Eating out with picky kids can be expensive. The “try this” approach is great in theory, but can really add up in practice.
So I love restaurants that have happy hours with great food specials as well as drink specials. One of our favorites is Ginger Hop, the Asian fusion spot on East Hennepin Avenue near Surdyk’s. Their early happy hour runs from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday to Friday. (There’s a later one, too.) There are inexpensive drinks, but the menu also features bargain appetizers and burgers, which are right in my kids’ wheelhouse.
The boys’ favorite appetizer is the pickle “satay” ($4). It combines two great Minnesota State Fair traditions: it’s fried, and it’s on a stick! They also enjoy the cream cheese wontons ($3), then opt for the Chuck Norris burger ($5.95), a.k.a. the Americano, with cheese and bacon. The last time we visited I tried the Bruce Lee burger, with pulled pork, swiss cheese, dijon mustard, and pickles. It was tasty, but I can confirm, with no surprise to you, dear reader, that burger plus pulled pork was a little much. For me, at least.
Ginger Hop’s happy hour rules because my kids love the food, my husband likes the beer specials, and we both like the refreshingly small check that comes at the end. Ginger Hop is one of those great places where we all leave happy.
Ginger Hop
201 East Hennepin Ave., Mpls.
gingerhop.com