Who Am I To Judge?

If you visit this site often, you know I try not to be judgmental.  That being said, I DO have opinions – which I jam down your collective throats as often as possible.  However!  Today, we’re trying something completely different.  I’m jamming the opinions of others in your craw.  And trust me, you’ll like it.

For my Fox 9 Morning Buzz segment today, I polled a bunch of Twin Cities’ food critics.  I asked them where they like to dine out for less during the summer, and what they like to order whilst dining.  These are their stories:

Inexpensive Summer Eats – Where the Twin Cities Food Critics Like To Go.

Kathie Jenkins, Pioneer Press:

Bricks, Neapolitan pizza spot, salads and pizza, mostly under $10.  Gorgonzola salad with bacon and spiced pecans, the Verde pizza with prosciutto, garlic and arugula. Foccacia with robiola cheese and white truffle oil, only $6.  Bricks Neapolitan Pizza, 407 Second St., Hudson; 715-377-7670.

Abu Nader, the falafel sandwich for $7.49. Everything at this deli is made from scratch — the owner even makes the pita bread and grinds the chickpeas (edit) herself.  Abu Nader, 2095 Como Ave., St. Paul; 651-647-5391.

Dara Moskowitz-Grumdahl, Minnesota Monthly magazine:

Sea Salt, the clam fries, plus whatever the daily special is.

Rick Nelson, Star Tribune:

Drive-in restaurants – The Dari-ette in St. Paul, the Burger-ette.

The Minnetonka Drive-In in Spring Park, celebrating its 50th birthday this year.

Peppermint Twist in Delano, home of a great raspberry malt.

The Drive-In Taylors Falls, where the carhops wear poodle skirts, and the burgers are fantastic.

Wagner’s in Brooklyn Park, where they still do “broasted” chicken, and do it well.

Andrew Zimmern, Bizarre World, Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine, Fox 9:

Punch Pizza (the Highland location is his fave), Salame e funghi and greco salad.

Brasa – anything on the menu, plus they have great outdoor seating.

Que Nah – spring rolls and spicy chicken with lemon grass.

Stephanie March, Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine, My Talk 107.1:

Aster Café, newly reopened with great outdoor seating.

Victory 44 in north Mpls, charcuterrie plate, anything on their constantly changing menu.

Peter Lilienthal, Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Business magazine:

For Asian, Curry & Noodles in Hopkins, Grand Sichuan in Bloomington (they just got their beer and wine license), the new Tea House on the U of M campus, and the Bun Mi Sandwich Shop in Stadium Village for great, inexpensive sandwiches to go.

For Mexican, Pancho Villa on Eat Street.

Hidden gems, the Caribe Caribbean Café off Highway 280 in St. Paul, and the goat cheese pizzas at Cristos in Minnetonka on Hwy 7.

Where are you eating at this summer?  And what are you ordering?  Share with the masses!