Minnesota Eats

I Like You – Northeast

i like you northeast minneapolis
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“I Like You” is more than just a really cute photo backdrop.  According to their website the “merchandise changes as frequently as [their] artists’ moods,” and it shows. Jam packed with an adorable assortment of locally made Minnesota clothes, decorations, cards, and crafts, I Like You is a really fun way to buy presents and to just spent an hour of your afternoon.

Product:

The shirt section was my favorite, because of how clever they manipulated the state of Minnesota.

I’m in love with this Unicorn t-shirt, because our sorority in Winona, Delta Phi Epsilon, has a unicorn mascot:

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Besides the shirts, the cards were also hilarious and I stocked up on a couple for some upcoming birthdays… Continue reading

French Meadow Bakery & Cafe | Uptown Minneapolis

french meadow bakery
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After a girls night out in Downtown Minneapolis, brunch was an essential. Carly suggested French Meadow Bakery and we were all about it.

Girls Night

Girls Night with Brooke and Carly

 

*Not pictured: Nellie. Sorry, Nell!

Drinks:

french meadow bakery coffee

I was in dire need of some caffeine and I never turn down a coffee with whipped cream, which lead me to ordering the Turtle Mocha.  I was happy to see it was actually pretty reasonably priced in comparison to something similar at Caribou or Starbucks. Continue reading

Rusty Taco | Northeast Minneapolis

Rusty Taco Northeast
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I used to work and live down the street from Rusty Taco in St. Paul which was dangerous, because my coworkers and I quickly became addicted. I love that they use corn tacos, because corn tortillas remind me of being on vacation in Mexico AND they’re gluten free!

It may take a minute to get past the name, but it’s so worth it.

Environment:

Rusty Taco

I recently found myself ravenous on the last gorgeous Saturday pre-polar vortex, so instead of getting take-out, which just seemed like such a waste, I ventured over to Rusty Taco. When I moved to Northeast Minneapolis it was a happy coincidence that they had a second location so close to me so I figured it was about time to venture over and be able to cross something off the list of reasons I miss St. Paul.

What I love most about Rusty Taco is that it’s set up cafeteria style, making it an easy place to go to with other people, but also the kind of place you can go and eat by yourself without feeling awkward. I hate the habit I’ve developed pretending I’m on my phone doing important stuff when in actuality I’m just checking a social network just to look busy (you laugh, because you’ve done it before, too!). One of my resolutions this year is to make eye contact and smile at strangers to combat my RBF so I figured this was as good a time as any to start.

Rusty Taco has a great industrial vibe with exposed ceilings and stainless steel tables and counters. The staff also have a pretty great sense of humor as noticed by the note on their tip jar-“Sexy People Tip.” Continue reading

Hipster Hack’s Best of 2014

Best of 2014
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I’ve tried a bunch of amazing foods, drinks, and places this year, so I wanted to share my Top 6 (I couldn’t make myself limit it to 5!) choices for the Best of 2014!

The Vegas Lounge

6. The Vegas Lounge

It’s probably not fair to call this a best of 2014, because it wasn’t new to me this year, but any Hipster “Best Of” list just feels immoral without the inclusion of this gem. Northeast really does have some of the most amazing places.

Chocolate Milk Stout

5. Dangerous Man – Chocolate Milk Stout

I’ve never had a beer that tasted like childhood before. This beer makes Peter Pan Syndrome acceptable and for that it receives no less than a high5, wink, and awkward two step with a little twist. Continue reading

The Mill NE – Brunch | Minneapolis

The Mill NE
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This is the second time I’ve been to The Mill Northeast. You can read the first blog about my drinking adventure HERE. This time the focus was brunch, so of course that means we started off with bloody marys….

Drinks:

The Mill NE Bloody Mary

I am a fan. While they may lack a lot of the garnishes you can find at other places, the bloodies are still pretty flavorful with a little bit of spice and their only $5, which is a pretty reasonable for Minneapolis. Continue reading

Marina Grill and Deli | Northeast Minneapolis

Marina Grill and Deli Northeast
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Marina Grill and Deli is a few block down the road from my apartment and seemed like the perfect choice for a welcome home meal after my trip of new and exciting food.

Marina Deli Northeast Mpls

Service:

Having no real experience with Greek food, I was at a loss trying to figure out what to order. It probably didn’t help that I was a little jet lagged and running on 3 hours of sleep, so I asked the cashier if there was anything she recommended. While extremely nice, she definitely looked a little flustered and told me that she didn’t feel comfortable suggesting things to people, because you can never guarantee they’ll like it. Understandable, but definitely not helpful, so I ended up falling back on the two items I’ve had experience with before; a Gyro and falafel. Continue reading

Sentyrz Ethnic Market | Northeast Minneapolis

sentyrz ethnic market
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Sentyrz Ethnic Market has been part of “Nordeast” since 1923. One of the cool things about Northeast is the variety of small markets. Having Sentryz within walking distance from my apartment has saved me quite a few times when I’ve needed a last minute ingredient.

Food:

They have a pretty decent selection for how small the store is. You can easily get the essentials and some junk food.

Negative: don’t have a very big gluten free selection

Positive: The small cooler area dedicated to Annie’s Organic and Nut Thins

The meat counter is also pretty rave-worthy. The meat is cut, smoked, and packaged in house, and they make their own sausage recipes with natural casings. Continue reading

B&G Wine & Liquor | Northeast Minneapolis

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B&G Wine & Liquor is a convenient 3 blocks from my apartment. They’re also open until 10pm…dangerous.

What I like most about this liquor store (besides the obvious convenience) is the staff.

Service:

The employees are not only super friendly, but they’re entertaining. Upon stopping outside the door to make sure it was still open (since it was after 9pm), one of the workers opened up the door and said, “I’ve been waiting for you inside. You’re late. Were you going to stand out here all night?”

I’ve also been told to: “Keep doing what you’re doing,” after it was revealed I was, indeed, over 21 years of age.

However, my favorite encounter was the time my roommate bought a bottle of wine and informed them it was her post 5k run “treat.” When she walked outside the guy turned to me and said I should move out, because “she’s a bad influence on you.” Continue reading

Salvation Army Minneapolis – “Fake Target”

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The Salvation Army in Downtown Minneapolis has what has been deemed “Fake Target” in the basement, due to the fact that Target Corporate, which is located in Downtown, drops off their close outs there…at least that’s the rumor.

After visiting I feel like I can confirm the validity of this rumor, considering almost every article of clothing has a Target brand label and appears to be unworn. Continue reading

Turtle Bread Company | South Minneapolis

Turtle Bread Minneapolis
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Turtle Bread Company in Minneapolis also goes by Cafe Levain  and Pizza Biga during the evenings. During the day it’s a bakery and deli that serves delicious sandwiches, soups, and salads.

Why do they call it Turtle Bread? According to them they’ve been “taking their time” creating hand-crafted artisan breads since 1994. How cute is that?

Continue reading