Favorite City Series: The Twin Cities
St. Paul and Minneapolis Minnesota are two cities I never thought I would visit until I was transferred there for work. I became vegan in 2017, a year after moving to St. Paul to run a photo studio for 3M corporate. I really think my transition into becoming full vegan was made easier by living where I did.
The Twin Cities (TC) are always on those top ten lists of best vegan cities in the US, and I never would have known if I didn’t live there. Here is one Forbes did in 2020 and one WalletHub also did in 2020. From the fully vegan restaurants, food trucks, festivals, and events, to vegan shops and vendors doing their part to make the world a better place. I fell in love with the vegan community and it’s one of the things I miss the most about living there.
I moved away in 2019, so all the businesses and events I post here may not still be available due to Covid and it’s effects on the businesses. Hopefully, all events and businesses can be back up and running soon as we work through this pandemic.
Below are a list of restaurants, businesses, and events I love in the TC that I think everyone should experience at some point.
Thanks for reading,
Jessica
Afton Strawberry Festival
This little festival wasn’t totally vegan, but it did have a lot of great small, local vendors to shop from. I love Muddy Mouth cards because it’s run by women and the cards have the same dirty humor on them that I love. I also found Burly Babe Woodworking and can’t get enough of her jewelry and art pieces. She even made me some earrings right there with pieces I picked out. Lastly, I got the coziest shirt from Radiate Activewear, a clothing boutique run by a fashion designer and yoga instructor that makes their clothes that are sustainably made in Minneapolis with deadstock designer fabrics. These are just some of the great local businesses and artists I was lucky enough to find here in the TC.
Crepe and Spoon
Vegan crepes anyone? This spot located in Minneapolis is always coming up with the best crepe varieties, but also has some of the best vegan ice cream I’ve ever had. I’m not much of a sweet pastry person, so I went with their cheesy bacon crepe that is filled with Herbivorous Butcher bacon, red onion, and a delish garlicky cheese sauce. Their lemon saffron ice cream and ube ice creams are my favorites when they are available too. I don’t have pictures of those because they got eaten before they were documented. Just know they are amazing.
French Meadow Bakery & Café
For some reason I can only find a picture of their amazing chocolate raspberry bar that I would get every time I would eat there, but everything I have had there is amazing.
Haus of Love Charity Show
This was a charity event that was run by the awesome people at The Herbivorous Butcher to raise money for the animal sanctuary, Herbivorous Acres. They had great food and drinks, and I got a great swag bag for getting the VIP ticket. There was a cool fashion show, music, and I got lavender love cotton candy from Spinning Wylde. You vote with your money and I love supporting a great cause and giving my money to companies with the same vision. They currently have animals but haven’t fully opened up because they are short on funds to make their goals. Here is the link to their website if you are interested in donating. They try and do this event annually, but I’m not sure how covid effected it.
J. Selby’s
This place was one of the first vegan restaurants I tried in St. Paul and it became a place I took non-vegan friends all the time. Everything from their epic breakfast menu to their famous Soyclone ice cream desserts is worth trying. They also sell Vegan East pastries, and their brownie is one I would get on a regular. They also offer a community meal where you can pay for a meal for someone that might not have the funds to pay for it on their own. Helping give back to their community and make it a better place which is what we need more of. They also have an awesome food truck that carries items you can’t get in the main restaurant which is fun. Their gyro is one I traveled across town to get and was worth every bite. They now sell it in the restaurant so you can get it both places. If you are looking into becoming vegan or want to show non-vegans what vegan food can be, you should go here. They have a vegan Big Mac that tastes like the original, and a State Fair corn dog that would make any Minnesotan proud. I’m not sure if the corn dog is always avaible at both locations, but if you see it, you should try it. #EverythingOnAStick
Masu Sushi & Robata
They have three locations, and I went to the one in the Mall of America before seeing Josh Wolf’s standup at the Rick Bronson's House of Comedy. I got their miso soup and edamame and the veggie grasshopper sushi roll, which were all great. The roll is squash tempura, avocado, ginger, crushed wasabi peas and chili sauce. They also have a separate vegan menu which makes ordering so easy, and a smooth unfiltered sake I would like to find again.
