Recent content from Joy Summers
The 5 best things our food writers ate this week
Housemade animal crackers, Spam sliders, a sushi pop-up, nostalgic hot turkey sandwiches and more made for fun times.
It's hockey tourney time: 19 restaurants within a mile of Xcel Energy Center
From breakfast through late night, the best places to eat between spending all your time watching hockey in St. Paul.
After devastating fire, Khue's Kitchen finds new St. Paul restaurant location
Plus: Two Mixed Up adds new location, Hope Breakfast Bar eyes Blaine and Maple Grove and more restaurant news.
The mostly Minnesotan story behind Sauna Water, a collaboration born of steam and ice
Flavored with spruce tips, juniper and cardamom, it's a crowd-pleasing NA beverage that's selling out all over the state.
The 5 best things our food writers ate this week
Delicious new destinations for fried chicken, Tater Tot hot dish with a twist, Mayan and Korean cuisine and more.
El Sazon and World Street Kitchen are expanding to Minneapolis food halls
We've got the scoop on the latest big-name restaurants headed to Eat Street Crossing and Market at Malcolm Yards.
Savor these 18 cozy wine bars across the Twin Cities area
Intimacy is built into the DNA of these cozy spaces – all centered around something special in the glass.
2 suburban restaurant closings to know about
Plus: Egg on a Roll is on a roll, Burger Dive is expanding, tacos coming to Betty Danger's and more restaurant news.
The best dishes we ate at Minnesota's 11 James Beard semifinalist restaurants
Want to check out the Minnesota eateries on this year's long list? Make these menu items part of your order to get a taste of each of these places' distinct flavor and flair.
Our 20 favorite places for chicken wings in the Twin Cities area
And they are separated into categories for your snacking convenience.
The year of Travail continues with Italian Eatery and Umami opening
Plus, Mr. Paul's puts down the po'boys, longtime hotel restaurant switches up concepts, chef named for Canterbury restaurant, Maplefest and more restaurant news.
The 5 best things our food writers ate this week
An eclectic week of eating great sandwiches, pork belly platters, sushi and pancakes alongside "the world's best hash browns."
A closing date for St. Paul's Saint Dinette, and more restaurant news
There are still good times to be had in Lowertown, plus two breweries hit hard times, the Clover is closing and more food news.
The 5 best things our food writers ate this week
A chilly week had us in pursuit of cozy comforts: pasta and Coneys at neighborhood spots, a new suburban pho place and a love letter to a Minnesota cocktail.
Minnesotans nab 11 semifinalist nods for the 2025 James Beard Awards
Local chefs and restaurants have a stellar showing in both national and regional categories.
9 great meatless handhelds in Twin Cities-area restaurants right now
Whether you're looking to eat less meat or just want a really good sandwich, these are some of our current menu favorites.
Two buzzy new Minneapolis brunches you'll want to try, and more restaurant news
Plus: A new sports bar, another Pazzaluna pop-up, sauna time, goodbye to a brewery and other restaurant news.
Chef Jorge Guzmán and Petite Leon sever ties
The restaurant adds an employee ownership plan as its founding chef moves on to focus on Chilango and other projects.
Revival abruptly closes all restaurant locations
"Sadly, restaurants are not a forever thing," said chef and co-owner Thomas Boemer.
What to expect at Altera, St. Paul's newest dining draw
The latest restaurant from InnerBloom Hospitality has been hopping since it opened in December. Now it serves brunch, too.
A new coffee shop with cat cuddles is open on Grand Avenue
At Catzen, go for the coffee, stay for resident cat Tim the Enchanter.
The 5 best things our food writers ate this week
An excellent smash burger, egg sandwich, loaded fries and gold-star roasted vegetables at a chef-driven restaurant were some of this week's great finds.
Alma's Alex Roberts and Umami join the heavyweight culinary lineup at Graze food hall
The award-winning chef will bring fried chicken, Nixta has tacos, and a beloved Minneapolis pop-up goes full time.
Downtown Minneapolis egg sandwich shop expands to Malcolm Yards and adds sushi restaurant
Plus: Dinkytown also gets a fresh egg sandwich spot (and pizza), Hopkins has a new pizza-pasta place and more restaurant news.
