Zen Box Izakaya is closing Nov. 22 after 21 years in business, citing road construction and the pending sale of its building.

Tomorrow in the newsletter: Chi-Chi's 2.0. Huge buzz! Surprisingly challenging reservations! Can this reanimated dinosaur survive in a modern environment absolutely stuffed with terrific Mexican and Mexican-inspired dining?

the Scandinavians have rights we Americans haven’t even dreamed up yet

Minnesota Meeting: Next in News Hear from leaders who are shaping the future of journalism, with a keynote conversation with Kara Swisher. (Sponsored by @mplsfoundation.bsky.social )

#BREAKING Sean Sherman’s James Beard Award-winning Minneapolis restaurant is leaving Water Works Pavilion, making a dramatic move into the landmark arts venue.

In the newsletter: A sneak peek of the Shepherd's Table cheese shop and deli, ahead of its grand opening tomorrow.

Diners, drive-ins and… gas stations? I get to try the new menu collaboration between Guy Fieri and Holiday/Circle K station stores. Come along for the ride with me and @heavytable.com

This week in the newsletter: how AI "art" resembles dodgy suburban sushi; also, some excellent deli-style sandwiches. Also: Maybe a trip to Flavortown?!

Editor James Norton, who is apparently very tired, has done a notebook dump and hyped up all the great stories and photos coming your way in tomorrow's newsletters.

Minnesota Meeting: Next in News Hear from leaders who are shaping the future of journalism, with a keynote conversation with Kara Swisher. (Sponsored by @mplsfoundation.bsky.social)

Live for our subscribers (free and paid): Nathan Wold's mini-documentary on Mrs. Dessert and Kumpir, a border-straddling wonderland of Middle Eastern sweets with a world food twist. heavytable.substack.com/p/video-rose...

One day until the Taco Tour on Lake Street, Saturday, September 6th! 🌮 Be there to enjoy tacos, music, family games, contests, and free swag! 🙌✨ 📅 Saturday, September 6 🕛 12–8 PM 📍 El Nuevo Campo | 2709 E Lake Street, Minneapolis #TacoTourOnLakeStreet #VisitLakeStreet #HotSauceTasting #TacoTour

This is so great! Really happy for Diane and her team www.foodandwine.com/2025-restaur...

Tomorrow morning! All subscribers! Chef Leonard Anderson of Tongue in Cheek in Saint Paul talks about how he bounced back from a bout with cancer that took his sense of taste.

There are a lot—a LOT—of reviews of new State Fair foods and drinks, but every year my favorite is Heavy Table’s. It’s an absurd achievement.

there's really only one fair food roundup worth following, and it's absolutely @heavytable.com

The fruits of our incredibly hot / caloric / chaotic labor yesterday. 12 contributors made this guide into a reality - read it and luxuriate in the utter insanity that is the Minnesota State Fair. And thanks to our paying subscribers for making it all possible!

BEHOLD the State Fair mega-post! 75 freakin' items, 8,900 words, assessments without fear or favor, a dash of satire, spiritous beverages, interviews with the new foodsmiths… holy hell, we were busy. Bon appetit and happy hunting! heavytable.substack.com/p/the-2025-m...

If you want all the fair food intel, you're gonna want to follow Heavy Table bsky.app/profile/heav...

We are about to riot over this dubai chocolate thing (derogatory). If you want to read a thorough report of ever single new food and drink at the fair from an exceptional crew, subscribe to @heavytable.com. drops tomorrow AM

Fair gauntlet: RUN. 55+ items eaten or otherwise consumed. We ate a scorpion lollipop, cheese curds mixed with funnel cake, jalapeño doughnuts and God knows what else. Full report in the newsletter tomorrow 7am. Cheers!!

We'll be out in force tomorrow eating and drinking … oh, I dunno, let's say 50-70 different things at the Minnesota State Fair. Celebrating 15 years of this insanity, folks! Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more...

Here's a little teaser video for today's longer-form feature on Kinzo Udon in Stadium Village. Video by the talented Nathan Wold; if you'd like to get Heavy Table's four culinary newsletters plus the occasional video feature, subscribe to the magazine: heavytable.substack.com

never thought i'd see the day, but...... i had lunch at d's🥲

Tomorrow's newsletter: We roadtrip to Stockholm, Wisc. for some of the world's best pies. (That's not a claim we make lightly, they're really top-notch.) Featuring writing by @amyrea.bsky.social and photos plus video by Nathan Wold.

Today's edition: @eliradtke17.bsky.social hits Zantigo, Leeann Chin, and Buca di Beppo to see which (if any) of these old-school, locally founded chains still have it. heavytable.substack.com/p/still-cook...

Internationally famous for her technical know-how and good cheer, Solveig Tofte, of Sun Street Breads, is one of the best bakers we’ve ever had—so why is she leaving? Sun Street’s 15-year lease is up in March, and they’re not going to renew it. mspmag.com/eat-and-drin...

