Irish pub$$northeast
The Anchor Fish and Chips on 13th Avenue NE has run an Irish-pub fryer in Northeast Minneapolis since 2009. Beer-battered cod, hand-cut chips, no reservations.
Signature: Fish and chips, Shepherd's pie
Order: Beer-battered cod, hand-cut chips and a cup of mushy peas.
Tip: Cash and cards both fine; lunch line shorter than dinner. Late kitchen Friday and Saturday.
Italian$$north-loop
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: Wood-fired pizza, Cacio e pepe
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.
American pub$$longfellow-powderhorn
Blue Door Pub on 42nd Avenue has run a stuffed-burger pub in South Minneapolis since 2008. The Blucy with blue cheese inside, South Side's Matt's Bar counterpunch.
Signature: Blucy stuffed burger, Tater tots
Order: The Blucy with blue cheese and bacon, tater tots on the side.
Tip: Weekends pull a wait; sit at the bar for faster service. Six other Twin Cities locations.
Neapolitan pizza$$saint-paul
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.
Southern American$$uptown
Thomas Boemer's Revival on Nicollet runs Southern fried chicken in Minneapolis since 2014. James Beard semifinalist; brined birds with biscuits and pimento cheese.
Signature: Fried chicken, Buttermilk biscuits
Order: The Tennessee Hot fried chicken with biscuits and pimento cheese.
Tip: Walk-ins fill the bar by 18:00; the Saint Paul Selby location has shorter waits.
Global street food$$uptown
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.