Restaurants
Best of the Twin Cities | Local PicksDirectory List
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SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS. Younger sibling of El Meson (an energetic Spanish-Caribbean spot on Lyndale), Café Ena's specialty is Latin fusion cuisine. The intimate, subdued atmosphere fosters just the right environment for warming up to dishes you might not have tasted before. Start with chile en hogada (roasted poblano stuffed with ground beef, mango, and cucumber) while deciding on your main. When the time comes, the choice will be tough pan-seared turkey with homemade mole, cardamom-blackened salmon over sautéed artichokes, or filet of corvina wrapped in a banana leaf but not without delicious reward.
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UPTOWN. Known for its "street food from the hot zone," Chino Latino features scrumptious, exotic food and drink from a variety of equatorial regions around the globe. The wild, festive decor features a cushioned orange vinyl wall, giant round booths, and an open kitchen, not to mention oft-commented-on restrooms. The eclectic menu includes dishes from Asia and South America: wok-seared noodles, paella, empanadas, suckling pig, sushi, satays, and more. Reservations are suggested, especially during weekends.
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El Café Restaurant
175 Cesar Chavez St El Burrito Mercado St. Paul, MN 55107 US +1-651-227-2192WEST ST. PAUL. The area around Holman Field doesn't boast much in the way of good restaurants, but this Mexican eatery is an exception. It's difficult to imagine anybody who wouldn't be tempted upon entering, because the staff casually puts beautifully made burritos, gorditas, and tacos on display. Tastes are as terrific as aromas, and regulars know that the specialty is the torta, a knee-knocking bean-and-beef combo topped with avocado and onion.
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DOWNTOWN. Steaks Brazilian-style make Fogo de Chão a hit. Featuring 12 cuts of beef as well as chicken, pork and sausage, all meats are expertly seasoned and slow-roasted on an open flame. Meals are accompanied by a visit to a 25-item salad bar and savory sides like rice and beans, fried bananas and cheese bread. The ambiance is rustic, and the "Gaucho" theme is played to the hilt. All meals are prix fixe.
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Kokomos Island Cafe where Key West meets the tasty, spicy flavors of the Caribbean. Your taste buds will delight in the array of mouth-watering dishes prepared with fresh fruit, vegetables and fish. Entrees include items like Key West Lime Chicken, Beach Kabobs, Black Pearl Ribs, Tiki-Koko Shrimp Platter and Castaway Tilapia. Kokomo's also serves up some great salad options. On the Lil' Surfer menu, kids will enjoy their choices like popcorn shrimp, tender chicken fingers and more favorites. Relax to the sounds of steel drum music and an Island setting.
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WHITTIER. Serving the Twin Cities for over thirty years, Little Tijuana is equally popular as a cheap dinner spot and as the perfect stop after an evening at the bar. The menu is small nachos, burritos, tacos, and the like but servings are large, tasty, and cheap, more than making up for the lack of choice. While stipulations such as no refills, no substitutions, and a one-hour table limit might rub you the wrong way, regulars agree that the food is worth a bit of sacrifice.
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DOWNTOWN. The rich culinary tradition of Mexico gets a contemporary shake at this attractive Target Plaza dining room, where menu highlights include roasted pork shoulder marinated with lime and garlic, grilled chicken breast with Yucatecan marinade, and Black Angus rib-eye with ancho-chipotle butter. As far as margaritas go, the Mezcal and Cucumber are must tries, plain and simple. No, Masa isn't your run-of-the-mill Tex-Mex joint, and you won't find a single piñata or sombrero adorning the walls of this modern, metropolitan space.
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WHITTIER. Though some natives refer to this popular Whittier cantina as Tacos Morelos, one thing remains certain: folks love the authentic Mexican fare served up here. In fact, it's not uncommon to see the same people stop by multiple times in a week to get their south of the border fix. Lunch, especially, is a prime time to enjoy awesome, well-priced eats like the Cuban sandwich with chipotle mayo, tamales, or an enchilada-style burrito, all of which can be had for under ten bucks. Killer lime and strawberry margaritas as well.
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