We need a Waffle House around these parts. ...or I need to get to Kansas City more often.

two words: Overpriced dreck.

Uncle Franky's is less expensive and better.

http://www.unclefrankys.com

There's McDonalds and there's Burger Jones. They both sell hamburgers and shakes. Which is better? (hint: there's no *right* answer)

You're right, some people aren't going to go to a more expensive restaurant and aren't going to pay more. Some people don't find quality worth it and are more fond of quantity. I understand that and I'm OK with that.

Splatgirl's initial message in this thread asked about quality.

So what torques me is restaurants that (try to) pass off canned beans (or doctored canned beans) as homemade. They may not say "homemade" on the menu, but they certainly give you that impression - Meanwhile they are storing dunnage racks of cans in back...

There's cheap BBQ and really good BBQ. Really good costs money. But it's really good.

If you've never been, I'd highly suggest you take a weekend trip to KC and give Jack Stack (among many others) a try. However if you want to experience a BBQ baked bean that is out of this world, Fiorello's Jack Stack is the king.

You want square cut? I got your square cut right here... I mean over there - at Carbone's on Randolph Ave (a couple blocks west of Snelling Ave) in St. Paul.

Also like Punch (Highland Park over the quick turn-over locations).

Am a fan of Green Mill's Deep Dish as well.

People rave about DiNoko's but I almost died of a heart attack just trying to life the dang thing and carry it out of the store... Sorry, there really is such a thing as too much cheese... DiNoko squarely crosses the line, and then some.

I can't vouch for it's authenticity, but I sure do like Manny Tortas' version... The Manny's Special is a damn fine sammy too.

I tell ya, that man makes a mean sandwich and is the main reason I slog over to MGM (aka MidGloMar)...

Good question for which I do not have an answer... WHAT I really want is a GOOD east coast style split top hot dog bun... *swoon*.

What the hell is wrong with bakeries in the midwest? Our hot dog buns are all wrong... They suck for toasting; Your condiments fall out; and they are just stupid.

Seriously, this invention has been perfected - We don't have to stand for mediocre hot dog buns any more...

BAKERS: Win my heart with a real hot dog bun. Please reply here and make me cry tears of joy.

This thread leads me to another thought - God I want an east coast style flat-top grilled hot dog for lunch today.

I believe that the counter "syrup" is called Mapleine ("One 2 oz package makes 24 pints!")... Blech - I go for the *real* stuff at Al's...

YOU RAWK!

THANKS!!!

Why spend the money? Because you (as a restauranteur) should give a sh!t about what you sell. Craft a recipe of your own, spend the time, money and adjust the sale price. You should care about putting a quality product out there for sale. If YOU don't care, then why should I? Consequently why should I spend my hard earned money at your establishment?

I have plenty of options for my food-dollars. I choose quality over quantity. I choose care over don't-care. I choose smiles over frowns. I choose service over mediocrity.

Your attitude explains the existence and success of TGIFridays and Olive Garden.

Would you like another bread stick with that?

Bakers uses canned beans. I've seen the large commercial food service cans stacked on dunnage racks by the bathrooms. I even made note of this fact in me Yelp review of their place.

I have the same complaint -- Why would you buy beans when you can make them for half the cost... That's like an immediate 50% profit... But instead these yo-yo's insist on buying cans, and often doing *nothin* to them. Lame. Waste of my money.

As far as Jack Stack in KC is concerned, they're the real deal. They start with dried beans and work the recipe up from there... Including sitting in the smoker below the smoking meats... OMG are they good.

Great idea, except the restaurant is out of business. <sad trombone sound> Which is why I think we're both looking for the recipe.

I think we were sorta hoping a bartender from one of their locations would stumble on this thread...

Me too! Any luck!?

Anyone?

Are you kidding me!?

That pizza is just horrendous! Check out the Yelp! reviews (one of which was mine). Seriously, the owners need to stop using recycled pizza frozen pizza cardboard rounds for their dough and learn how to make real pizza dough or they're gonna go down fast.

Freschetta isn't lying when they say their frozen pizza is better than take out - especially THIS take out.

So, ok, this isn't St. Paul, but Blue Plate Group just opened The Lowry in the old Hollywood Video location on Hennepin Ave, just stone's throw south of Franklin.

I've eaten breakfast there a few times and have been pretty damn happy with each meal. I'd definitely recommend this spot. It's worth the drive, and not too terribly far from St. Paul if you're driving...

