Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with minnesota

Foodie destinations along Highway 35, Northern Minnesota

nanojath — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:42:08 -0800

Northern Minnesota experts? Searching for good eats - the kind you buy and take home with you, not restaurants - between Two Harbors and Minneapolis. This is the situation: we're taking a little trip to the North shore, returning on the 31st. The night we return we're hosting a low key New Year's Eve gathering at our house. Between getting back people arriving I don't feel like rushing around buying food. My bright idea was to pick stuff up along the way. Got a favorite gourmet shop along the route? Unique regional specialties, quirky ethnic cuisine, etc. are a plus. Help me fill the Christmas Hamper, since Fortnum and Mason won't deliver my first choice!

This is the route. I don't need advice on buying good food in Minneapolis, I've got that covered. I'll worry about if and when specific shops are open.

Recommend a sedation dentist in the southern twin cities

TheClonusHorror — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:03:03 -0800

Recommend someone who specializes in sedation dentistry in the Twin Cities (and hopefully close or close-ish to Eagan). I'm a huge wuss ... with gingivitis. I need a dentist but have had several bad experiences in a row. If you know of a dentist who is kind and sympathetic to nervous peeps like me and does sedation, please halp.

where have all the gundersons gone?

tylerfulltilt — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:28:02 -0800

Me and the fam are in minneapolis. What should we see and do besides mall of america? We're here for a few days. Recommendations for toddler friendly stuff is most appreciated

Blogs about the twin cities or Minnesota

TheClonusHorror — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:08:57 -0800

I'm looking for your favorite blogs about things to do in or around the twin cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul) or in Minnesota in general. In Los Angeles, I read Eating L.A., which is about restaurants around town, and Big Orange Landmarks, which is done by a guy who travels around to all the places on the National Historic Register and takes photos. It hasn't been updated in awhile but the archives are still great. This guy chronicles his walks around Los Angeles' various neighborhoods and his road trips.

So I'm looking for blogs along those lines (or loosely related), but about Minnesota. Or if you have any ideas of google terms I should search for or other jumping-off points, those would be helpful too!

Already too far from Lake Itasca?

vytae — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:34:29 -0800

There are a couple of gorgeous beaches on the west side of the Mississippi river near Lake Street in south Minneapolis. Is it safe to swim or wade at them? Maybe I'm crazy for considering this, or maybe worrying is silly. Swimming in nonchlorinated water has always squicked me out a bit, so the mental alarms yelling "don't swim there!" are often just crying wolf. I need your more rational judgment to prevail.

Now, I don't want to swim across the river or anything, and I know the current out in the middle is swift. I certainly wouldn't go out far enough to get myself hit by a barge. I just want to cool off. If I stayed near the shoreline, would the water currents/pollutants/pathogens/man-eating-fish be too dangerous? What about wading, is that out of the question?

I know there are lots of other (lake) beaches around the city, but this one is close and relatively deserted at most times. I'd love to be able to bask with a book and then take a dip when the heat overwhelms me, as long as I wasn't risking illness or injury. What say you, twin-citians?

Twin Cities restaurant recommendations please!

triggerfinger — Tue, 26 May 2009 12:51:50 -0800

Calling all Minneapolitans - looking for a restaurant recommendation. I am looking for a restaurant in the Mpls/St Paul area which has a good view of a lake or the river. The restaurant must serve standard American food - steak, burgers, pizza, tacos etc. Price doesn't matter as much as the food. I know about Lord Fletchers in Minnetonka, Maynards in Excelsior and Sunsets in Wayzata and while these are good, something in either of the cities would be preferable to the suburbs. It's been years since I've lived there so I'm not fully up to date on all the restaurants. Any help much appreciated, thanks!

Stained Glass Supplies in Twin Cities, Minnesota

schnee — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:48:26 -0800

Best places to go for stained glass supplies in the St. Paul/Minneapolis area? I used to do a lot of stained glass projects around ten years ago. I'm starting back up again and need to restock supplies.

I know there is one store in the Northtown area (or used to be - it's been a while since I've been out there).

Minnesota Vikings - buy tickets now or from scalpers on game day?

gfroese — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:17:22 -0800

Roadtrip to see Minnesota Vikings. I'm looking to head to Minneapolis in November to catch a Vikings game and I'm wondering what my chances are of getting tickets from a scalper on game day. We'll have 4 or 5 guys and we obviously want to sit together, is that even possible from a scalper? Any suggestions for accommodations and other activities to take in on the weekend?

9th and Hennepin and all the donuts have names that sound like prostitutes.

mesh gear fox — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:03:37 -0800

Please suggest things to do in Minneapolis this weekend. My SO and I are spending the coming weekend (3/27 - 3/29) in Minneapolis. We're looking for suggestions for fun and/or interesting things to do for the weekend. We're already planning on checking out the Walker and/or the MIA. We're in our mid 20's and don't have a huge budget.
We're staying at a downtown hotel, but we do have a car.
Any suggestions welcome. We'll especially need recommendations for good but not-too-expensive bars and restaurants in the downtown area, but also: good live music and shows, unique shops (not the Mall of America, thanks), museums, etc.
Thank you!