Nadia’s Cakes
The owner, Abby Jimenez is a winner of Food Network's Cupcake Wars and was featured on two seasons of TLC's hit show Fabulous Cakes. She is a hoot to follow on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram and their vegan cupcakes are great. I really like the lemon vanilla one, and the chocolate raspberry one. They have two locations in Minnesota and one in California so try them out if you find one in your area.
Pizza Luce
This place is the place to go for vegan pizza if you are in the TC. I almost always get the same pizza, but they also make epic sandwiches, appetizers, and desserts. The main pizza I almost always get is the Rustler pizza. It comes vegetarian but you can make it vegan by switching the cheese to their house made “rinotta” that is great. It comes with mock duck, pineapple, banana peppers, red onion and rinotta on BBQ/red sauce. A seasonal favorite of theirs is the butternut squash pizza that comes with vegan bacon from The Herbivorous Butcher, green onions, ground red pepper, house made Bianca sauce, and the rinotta cheese. Both are incredibly flavorful and worth a trip to one of their many locations to try them. They always have great vegan pastries and desserts to add to your order too
Plant Based Showcase
I really was spoiled living here because both cities not only have great food, but they were always hosting these kinds of events that involved vegan/eco-friendly, small local businesses and restaurants all in one spot. I was lucky enough to try the breakfast sandwich from The Herbivorous Butcher food truck with a vegan Pilsner from Lake Monster Brewing while I was there. Ended up buying one of the softest hoodies I’ve ever owned, and I still wear it on a regular now. It’s from this great little company, PLNT BSD that started with clothes and now has moved into making a 100% plant based smoothie bowl shop in White Bear Lake. They have some apparel in the store but most if it is online and they have tasty smoothie bowls, loaded toast options, and great drink choices. The Rawr Bar caught my eye because of the clean ingredients and fun flavors. It did not disappoint like everything else I had that day.
Prairie Vegan Pies
I first found her at the Twin Cities Veg Fest in 2018, and I was in love from then on. I made a point to get a new pie from her stand anytime she had a pop up event anywhere. They are normally dessert pies, but I have also had her pot pie which was equally as delish as all the others. To date I have had her mini grasshopper mint, strawberry, chocolate silk, maple pecan, apple, pumpkin, and pot pie. She has since moved to St. Louis, Missouri so you will have to try her pies there or the surrounding area, depending on where her pop-up events are. Definitely worth the drive if nearby because everything she makes is incredible.
Radical Eats
Cheese curds anyone? I drove 30 minutes one way to try these at the Northeast Farmers Market in Minneapolis, and they did not disappoint. Cheese curds are something that you can find in the Midwest and Canada and it has a very distinct chew and texture to it compared to most other cheeses. I loved cheese curds that first year I lived in Minnesota, so finding any vegan spot that sells them is worth trying. Last I checked, they haven’t been at a pop-up, but check out their website or Instagram for updates.
Reverie Food Truck
Everything they make is always really good and I make a point to seek them out when I am craving their potato salad or chocolate filled beignets. Their pulled jack fruit Cuban sliders and loaded mac and cheese also great meals to try if you get the chance. They are usually one of the main vegan trucks at the vegan events and food truck gatherings which makes it easy to try it.
Staycation Meals
Towards the end of me living there, I decided to treat myself to a staycation while I was staying in downtown Minneapolis to watch a musical at the Orpheum theater. For dinner I had to try Trio Plant Based because of all the great reviews. I tried the ever coveted BBQ plate with ribs, mac and cheese, collard greens I’m still trying to master the recipe to, cornbread with maple butter, and a Wisco-Pop cherry soda. BBQ used to be one of my favorite things to eat before I was vegan, so anytime I can get a vegan version of it I’ll order it. For breakfast the next morning, I went to Modern Times Café because I had been told they had some good vegan options and that I needed to try the Southside Hash. It was filling and full of flavor so I would recommend trying it if you are in the Minneapolis area.
