April 7, 2013

Dinner + A Show

Chimbarazo and In the Time of Butterflies

Want to pair a tasty meal with a night at the theater? Sophie Kerman over at Aisle Say Twin Cities and I have got you covered. Check out Sophie’s review of In the Time of Butterflies, a bilingual sociopolitical drama set in the Dominican Republic and currently running at the Mixed Blood Theater on the West Bank.

To set the mood for the evening, we went in search of some Latin American flavors. And judging by the line out the door of Chimbarazo, a nondescript Ecuadorian spot in Northeast Minneapolis, we were in the right place. Hefty portions, clean flavors, quality ingredients, and plenty of options for carnivores and vegetarians? Our group was happy, happy, happy.

This is great food at a good value. Two bucks gets you two deliciously crisp cheese empanadas topped with powdered sugar—a surprising but tasty combination of sweet and savory. A heaping portion of Churrasco—grilled flank steak, French fries, rice, plantains, beans, and fried egg—is a delicious deal at just $11.50. Frankly, everything we tried was skillfully prepared and flavorful. Even deep fried turnovers and croquettes managed to feel fresh, rather than over-salted or dripping with grease.

Chimbarazo’s food is deeply satisfying. Hearty but not heavy, it’s ideal for a pre-show meal (or any meal, for that matter). This eater highly recommends a trip up Central Ave.

Theme Song

“Una Mas,” Roy Hargrove

Chimborazo on Urbanspoon

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Filed under Specials

March 25, 2013

Q Fanatic BBQ and Grill


As far as I can tell, the Twin Cities lacks in top-notch BBQ. (Please correct me if I’m wrong; I’d love to find some great ribs nearby). So, on a tip from a few trusted friends, I recently ventured to Champlin to get my hands, face, and clothes “sauced” at Q Fanatic—which, I learned upon entering, has been blessed by none other than Guy Fieri. (Though I have nothing against the guy or his show, I wish he wouldn’t mark restaurants like an overzealous dog.)

The trip to the faraway land was worth it, for the most part. Whereas most BBQ joints around here serve their ribs “wet” (i.e., covered in sauce), Q Fanatic dishes them out “dry,” which I much prefer. It allows you to enjoy the natural, smoked flavor of the meat; control sauce quantities; and mix and match sauces. Q’s sauces were tangy, pleasantly thin (compared to the heavy, gloppy varieties), and sweet with a little kick. Good stuff.

The Q smokes its ribs and then re-heats them on the grill to order. This process produces a wonderful, peppery crust, but, unfortunately, leaves the meat a bit tough and not smoky enough for my tastes. (I like my ribs to be fork tender, but not so tender that the meat falls off the bone on its own will.) To be fair, I arrived early for dinner, but late for lunch, so I may have gotten ribs that had been resting longer than Q’s norm.

Though the ribs weren’t ideal, they were better than I’ve had in the Twin Cities. And I really liked the buttery, garlicky rolls that came on the side, though I could have done without the watery, boring cole slaw. So, while I enjoyed my meal, I’m not yet a Q Fanatic.

Theme Song

ZZ Top, “Just Got Paid”

Q Fanatic BBQ and Grill on Urbanspoon

7 Comments

Filed under Amuses

February 21, 2013

La Poblanita


I admit it: I’m a Mexican food snob. Thirty-one years in California (and numerous vacations south of the border) spoiled me. The super salty, greasy, heavy, and less-than-fresh Mexican fare served at many Twin Cities joints makes me question my decision to move here nearly as much as the long, long winters (I’m cool with the cold, but the pratfalls, narrow roads, and shoveling get old). I’d nearly given up my quest for quality Mexican food when a friend suggested lunch at La Poblanita. Upon entering the tiny restaurant, I wasn’t optimistic—the menu was basically the same I’d seen at numerous and ultimately disappointing places I’ve tried. Seeing a woman making homemade tortillas and corn cakes, though, my pessimism waned. It nearly vanished when I noticed a few vats of stewed meats in beautiful sauces.

After seeing those homemade corn cakes, I felt fated to order a plate of pork and cactus chili verde sopes: corn cakes, whole beans, lettuce, cheese, shredded lettuce, and crema. They were absolutely delicious. The cakes were moist, sturdy, and flavorful (and decidedly not greasy). Large chunks of pork on the bone were rich and fork tender, and the green sauce was tangy, slightly spicy, and salty (but not overly so). The cactus, lettuce, cheese, and crema—a thinner, lighter version of sour cream—added freshness and balanced out the dish. The beans were simply there—they didn’t add to or subtract from the dish. If La Poblanita’s other options are as good as the sopes, I may have to stop badmouthing the Twin Cities’ Mexican food—or at least temper it a bit.

Theme Song

Calexico, “Crystal Frontier”

La Poblanita on Urbanspoon

2 Comments

Filed under Amuses

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