18 replies to this topic

[MLZeats]

My wife and I will be in the Twin Cities for a long weekend in July. We are interested in experiencing pie havens, as well as regional food. We have some recommendations in MSP itself but are prepared to drive up to 3 hours in any direction for exceptional food. Where to eat? All suggestions very much appreciated.

[sparrowgrass]

It may be a bit more than three hours, but Betty's Pies at Two Harbors on the North Shore is famous, especially with hungry paddlers on their way home from the Boundary Waters. The North Shore drive is gorgeous, pie or no pie.

[deltadoc]

It's exactly 3 hours south of the Twin Cities. Take HW 52 South to Rochester. Pick up Highway 63 South out of Rochester. As you enter Waterloo, Iowa, look for Katies Maid Rites on the left hand side of the Highway. Its a singular building sitting like in a Supermarket parking lot, near the frontage road, almost next to a McDonald's which you will actually want to pass by.

Best Maid Rites and Cole Slaw I have ever eaten anywhere.

Maid Rites should qualify as Regional Food. Don't find them much outside Illinois and Iowa.

doc

[snowangel]

Betty's Pies is not longer the Betty's Pies of the past. Don't waste your time. If you want to head three hours north of MSP, there are better places. Do you want to head north or south?

[prasantrin]

Betty's Pies is not longer the Betty's Pies of the past.  Don't waste your time.  If you want to head three hours north of MSP, there are better places.  Do you want to head north or south?

I'm not the original poster, but when I head to MSP this summer I'll be coming from North...and I love a good pie! What are your suggestions?

[MLZeats]

Betty's Pies is not longer the Betty's Pies of the past.  Don't waste your time.  If you want to head three hours north of MSP, there are better places.  Do you want to head north or south?

We can travel in any direction you point us so long as there is good pie, or regional food, at the end of the journey.
PS Snowangel I would be remiss if I did not thank you for all of your other informative posts on the Heartland.

[sparrowgrass]

I looked at the Betty's Pies menu, and it did seem much different than the last time I was there, which was probably 5 or 6 years ago.

Never Mind, as Emily Littella would say.

[Devotay]

For the regional cuisine part of your trip, make sure you catch some of these places!

Farmers:

Rock Spring Farm
Chris and Kim Blanchard, family, and friends
3765 Highlandville Rd.
Spring Grove, MN 55974
563.735.5613
www.rsfarm.com

Restaurants & Markets:

Restaurant Alma
528 University Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
612.379.4909
www.restaurantalma.com

The Angry Trout Café
Chef George Wilkes
P.O. Box 973
Grand Marais, MN 55604
218.387.1265
www.angrytroutcafe.com

Café Barbette
Chef Ty Hatfield
1600 W. Lake St.
Minnapolis, MN
612.827.5710
www.barbette.com

Heartland
Chef Lenny Russo
1806 St. Clair Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105
651.699.3536
www.heartlandrestaurant.com

Lucia’s Restaurant & Wine Bar
Chef Lucia Watson
1432 West 31st St (at Hennepin)
Minneapolis, MN 55408-2605
612.825.1572
www.lucias.com

St. Paul Farmers’ Market
Locations throughout the city
May - October
www.stpaulfarmersmarket.com

Surdyk’s
Wine, Liquor, Cheese
303 East Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55414
612-379-3232
www.surdyks.com

Café Zander
525 Selby Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55102
651.222.5224

[WolfChef]

For pies this is the place. Norske Nook I can vouch for the Osseo location, which is about 2 hours east on 94. Didn't know they had more than 1 location till visiting their website. Be prepared to stand in line. They also serve soups and sandwiches and such other non-pie fare, but in all the times I've been there I've never had anything but pie...it is so damn good. Why ruin a good pie buzz with a sandwich. The blueberry is my favorite. These are not anywhere close to being cheap, but they are worth every nickel.

Anybody else ever been there?

