

Is Gastof's in NE still open? I can't find anything about officially closing, but that the building and lot is for sale.

https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-lifestyle/gasthofs-building-in-ne-minneapolis-is-for-sale

Yeah, I saw the same thing. The building is for sale, but are they closed for now or until then?

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