Also notable, since you're across the river, is the Isles Bun and Coffee Shop - which coincidentally - is right on the way to another favorite breakfast spot in Minneapolis, Zumbro Cafe in Linden Hills, but I digress so far off this thread that it's just plain silly.

Please accept my apologies. I'll head back home to St. Paul.

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Zumbro Cafe
2803 W 43rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410

Isles Bun & Coffee
1424 W 28th St, Minneapolis, MN 55408

The Lowry
2112 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405

Ate here once since the ownership change and was quite disappointed in the altered pizza recipe.

I always thought that the Tony's Special was was of the most perfect pizzas in the Twin Cities. The crust is definitely different, and there were other changes (sausage wasn't as good, etc)...

I haven't been back since, and probably won't be until/unless the old recipes are returned. Sorry Joan, [warning, cover the kids' eyes] f'n with success is just a dumb thing to do..

+1 on Broder's, and gildeddawn is right, limited pasta styles - fet and ling. I've often subbed those for recipes calling for spag.

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Broders Cucina Italiana
2308 W 50th St, Minneapolis, MN 55410

I just tried the Goditas last night. I had the chicken and the pork, both were quite good.

My go-to favorite is the chicken enchiladas rojas (red sauce). The enchis are kind of spicy with the red sauce - which I like.

My usual tablemate there really likes the traditional tacos (just the meat, cilantro, and fresh onion).

We both like the Jaritos Toronja (grapefruit) soda pop.

Honestly, I haven't had anything I haven't liked.

With regards to the construction on University, remember that they have parking behind the restaurant. So enter from the back, off of Victoria... You can take the I-94 frontage road, turn north onto Victoria, and turn into their parking lot off of the alley, just south of University. No mus, no fuss!

All:

My partner and I enjoyed another outstanding meal at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants in St. Paul called Homi.

During our meal, we found out that they had been broken into in the middle of the night this past week and had many things stolen. Obviously cash was taken, but so was their cash register! Their TV was torn off the wall, and most heartbreaking for a small restauranteur, some of their precious kitchen appliances were taken! (Seriously. *Who* does that!? That's like stealing a poor man's fishing pole.)

This is a very small (~10 table), family run business, trying to make a go of it on University Avenue. They could really use some more customers. Hearing about crimes like this happening to folks like this just tears at my gut. So as I was enjoying my meal, I vowed to try to do something to help these folks out.

I have a big favor to ask of everyone here. If you like Mexican food, and believe that the little guy sometimes needs a hand, please do *yourself* a favor and give Homi a try very soon. I wouldn't suggest it if I didn't think my Chowhound foodie buds wouldn't enjoy it. The close to 40 Yelp! reviews are not wrong. (http://www.yelp.com/biz/homi-mexican-...) These folks do some spectacular, simple, home style, Mexican food. No mariachis, no margaritas, no fountains, or colored lighting. Just really good food served up by the owners and their family.

I swear you'll hate me for turning you on to another great little joint.

Thanks for hearing me out.

./s4z

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Homi Restaurante Mexicano
864 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104

Whoo hoo for the Bacon Waffle! One of life's little treats... *sigh*

BTW, you can ask for Real Maple Syrup for +$1. Why wouldn't you?

Sorry folks, I just don't get what the lovefest for Hell's Kitchen is... Yes, it's kind of "fun", but damn IT"S SOOO OVERPRICED for what you get. I don't care that you hand peeled the peanuts to make your homemade peanut butter (and honestly, it isn't that good - and I'm a peanut butter snob.) (oh and BTW, HK Staff, your sign out front does not display IRONY, it's a "conundrum", a "paradox" , or an "enigma" - or something else. It def is not ironic.

I have an opposite issue with Keys. Servings are way too big and they cost too much. Seriously... Let's be realistic. Just because you want to raise prices doesn't mean you need to give me more food. ugh.

I'm an Al's lover and I completely understand everyone's complaints about Al's. You're right. Some of the servers can be rude. It's cramped. It's hot in the summer. It's not about being comfortable and taking your time. What it is though, is why people like it. It's VERY GOOD FOOD, reasonably priced with reasonable serving sizes (not a pile of food, but also not a dollop.)

OK, I'm finished ranting.

Want a GOOD cinnamon roll or pecan roll? Go to The Isles (I recommend plenty of extra frosting!)