[dahlsk]

I also like the Norske Nook in Osseo, WI. My favorite pie there is the raspberry sour cream (with lots of merengue on top).
dahlsk

[WolfChef]

I found out about Norske Nook from an uncle who would drive 5 hours one way just to have pie there. I told him he was nuts, and he said unless I had the pie I couldn't say that. I wouldn't drive 5 hours just for the pie, but it is the best pie I've ever had.

[MLZeats]

Thank you all for your suggestions. More recommendations will be appreciated. Snowangel, thanks again for the warning, any affirmative advice?

[Pam R]

I'm not the original poster, but when I head to MSP this summer I'll be coming from North...and I love a good pie!  What are your suggestions?

Nor am I the original poster, but I'll probably be driving into MSP on Thursday morning - for a few hours only. Any good places North of the city (or along 494...or is it 694?) to stop for lunch?

Anybody know if there's anywhere good to eat in North Dakota these days (Grand Forks/Fargo)

[prasantrin]

Nor am I the original poster, but I'll probably be driving into MSP on Thursday morning - for a few hours only.  Any good places North of the city (or along 494...or is it 694?) to stop for lunch?

Anybody know if there's anywhere good to eat in North Dakota these days (Grand Forks/Fargo)

Don't know if this still falls under the heading of regional food, but...

If you're passing MSP on the 494, Al's Breakfast (they're only open till 1pm) is not far off though it's actually in Minneapolis. Al's is the classic breakfast diner--only 14 counter seats--long waits in the morning...etc. Everytime I'm in MSP, I end up having breakfast/brunch there every morning. The only things I've ever had, though, are the Eggs Benedict, hash browns (I like them, but I've heard complaints because they're made of cooked potatoes, not raw), and a side wally blue (blueberry buttermilk pancake). The place is a dive so don't go if you mind many many years of grease caked on the only stove in sight. But the eggs benedict are well worth it...

Avoid ND--just drive back to Winnipeg or head straight to the MSP area.

[snowangel]

How could I forget the Park Cafe in Braham, MN, known as the Pie Capital of Minnesota?

A couple of times a year, on our way home from the cabin when traffic on 35 gets the better of us, we pull off and take back roads. I haven't stopped there in years for pie (the kids are in the back seat, asleep), but I remember it was really good.

[Pam R]

Avoid ND--just drive back to Winnipeg or head straight to the MSP area.

I can't
I'm leaving for a few days in Northern Minnesota tomorrow morning, and I don't expect good food where I'm going. That's just the way it is. I'll be spending 1/2 a day in Mpl and most of a day in GF shopping ... it has to be done. I'm sorry, it just has to.

[snowangel]

Pam, if you want a good lunch on the northern side of the Twin Citites, 694 to Central Ave. (highway 65). South on Central. Several blocks down, on the right hand side (west side of the street) is Udapi for vegetarian Indian. Outstanding.

For other "northside" suggestions, visit this thread.

[prasantrin]

I can't 
I'm leaving for a few days in Northern Minnesota tomorrow morning, and I don't expect good food where I'm going.  That's just the way it is.  I'll be spending 1/2 a day in Mpl and most of a day in GF shopping ... it has to be done.  I'm sorry, it just has to.

Well, if you really have to do it, an acquaintance from rfc once mentioned the following

Sanders in Grand Forks is considered the best restaurant between the
Twin Cities and Seattle.

From this website it seems they're only open for dinner.

[Pam R]

Rona,
That review is great! IT's written exactly how I would imagine a review for GF to be writte. I went to school nearby and often heard of this restaurant, but for some reason never made it. I'm not sure if my timing in GF will allow a visit this trip - but I'll let you know if it does.

The writer also mentioned Whitey's which my parents used to take me to when I was a kid. Up until a few years ago (I haven't been in a while) they still gave you a relish tray when you sat down! Who does that anymore? I'm not 100% sure if they survived the flood... but I think I may see if they're still around if I drive through EGF.

I'm leaving in a couple of hours ... I'll let you know if I find anything good in GF or northern MN when I get back!