transplanted.chicagoan

March 14, 2014

All aboard!!! Choo Choo Restaurant, Loretto, MN

If you want a taste of Americana in the heart of not-so-far-from-the-city rural Minnesota, think about heading out to the Choo Choo. It seems like it's an institution and been there forever, probably because even their wings are 45yrs old. They have a good bar and full bar food menu. They're famous for wings and after having a half-dozen, I agree...thought I would get one or more sauces next time.

This place pulls in the range of people from the towns nearby, old dudes, families, and folks like yours truly, which gives plenty of people watching, like any good bar should have.

Unique place, nice service, and solid evening out in rural America.

March 8, 2014

Derby Night Done Right

Tanpopo Noodle Shop, St. Paul, MN

Wow, what a cool, hidden gem. And that's not to say it's hidden from everyone, but I'd bet from the majority. Reason being, if the majority knew about this very modest space, shared in a building with artist spaces and a coffee house, it'd be way bigger and way busier. Frankly though, part of the charm is being an out-of-the-way place (for quisine in MN) in an out-of-the-way location.

Although on inspection they are a Japanese restaurant serving all kinds of foods, like sushi, sashimi, tempura, etc. , the word "noodle" is in their name and that's what drew me in. A quick web check has them listing two famous noodle varieties, if a noodle can be famous:

Soba (buckwheat flour)

and Udon (wheat flour)

They have daily specials

But on a chilly winter into spring evening, I wanted a bowl of boiling hot broth and fresh noodles. Dining solo, I had plenty of time to choose a beer

from a brewery I'd never heard of, Hitachino... Japanese no less, and was delicious too.

I could take my time on the menu, finding and settling on kimchi nabe, which I recognize as having a Korean influence, though maybe kimchi is more universal than I think?

They also did me a solid with my order and wouldn't let me, or strongly suggested not to, order soba noodles with the dish. They said the soba would disintegrate in the hot broth. So, I chose udon in the broth and had a side of soba just to get a taste. Both were awesome noodles. The fixins in the broth were also very well done. All in all, I had a great meal and left feeling like I found a hidden gem. That's a good feeling...plus the full tummy feeling too.

Grand Ole Creamery & Pizza, St. Paul, MN

Though I'd been in to this ice cream shop before, I don't think I've done a post.

This is a great old-school ice cream shop, including water in the back and old-timey stuff on the walls.

Even after inhaling a Juicy Lucy and fries, I couldn't say no to Marshmallow Man and Chocolate Fudge Brownie. Wow, delicious. Go, go now.

Shamrocks/The Nook, St. Paul, MN

This post could also run with either of these two subtitles:

- OH MY GOD THIS IS SO FRIGGIN' GOOD!!!

- FINALLY. WHY DID THIS TAKE SO LONG?!?!

After an epic fail to have my first juicy Lucy burger at St. Paul's Blue Door Pub (100% their fault), just last night I was able to have a no-chance-of-fail attempt at Shamrocks Pub, which is owned by and serves the menu from The Nook.

I can confidently say that this burger, their Juicy Nookie, was well worth the wait, even after five years. The only regret is not having gone here sooner. That's my own fault.

I had an expert Lucy eater with me and he steered me in the right direction for ordering, side choice (get the sweet potato fries - like crack!), and even eating technique.

In spite of the advice, the Juicy Lucy got all over the bun, plate and my hands. But, I did avoid scalding my mouth with liquid hot magma cheese.