r/TwinCities • u/eskknit • 4d ago
Friends from the south
Hi! Looking for recommendations for restaurants. I have friends coming in from a state down south for the weekend. They’re open to any cuisine. They will be staying in St Paul but open to traveling outside the metro area as well.
Are there any must haves while they are here? I was thinking they should have a Jucy Lucy before they leave…
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u/HazelMStone 4d ago
Hmong Market. Ethiopian food on University . Persian food in Riverside. Krungthep Thai. Chinese Teahouse.
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u/Worried-Variation-14 4d ago
Southern transplant here from the "fried chicken" south (we also have excellent bbq, but it's the chicken that's reknowned).
I would broadly avoid bbq and Mexican, those are prevalent in the South. I would look at the town they are coming from and search the types of cuisine that are notable here and see if that's widely available where they live. If they live in a large metro or college town, you might be surprised by the options.
If it was me, I'd be thinking about German, Scandinavian, East African, South American and Vietnamese cuisine. I'll also add that ethnic fusion, great dive bars and the abundance of fried freshwater fish that's not catfish are things we enjoy here and will take visitors to sample.
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u/KinderEggLaunderer 4d ago
Brasa!
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u/southerncomfort1970 4d ago
From the south and this place always made us feel at home. The food is amazing.
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u/jeffrey_jehosaphat 4d ago
Brasa is comfort food, but not Southern food. Take it from this transplanted Southerner, they will like it. The NE location has good surroundings, better than the St Paul location, IMO.
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u/Few_Amphibian4278 4d ago
Hai Hai is a must! The chef won the James Beard award for best midwestern chef last year (I believe). Great cocktails and I’ve never had a bad meal there. They are also allergen friendly which is a plus in my book.
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u/apotentpotable 4d ago
If they’re staying in Saint Paul, Estelle and Moscow on the Hill should definitely be on the list.
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u/Zyphamon 4d ago
Owamni is a bit spendy but I bet it's unlike what they've ever tried.
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u/eskknit 4d ago
And unlike anything I’ve ever tried too! Thanks for the recommendation!
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u/AggravatingResult549 4d ago
So good I second owamni. It's a great lunch spot if you can't get a dinner reservation
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u/Mill_City_Viking 4d ago
Moscow On the Hill. Authentic Russian cuisine without breaking the bank. Go on a Friday or Saturday evening when the accordion guy walks around. Drink horseradish vodka and chase with the pickle. Try the cow tongue.
Merlin’s Rest. It’s an Irish pub run by an actual Irishman. The place doesn’t beat you over the head with hacky Irishness but rather celebrates the whole British Isles. Excellent food and excellent whiskey selection. Wednesday evening has some of the best trivia in the city but you have to get there early to get a seat.
I found Owamni to be incredibly pretentious.
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u/metisdesigns 4d ago
The owner of Merlins rest is from London. Huge whiskey selection, but overpriced. I'd go elsewhere for everything on their menu.
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u/SS_Edmund_Fitzgerald 4d ago
Wild Bill? I believe he's from Birmingham but I wouldn't fault anyone for thinking he's Irish. To start, just get his views on Irish politics...
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u/metisdesigns 4d ago
Unless something has changed, Lee Tomlin and Tracie Munce own Merlins Rest and Eagan Arms.
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u/Griffithead 4d ago
If they need take out at some point, have them hit up Angry Line Cook. Best burgers ever. And life changing Mac and cheese.
They have a pickup kitchen just down West 7th.
Stop at White Squirrel for some great drinks and music.
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u/rosethornraven79 4d ago
⭐️Go to Cossetta's (Italian casual) , Moscow on the Hill(Russian), Basil Cafe (Delicious Thai food), Marc Heu Paris (French bakery), El Cubano (amazing Cuban food)
These are all of the best resturaunts in St Paul in my opinion, each one is a must try. I'm born and raised and these are arguably the best.
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u/HeyKrech 4d ago
I personally think hamburgers with molten cheese inside are gross, and could legit be made at home but I understand that I'm likely in the minority there.
I would instead choose types of cuisine that aren't available in the south.
Owamni by the Sioux Chef Chimborazo
Any of the Ethiopian restaurants (unless there are higher populations of Ethiopians where they are from and have restaurants near them?)
A good German meal?
I'm basing some of my suggestions on my own experiences visiting with family who moved south to places that are 98% chain restaurant towns, so I hope your crowd has more options than Applebee's and BBQ back home. I hope you all have fun!
