Restaurant recommendations from MnMo food critics Jason DeRusha and Joy Summers.
Jason’s Picks
This is the time of year when it’s one kid to gymnastics, the other to soccer, then a choir concert at night. I don’t have time to make dinner and I’m not an awful dad!
Naf Naf Grill: The Chipotle of falafel and shawarma. Line up, pick a pita or bowl, gyro, chicken or falafel, add your veggies and sumac/cilantro onions or Middle Eastern pickles, green chili sauce, and enjoy. (Locations in Minneapolis, Maple Grove, and Eden Prairie.)
World Street Kitchen: Chef Sameh Wadi’s quick-serve fast-casual eatery started as a food truck; now it’s an awesome spot to grab a Bangkok burrito or the Moroccan fried chicken sandwich. (Lyn-Lake, Minneapolis)
Foxy Falafel. Photo by Alex Steinberg/Sidecar.
Joy’s Picks
It’s hard enough to carve time into a weekday to feed ourselves, let alone the small humans depending on us for their survival. These spots take only a few minutes longer than the drive through.
Foxy Falafel: My boy has loved hummus since he was tiny, and topping the creamy, garlicky version at Foxy Falafel with some crispy fried falafel balls is a home run. Be sure to order some cheese curds drizzled with local honey. (Midway St. Paul)
Lucia’s To Go: The locally sourced grab-and-go food inside eats like it’s from a four star restaurant (maybe that’s because it kind of is). Grab a compostable fork, a few plates, and a pastry for dessert, and this might make for the most delicious meal of the week—even if it’s eaten in the back seat. (Uptown Minneapolis)