7 Twin Cities area restaurant closings so far in 2025
Say farewell to plant-based burgers, a downtown sports bar, a Stillwater distillery and more.
The 5 best things our food writers ate this week
New places to grab bagels, dim sum and tiki drinks, plus oldies but goodies for hot dogs and hibachi.
The New York Times found one great slice in the Twin Cities. We're here to say there's more.
Sure, we'll take the dangling pizza bait. Here are 9 restaurants beloved for their East Coast style.
Hello, 2025: What we're excited about on the Twin Cities restaurant scene
Permanent spots for beloved pop-ups, explosive growth in the suburbs and long-awaited projects coming to life are just some of the anticipated highlights.
Burger news from Bebe Zito as one location closes and another expands
Plus: Tropical vibes open on St. Anthony Main, Animales takes its wagyu burgers inside, Dario celebrates with friends, restaurant closings and more news.
How constant change helped build one of Minneapolis' most celebrated restaurants
Since Alma opened 25 years ago, owners Alex and Margo Roberts have taken it from a restaurant to an experience that now includes a cafe, hotel and retail.
Restaurant openings and closings in the Twin Cities
What's open, what's closed and what's still to come in the Twin Cities and beyond.
5 Twin Cities area restaurants now open or coming soon
Farina Rossa is officially open, Bar Siena in Hopkins offers a sneak peek, pho in Roseville and more restaurant news.
The 5 best things our food writers ate in 2024
A stunning cup of affogato, unforgettable barbecue and evenings soaking in delicious surroundings: here's what stood out this year.
The 5 best things our food writers ate this week
Lefse-wrapped Swedish wontons, a soothing bowl of rice porridge and a gravy-laden commercial filled our week with comfort and warmth.
2024 was the year restaurants we missed finally returned
Nostalgia is front and center as Mickey's Diner, Forepaugh's, Annie's Parlour and more reopened.
A new wave of comfort food in 2024
Drive-in burgers, family-fun pizzas, a vintage Homer Hanky and a side of fries gave us cozy eating feels.
Yia Vang closes Union Hmong Kitchen on Lake Street
The nomadic restaurant switches to in-home feasts and catering.
Swedish meatballs are having a moment in Twin Cities restaurants
The traditional holiday mainstay is being championed and reinvented by local eateries.
Travail's new Minneapolis cocktail den is out of this world
Plus: A new date night spot in Highland Park, a Chinese bakery opens on University Avenue and more restaurant news.
Creative drinks, stellar soundtracks and other Twin Cities restaurant trends we spotted in 2024
Among them: Creative drinks, great service and stellar soundtracks.
To open Vinai, Yia Vang first had to give up on the dream
A life-threatening illness forced the chef to let go of what he thought he wanted: to build a love letter to his family's legacy.
The 5 best things our food writers ate this week
The season for cardamom bread, comfort food and a dish as bright as Bentleyville's holiday lights.
The 5 best things our food writers ate in the Twin Cities this week
Massive burritos, brothless ramen, cake muffin and a cup of Dayton's nostalgia.
Apple Valley restaurant group switches gears to open food hall
Plus: Duluth Grill owners get into the fried chicken game, Tattersall leaves Northeast, a Vegas-style seafood buffet in Woodbury and more restaurant news.
22 Twin Cities area restaurants marking milestones this year
Celebrating classic steakhouses, pad thai, al pastor and local burger chains.
From humble dreams to standard bearers, 10 beloved Twin Cities restaurants with staying power
A toast to milestone Twin Cities eatery anniversaries that happened this year.
Black Sheep Pizza closing on Eat Street, and more restaurant news
4 openings to know about include a bakery wine bar, vegan juicy lucys and the return of Nankin's original Wanderers Punch.
Burger sensation Parlour opens in Excelsior this week
The move continues Jester Concepts' suburban expansion.
The 5 best things our food writers ate this week
Meritage brunches are back, plus a pepperoni roll and tartine worth considering and more.
