It’s the time of year that calls for flames in the fireplace, extra blankets and warm foods to prepare us for the chill of the evening. If you’re looking to venture away from the hearth, here’s a comfort-food tour of local eateries that offer the dishes we crave when the nights get cooler and the days get oh-so-much shorter.
Muffuletta
2260 Como Ave., St. Anthony Park
One of Muffuletta’s signature dishes is the 1977 Beer Cheese Soup, a creamy and satisfying bowl topped with fresh popped corn. This season, make sure to also try the popular Walleye Chowder, a Manhattan-style, tomato-base soup with local wild rice and smoky bacon, served with grilled bread.
Como Dockside
1360 N. Lexington Parkway, Como Park
Como Dockside specializes in stick-to-your-ribs New Orleans-style items like Po’ Boys, gumbo and mussels. Dockside’s Black-eyed Pea Cake appetizer, with corn relish and bourbon apple butter, is a little sweet, a little savory and a great vegetarian option in an otherwise meat-heavy menu. Como Dockside is open year round for breakfast, lunch and dinner and is now moving to full table service.
Urban Growler
2325 Endicott St. St. Anthony Park
The Urban Growler is known for its seasonal craft brews like the popular Coconut Porter or Pumpkin Saison, but did you know the brewery serves one of the most crave-worthy desserts around? The oozy, molten De-Lovely brownie is made with Urban Growler’s De-Lovely Porter, topped with whipped cream and drizzled with a warm caramel sauce. It will make you swoon, guaranteed.
Colossal Café
2315 Como Ave., St. Anthony Park
It’s a no-brainer. A snowy Minnesota morning calls for Colossal’s yeasty, doughy, heavenly flappers. The Apple Walnut and Brie Flappers—yeast-based pancakes topped with honey and brown-sugar syrup, apple slices, walnuts and creamy Brie—will stick with you for the long haul, and even the short stack is easily shareable. Pair with a bottomless cup of True Stone coffee and conquer the day.
Paddy Shack
1013 Front Ave., Como Park
You don’t need windows when it’s bitter cold outside, so huddle inside the Como Park neighborhood’s most iconic bar, Half Time Rec and nosh on Paddy Shack’s quintessential Irish comfort dishes. Try the Beer Cheese Mac served with mushy peas and add lobster meat for a bit of flair. This is not your mom’s mac and cheese.
Foxy Falafel
791 Raymond Ave., St. Anthony Park
Nothing thwarts off the chill like a spicy kick in your lunch and Foxy Falafel can help. Choose any of Foxy’s falafel sandwiches (or try all three flavors with the Stoplight combo sandwich) and drizzle liberally with spicy harissa sauce, a smoky, garlicky touch that is not too much for our Midwestern blood. Add a side of Ellsworth Creamery’s white cheese curds tossed with dill and served with local honey for a little reminder of warmer days.
Finnish Bistro
2264 Como Ave., St. Anthony Park
On blustery days, sometimes we just want to stay in bed. If you must leave the house, at least indulge in Finnish Bistro’s all-day breakfast. Carbo-load with the Pulla French Toast, made with their hearty, slightly sweet cardamom raisin bread, topped with sliced almonds, powdered sugar, syrup, fresh berries and whipped cream. It may seem a bit sacrilegious, but the reindeer sausage is a nice addition of protein.