Spare me the roadkill jokes

rigby51 — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:12:33 -0800

Where's some good eatin' along this stretch of interstate? I'm driving from southern Minnesota to Chicago with my girlfriend tomorrow afternoon to spend St. Patrick's Day weekend with the family.

I've driven this route several times a year for about five years, but have yet to find a tasty place to sit and have a decent meal.

We'd like to get a late lunch or early dinner somewhere between Rochester, Minn., and Janesville, Wisc. We're budget minded - want to keep the check under $35 - but not picky.

We're also willing to deviate slightly from the interstate, but not more than five miles or so.

Looking for Minnesota Grocery Delivery or Food Baskets

amanda — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:18:37 -0800

My parents are going to Minnesota for a hospital procedure and my mom will be staying there in a hotel for an indeterminate amount of time. I'd like to send some food over there for when she arrives -- any ideas for local or great online resources? I'm looking for either an online grocer who would deliver to the hotel or someplace online or local that could put together a really great fruit/food basket. Any thoughts on what and how I could send something over would be great. They'll be staying in Rochester.

Minnesota Car Rental: convertible

pithy comment — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:35:47 -0800

Where can I rent a convertible this summer in the twin cities? We're hoping to rent a convertible for 3 or 4 days in July for our wedding. Nothing super special or specific, just a fun car to have available before and after the wedding and to drive off from the ceremony in. None of the standard car rental places seem to have convertibles available on-line.

Got fired on Friday… is this an option?

Anonymous — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:37:40 -0800

I got fired on Friday after 2.5 years with the company. I’d like to apply for unemployment in my state (Minnesota) but I’m worried my employer will contest it. Can I trade knowledge that I alone have for a guarantee that they won’t? Some facts: I was fired for passing along news of impending layoffs to a coworker who wouldn’t be finding out for another 4 hours. I send him a text message from my personal cell phone, which he happened to read aloud in front of his boss. I found out earlier than most people since my job role has had me reporting to HR for the last 3 months.

A few things in my defense: I only passed news along after a company VP told others in front of me – I felt like I wasn’t the first one to share information outside the room. While it was mentioned during the earlier announcement that things should be kept within the room, it was in the context of not saying anything to people who would be let go, and of passing along all press inquiries to a designated contact. While I have been reporting to HR for several months, it was in an ad-hoc fashion and specific HR rules regarding confidentiality were never laid out for me.

Here’s my question: There are lots of passwords, procedures, etc. that I alone have knowledge of. If my former employer asks me for this information, can I negotiate to share it only if they put it in writing that they will not contest my unemployment?

If I haven’t been clear enough, ask questions at MNUnemployed@gmail.com

Volunteer writing tutoring in MN?

sciapod — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:34:50 -0800

Are there any organizations like 826michigan in Minnesota? I would like to volunteer to tutor for kids or adults, preferably by helping out with writing/composition or English skills. I know 826 doesn't have a Minnesota branch, but does anyone know of anything similar in Minnesota (preferably in Minneapolis or the surrounding suburbs)?

Minnesota/Lake Superior day hikes

DevilsAdvocate — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:10:57 -0800

Best Minnesota state parks on the Lake Superior shore for day hiking? There are eight Minnesota state parks on/near the Lake Superior shoreline. (Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, Tettegouche, George Crosby Manitou, Temperance River, Cascade River, Judge C. R. Magney, and Grand Portage.) Judging from the information about them on the Minnesota DNR website, all of them look good. If you could visit only a couple of them, which ones would you recommend? I'm primarily interested in day hiking, both through the woods and along the shore.

(And by "day hiking," I don't necessarily mean "all-day hiking." A half-hour walk is fine if there's things to see along the way. I just mean "not overnight.")

What to see between OR and WI?

Vibrissa — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:34:56 -0800

Driving across the country: Cool places to see/things to do on Highway 12? In a couple weeks my parents and I are gonna be driving from Oregon to Wisconsin by way of the Twin Cities, probably on Highway 12 (though maybe 212 through South Dakota). What sights should we make sure to stop for?

Where to find an unfinished wooden tray in Minneapolis/St. Paul?

deinemutti — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:53:00 -0800

Where to find an unfinished wooden tray in Minneapolis/St. Paul? I'm looking for a decent, unfinished wooden tray so I can lay mosaic on the surface and then finish it to match my mother's kitchen. I want a decent sized tray (about 17" x 14" or more)

I already have checked JoAnn's craft section and Michael's (In Apple Valley/Burnsville if that makes a difference), but the ones they had were too small and the wood used was very thin and balsa-like (far too weak to support tiles), and seemed strictly for decorative purposes. Whereas I want one that can actually be USED to carry things.

I plan to check Mosaic on a Stick tomorrow and Clay Squared doesn't seem to sell wooden surfaces, just tiles and whatnot. Are there any stones that I've left unturned locally?

I already found some shops on the internet as a last resort, but I have a thing about touching and holding stuff before buying (personal quality control).

