iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Heavy Table

Visit Lake Street @visitlakestreet.com · 03/09/2026

Taco Tour on Lake Street 🌮 Join us, Saturday September 19th, for a day full of music, food, fun, & tacos 🌮🌮🌮 🕛12pm - 4pm at Mercado central, 1515 E Lake St 🕓4pm - 8pm at El Nuevo Campo, 2709 E Lake St www.lakestreettacotour.com #TacoTouronLakeStreet2026 #TacoTour2026 #VisitLakeStreet

21711

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 29/08/2026

After 16 years of covering the Minnesota State Fair's food, drink, and hospitality, we've decided… that we're not done with it yet. What makes the Fair so compelling, entertaining, infuriating, and ultimately important? We dig into the details: heavytable.substack.com/p/alls-fair

A lovely photo of the Ferris Wheel at the Minnesota State Fair with sky glider cars coasting in the foreground. Louis Livingston-Garcia / Heavy Table

091

Reposted by Heavy Table

Dan Yocum. Ugh. @yocum137.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Just to punctuate the point, the discussions about The Honey Brisket Battered Potatoes from Australian Battered Potatoes featured strongly during the tour of the new drinks at the state fair today. Nothing good was said. To read the reviews, subscribe to @heavytable.com.

033

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 27/08/2026

Well, we survived DAY ONE of hardcore State Fair food eating and the results will be yours to savor first thing tomorrow morning. Our view was fixed relentlessly on value, and we found some gems, a lot of eye-watering high prices, and some amusing "not exactly as depicted" foods (see below.)

A scrunky, goofy-looking brandy old fashioned cookie dough treat is pictured next to a sleek, uptown-styled version of itself as depicted in its official advertisement. Sarah McGee / Heavy Table

3274

Reposted by Heavy Table

#1 Lifelong Houston Cougs Fan Brandi 😾 @itsthebrandi.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Subscribe to @heavytable.com for the most comprehensive state fair food preview from the actual day of the fair

0119

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 26/08/2026

We've gathered a thick stack of twenties, a pile of tickets, a sheaf of maps and checklists, and we're ready to rock the Fair tomorrow so that we can bring you a fearlessly critical Friday morning roundup of cheers and jeers. See you at the Fair!

The founder of Greater Tater gestures as he serves customers at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. Joshua Feist / Heavy Table / File

The Heavy Table team of about a dozen writers and photographers and illustrators, assembled at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair under a big blue State Fair arch. Nathan Wold / Heavy Table / File

Some horrific jalapeño-studded doughnut thing from the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. Becca Dilley / Heavy Table / File

1112

Reposted by Heavy Table

Visit Lake Street @visitlakestreet.com · 16/07/2026

Last year's Taco Tour was so much fun!🌮 with everyone enjoying the music, tacos, corn, and hot sauce tasting🌶️ This year, it's gonna be even bigger and better! Join us, Saturday September 19, and stay tuned for more info to be released soon!🌮🌮 #VisitLakeStreet #TacoTouronLakeStreet #MinnesotaEvents

184

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 13/08/2026

Tomorrow's edition: We check out Bill's Bait Shop, the place where northwoods supper club meets influencer culture meets Pirates of the Caribbean-level subtlety. Featuring: One of the most poorly constructed burgers we've eaten in years!

The interior of Bill's Bait Shop, a restaurant in Minneapolis. Diners enter a sitting area, framed by a wall mural of a trout with the restaurant's name spelled out in neon letters. James Norton / Heavy Table

150

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 06/08/2026

Tomorrow in the Tulip and Schooner newsletter! Cocktail columnist John Garland goes deep on the Chi Chi's marg and a gallon of colonoscopy prep. It's a broad mandate!

