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I look forward to the State Fair all year, and I’m an angry, depressed, transplanted Northeasterner. I can’t stand the Midway, the bizarre, or the rows of automobiles, but I love the Fair. I also...
I look forward to the State Fair all year, and I’m an angry, depressed, transplanted Northeasterner. I can’t stand the Midway, the bizarre, or the rows of automobiles, but I love the Fair. I also wish that the military wasn’t always looking for new insurgent fodder at the fair.
The food is to die for, and will probably kill you (eventually). I love the pronto-pups, mini-donuts, and the fudge puppies (Belgian waffle on a stick dipped in dark chocolate). I always get suckered into all the milk you can drink, but that used to be cheaper and quainter. I preferred drinking milk directly from a tanker truck.
The animals are interesting. If you want to see a particular species, check out the fair program before heading to the grounds. Also check the schedule to find out when the butter-heads are being carved. It is horribly disappointing to head to the dairy building only to stare at a block of pristine butter.
The fair doesn’t seem to change much from year to year. Every year, there’s something new on a stick, but other than the Fudge Puppy and Ralph Nader on a stick, these usually can’t compete with the original Pronto Pup.
I park at the U of M and take the free shuttle service to the Fair.
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Located in Saint Paul’s historic Lowertown is a surprisingly authentic Japanese noodle shop. I loved the hot and cold noodle dishes. I was less happy with the fried mackerel, but I knew that when...
Located in Saint Paul’s historic Lowertown is a surprisingly authentic Japanese noodle shop. I loved the hot and cold noodle dishes. I was less happy with the fried mackerel, but I knew that when I ordered it. Stick to the noodle dishes, and you will be delighted. The sesame flan is to die for.
The decor is austere and hip. Tanpopo doesn’t take reservations, so be prepared to wait in line. At night, there is plenty of free street parking.
P.S. If you have a free evening, checkout the movie by the same name.
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The Fine Grind serves good, highly caffeinated lattes. The music is never blasting making this one of the best coffee shops when concentration is needed.
I like to sit up front by Marshall Avenue...
The Fine Grind serves good, highly caffeinated lattes. The music is never blasting making this one of the best coffee shops when concentration is needed.
I like to sit up front by Marshall Avenue (the back used to be reserved for smokers). It remains to be seen if the imposition of the smoking ban will attract the undesirables (suburban types) to the Fine Grind. The crowd outside Izzy’s ice cream next door can be annoying to wade through on a summer night, but the coffee is worth it.
There is lots free parking on the neighboring streets.
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The Malt Shop features good burgers and great malts. The service is always good. On many nights there is live music (an acoustic guitarist or a jazz pianist). The menu is more diverse than just...
The Malt Shop features good burgers and great malts. The service is always good. On many nights there is live music (an acoustic guitarist or a jazz pianist). The menu is more diverse than just burgers and ice cream treats. The Malt Shop has the best French dressing in town. I love the Black Lake Burger and the Pumpkin Malt.
Make sure to sit in the main room. The auxiliary seating isn’t nearly as nice. There is plenty of street parking on nearby Bryant Avenue.
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Located in a converted historic building, Dunn Bros downtown is a great place to study with a strong cup of coffee. The cafe features free wi-fi and fresh roasted beans. Unlike so many of the...
Located in a converted historic building, Dunn Bros downtown is a great place to study with a strong cup of coffee. The cafe features free wi-fi and fresh roasted beans. Unlike so many of the newer Dunn Bros, this place has a soul. Head up the wooden stairs, and you will find one of the best study spaces in town. The loft area features a number of tables, a conference room, and comfy leatherette couches.
The store has a small parking lot in back. On nights and weekends, there is plenty of street parking nearby. The prices are slightly higher than the Grand Ave location.
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If you have some time and patience to spare, head to the Aveda Institute for a cheap ($12) haircut. All cuts are performed by students under the supervision of professional instructors. Although...
If you have some time and patience to spare, head to the Aveda Institute for a cheap ($12) haircut. All cuts are performed by students under the supervision of professional instructors. Although you may be assigned to a student who has only been cutting hair (on real people) for a few weeks, this isn’t the Russian Roulette of haircuts. The students don’t take chances. If they have a question, they quickly bring over their instructors. Once, a talented instructor performed my entire haircut.
That said, almost every student I’ve been assigned to has really known what they’re doing. I am always more satisfied with my Institute haircuts than the ones I get in the “real world”.
Be prepared to spend an hour or more at the Institute, and don’t go on a Saturday. On Saturdays, the school is too crowded. I usually get my hair cut over a long lunch break.
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The original Dunn Bros is by far the best. For blocks around the cafe, you can smell the roasting coffee. Unlike so many coffee shops, Dunn Bros gets it beans from burlap sacks, not hermetically...
The original Dunn Bros is by far the best. For blocks around the cafe, you can smell the roasting coffee. Unlike so many coffee shops, Dunn Bros gets it beans from burlap sacks, not hermetically sealed packets. This commitment to fresh roasted beans is source of one of the best tasting cups of coffee in the Cities.
Dunn Bros prices are reasonable ($2.85 for a 16oz latte). On a hot summer day, check out the shaded patio out back. Dunn Bros also makes the best ice tea in town, and they provide sugar syrup for the Southerners in the crowd.
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A few years ago, my car was totaled. For $160 Oscar’s son, Ramin, got my car back on the road. But this shop features more than honest pricing, the staff at Oscar’s possess a preternatural...
A few years ago, my car was totaled. For $160 Oscar’s son, Ramin, got my car back on the road. But this shop features more than honest pricing, the staff at Oscar’s possess a preternatural ability to match original factory paint color and to transform mangled bodies into sleek machines.
Oscar’s doesn’t need to advertise. Three people independently recommended Oscar’s when my car was bent out of shape. Oscar’s loyal clientele includes a number of local police departments and car owners with vehicles ranging from rusting 80s Camrys to Volvos.
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On Sunday and Saturday mornings, the line at the Day by Day Cafe often stretches out onto West Seventh. This establishment serves a hearty breakfast paired with strong (Dunn Bros) coffee. The...
On Sunday and Saturday mornings, the line at the Day by Day Cafe often stretches out onto West Seventh. This establishment serves a hearty breakfast paired with strong (Dunn Bros) coffee. The interior features large, sunlight booths, but the best place to sit during the summer is out back. The owners of the Day by Day have created an oasis on West Seventh. If you hold out for a table outside, you will enjoy a leisurely breakfast by a shaded fishpond. This is my favorite way to start a lazy, summer Sunday.
Make sure to try the scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and cream cheese (when offered).
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I try to eat at Everest at least once a week. The food is incredible. The restaurant serves a diverse selection of Nepali food.
I love the buffet. For $9 on weekdays or $11 on weekends, you...
I try to eat at Everest at least once a week. The food is incredible. The restaurant serves a diverse selection of Nepali food.
I love the buffet. For $9 on weekdays or $11 on weekends, you can sample the greatest food on earth. Unlike many restaurants, the quality of the food on the buffet is equal to any entry you might order at dinner time. Nepali food is fresh, aromatic, and spicy. I love the bhanta (Asian eggplant), goat, cabbage curry, flat breads, and kheer. Everest on Grand also prepares the best cup of chiya (chai) in town.
Everest on Grand is my favorite restaurant in the twin cities. The staff is friendly, and the food is great. Once you’ve tried the food, you will quickly become a regular.
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