St. Paul/MPLS weekend combo trip

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by chazmcbro, Jul 29, 2013.

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  1. chazmcbro

    chazmcbro Initiate (0) Sep 7, 2010 Wisconsin

    So, my gf and I are heading up to the the Twin Cities on Friday morning. We'll be staying in downtown Minneapolis, but going to a concert in St. Paul Friday night, and the Twins game on Saturday night. Never really been to St. Paul, so recommendations there would be great, but open to anything since we'll be back and forth between cities, and probably trying to hit the Surly taproom on Friday afternoon before the show, and grabbing dinner there or somewhere between there and St. Paul. Thanks!
     
  2. DBijnagte

    DBijnagte Initiate (0) Dec 7, 2012 Minnesota

    Don't forget town hall, maybe for dinner.
     
  3. AnalogErik

    AnalogErik Initiate (0) Jul 23, 2013 Minnesota

    Chaz - I highly recommend doing a Northeast brew-pub run. I do this circut with my friends pretty frequently. I drive, but its even Bike-able.

    Dangerous Man
    1300 2nd Street Northeast
    Minneapolis, MN 55413

    Indeed
    711 15th Ave NE
    Minneapolis, MN 55413

    612 Brew
    945 Broadway St NE #188, Minneapolis, MN

    Steel Toe
    4848 W 35th St, St Louis Park, MN


    Those are my favorites (outside of surly of course). Steel Toe I threw in because their size 11 (not sure if its around right now) is one of my favorite beers.
     
  4. KarlHungus

    KarlHungus Grand Pooh-Bah (3,315) Feb 19, 2005 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    The Blue Door Pub in St. Paul has the best burgers in the Twin Cities, and a nice beer selection. Plus, if the timing works out for you, and you end up there during happy hour (2-5 and 10-close) all taps are $2.
     
  5. ben4bier

    ben4bier Initiate (0) Mar 3, 2013 Minnesota

    I like pour decisions and they should still have some bottles of their excellent new chardonnay aged berliner weiss for sale on Friday
     
  6. loudmouth

    loudmouth Initiate (0) May 24, 2010 Wisconsin

    Eat at Northbound, their stuff plus guest taps so you can try a few different locals. Then go to Town Hall.
     
  7. chazmcbro

    chazmcbro Initiate (0) Sep 7, 2010 Wisconsin

    I always kind of forget about Town Hall for some reason. I'd like to try them out again, since last time they didnt have a lot of styles I was into for their more limited flight. Looks like there's a Republic and Arcadia Cafe nearby...any thoughts on those?
     
  8. opwog

    opwog Initiate (0) Jun 16, 2008 Minnesota

    If Republic has happy hour through the weekend, it is hard to beat as far as craft happy hours in either city.

    Given that most people are covering MPLS, my two essentials in St. Paul would be Muddy Pig and the Happy Gnome. MP is laid back and HG is a bit pricier, but has some of the best food of any beer bars that I have been to. They are really close to each other, so you can also hit them both pretty easily.
     
  9. pearceweb

    pearceweb Initiate (0) Nov 4, 2009 Minnesota


    The black bean burger at Acadia is one of the best I've had and their hand cut fries are very tasty. Beer selection is also excellent. Easy walk up to Republic if you want to eat at both. I've had good experiences at both with food, drinks and service.

    In St. Paul I'd agree with the others on the Gnome and Muddy Pig with the Blue Door having the best burger my far. Beef Nacho's at The Pig rock. Also the buffalo tots at the Blue Door are good.
     
  10. mjryan

    mjryan Pooh-Bah (1,571) Dec 22, 2007 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    Best burger in MSP is at the Nook in St Paul. Servicable beer selection. Blue Door is good, but tiny and therefore usually packed to the point of being uncomfortable. They specialize in gourmet Jucy Lucy's, fun but not what I'm after when I want a straight up cheeseburger, or straight up Jucy Lucy for that matter. Their Cajun tots are fucking rediculous good though.
     
  11. chazmcbro

    chazmcbro Initiate (0) Sep 7, 2010 Wisconsin

    I have been sold and buffalo tots be thy name.
     
  12. ZAP

    ZAP Grand Pooh-Bah (4,048) Dec 1, 2001 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Looks like we've got a Blue Door vs Nook showdown here...I've had both and really can't pick a favorite...will have to try both again :slight_smile:
     
  13. Ol_Johnny_Skippelwicky

    Ol_Johnny_Skippelwicky Initiate (0) Feb 13, 2013 Minnesota

    Don't forget about Fulton before or after the Twins game!
     
  14. KarlHungus

    KarlHungus Grand Pooh-Bah (3,315) Feb 19, 2005 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    When going to The Blue Door I would suggest either getting there at 11am when they open or at 2pm when happy hour starts. As others have mentioned it is a small place which is packed most of the time, but I've always had luck getting a seat at these times. Also, if you like Thia food give the Bangkok Blucy a try. It will become the burger by which you judge all other burgers.
     
  15. MNBeerGeek

    MNBeerGeek Initiate (0) Jun 25, 2013 Minnesota

    There is also the new Blue Door location in the Longfellow neighborhood of Mpls. I haven't been but heard it's bigger.

    Also, as for the Blue Door vs. Nook showdown. Blue Door wins on all counts. Burgers, tots, and beer are all significantly better. Trust me, I'm right :slight_smile:
     
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  16. ZAP

    ZAP Grand Pooh-Bah (4,048) Dec 1, 2001 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Definitely Blue Door on the beer side of things. I liked both their burgers though. Actually like Groveland Tap's burger as well....right in that ballpark too and their beer selection is better than both.
     
  17. deadbody

    deadbody Initiate (0) May 10, 2010 Minnesota
    Trader

    Zap you are wrong about theburgers and you should feel bad. Nook and BDP are both heads and shoulders above groveland tap.

    Longfellow BDP is much bigger, but different menu, lots of use of sharp white cheddar. My kids didn't like it as much.
     
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  18. MNBeerGeek

    MNBeerGeek Initiate (0) Jun 25, 2013 Minnesota

    Oh man good to know about the Longfellow location! Then go to the St. Paul one. Just know you will wait and wait and it will be packed. But those juicy blucys are so damn good. Get the Merriam Park burger.
     
  19. minnesotaryan

    minnesotaryan Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2010 Minnesota

    but the nook has bowling...
     
  20. MNBeerGeek

    MNBeerGeek Initiate (0) Jun 25, 2013 Minnesota

    Touché
     
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