A seductively limey-looking Chi-Chi's margarita sitting on a bar with bottles behind it. John Garland / Heavy Table

An imposing white gallon bottle of GaviLyte colonoscopy prep liquid plus an industrial looking packet of lemon flavor powder. John Garland / Heavy Table

131

Reposted by Heavy Table

Chris @chris-hhh.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

I have no $ because of our endless daycare bills but if I did id give @racketmn.com and @southwestvoices.bsky.social and @heavytable.com all my $$

151

Reposted by Heavy Table

madi mcvan @madisonmcvan.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

pearson's in st. paul is closing and laying off all its workers

The State Rapid Response Team (SRRT) received a Federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, 29 U.S.C. § 2101 et seq. ("WARN") email from St. Paul Candy Company, d/b/a Pearson’s Candy Company (“Company”) informing us of the permanent closure and layoff of approximately 80 employees from their facility located at:

2140 7th St. W, St. Paul, MN 55116

167429

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 09/07/2026

Just posted some initial thoughts on the 2026 new Fair foods. This year we'll be out at the Fair in force (as always!), with a ruthless eye on value as prices spiral ever upwards.

heavytable.substack.com

2026 Minnesota State Fair New Foods

First thoughts (and some perennial warnings) about the list of new Fair treats.

075

Reposted by Heavy Table

James Norton @jrnorton.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Just attempted a two-day, 70 bay leaf / 1/4 cup of whole allspice jerk chicken + banana ketchup + coconut beans + rice recipe that was so catastrophically successful that I might have to open a food truck.

A cutting board laden with about four pounds of bone-in, freshly smoked and grilled jerk chicken pieces. It looks obscenely good.

3191

Reposted by Heavy Table

Wes Burdine @wesburdine.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Groundswell is dead. Long live Bewick Cafe. Our neighborhood’s long nightmare without a coffee shop is almost over www.facebook.com/share/17gGXD...

5372

Reposted by Heavy Table

Stacey Burns @wentrogue.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Step 1: Become a go-to community diner serving breakfast & lunch Step 2: Develop a pay-what-you-can business model Step 3: Profit 🎁

nytimes.com

This Restaurant Stopped Charging for Food. And Profits Are Up.

216234

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 03/06/2026

Coming this Friday morning: Reviews of three remarkably(!) good restaurants in our closing edition of the Green Line Checklist. And an OK one. And a pretty bad one. All in all, a good way to wrap a great food tour.

The sprawling blonde-wood bakery case at Zao Bakery in Saint Paul is filled with an assortment of sweet and savory buns and dumplings. Becca Dilley / Heavy Table

An illustration of four people walking toward Kumar's Express in Stadium Village. WACSO / Heavy Table

In this illustration, a smiling waitress brings three extremely hot bowls of tofu stew to customers at Kimchi Tofu House in Minneapolis. A detail depicts mandu and banchan. WACSO / Heavy Table

230

Reposted by Heavy Table

solace @solace.music · 14/05/2026

RIP Bauhaus Brew Labs Still doing their Liquid Zoo show at AAW this weekend and one last bash the last weekend of June.

58418

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 22/04/2026

Video contributor Nathan Wold has captured a story of genocide, survival, and a new start in Minnesota from Kunrath Lam, owner of Saint Paul's Cheng Heng restaurant. heavytable.substack.com/p/video-kunr...

heavytable.substack.com

Video: Kunrath Lam of Cheng Heng Restaurant

The roots of a Saint Paul restaurant contain a remarkable story of struggle, starvation, fear, and - ultimately - survival

130

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 21/04/2026

The Afro-Caribbean-inspired Arch and River will replace Owamni at the Water Works Pavilion. Here's our 2022 profile of Arch and River's founders and their pop-up patisserie, B'beri: heavytable.com/the-globe-tr...

Diane Moukouri and Fritz Ebanda of B'beri Desserts and (now) Arch and River, pictured in 2022. Jeanne Lakso / Heavy Table / File

040

Reposted by Heavy Table

Max Hailperin @maxhailperin.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Their "newsletter tomorrow" is now their newsletter today, and I can report that the lead column does indeed have something to add about the seemingly straightforward topic. I've never regretted subscribing.

021

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 16/04/2026

Our newsletter tomorrow is headed by a column about the (often) false economy of firing servers or hiking menu prices. Cardamom was a case in point; now it's a case in point with an underline drawn beneath it.

040

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 16/04/2026

New on the website: April's Arab American heritage flavor collection at Milkjam in Minneapolis. heavytable.com/arab-america...

