Sure, I get that. We've had a string of cross-town-for-it type meals, and my wife's in the mood for something simpler. And, well... That's where we'll be tomorrow. I'm not looking for the city's best, just hoping to avoid an expensive letdown.

Kind of what I expected. Any better prospects if I stretch the area over towards Les Halles?

We'll be in this area tomorrow and my wife would like to find a place nearby with a respectable croque Monsieur. I'm not having the best of luck with my internettery at the moment and would appreciate any suggestions. Merci!

First it's Real Brand, now Parker's Farm? This is the kind of nonsense up with which I will not put!

Haven't tried Old Home yet, so I can't say how it compares, but earlier this year I tried Good Life peanut butter (http://goodlifefoodinc.com/) from Seward Co-op, and it was *pretty* good. Maybe a little undersalted/bland...

Based on a visit last week, George and the Dragon is definitely a contender. Before that I would probably have recommended Buster's.

Looking for some fresh ideas/recommendations on interesting, family-friendly stops through the UP. Pretty casual, for the most part. YES, I've done the search and read all relevant threads. This is a trip we've done before, so we're reasonably familiar with what's on offer, but it's been a few years.

Especially interested in suggestions near Houghton, Marquette, and the stretch between Marquette and the Mackinac Bridge.

We're already familiar with: Suomi, Jampot, Union Grill... probably some others I'm forgetting. Anything new we should know about?

Thanks!

If you click the link you'll notice that this recipe was first published 5 years ago in "Cook's Country" - the decidedly more down-home publication from America's Test Kitchen. The link was sent out again today in their email newsletter.

Second on the chips at Busters.

I also have to throw in a mention of the "gringo gringo nachos" at 3 tiers. I have no idea whether they make the actual chips, but this plate is a hot mess of kettle chips, barbecue sauce, bacon, peppers, and I can't remember what else. Awesome in just the right ridiculous sort of way.

I disagree. I think the order-taker actually has a very good sense for the kitchen's output, or at least gets clear feedback straight from the kitchen staff. When business started to pick up that first summer, they tried REALLY hard to take orders quickly so people weren't waiting in line. That lead to customers waiting an hour or more for their food to come out. To me, that seems like a bigger problem than having a long line waiting to order.

I've had the West Side IPA "test batch" and the Divine Oculust, which is a Belgian Strong Golden Ale. I'm really looking forward to the Dark Abbey.

Saturday growler sales were a zoo early on, but they're getting a system down. If you go on a Saturday, it's possible there might be a wait. But they've done a lot to streamline things lately.

The beer is definitely Quality.

They do, and they're very good. Not like the jelly-donuts-with-a-seasonal-name that you find sometimes. True, the difference isn't huge, but small things count.

Burger Moe's isn't quite as serious of a beer place yet as Muddy Pig, Happy Gnome, or Buster's, but they seem to be on their way. The current tap list they have on the website is respectable. The food there is pretty solid, too, and it's quite a big place.

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Muddy Pig
162 Dale St N, Saint Paul, MN 55102

Happy Gnome
498 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102

Neither Farm Girl nor Cynic are much of a Saison... Hennepin is easy to find and more representative of the style.

Candi Sugar (and other sugars...) are used in brewing to make a stronger beer while still keeping a lighter body vs. using more grain to get that same effect. But sugars like that will ferment out almost entirely and don't really leave any residual sweetness.

-g

I would add that Ngon also pours a few local wines.

-g

Stopped in at White Rock Coffee this morning to buy some of my favorite locally-roasted coffee only to find they have a new owner (sign listed Matt Johnson, I believe?). The coffee I was expecting has been replaced by vacuum-sealed bags from Madcap coffee of Grand Rapids, MI. The "coffee of the day" descriptions of the two varieties available were indecipherable, and the counter service wasn't much help, so I'll have to wait to see how it comes out on the french press before passing judgement. (The cup of drip coffee I took away wasn't anything to be excited about, but there's a lot of variables there so again, not passing judgement yet.) Of course, who's to know if this is what I should expect going forward? I haven't been able to find any chatter about this change, so thought I'd start the discussion and see if there's more info out there.

Anyone that's been into Angry Catfish - do they sell whole bean Intelligentsia or just brew with it?

-g

Depending on what type of baked goods you're looking for, I'd also suggest "Bread & Chocolate" - more scones, bars, cookies and such than donuts or the like.

-g

If Db had specifically requested one of the alternatives listed, i.e.:

Server: "Can I buy you dessert?"

Respond with: "We can't stay, unfortunately. Could you take the appetizer off the bill instead?" OR "Would you consider charging the entree at half-price?"

THEN I would agree with the "customer is always right" sentiment. Db's retelling gives me the impression that he declined dessert and then silently anticipated that a second offer might then be made (at least that's what I expect of fellow Minnesotans). If you're unhappy with a meal, you shouldn't expect the server to fish for whatever compromise it is you might have in mind. Negotiate a little. If the server had directly refused one of these suggestions, politely made, then I'd agree with buenosds.

-g

I'm trying to brainstorm where I can find some off-beat candy stuff for stockings this year. In the past I always had success at Cost Plus (yes, chain, i know) but they had a great selection of unusual and sometimes off-the-wall stocking stuffers. I'm having a hard time thinking of something comparable.

I'm already planning on checking out Fiesta in America at MGM and Patina. Any other suggestions?

