Have had several wonderful experiences at the White Bear Lake location. I guess I am not as concerned with the product being baked 15 minutes away.

All business deal with competition - Walgreens/CVS, Cub/Rainbow, Home Depot/Lowes/Menards, fast food chains etc.

I am sure it came down to location, availability, rent, etc. We should be happy it wasn't another panera!

Where can I surprise the hubby with a surprise chilaquiles in the Twin Cities?

Thanks

Grundhoffer's brats are great! Worth the trip.

watched it yesterday...and learned a few great tips!

Mary -
We are heading off to Boston on our way to Ireland in April. This is a fantastic start for me to begin planning our three days in Boston. Managed to get tix for the Sox vs. Yankees. Can't wait to see Fenway....and compare it to our new Target Field! I look forward to reading some more of your posts.

MNGal

Minnesotans coming to Ireland for our first visit. Only have 7 days, flying into Dublin and staying at Heritage Golf & Resort in Killenanard for part of our trip. Planning on being in Dublin a couple of days, Galway/Aran Islands, Cork, Wexford.

I know, too much in too little time. Arriving April 11th.

Would love to hear some recommendations. Adventurous eaters, lovers of a great local pub looking to experience Ireland's best kept secrets!

Thanks in advance for your help.

Off for a weekend sports tourney I. buffalo and need help on where to eat. Tried urbanspoon with no luck....any help within a 20 minute drive would be great...no chains please

Ok...Here is the list we managed to visit in our 60 hours in Des Moines...Django, Centro, Flying Mango for dinner with Tasty Tacos, Court Ave Brewing for lunch with a beer break before dinner at Raccoon River Brewing.

Loved Flying Mango for BBQ - Great food and service, chatted with the owner who has a connection to St. Paul...Fantastic time had by all 4 family members.

Django and Centro both had a great feel to them. Loved the atmosphere....clearly related restaurants. Hubby loved his Cassoulet at Django, my halibut special was good, but less than I hoped for. Spot on service! Kids chose to order off kids menu - enough fries to feed 12. Pizza at Centro was ok...maybe an off night for it??? Would have been nice for the server to tell us the calzone was WAY too much when we asked.

Tasty Tacos lived up to its' name - Great, quick food. Place was packed!

Court Ave Brewery was good quality pub/bar food. Enjoyed the brews as well. Not as impressed with the beer at Raccoon.

All in all, a great trip with food to match! Thanks for the great suggestions! Happy to return the favor if you get up my direction.

mngal

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Flying Mango
4345 Hickman Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310

Centro
1007 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309

Django Restaurant
210 10th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309

Great recommendations! We are on our way this am. Looking forward to visiting.

Casual lunch spots - good pizza, burgers or ethnic food. We are staying DT on the river but are willing to travel for good eats.

Would like to have dinner at a chef driven restaurant that we are able to bring the kids without feeling out of place. Entrees under $20.

We have never been to Des Moines and are looking for a few great places to eat. Adults like good, locally run restaurants - No chains. Need a few good lunch spots and dinner. Thanks in advance.

I'm with you BigE - Not many decent options in the NE Suburbs....

I love to eat out and shop for great ingredients...so I might take it in a different direction. Three of my favorite shops - Golden Fig, Surdyks cheese shop, Buon Giorno for great Italian ingredients. Welcome chowsound.

I have had great luck with Beyond Chocolates. Fantastic, original food and willing to work within your budget.

http://beyondchocolates.com/

Happened to be there for brunch on Valentines as well. Had a great experience. We were seated at a large round in front of the bar. We arrived at 1pm and every table in the house was packed. The gent behind the bar was working all drinks as well as our server. He was clearly busy, but had time to tell us his recommendations along with some small chat with my grandmother and her 93 year old sister. Kids gulped down the pancakes and bacon in no time. Both really enjoyed their meal. Several of us ordered the loaded burger - One of the best I have had in a long time. The toppings were wonderful and the burgers cooked perfectly as ordered. Hubby said the bloody mary was one of the better versions he has had in town. Pork Hash was tasty, although it looked a little smaller than my famished hasband expected. Dad loved the sausage and his assortment of small plates.

Planning on going back for dinner this week to try out some of the other tasty options. Can't wait!

Thanks everyone! I have sent mn hubby on a mission!

My hubby is hanging in Vegas for a trade show this week and in search of a great brew pub. Any recommendations? Anything local??

Thanks in advance from the Midwest

I agree with El Amanecer and Los Ocampo....El Burrito Mercado is one of my favorite stops in W St. Paul

Wow - Was I impressed on multiple levels. I can say this was one of my better dining experiences in quite some time. Well worth the trip...although, I might want to keep it to myself as those of us in the NE Metro have very few options. As my wise mother told me, I need to share...SO....Come and make sure this place makes it!

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Acqua Restaurant & Wine Bar
4453 Lake Ave South, White Bear Lake, MN 55110

Does anyone know anything about this place? When it is opening, who is behind it??

Giggles

Any great rec's for families to try when in Milwaukee?? Looking for great good, local if possible, hubby is dying for a good fish fry as we don't get those too often in MN. Thanks in advance

I have not been personally...I have heard Running Aces in the NE Metro (just south of Forest lake) has a good seafood buffet including crab legs.

www.runningaces.com

Ingredients Cafe in White Bear is a good option. Margaux has recently opened again for lunch - also in WBL. Tria in North Oaks is also a good option - sit in the bar and it is quite reasonable - great patio!

If you can drop a few bucks, Porterhouse is an underrated steakhouse near by.

A must for a pastry in the am - Taste of Scandanavia

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Tria
5959 Centerville Road, North Oaks, MN 55127

Taste of Scandanavia Bakery & Cafe
2900 Rice St, Saint Paul, MN 55113

Ingredients Cafe & Take Away
4725 Highway 61, Saint Paul, MN

Porter House Steak & Seafood
235 East Little Canada Road, Little Canada, MN 55117

Axel's is fairly dependable, but the last two times I have been to the Blaine location (past 60 days) things have been more than disappointing. Food and service combined!

I am still looking for that shining star in the NE Metro....

I can not agree more - The Fig rocks! Great place to get some good eats and treats!

The Blue Door is well worth the visit...dont forget to also try the battered green beans! A little more creative take on the stuffed burger, but very good.

One can never go wrong at the Nook...great jucy! If you have some extra time after your visit to the Nook, great bowling alley in the basement next door - the Ran-Ham.

Only commenting on frozen 'za after all of these posts...

Not a healthy frozen pizza, but Home Run (From Chicago) if quite good - flaky, almost pie like crust. The best is the combo with roasted veggies!

if anyone can do it, jfood can!!

Don't forget Grand Ole Creamery....great foodie shop down the block - The Golden Fig.

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Grand Ole Creamery
750 Grand Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105

Chocolate Fig
790 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105