Minneapolis Trip Help

Good restaurant list in my opinion. I'd recommend Butcher and the Boar but I'm not sure it would fit in anywhere. Keep it mind if plans have to change though. Ward 6 would also be good before the fest if the other places are busy.

 

Revival is great. Try to get there as close to 11 am as possible for lunch if you can. It fills up fast and has limited seating.

 

Skip Matt's Bar, and go to the Blue Door Pub. Matt's is all hype. Just because they claim to have invented putting cheese inside of a burger doesn't mean they're any good at it. If you want a really greasy burger than by all means go there and wait a couple hours for it while they prioritize cooking takeout orders. If, however, you want a well thought out and well made artisanal burger hit up the Blue Door. The Blue Door also has a better tap list too. It isn't the largest list in the city, but the beers they carry pair well with the burgers.

 

Keep in mind that liquor stores / bottle shops will be closed on Sunday. You can still get growlers filled, but you can't buy bottled / canned beer (except the 3.2 stuff) on Sunday.

 

Revival is a can't miss. I like Town Hall better than Surly. I agree with Blue Door over Matt's, but I've had some long waits at Blue Door, and Matt's is the original. Butcher and the Boar is epic, but expensive. Marla's, Emily's Lebanese, Evergreen, or Quang are great ethnic hole in the walls.

 

Blue Door is much better than Matt's. Hola Arepa is fantastic, but skip Pat's Tap across the street. Nighthawks was kinda sweet, too. If you're in the South Minneapolis area around Hola Arepa, you should go over to Victor's Cafe for brunch. Amazing.

 

Matt's is the original and the best, but it's become a bit of a tourist trap. Blue Door is definitely legit. Hola Arepa, Victor's, and Lowbrow are all awesome for brunch in that area, all three can have lines that time of Sunday as well.

Lots of good taprooms in and around downtown. You really shouldn't make the trip here without at least swinging by Dangerous Man.

 

It's worth making time for Butcher and the Boar - probably one of the best meals I've ever had. Make reservations if you don't want to wait.

 

I would highly recommend going to Chianti Grill while you're in town. The beer selection is good, not great unless they're having a special tapping, but the food there is my favorite (affordable) food in the entire state. They have a location in Roseville so it's not too far outside of the cities.

 

FYI: Travail requires advance reservations. Its a fun experience but expect to pay $100-150/person (depending on the day) after a couple drinks and tip. Also expect to leave hungry.

 

I say this in all seriousness, I didn't function until like 5pm next day after Winterfest, I also have 0 self control around BA Beers. There are way too many good beers that don't run out at WF. But I really applaud your ambition Anywhoo, I am a big Brasa Supporter if you are looking for a quick awesome meal.

 

Moto-i was pretty good. Especially if you are into pork ramen and steamed buns, like me.

 

I agree with the others that said Butcher and the Boar.

Blue Door vs Matt's - I personally like Matt's. It's the original Juicy Lucy around here. Blue Door is excellent too. The problem with that place is that, if you're going at lunch or dinner, be prepared to wait for at least an hour for a table. Not sure if a 2 hr hamburger is the best idea for someone in town for the weekend that's strapped for time.

Another place to check out - Haute Dish. Great food.

 

Don't skip Matt's.

 

I find it disturbing that people are arguing Blue Door vs Matt's for a Juicy Lucy. The Nook is the one true hamburger Valhalla.

 

Oh young JJ (full disclosure, no idea how old he is), the nook is good but doesn't belong to be in the same conversation as blue door.

 

In the 12 years that I've been alive, I think I have become something of a Juicy Lucy expert. Although I appreciate Blue Door's variants more than most, I'm pretty sure there bun is 2 pieces of garbage. Nothing beats a hot piece of cheese-filled meat in a fresh P.J. Murphy bun.

 

The Mitch Ham Ham at the nook or sharmrocks is the greatest. Blue door is good and if you go to it make sure it is the one in south Minneapolis because it is twice the size and you dont have to wait for hours. Matts is just a whole different experience. If you want the OG go to Matts if you want a "craft lucy" go to the Nook or Blue door

 

Great list but here are my suggestions.
The day of Surly eat at Brasa Rotisserie (St. Paul)beforehand, swap Matt's with Blue Door or The Happy Gnome burgers, and try to swap for Alma. Travail is a cool experience and if you're still hungry hit 112 eatery on way back to town.