Punch Neapolitan Pizza on Grand Avenue has fired Vera Pizza Napoletana pies in the Twin Cities since 1996. The first Italy-certified pizzeria in the Midwest.
Signature dishes: Margherita pizza, Toto pizza
Must order: The Margherita pizza and the Toto with prosciutto and arugula.
Tip: Walk-ins only; wait list moves fast. Nine Twin Cities locations spread the load.
Address: 769 Grand Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105, Minneapolis
El Burrito Mercado on Cesar Chavez Street has run a Mexican grocery and counter in Saint Paul's West Side since 1979. Carnitas, tamales, the cafeteria-style counter.
Signature: Carnitas, Tamales
Order: Carnitas plate with rice and beans and a hand-rolled tamale.
Tip: Front grocery sells pan dulce; counter at the back. Sunday brunch buffet runs $14.
Thomas Boemer's Revival on Nicollet runs Southern fried chicken in Minneapolis since 2014. James Beard semifinalist; brined birds with biscuits and pimento cheese.
Signature: Fried chicken, Buttermilk biscuits
Order: The Tennessee Hot fried chicken with biscuits and pimento cheese.
Tip: Walk-ins fill the bar by 18:00; the Saint Paul Selby location has shorter waits.
Sameh Wadi's World Street Kitchen on Lyndale runs global street food in Minneapolis since 2013. Yum yum rice bowls, Bangkok burritos, Bon Appetit Best 50 honoree.
Signature: Yum yum rice bowl, Bangkok burrito
Order: Yum yum rice bowl with chicken and the Bangkok burrito.
Tip: Take a seat at the counter or get it to go. Bar Wadi cocktail room sits next door.
El Burrito Mercado on Cesar Chavez Street has run a Mexican grocery and counter in Saint Paul's West Side since 1979. Carnitas, tamales, the cafeteria-style counter.
Signature: Carnitas, Tamales
Order: Carnitas plate with rice and beans and a hand-rolled tamale.
Tip: Front grocery sells pan dulce; counter at the back. Sunday brunch buffet runs $14.
Manny's Tortas in the Midtown Global Market has run Mexico City-style sandwiches in Minneapolis since 1999. Telera-bread tortas; the Cubana stacks five meats.
Signature: Cubana torta, Chorizo torta
Order: The Cubana torta layered with ham, sausage, chorizo and queso.
Tip: Inside Midtown Global Market; counter service. Family-run since opening.
Kramarczuk's on East Hennepin has cured Eastern European sausages in Minneapolis since 1954. James Beard America's Classics 2013; pierogi and varenyky to take home.
Signature: Polish sausage, Pierogi
Order: Polish sausage on a bun with sauerkraut and a side of pierogi.
Tip: Cafeteria line moves fast at lunch; the deli counter at the front sells uncooked sausage.
The Broder family's Pasta Bar at 50th and Penn has run a Southwest Minneapolis Italian since 1994. Hand-cut pasta, deli across the street, the city's pasta school.
Signature: Hand-cut pasta, Gnocchi
Order: House-made tagliatelle bolognese and the gnocchi al pesto.
Tip: Walk-ins only; line forms by 17:30. Broders' Cucina deli across the street is the takeaway alternative.