Accordion & Uke Lessons in MN

Waitwhat — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:07:30 -0800

I'm interested in taking accordion and/or ukulele lessons in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Does anyone know where I might be able to take lessons? Additionally, does anyone know of places where I can rent either instrument?

Minneapolis/St. Paul Auto Glass Replacement Recommendations

hootch — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:38:33 -0800

Recommendations on an auto glass company in Minneapolis/St. Paul? I need to have the windshield replaced on my 2001 Toyota Corolla. Does anyone have recommendations on companies in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area that could do this cheaply? As I don't have glass coverage, that's my main requirement. I'd also like them to come to me to replace it, but I'll bring it to them if it ends up bringing the cost down.

Road trip! Wisconsin to Arizona

charmston — Sun, 11 May 2008 09:24:05 -0800

From Thursday-Saturday, I'll be moving from Eau Claire, WI to Mesa, AZ. I have to drive. Money-saving tips? Day 1: Eau Claire, WI to Wichita, KS
Day 2: Wichita, KS to Albuquerque, NM
Day 3: Albuquerque, NM to Mesa, AZ

I have family to stay with in Wichita, but will have to get a hotel in Albuquerque. I'm open to tips ranging from gas station rewards programs to driving tips.

Great places for a honeymoon in Northern Minnesota?

bristolcat — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:03:59 -0800

Please help us find some unique destinations and lodging options in Northern Minnesota for our honeymoon. We are leaving the first week of May and have yet to get any firm plans for our honeymoon, so we need to decide soon! We just haven't been able to find any places that really grab our attention yet, though. It would be nice to have a place where we can relax, enjoy nature and see and try interesting activities. We won't be doing anything too involved, as we are really just trying to get away to be with each other, but we do like to cycle and hike.

We're interested in resorts, cabins and bed and breakfasts. We will probably skip around locations a few times throughout our week. Any personal experiences would be welcomed!

I don't think we'll be looking to "rough it" too much and there is such a thing as too unique, but please share what you know about vacationing in Northern Minnesota.

Your help and input would be appreciated! Thanks!

Keep me off the couch!

whiskey point — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:57:37 -0800

Please keep me entertained in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area this weekend! I'll be spending the majority of my Spring Break in the NW metro area of the twin cities-Maple Grove to be exact (traveling from Fargo, ND-leaving tomorrow morning, staying until Wednesday morning) My S.O. is currently doing an internship there, so for Friday, Monday, and Tuesday I'll be flying solo most of the day. I'll be packing my new Canon Digital Rebel XT, as well as a fancy Canon camcorder I need for school (I don't expect to use the video camera, probably at all, I just have to pick it up before my University closes down for the week)-that's about all I have to entertain myself. What can I do during the day, without my girlfriend? Any good places to take pictures? She's doing her internship at a clinic in Burnsville, do you know of any fun restaurants we could meet at for lunch?

How about this weekend? She'll have Saturday and Sunday off, what's fun on the weekends? We still don't know much about the night life, we have a favorite bar in Maple Grove, but that's about it-do you have any ideas for fun hangouts? (we're 21 and 22, so anything's fair game)

We've been to Como Zoo already this winter, and wouldn't mind going back if the weather isn't too terrible. We also might go to the Mall of America with some friends (it's not our favorite place to be, but it's usually interesting). Thanks in advance for any help!

credit card service fee/waitstaff

andywolf — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:37:05 -0800

lawfilter: is it legal in minnesota for credit card service fees to be deducted from a waitstaff's tip? according to this it sounds like it's up in the air in MN and a few other states. i can't find anything with more clarification as to the current standing of the law or if it's being contested in court right now.

Where's a photo booth in the twin cities?

pithy comment — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:13:21 -0800

I'm looking for a photo booth near Minneapolis, MN or preferably, in the western suburbs (Minnetonka, Plymouth, etc.). A Google search brings up lots of people willing to rent out a photo booth but I just need a few pictures. (I'm thinking of proposing inside the booth - imagine the camera catching her reaction!) I might consider this location, but the others listed at photobooth.net aren't that convenient, or romantic - Kmart?

Renegade clowns with meat cleavers? WTF?

jk252b — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 05:47:54 -0800

Renegade clowns with meat cleavers in Minnesota! Seriously, did I make this up? I grew up in St. Paul, MN and for years have had a bizarre memory from elementary school.

I remember around 5th or 6th grade, somewhere between 1991 - 1993, there being reports of a meat cleaver wielding clown running around St. Paul. He didn't actually attack anyone -- just scared children at playgrounds and maybe stared into people's windows. As the memory goes, the clown was spotted at the MLK Center which was directly next door to my school, and outdoor recess was canceled for a week. Apparently it was determined to be a hoax, and everything was back to normal.

Strange memory, huh? Now, I'm not the type to make this sort of thing up and I don't usually have false memories but no one yet has corroborated my memory. The only person I'm still in touch with from grade school has some faint memory, but says it may just be a result of me talking about this in more recent years. Google has failed me, as has Lexis-Nexis.

Am I crazy?