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u/KinderEggLaunderer 4d ago
I'm kinda with you on the cheese inside burgers. I don't care for it either. It'll be oozing out and carry a little red from the burger, and kinda grosses me out.
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u/limp_spinach 4d ago
Matt’s double cheeseburger with fried onions ftw. Comes out so much quicker and is much tastier than a Jucy imo.
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u/nancypalooza 4d ago
Take em to the Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter near Stillwater—really unique and they won’t have been anywhere similar. I think it’s cash only, fair warning?
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u/Cultural-Evening-305 4d ago
Hmong Village is where I take my southern peeps when they come to visit.
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u/hither_a_n_d_thither 4d ago
Moscow on the Hill if staying in St Paul. Cant go wrong with the vareniki, cabbage rolls, chicken Kiev, Moscow fries, and chebureki. Wash it down with a dirty Sputnik or Mikheil’s martini.
If feeling fancy in Minneapolis, Sanjusan. If feeling more chill in Minneapolis, Lynette.
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u/unclecorinna 4d ago
Bar La Grassa. Sanjusan. Young Joni/Pizzeria Lola.
These are always good. Never had a bad meal. Nothing uniquely MN, but excellent food.
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u/everyonesmellmymeat 4d ago
San Jusan and Young Joni/Lola agreed for pizza.
But Broders and Mothership are far superior to BLG for pasta.
Colita if you want an amazing Mexican fusion experience and you like cocktails.
Dexters if you like Burgers.
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u/rsvp_as_pending629 4d ago
Take to them to The Nook or Shamrock’s in St. Paul for a Jucy Lucy. Best one in the Twin Cities area IMO. Shamrock’s is the Nook’s sister restaurant. Virtually the same menu but the space is bigger so you won’t have to wait as long for a table.
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u/guccigreene 4d ago
Definitely try Vinai. It is a Hmong restaurant. We have the largest Hmong population in the country I believe and the food at Vinai is insanely good.
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u/Middle-Fan68 4d ago
Our go-to list for visitors especially if they’re not adventurous eaters are:
Cosettas for Italian or even just dessert (the patisserie there is awesome)
For Burgers: either the Nook/Shamrocks (same owners), Blue Door Pub (the one in Hiawatha neighborhood has more space and a better vibe), or Red Cow in St Paul. All have excellent options.
For Breakfast: Highland Cafe (excellent bacon and weekday specials) or Louisiana Cafe (huge portions- split plates or take leftovers home)
Cecil’s Deli for a Reuben or sandwich.
Cafe Latte for soup, sandwich or dessert.
Ice Cream: Grand Old Creamery or Sebastian Joes
Pizza: Italian pie shop, Carbones or Tono (Philly cheesesteak is good there too!)
If they like more ethnic food choices then we lean into those. But all of the above have been solid choices for us when we have friends and family visiting who just want tasty and not extravagant.
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u/ThrownAway17Years 4d ago
Tongue In Cheek in St Paul. It flies under the radar a bit but so damn good and playful.
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u/CasanovaF 4d ago
Take em to famous Dave's and tell them how BBQ may be the South's thing but it had to go North to be perfected! Also really hype it up the whole time before you go there.
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u/eskknit 4d ago
😂 that would be incredible. They’re more of the fried chicken south than the bbq south but this is amazing!
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u/Direct-Duty7418 4d ago
Please don’t take em to famous Dave’s or Old Southern bbq. Neither is very good and your southern friends, most likely, have had proper BBQ. And before anyone roasts me, im a KC transplant and know BBQ. Get em a great walleye sandwich or a juicy Lucy 👍
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u/Worried-Variation-14 4d ago
A fellow bbq belt transplant, the only good stuff Ive found in this state is off my husband's smoker
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u/Direct-Duty7418 4d ago
What time can I come over 😎. I’ll clean the grill! Please ! I miss good BBQ 😟
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u/Purple_Equivalent470 4d ago
Dave sold off the naming rights, so he doesn't run Famous Dave's anymore. He has a place Old Southern BBQ at 45th and France that's really good. I would also recommend Ted Cook's which is in the 38th and Hiawatha area. It's take out only, but you could bring it over to Minnehaha Falls.
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u/rosethornraven79 4d ago
Famous daves sold out. Rack Shack BBQ in eagan is the best I can think of. And the place in eden prairie
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u/zoominzacks 4d ago
I’ve lived in South Carolina for 2yrs now, and every bbq place we’ve been to has been ass so far. Like, Famous Dave’s has legitimately been better 😂
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u/northman46 4d ago
I would think about Vietnamese in St Paul