Restaurant recommendations from MnMo food critics Jason DeRusha and Joy Summers.
Jason’s Picks
It’s football season, and if you’re not tailgating at TCF Bank stadium or visiting your kids at McNamara, don’t forget about campus as a place to grab a bite to eat and remember the good ol’ days when you overslept for Biology 101.
Bar Luchador: More popular with the U’s doctors and professors than its students, this year-old restaurant is decorated with and named after Lucha Libre, Mexico’s colorful style of professional wrestling. The elotes (Mexican-style corn on the cob) are great, as are the red braised pork and fried chicken tacos. The sheet tray of nachos is perfect for pre-gaming.
Stub and Herb’s: Alums and students have gathered at Stub and Herb’s since 1939. Today, the pub offers a tremendous selection of Minnesota brews (Surly, Fulton, Bent Paddle) plus creative burgers including the Hamburguesa with corn and avocado.
Ma Po Tofu at Little Szechuan
Photo by Todd Buchanan
Joy’s Picks
Even if you aren’t a student, there are plenty of reasons to hang out around the University of Minnesota campus, delicious food among them.
Kafe 421: This little Mediterranean café is one of my favorite places for lunch or an intimate dinner. Tuesday is cheap date night, when $30 buys a salad, entrée, and dessert for two.
Little Szechuan: I make the pilgrimage to campus for this blazing hot Chinese food at least every other week. The green beans are positively habit forming and the Geleshan Ma La chicken offers fried nuggets of fiery flavor among a mountain of dried chilis.