Food icon Lidia Bastianich celebrates Minnesota changemakers in new TV special
The food icon filmed a feast at Owamni, made pesto with crickets and dined at Oro, shining light on the people who are changing the way we eat.
Travail taking over Graze food hall in Minneapolis
Nixta tacos, thin-crust Wrecktangle pizzas and Robb Jones cocktails are coming to the North Loop in 2025.
How to stock the best home bar like the bon vivant you are
From budget friendly to elevated, we have recommendations for wine, spirits, beer, THC and mixers — and the glasses you'll need to serve them.
The 5 best things our food writers ate in the Twin Cities area this week
Bargain happy hour sliders, empanadas that deserve your attention plus top-notch gyros, cozy chicken Parm pasta and a new breakfast spot.
Soul Bowl has opening date; another Wuollet closes, and more restaurant news
Plus: A new breakfast restaurant, Xelas close to opening in Stillwater, brunch is back at Meritage and more restaurant news.
Sneak peek: Minneapolis dim sum darling Minari opens this week
Chef Jeff Watson built a personal menu with Korean, Japanese and Chinese flavors at the newest restaurant from the Daniel del Prado group.
Peek inside Aster House, the new modern Minnesota supper club
The refurbished 144-year-old stone-brick building boasts a menu by Karyn Tomlinson and an Old World setting with midcentury touches.
The 5 best things our food writers ate in the Twin Cities area this week
Comfort food reigned with a standout burger, meatloaf Wellington, nachos, cafeteria coq au vin and pizza.
November brings a rush of restaurant openings before the holiday eating season
Plus, new ramen in Richfield, an Argentine-Uruguayan steakhouse in south Minneapolis and teens tried to save their favorite pizzeria.
Mothership Pizza Paradise opens in Minneapolis with '90s pizzeria flair
Crispy chicken sandwiches land in St. Paul, skyway pop-ups for Hippo Pockets and Centro, a new sports bar, a Dunn Brothers refresh and more restaurant news.
New Minneapolis bars to check out and what to order
Boozy boba, a sweet-sounding wine bar and day drinking at a super cool cafe: where to go and what to order at the city's coolest new bars.
She gave us the most exciting weekday brunch of 2024. Now Diane Moua is finally ready for dinner.
Staring Nov. 9 the classically French pastry-trained chef brings her version of Hmong comforts into the culinary conversation.
Best New Chef behind the menu at Aster House, now open in Minneapolis
Plus Union Hmong Kitchen will exit Graze food hall at the end of the month and more food news.
11 great new burgers to try right now in the Twin Cities area
From luxurious wagyu to bargain smashies and a tender turkey burger, these new next-level burgers should be on your fall itinerary.
The 5 best things our food writers ate this week
A French dip worthy of a cult following, a great new pizza to try and a restaurant addition serving up delicious green chile-chicken eggrolls.
Krispy Kreme plans a return to Minnesota
The company is in expansion mode and has its sights set on Fridley.
A new chocolate shop in Robbinsdale, a comeback for Walkin' Dog, and more restaurant news
Plus: The return of Walkin' Dog, new locations for Mother Dough and Los Ocampo, and Tattersall's Northeast swan song.
Could Minneapolis restaurants finally land in the Michelin Guide?
The Downtown Council plans to woo the global guide as a part of its 2035 Plan to revitalize the city.
The 5 best desserts our food writers ate in the Twin Cities area this week
In honor of National Dessert Day on Oct. 14, we went on the hunt for sweetness and found plenty of it.
Brian Ingram's Salt & Flour opens next week across from Target Field
The Hope Breakfast Bar chef's newest restaurant takes him back to his pasta roots.
Heather's all-day cafe opens in Minnetonka
Plus, a new date-night destination in Wayzata and more fall restaurant openings are on the way.
The 5 best things our food writers ate in the Twin Cities area this week
Sushi, burrito bowls, short stacks and more were on our minds as we ate our way through the metro.
An icon returns: Mickey's Diner is open in St. Paul
All the favorite menu items are still there, with additions to attract a new generation of fans.
Another St. Paul restaurant staging a comeback in October
Pazzaluna returns to downtown St. Paul for a brief run with its classic Italian dishes.
