alpa chino's Profile
Downtown St. Paul Skyway for Lunch?
So, I got this new job in this foreign country called St. Paul. Interesting place, it's different than Minneapolis.
I see a lot of food trucks and skyway stores. Are there any places that are highly recommended?
A Case for Q Fanatic
I just checked out this joint. It's not bad. I wouldn't go so far as putting it at the top. They make a pretty good attempt at trying to be legitimate bbq. The smoke was there, but it was way too much. The smoke needs to enhance, not overpower. But the rub was pretty good, and the brisket was tender and flavorful. Outside of that, the sauces and sides were repulsive. The cole slaw tasted like it's been fermenting in someone's socks for the past year. The accouterments are pretty important for BBQ. Q fanatic missed the mark on that one.
Where's the beef?
I'll make the umami burger one of these days. But I just want to see what's out there first.
Where's the beef?
Had the Merlin's Rest burger. Yes, it's grass-fed premium. It wasn't bad for a bare bones burger. Just bun, meat, tomatoes, lettuce. No cheese. Meat speaks for itself and the home made potato chips were okay. Wasn't bad for a plain burger, and an ale to wash it down.
Where's the beef?
I just tried this abomination at Pat's Tap. First of all, I didn't like the atmosphere at that bar/restaurant. I didn't understand exactly what motif they were aiming for. The bacon burger had a really funky taste to it. The texture really threw me for a loop. I wasn't sure if I was eating beef or pork or..........
It was either too much bacon flavor? Or not enough flavor? Or.....I'm not sure what. I really didn't enjoy it. The fries weren't bad though.
Where's the beef?
Sk,
I do retract what I wrote above. I checked out the Craftsman for the first time yesterday. Had the beef burger with harissa, cheddar, and bacon. The beef was premium grass fed and cooked to perfection, mild white cheddar, applewood smoked bacon, and a spread of perfectly flavored harissa--not too hot. The accompanying fries were off the chain--perfectly crisp, thin, and no greasy aftertaste. Only drawback is the homemade chili ketchup--too pungent and hot. All in all, the absolute best burger I've ever had.
I had to ask if it was grass fed, and that was one helluva piece of meat.
Where's the beef?
I had the Roadhouse Steak Burger. It's angus sirloin and prime rib. It was pretty good, very meaty and juicy. It's a helluva burger experience. Definitely well worth the money.
I'll take a Matt's/5-8 Jucy over the grass-fed premium any day. I think victory 44 was grass fed. But I had grass fed at Merlin's rest and corner table. Doesn't make a difference. To me at least.
Where's the beef?
I've been doing a burger tour of the TC for the past 6 months. And I must say, I'm not impressed with what everyone has conventionally been claiming to be good.
Tried the Lion's tap---Really folks??
groveland Tap--Big Dud
Victory 44 perfect burger--not perfect. (although for a $6 special. Very perfect)
Blue Door Pub, juicy lucy---Take matt's any day of the week.
Burger Jones--You gotta be kidding me. Love the "smoked ketchup"--someone mixed liquid smoke + heinz.
Cardinal bar juicy lucy--Not worth the trip.
Rail Station--Meh.
Park Tavern--Nah.
stub and herbs--meh,
Big 10-meh.
Chatterbox bleu burger--so so.
To be fair, I have been impressed with a few.
The library squealer--excellent. This one really caught me off guard.
Matt's bar--classic mainstay. Had it many times before, but my estimation of it always rises.
Vincent's---Smoked Gouda Juicy lucy, very good.
Ike's--Steak burger. Good, but will take up to 24 hours to digest.
Bar Lurcat--fancy, small and pretty good. Nice char.
Am I being too picky? I understand it's just beef between bread.
Element wood-fired pizza Mpls
I've been there a few times. It's basically punch or Nea--Same thing. Doesn't have the soggy wet crust of Punch, though.
It's pretty good. I'd recommend it.
Pizza Delivery recs
I second Di Nokos. I tried a chicago deep dish a few weeks ago. Delicious. Very good. Try it if they'll deliver.
Fried Chicken - Twin Cities
I'll try this place out, one day. It sounds like a real haul. I'm not doubting your opinion; however, I'll be going into it with low expectations. I was kinda burned by a similar place that was a long drive too. Everyone mentioned a pseudo restaurant/ test kitchen/ kitchen supply place called Annies Deli. It's only open on certain days and only open for like 2 hours during lunch--but it supposedly had good fried chix. It's north of the TC, but I can't remember where. I tried it, and it was OKAY. I'm not driving back up there though.
I wanted to try a place on Lake street uptown called 1 flavor cafe, a soul food shop. Supposed to be good chicken. Never got around to it, place is closed.