-g

Another local brew worth trying if you see it (and Ngon would be a good place to find it) is Flat Earth's "Black Helicopter" - a coffee-oatmeal stout. They have some other dark beers you might like, too (Cygnus X-1 porter, and many different fruit-infused versions thereof - orange, raspberry, coconut).
-g

You are correct. And the draft can be difficult to find - most places that might have it will only put up a keg once in a while.

Both Summit and Samuel Smith's are rated among the best oatmeal stouts. Also up there: Minneapolis Town Hall Brewing's "Black H20" - which they have pretty much all the time.

-g

Well, I've visited the Minnesota State Fair probably 25 years of my life, and I've come to appreciate that a well-made and FRESHLY-made corn dog (Pronto Pup, to be particular, and I AM particular) is a fine thing. Sure it's something that you can get pretty much anywhere at any time, even in the frozen section of a supermarket. But what's the fun in that?

So when a friend pointed out that he'd tried out the breakfastified version of something that's an annual tradition for me, available in the same venue where I'm typically eating a corn dog at 8 in the morning, I thought I'd give it a try. And I liked it. Yet I would never consider buying such a thing from Sara Lee. *shrug*

-g

William's Dinette, near the eco-experience building thing and machinery hill. I was very excited about the idea, and I have to say the one I had lived up to the idea. Seems like they run the stand like a short-order place, so the pancake-on-a-stick, and the ones my friends ordered just after it, were all cooked up fresh. That helped a lot I'd say.

-g

Had the "pancake on a stick" - breakfast sausage dipped in pancake batter then fried, served with maple syrup - for the first time this year based on recommendations from friends. It earned a spot on the must-have list for us.

Tried the new deep fried banana split from Ole and Lena's. Big thumbs up, though I would say I don't see any reason not to put the banana on a stick. Sure, you'd have to scoop and smear at the ice cream and berries and whipped cream, but maybe it would work? Who knows. We'd get it again.

Tried the fried pickles, which were good, but small serving for the price.

Repeat from the last couple years: Lingonberry float. Each time we get this thing it's better than we remembered it.

The rest of our items have already been mentioned, but I'll give a shout-out to some: tom thumb donuts, roasted corn, dan patch (the original!) cheese curds, and, of course, pronto pups.

-g

Eve!

Also, The Chop House, which never gets any love, but we had our first anniversary dinner there and have always considered it one of the best meals we had in 6 years of Ann Arbor living. Not particulary innovative, however. If that's an important point for you, then I'd go with some other suggestions in the thread.

-g

Good call, I'll second that one. Definitely ahead of some other places that might consider themselves texmex. (Lookin at you, Tio's)

-g

Like some others, I'm contemplating Fair breakfast options. The crepes sound like a great idea, as does the breakfast burrito, but I remember last year hearing about some breakfast-styled corn dog options involving a breakfast sausage and pancake batter. This year I find myself thinking I could really go for something like that.

Any insight on where to find and whether it's worth it? I searched the "on-a-stick" options on the fair food finder and didn't have any luck...

-g

Prickly Pear on S. Main St. Likely not the best they've ever had, but probably the best in the area.

-g

Went to Sea Salt yesterday for lunch. I had been eagerly anticipating their April 24th opening. Apparently they had a soft opening on the 23rd. Due to my own time mismanagement, we ended up arriving to a line that, last year, would have been easily a 40-50 minute wait. Disaster! We decided to stick it out: my wife stayed in line and I took the little one for a walk through the park, hoping he could hold out long enough for us to get our lunch.

Walking around the restaurant, it seemed like there were a lot more employees than I remembered. While waiting in line, my wife overheard a conversation that they've increased their kitchen capacity (though it's definitely still a pretty small kitchen for the crowds they get). Whatever they did, I'm ready to call it a success. My wife was through the line in about 20 minutes, and we waited at a table for probably just over 5 minutes before our food was brought out.

It'll be interesting to see how they hold up on the peak weekend days, but based on yesterday's experience I'm *extremely* encouraged...

-g

I'll second that. After years and years of either chocolate or vanilla, last year we changed our minds at the last moment and got the berry. There's no going back!

-g

Jumping on the bandwagon:

-Pronto Pup - Love em.

-Big Game brat from Giggles - hugely disappointing, because I was excited to get something at the Giggles stand based on recs from here. Many other items I saw (walleye fries, smoked salmon on a stick, walleye cakes) looked great. The brat was completely boring and unremarkable. I think they may have forgotten to put onions and such on it - I thought I saw that on the menu...?

Sweet Corn - seemed super fresh this time around

Mocha on a stick and coffee from the farmer's union stand - great, fresh coffee.

Fried Green Tomatoes and Corn Fritters - had em before, have skipped them a few years but happily tried them again since reading about them on the board.

Tom Thumb donuts - another tradition. Can't pass em up.

Cheese Curds (Dan Patch Ave.) - I won't start on it this year, I promise!

Honey sunflower ice cream sundae - highest recommendation, but this thing was HUGE.

Lingonberry float - as I mentioned above, this is going to be a new favorite. Hardly even advertised at the booth, either.

Surly Cynic Ale - found only at the Boulevard Grill in the Coliseum.

AYCD Milk and Sweet Martha's Cookies - inseparable. I actually would have done without the cookies, but a friend bought one of those absurd buckets.

Hmmm... I think that was it. We were there Friday morning when it was really hot. I think the weather took a lot out of us... there were quite a few other things we would have liked to have tried.

-g