Luke Shimp's Red Rabbit on Washington Avenue has run a North Loop Italian-American room in Minneapolis since 2017. Wood-fired pizza, cacio e pepe, full bar.
Signature dishes: Wood-fired pizza, Cacio e pepe
Must order: The pepperoni pizza and the cacio e pepe with toasted breadcrumbs.
Tip: Happy hour 15:00 to 17:00 weekdays runs $5 pizzas at the bar.
Address: 201 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Blue Door Pub on 42nd Avenue has run a stuffed-burger pub in South Minneapolis since 2008. The Blucy with blue cheese inside, South Side's Matt's Bar counterpunch.
Signature: Blucy stuffed burger, Tater tots
Order: The Blucy with blue cheese and bacon, tater tots on the side.
Tip: Weekends pull a wait; sit at the bar for faster service. Six other Twin Cities locations.
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: Margherita pizza, Toto pizza
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.
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.