Fried Chicken - Twin Cities
I've got a real hard time liking that Shorty and wags. The wings have a good flavor on the outside skin, but falls really flat inside. And the wings seem skimpy to me. The sides are just plain horrible. The greasy oily rice? and the super salty turkey bone green thing? I've really given that place many chances, but......................
Fried Chicken - Twin Cities
Just a warning for others. I loved broasted chicken. The best was at a N. Mpls bar called Johnny A's. I loved that thing and still dream about it. Sadly, the bar closed. I went to a website that gives a bunch of locations that does broasted:
http://www.broaster.com/stores.aspx?z=55404&I1.x=43&I1.y=15
I assumed everyone on that list would make chicken exactly like Johnny A's. So I tried Savoy Inn's broasted chicken. It was horrible. Tasted just like skinners/roosters.
Fried Chicken - Twin Cities
Ditto on the skinners. The chicken was a big fail. Roosters is sorta close by. And it's slightly better. But not by much.
seeking list of best,most interesting NE Minneapolis restaurants
I checked it out a year ago. Haven't been there lately.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/734875
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While it's not technically in NE, but a few miles up on central is Filfallah--pretty awesome chicken shwarmas.
And I'm surprised nobody mentioned legend's bar. That used to be our go to place for cheap eats.
Di Noko's - Chicago Deep Dish Pizza
I tried the deep dish this past weekend. It was pretty good. Very close to authentic. They lay the sauce on top. Oh, btw, the sauce is cruda style--chunky tomatoes, not the traditional thick pizza sauce. And I even got the whole wheat dough, still very good. Thumbs up to Di nokos (deep dish--don't know about the other styles).
Di Noko's - Chicago Deep Dish Pizza
You can get a Gino's pie in the frozen section at Cub now.
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Question about the deep dish here at Di NOko's? Is it Chicago Deep dish crust or is it just a slightly thicker pan crust? I can't find any pics.
El Taco Riendo, Central Av. NE
Wow. Y'all are right. That place is good.
nachos and tostadas--give'em a try.
What's the most ethnic sausage maker and rye bread bakery in the area?
Yeah. That's what I was thinking. Close to Kramarchucks too.
Raw Peanuts
Thanks for the info all. I've purchased them from United Noodle before, they usually have them in stock. However, they're not fresh. By the time you buy them, they're dried out and have the same texture as regular in-shell peanuts.
Raw Peanuts
If anyone comes across these delicious things, please report. I've only seen them at the Mpls. Farmers market a few years back. I haven't seen them anywhere else since. Thanks.
Mac's Fish and Chips
I was there less than a month ago. The new managers are Irish american. The only reason why I mention it is because there's a lot of irish themed things on the wall. And, someone from the Irish american community stopped in to distribute the local irish-american minnesota newspaper, while I was there.
As for the food, it's a lot greasier than before. I wouldn't say it's fantastic. But it's not horrible either.
Fried Chicken - Twin Cities
Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken, North Minneapolis?
Edit: Sorry, I think it's a chain.
What's your fix when the Heat Index tops 95 degrees?
ginger lemonade--bewiched.
Quang's limeade. (or strawberry bubble tea)
I love Seward Coop
pros: the bulk section--long grain brown basmati rice, dairy cream/milk, deli turkey, and 3rd st. bakery bread products.
cons: very $$$ and the pretentious nature of that hippie/coop image.
conclusion: I'm there 2x a week.
ISO great hot dog place - MSP
Frankie's and Chris & Rob's on 42nd. They're not great, but it'll get you by. And both owners are chicago guys. In fact, they sell the neon relish over at Frankies.
I saw a place called Philly Dawg over in Woodbury. Anyone been there?
[BTW, can't believe neither one of the chefs attempted a hot dog dessert. Bummer.]
What are your favorite restaurants on Eat Street (Nicollet Ave)?
Taste of New York for a mediocre slice. It's not the best, but will do in a pinch.
Rainbow is great chinese, if you can afford it.
Stay away from Seafood Palace, it's gone to the dogs.
Cristos is overrated and not good. Quangs beats Pho tau bay, hands down.
City Pages - Best of 2011
Well, I checked it out also last night. The restaurant is very small and it isn't a dive at all. It is however, very quaint--so don't be fooled by the exterior like I was. But the food was very interesting. They served a special easter 12 legume (for the 12 apostles)/fish soup. There were a ton of interesting flavors inside the soup--plaintains, corn, potatoes, cod fish, peanuts. I thought it was really good. I also tried the llapingachos entree with chorizo. They serve these things with a side of rice, an egg over-easy, small side salad, and a green cilantro sauce. It was a great mix of flavors and a great introduction to ecuadorian food. Thumbs up.
City Pages - Best of 2011
I will definitely be doing that now, after reading your convincing post. Thanks.