My other fave's:
Hot Plate
Cap's
Colossal Cafe

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Hell's Kitchen
80 South 9th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Al's Breakfast
413 14th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414

Hot Plate
5204 Bloomington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417

Cap's Grille
5000 Hiawatha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417

Colossal Cafe
1839 E 42nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55407

Keys Cafe
767 Raymond Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55114

Isles Bun & Coffee
1424 W 28th St, Minneapolis, MN 55408

So I'm confused - are you a Waffle House hater or lover?

Grampa Tony's Pizza
Tony's Special

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Grampa Tony's Pizza
631 Snelling Ave S, Saint Paul, MN 55116

The only two items I *really* like form Cecils are the cole slaw and the potato salad. I'll take those to go thank you (on my way over to Big Daddy's for some BBQ).

I'll eat there once in a great while, but I agree, not the best food or presentation there of. On the other hand, I can't complain since know what I'm getting (in as much as price, quality, quantity) so I can't get upset - I go in with eyes wide open.

Maverick's Roast Beef

Best roast beef sandwiches in the twin cities BY A COUNTRY MILE.

Casual. Easy. Relatively quick.

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Mavericks
1746 Lexington Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113

+1

I agree.

Horrible dining experience there last spring. Food OK. Service was atrocious.

A thread like this really needs to include Isles Bun & Coffee in Minneapolis and Bread & Chocolate in St. Paul. Different styles of rolls, both are generally pretty damn good though.

I'd say more, but my fingers are covered in caramel. :)

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Bread & Chocolate
867 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

Isles Bun & Coffee
1424 W 28th St, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Wouldn't Marjorie Johnson be a good candidiate? (maybe overly exposed press-wise), but she certainly has racked up the blue ribbons for her baking and cooking. I bet she has a few pies under her belt...

You could look into Betty's Pies in Mahtomedi (White Bear Lake).

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Betty's Pies
700 Wildwood Rd, Saint Paul, MN

DSM Foodies...

A friend and I are road-tripping to Des Moines on Friday to catch a band at a downtown area club. (We're staying at the Renaissance Savery Hotel - Go Priceline!)

We'd like to find some place around the downtown area for dinner. Here's the other criteria:
Good food, Good service, Interesting (decor and/or food and/or location, etc.), Not a chain or something easily obtained in the Twin Cities (no Famous Dave's or Bucca), Price is not an object, but for the sake of discussion let's not get crazy (somewhere around 3-4 $'s out of 5), Not too difficult to get in in or get a reso (we're going 1/23/09), No particular style - we're open to ideas, What embodies DSM? (KC=BBQ (and beef))

We're also interested in ideas for Breakfast on Saturday - No holds barred on this. Can be DSM or northward towrds the TC's. Oh hell, for a *GOOD* breakfast. we'll travel anywhere...

Hit me with your best shots...

Thanks in advance,

./s4z

Not *real* close to 94, but how about something along Washington Ave overin the warehouse district... YOu can kinda slide in from the West off of 94... I'm thikning Monte Carlo or Be'Wiched...

Fellow Chowhounders:

It struck me this morning while I was enjoying a herb and brie omelette at one of my favorite breakfast spots that I don't think I've ever experienced a perfect, classic french omelette. (sure, I've had some attempts, but I don't think I've had one that nailed the french omelette dead to center.)

So how did I get to this topic?

One of the things that I noticed with my herb omelette (and one of my pet peeves with virtually every breakfast joint) is the lack of basic salt and pepper seasoning for the eggs. ("hey, you're the chef, part of your job is to provide 'proper' seasoning!"). Once I had gotten over the fact that my herb omelette was missing basic seasoning, I started to notice it's other "flaws", which got me to wondering "Where in the Twin Cities could I find a perfect, classic french omelette?" Is there a chef in these towns who possesses the tools, the skills, and the knowledge to cook a perfect french omelette in a restaurant setting? If so, who is he/she, and where/when could I sample their proficiency?

[For those who don't know better (and I assume that most of the regular foodies here are in the know), a classic french omelette is far different that those half-moon monstrosities that you find at most american diners and restaurants. The french omelette is delicate, and very basically seasoned. The eggs need to be fresh and the butter needs to be high grade. It may have some additonal items like a little cheese or herbs, etc., but it won't be stuffed to over flowing. The egg is the star here.]

So fellow MSP foodies, do any of you have any suggestions on where to find a perfect french omelette? Do I really have to go to France?

Many thanks in advance.

./s4z