A square dish with four Arab American heritage-inspired ice creams from Milkjam in Minneapolis. Stacy Brooks / Heavy Table

1184

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 08/04/2026

So: Minneapolis will be part of a new 2027 Michelin American Great Lakes guide, along with Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, and Pittsburgh. This is per a MeetMinneapolis press release: www.minneapolis.org/media/news-r...

minneapolis.org

Minneapolis included in new MICHELIN Guide edition: American Great Lakes

The multi-city Guide will cover six cities across the Great Lakes region; inaugural restaurant selection will be revealed in 2027

1102

Reposted by Heavy Table

James Norton @jrnorton.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Burning midnight-proximate oil on two barnburner newsletters for tomorrow: A heart-rending story about beer, trauma, and survival by @louisgarcia12.bsky.social and a tremendously interesting piece on innovative indoor agriculture by @jeannelakso.bsky.social

An array of dazzling orange, purple, and yellow flowers grown indoors at Cheeky Harvest. Joshua Feist / Heavy Table

1263

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 25/02/2026

Great week to subscribe to the newsletter if you don't already: We've got an in-depth (and mixed) review of Daniel del Prado's new French restaurant, Thérèse. heavytable.substack.com

A panna cotta and charred meringue from Thérèse in Minneapolis. Roseanne Pereira / Heavy Table

130

Reposted by Heavy Table

Doug Mack @douglasmack.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

We have so many good food trucks in the Twin Cities but this is one of the best IMO

1288

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 28/01/2026

This Friday morning in the newsletter: Five new reviews from the Green Line in Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Thai! Chinese! African! Caribbean! University/Washington is one of the great immigrant cultural corridors and the restaurants there are fighting to survive.

A big, beefy bowl of boat noodles at Thai Boat 89 on University Avenue in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Becca Dilley / Heavy Table

Shockingly good BBQ jerk chicken at West Indies Soul on University Avenue in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Becca Dilley / Heavy Table

An illustration of Heavy Table's Checklist crew receiving tom yum and a plate of herbs at Thai Boat 89 on University Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota. WACSO / Heavy Table

An illustration of the sprawling and full bakery case at Cha Yes on University Avenue in Saint Paul, Minnesota. WACSO / Heavy Table

1162

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 23/01/2026

Today's newsletter is free for everyone. Read "A Storm on East Lake Street" by @tangledupinfood.bsky.social , and more: heavytable.substack.com/p/a-storm-on...

heavytable.substack.com

A Storm on East Lake Street

The Tap for January 23, 2026

052

Reposted by Heavy Table

Alex @mplsalex.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

It’s happening! @visitlakestreet.com is helping to organize a series of cash mob events to support small local businesses - first one is next week! Sign up for updates and to be notified of which Lake Street business we’ll be eating at! eventbrite.com/e/you-belong-here-cash-mob-tickets-1980574633043

17034

Reposted by Heavy Table

Minnesota Star Tribune @startribune.com · 13/01/2026

Faced with staffing shortages and safety concerns, Minneapolis restaurants are holding food drives, fundraisers and serve up hot cocoa to create community.

bit.ly

Minneapolis restaurants step up to help amid ICE presence

Faced with staffing shortages and safety concerns, restaurants hold food drives, fundraisers and serve up hot cocoa to create community.

010835

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 13/01/2026

This week we're calling for reader-submitted Hot Five briefs about food and drink from immigrant-run restaurants, food trucks, and markets. We're casting a wide net to support these cornerstone businesses. heavytable.substack.com/p/hot-five-c...

heavytable.substack.com

Hot Five: Call for Community Submissions

We're looking for our readers to help us tell stories of food, drink, and immigration this week.

051

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 06/01/2026

Meritage is opening a stand-alone steak frites restaurant in the to-be-announced future - in the meantime, the restaurant is offering a series of steak frites prix-fixe nights Jan. 14, 21, and 27.

