Favorite Dining Sites in the Twin Cities Region

The restaurant cuisine of the twin cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul offers an eclectic and unique blend of regional food favorites and city hot spots. The Mississippi River runs through the heart of the region and the historical roots of the cities have native American roots, German and Bavarian foods, fresh water fish like Walleye, Pike and catfish, and Midwestern American traditions like home baking, cream and cheese based dishes. In addition to great recipes and food choices, there are unique and entertaining locations like Hell's Kitchen, The Riverboat Grill, and Psycho Suzie's Motor Lounge.

Hell's Kitchen (named somewhat after the infamous chef show according to the chefs at Minneapolis's Hell's Kitchen)

The Hell's Kitchen restaurant routinely is rated in the top 10 restaurants in the twin cities. Whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner, the food served at Hell's Kitchen is going to be homemade and perfect! For breakfast you can have the Rosti Potato Scramble, Huevos Rancheros that have been labeled Rancheros of the Gods, by Roadfood.com, the Mahnomin Porridge, "(a native harvested hand parched wild rice from the Leech Lake Band of Objiway)", served warm with dried blueberries, heavy cream and pure maple syrup, or the Caramel Pecan Rolls made with roasted salted pecans and Hell's Kitchen's Homemade Caramel Sauce. Hell's Kitchen also makes a homemade peanut butter that this author has eaten, ordered from the restaurant. It was highlighted on NPR's Gourmet Show, when guests Jane and Michael Stern of Gourmet Magazine said it was the best peanut butter they had ever eaten.

The weekend brunch packs the joint, especially on Sunday's when there is free gospel music at the Sunday Gospel Music Brunch from 10 to 1. And while you're waiting for your food to be swiftly brought to the table, munch on the specialty Roasted Field Corn Nuts which are completely addictive at just 1.95 a bowl. The Bison Burgers (very lean and tasty) are the burger of choice for the lunch crowd.

Psycho Suzie's Motor Lounge

Psycho Suzie's Motor Lounge is just an unique crazy fun place to eat. Be prepared to join in the psycho party mood of Psycho Suzie with it's tiki taki décor and it's wacky menu items that are actually quite yummy. Appetizer choices like Beer Battered Cheese Curds, Potluck Pickle Roll-ups, and Backfire Dip start your trip to Psycho Suzi's off with a zip. Try the Pontiac pulled Pork with spicy BarBQue sauce or one of their other nine specialty sandwiches and one of the fresh salads for lunch. But it's the world famous Minneapolis Pizza that Suzie's psycho or not is known for. It's four homemade pizza sauces are truly distinct and unique. The fact is that while the food is decent, and the Pizza is awesomely good, it's the whole dining experience of Psycho Suzie's that makes this an entertaining meal. Be prepared to play along with the mood.

Black Forest Inn

The Twin Cities has a large German and Bavarian community from the early pioneer settlers to the region. And the city offers several good German restaurants. The Black Forest Inn is the most popular and you'll think you've traveled to Germany when you peruse their menu packed with Weiner Schnitzel, Sauerbraten, Spaetzeland, German Potato Pancakes, Kalbshaxe Burgerlich Veal Shank, Spareribs and Sauerkraut, German Potato Cakes, and of the infamous Black Forest Cherry Torte. They prepare their own bratwurst, spaetzels and of course Bavarian and German breads. Every year Octoberfest is celebrated at Black Forest Inn and you can check out the happenings at this slide show. And of course, their own brewed beer and more great German beers!

Cossetta's Italian Market

Cossetta's routinely tops the list of favorite restaurants and eateries in the Twin Cities. This Italian deli has been open since 1911 and the menu is packed with Italian favorites like manicotti, hot Italian beef sandwiches, and veal parmigiana. But it's the famous Minneapolis Pizza, thick slices of warm, cheesy pizzas with your choice of numerous toppings that draws the lunch crowd. In the deli market, you can buy imported Italian cheeses, salami made on site and a wide variety of appetizers and salads.

River Boat Grill

While in the Minneapolis area, it's important to check out the Mississippi River area and the River Boat Grill is a great way to introduce the kids and the family to river boat life on the Mississippi. This genuine old riverboat has been turned into a fun restaurant docked at Harriet Island Landing. From the outdoor deck tables you can see the skyline of Minneapolis and the Mississippi stretching out around the River Boat Grill. The menu is a nice but ordinary blend of seafood, burgers and sandwiches. But it isn't the food that draws the crowd, it's the scenic view of the Mississippi River. The food is just a nice extra!

Additional resources

Dining Guides

http://www.twincitiesrestaurants.com/

http://www.urbanspoon.com/lb/29/best-restaurants-Twin-Cities

Blogs

http://www.twincitiesrestaurantblog.com/tcrb/

http://heavytable.com/the-seven-deadly-sins-of-twin-cities-dinin/