Twin Cities Veg Fest
I went to this in 2018 and I would love to go back the next time they host this event. This was where I got to first try a lot of food vendors that I continued to seek out after the fact. First one was the cold pressed juice from So Good, So You. They now carry these at Lunds and Byerlys stores and probably other places by now. Every flavor they make is great and worth giving a try. Next, I had my first go at cheese curds at The Herbivorous Butcher and they were really tasty. The line was exceptionally long but they were worth the wait. This was where I had Prairie Vegan Pie’s apple pie for the first time, and I knew I needed to try everything she makes. GRLK Sauce is great and comes in a variety of flavors now and I loved putting them on sandwiches, baked potatoes, and veggies. I got the original and the chipotle adobo flavors, and both were awesome. I got a batch of Neat Cowgirl cookies for free, and they ended up being delicious once I made them. I first met the cool owners of Perennial Soaps here and I have continued to buy their soaps in bulk online because I love the scents and quality of ingredients in everything they make. Ended the day with buying some cute vegan shirts that I still like wearing today. Overall, the whole experience was amazing, and it was the first time I got a taste of how great the vegan community is here in the Twin Cities.
The Buzz Coffee and Café
They are known for their delicious vegan waffles and even have a separate menu to order off of. I had to get the main one they are known for, the bacon cheddar waffle. Its topped with vegan bacon, cheese, and topped with butter and happens to be the most ordered waffle ever! Make sure you try it if you get the chance.
The Herbivorous Butcher
If you have read any of my blog posts, there is a good chance I have mentioned this mecca of all things deli meats and cheeses that everyone needs to experience. Created by brother and sister duo, Aubry and Kale Walch, everything they put out is one that makes you want to keep coming back for more. Not only is the main butcher shop filled with loads of tasty treats, but the vibe is straight up a meat and deli shop. You legit feel like you are right back in your local deli getting everything from ribs, turkey slices, bacon, and blocks of your favorite cheeses to name a few things they offer. I have lost count of how many charcuterie boards I’ve made using their meats and cheeses. I am picky about vegan meat and cheeses because they don’t always taste like the original thing, but I don’t have this issue here. They also sell the best jerky you will find, and I still pay to have the salt and pepper and Cajun jerky shipped to me by the pound. Their deli sandwiches are always great, but I almost always get the Havarti dill deli sub because it’s everything I used to love before becoming vegan. Their breakfast is delish, and they sell lots of grocery items that switch out and clothes that you can’t get anywhere else. It was always hard not to spend $100 every trip because I had to stock up on all my favorite things. I went all out for a Galentine’s Day one year and got their filet mignon with fondue and asparagus. It was as rich and decadent as it sounds. They also have a food truck that carries a variety of great things and pop up all over town. I think they have it closed now because of covid, but hopefully it’ll be up and running again soon. I could go on and on about them but just try them in any form you can if you get the chance. Coming the end of May 2021, they are officially opening Herbie Butcher’s Fried Chicken shop and I am so jealous of everyone that is there to try it. It will definitely be on my list the next time I am there. No matter what way you support their businesses, you have to give them a try because everything they make is epic.
The Tilted Tiki
Stillwater, Minnesota is one if the cutest little towns I’ve ever been to and it is home of The Tilted Tiki. They have a whole vegan menu, and the tacos are the best! Great cocktails and sides too, plus the cool atmosphere of downtown Stillwater. This is another spot I want to go back to whenever I am in town.
Uptown Food Truck Festival
This is one of the many food truck festivals they have in the TC and they always have some great vegan options. This time I was able to get a “pulled pork” Cuban slider and epic potato salad from Reverie, an acai bowl from Whole Sum Kitchen, (they are temporarily closed because of covid) and a fried chicken sandwich from The Herbivorous Butcher truck. I love that we are living in a time where vegan food is mainstream and easy to get.
