food and drink

Search “Quad City–style pizza” on Wikipedia, and 28 results will come up. There were 27—and not a single one near Minnesota—until one day in June, that changed. Mahtomedi made the list and Quad Cities native and QC (“Quad Cities”) Pizza owner Dennis Schneekloth rejoiced.
“QC was always an idea in my mind … something scribbled on a napkin,” he says. “Then things just fell into place.” He can’t talk about his brand without gushing a bit about other beloved QC flavors. For Schneekloth all worthwhile culinary roads lead home.

We all like to make an effort to support our local businesses but Heirloom Kitchen and Bar on Marshall Avenue is a restaurant that’s taking the next step—supporting local businesses by sourcing as many ingredients as possible, not just from Minnesota and western Wisconsin, but from our own Saint Paul.

2016 has been the year of the burger, with red meat options dominating local menus and new gourmet toppings created seemingly every hour. There are clever and novel burgers with a full rainbow of colors piled high inside the bun. More doesn’t always mean better, and new doesn’t mean the classics are old hat. Here’s a look at eight local burgers that provide something for every taste, from the mini Wedgie burger at Red Robin to the massive breakfast-for-lunch Countryside at Peg’s. There are big beef burgers like the Jucy Lucy, alongside salmon, bison and turkey.

For Dave Rosenquist, there isn’t just lutefisk for Christmas; it’s a season of lutefisk as far as he is concerned. The Plymouth resident, along with a group of friends—some who have known each other for more than 60 years—will have attended several lutefisk dinners held by local churches in the fall before his family hosts their own festive party during the holidays.

Planning a holiday appetizer, but don’t want to put out the same artichoke dip you find at every party? Peg Rasmussen, owner of Countryside Catering, suggests spicy bacon-wrapped potatoes, one of the most popular items on their menu.

For ingredients, you’ll need Yukon Gold potatoes, sweet chili seasoning, brown sugar and apple-smoked bacon. For a side of lime crème, you’ll need sour cream, lime juice and more brown sugar.

Here in Saint Paul, we enjoy going out to dinner. Wouldn’t it be nice to go out to eat and not just have a great meal, but feel good about doing it? That’s what happens when you visit Tongue in Cheek on the East Side of Saint Paul.

Fall is a transitional season where refreshing lemonades and crisp salads are replaced with comforting, warmer and heavier fare. As the thermometer wavers around the freezing point and the snow covers the frozen ground, our cuisine undergoes a similar shift. The roast turkey feast is just around the corner, but it’s not yet season for a hearty stew. In the meantime, savory sauces can provide additional warmth to dishes, whether it’s literally in temperature or an extra notch of spice. These dishes with a sauce at their base will warm you up for the season.

Craving food from your favorite local restaurant, but don’t want to go get it? Enter Food Dudes Delivery, a fast and convenient service which will deliver to your home or office. The service began delivering to Plymouth residents this summer, partnering with restaurants such as Rock Elm Tavern, Bawarchi Indian, India Palace, Solos Pizza and many more. Check the Food Dudes website for the most recent listing of participating restaurants.

When you think of a Thanksgiving meal, you might think of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy accented with a pinot noir. However, if you want to change up your meal, try pairing your feast with beer. We talked to Cellars Wine & Spirits of Plymouth for recommendations to make your meal delicious and unique.

“The best kind of beer would be one that offsets that dinner dryness,” says store manager Brian Clark. “There are lots of types to choose from, but I would recommend a wheat beer or even one of our sour beers.”