Minneapolis-St. Paul people: me and my son Joe will teach a "Buttermilk Breakfasts" class at bakehouse in SLP on Aug. 9 - we will share recipes for killer biscuits and pancakes. Class is aimed at a kid + an adult (or kids + adult), lots to taste and do! gatheringsbybakehouse.square.site/classes

On a very quick scan, it seems like this year’s new Minnesota State Fair food list is comparatively safe? Some good stuff for sure but fewer big weird swings than some years. www.mnstatefair.org/new/food/

If you forced me to pick a favorite taco style, I’d go with al pastor. And if you made me pick a favorite al pastor, it might be the tacos at Tromperia el Zac in Saint Paul. Great crispiness to the meat and tortillas, rich, full flavored pieces of meat, ideal topping proportions.

Uptop Pizzeria, Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport: one of the best airports in the U.S. with one of the worst pizzas I've had in years. Doughy, flimsy, and flavorless crust and gobs of cheese that all slide off. Sbarro is an acceptable low bar for airport food, and this is well below it.

My piece about The Donut Trap is in today’s The Tap from @heavytable.com. If you don’t already subscribe, you should: open.substack.com/pub/heavytab...

A former employee recently filed a pretty serious civil complaint against Andrew Kraft of The Bungalow Club. It details an alleged campaign of sexual harassment and a workplace assault. (Case 27-CV-25-11614, retrievable here: publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us/CaseSearch)

Minnesota chefs and restaurateurs took home a slew of James Beard Awards at this year's ceremony. mspmag.com/eat-and-drin...

Leading contender for best n/a drink in the metro - the strawberry refresher (lots of real fruit, lime juice sparkling water) served in a freakin’ quart container at Basil Cafe in Saint Paul. Love this place.

Today in the newsletter: We plunder the archives of the East Lake Street Checklist for a top ten list of insanely delicious tastes. Paletas! Lengua! Atoles and tamales! Pollo movil! Mexican pizza! heavytable.substack.com/p/east-lake-...

i’m here at lake and bloomington where a group of protesters have gathered. officers with DEA and ICE patches have surrounded las cuatro milpas. video slow to upload, apologies.

As Las Cuatro Milpas on East Lake Street is besieged by ICE and other assisting police agencies, the story of the restaurant: heavytable.com/lake-street-...

Had an insanely enjoyable short trip to the Duluth area this weekend. OMC Smokehouse remains, I think, the best BBQ restaurant in the state, and their service is as friendly + professional as it gets. Jade Fountain is a one-of-a-kind cocktail bar, and Chickadee Cafe is a hidden treasure.

Today in the newsletter: There's a not-entirely-impressed torch-wielding online mob on the trail of Hey Y'all Tipsy Taco Bar, so we checked it out. Plus! A massive downtown Fargo food crawl. heavytable.substack.com/p/a-taste-of...

Minneapolis City Council candidate Becka Thompson obtains subpoenas, files campaign finance complaint against independent journalists. Joint statement from @taylr.bsky.social and myself: wedgelive.com/minneapolis-...

On the night before doing another @heavytable.com adventure (this time: the Green Line!), I’m remembering how well @wacso.bsky.social captured my specific way of crossing my arms

Terrific couple of newsletters tomorrow. Four quick highlights here: First, in the Hearth, author Wendy Makoons Geniusz harvests, breads, and bakes dandelions, inspired by Ojibwe culinary practice. Second: A killer plate of Ginger Beef Rice Noodle Salad.

Hell of a newsletter today with a big rundown on the flavors of HmongTown in Saint Paul - words by @amyrea.bsky.social and photos by @tangledupinfood.bsky.social - check it out here: heavytable.substack.com/p/kinsleys-a...

Such a good piece by @jrnorton.bsky.social analyzing and fact-checking a restaurant closing and its owner's rant to Fox News heavytable.substack.com/p/karol-coff...

When I start to ask if I should subscribe to the Star Tribune or MPR, I remember that I give small amounts monthly to @sahanjournal.bsky.social, @19thnews.org, @gaslitnation.bsky.social, How to Survive the End of the World, @heavytable.com, @dailydetroit.bsky.social, and @wedge.live. And…

Just an ABSURD deal on croissant bread at Mill City Farmers Market: $12 for a huge loaf at Vikings and Goddesses, easily one of the best bakeries in the metro. Insane! Breakfast sandwiches here we come …

Well-researched piece from MPR on the view from Kramarczuk's as the Trump Administration cracks down on immigration and foreign workers of all kinds. It easily ranks as one of the state's best delis and it's a hub for Ukrainian life in the Upper Midwest: www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...

Especially fun update in tomorrow's newsletter: a Saint Paul cat cafe report, wherein we review the drinks, the pastries, and the cats. Possibly mostly the cats. Cheers to @amyrea.bsky.social and Joshua Feist for this one.

Now posted and free for everyone: The Green Line Checklist visits King Cajun, Ishita Ramen, Peking Garden, Master Noodle, and Black Hart of Saint Paul. heavytable.substack.com/p/green-line...