Category Archives: Travel

Restaurant

Silver Bell Diner

Silver Bell Diner – 1981 Silver Bell Rd, Eagan, MN 55122

When I think of a diner Silver Bell Diner is the exact style of restaurant that comes to mind.  Checkered floor, jukebox in the middle, and those chairs and booths.  Don’t forget the stools up front for those single diners or the kid that just wants a malt or shake.

Jukebox, records on the wall, checkered floor, and a blue chair.

I love the old advertisements on the wall and the records.

Strawberry Malt with a wafer and cherry on top.

I general go to this place shortly before close which is early to me, but normal for Minnesotans.  It is never packed at this time.  I hope this means that they do more business at breakfast and lunch time.  Their breakfast menu looks super tasty and is served all day.

They offer an assortment of burgers.  The meat is pretty good and the toppings make sense.  They offer a burger of the month.

Hamburger and fries on a plate

I have eaten my way through a good portion of their dinner menu and everything tasted just right.  I think they may have traded cooks since their open because they changed their menu and the food is a little bit better than when they started.  They offer daily specials.

I am kind of stuck on their tuna melt and cheese curds as my preferred menu item.  I had never tried a tuna melt before, but they are pretty darn good.

Tuna melt, cheese curds, and 2 pickle chips on a plate.

If you have room when you finish your meal they have homemade pies.  I have taken a slice home on occasion and their desserts are amazing.

You can find their menu on their Facebook page.  I would put their prices exactly right for what you are getting and overall not expensive.   They are priced at a level that you could probably eat at pretty often.

If you are looking for normal, American, feel good food or if you just want a shake or slice of pie I highly suggest this little gem of a diner on Silver Bell.  Go to the new mall and then stop in here for lunch.

Restaurant

The Blue Door Longfellow

The Blue Door Longfellow – American food restaurant at 3448 42nd Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55406

Burgers and stuff.

I had lunch today with co-workers at The Blue Door in Minneapolis.  The restaurant is tucked away in the middle of what seems like a residential area.

The inside is arranged nicely with large seating areas, some booths and some tables.  All are wood, but not uncomfortable.  The tables are an appropriate height for the seats.  The walls are lined with great art work and pictures.  It has a really nice atmosphere, not too loud, but not too isolated.  You can tell there are others around you without hearing every word, or worse hearing nothing but noise.

I tried the Jiffy Burger with Pepper Jack cheese, bacon, pickle, crunchy peanut butter, and mayo.  The first bite made me feel like I have finally found a burger joint that knows how to make a burger.  It wasn’t the combination on this particular burger as much as the patty and the bun itself.  The basic building blocks of a great burger a patty that isn’t too big and a bun that tastes fresh.

The Jiffy itself is interesting and pretty good.  I could only eat half because it is a really heavy sandwich.  The bacon was thick, but not that gross thick that some places have.  They actually took the time to cook it completely.  You do not really notice the mayo.  The peanut butter is chunky which helps the overall taste with the occasional crunch.  They use dill chips, thank you.

Jiffy burger, tater tots, and ranch

I tried one hand-cut fry which was pretty good.  It had a Cajun seasoning on it.  It had a little heat.  We came for the tater tots.  I do not know if you have to order it with lime chili sauce or if it just comes that way, but those tots where pretty good.  They are sticky and sweet.  They come with a dipping sauce, ranch I believe.  I enjoyed them.

Overall my experience at The Blue Door was very positive.  I look forward to returning and trying one of the other burgers.  I may even have to try one of their famous Blucys.

You could easily eat your way through this entire menu and I doubt you would be disappointed.  They seem to make things right at The Blue Door.

Check out their website and their menu at:  http://bluedoorlongfellow.com/

Restaurant

Hong Wong

Hong Wong is possibly the best Chinese Restaurant in Eagan, MN, if you are taking it to go.

This is the type of restaurant that anticipates your needs and learns your wants.  It may not seem like much at first, but when you forget to ask for the House Singapore Rice Noodles, or you prefer the house sweet and sour sauce over the packaged stuff it means a lot when they take the time to clarify.

The prices are fair.  The food is generally fast unless they are overwhelmed.  Then it takes a normal amount of time.  Everything tastes good, no matter what you order.

They have a buffet if you want to eat in, but it seems like most people order take out.  They do not deliver, but who does?

I have never had a meal that was bad at Hong Wong.  If you are thinking about ordering Chinese I suggest checking this place out.

Garlic Chicken and Cream Cheese Puff
Garlic Chicken and Cream Cheese Puff

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