185

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 05/12/2025

Our 2025 Local Food Gift Guide is up! 80+ foods, drinks, events, pop-up cocktail bars, shops, home goods and more, right in time for the holiday crunch. And it's written by humans for humans, like everything in our newsletters. Cheers and happy holidays! heavytable.substack.com/p/the-2025-h...

heavytable.substack.com

The 2025 Heavy Table Local Food Gift Guide

Our mega-gift guide in lieu of the Tap newsletter for Friday, December 5, 2025

031

Reposted by Heavy Table

Timothy Burke @bubbaprog.xyz · 05/12/2025

ICE raided a James Beard award winning restaurant & because the chef/owner was prepared, left emptyhanded:

Photo shared by Christina Nguyen on December 04, 2025 tagging @naomi.marie__, @nathanmiller612, @rubyscher, @holaarepa, @birksg, @chefjholig, and @haihaimpls. May be an image of text that says 'AS SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE HEARD, I.C.E. PAID US A VISIT AT AREPA YESTERDAY. OUR GM NAOMI & TEAM MEMBERS FOLLOWED OUR ICE PROTOCOL PERFECTLY, THE AGENTS LEFT & NO ONE WAS DETAINED. tO WHOEVER NEEDS THIS: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WHEN IT COMES TO I.C.E. (1/5)'.

christinanguyenmpls

11h
We had an ICE scare yesterday and even though we’re afraid of the repercussions of being vocal, we feel that it’s also important to inform people that this is right at our front door. ICE is not some far away boogeyman. They are here right now, spreading fear in our community.

We’re so grateful to our entire staff and their bravery. They did the right things and couldn’t have dealt with this situation in a better way. We are grateful to our community activists that came to support us from @miracmn @litosonlake and Monarcha. We hope that if you find yourself in the same situation, that you find these resources helpful. Peace and take care of each other ❤️

Photo by Christina Nguyen on December 04, 2025. May be an image of text that says 'IF I.C.E. COMES TO YOUR RESTAURANT: UNLESS THE AGENTS HAVE A SIGNED JUDICIAL WARRANT, THEY CANNOT ENTER A PRIVATE AREA LIKE THE KITCHEN WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION EVEN IF THEY LIE AND SAY THY DON'T NEED A WARRANT, STAND YOUR GROUND AND INSIST THAT YOU NEED PAPERWORK (2/5)'.

Photo by Christina Nguyen on December 04, 2025. May be an image of text that says 'IF I.C.E. COMES TO YOUR RESTAURANT: HAVE OTHER STAFF OR PEOPLE PRESENT RECORD THEM AND EVERYTHING THEY ARE SAYING. (PEOPLE DOING UNLAWFUL THINGS HATE BEING CAUGHT IN TH ACT) YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to REFUSE SERVICE & YOU CAN ASK M tO LEAVE YOUR PRIVATE PROPERTY IF THY DON'T HAVE A WARRANT. (3/5)'.

WE ARE HEARTBROKEN THAT OUR IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITIES IN THE TWIN CITIES ARE BEING
TARGETED AND TERRORIZED BY THE CURRENT
ADMINISTRATION. THESE ARE REAL PEOPLE THAT
ARE BEING USED AS POLITICAL PAWNS AND IT'S
APPALLING.

REGARDLESS OF THEIR LEGAL STATUS, THERE ARE
SO MANY LATINOS & SOMALIANS WHO ARE AFRAID
OF BEING DETAINED DUE TO MISTAKEN IDENTITY
BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY MIGHT NOT GET DUE
PROCESS & A FAIR TRIAL. THEY WILL JUST END UP IN
DETENTION CENTERS & A LEGAL PROCESS THAT
HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS A BLACK HOLE.

WE STAND IN SUPPORT OF OUR IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITY, WHO ARE THE BACKBONE OF THIS
COUNTRY. WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS, AMERICA IS NOT
THE SAME PLACE. STAY SAFE OUT THERE & TAKE
CARE OF YOUR NEIGHBORS.

LOVE,
HOLA AREPA & HAI HAI

(5/5)

2754022053

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 19/11/2025

New video just dropped: Ichigo Tokyo Crepes of Minneapolis. Free for all over on Substack, cheers and bon appetit! heavytable.substack.com/p/mia-oi-of-...

140

Reposted by Heavy Table

Nate Pentz @natepentz.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

Y'all go eat some food at Emily's Lebanese!

Your help is necessary for us to stay open. Lunch hour isn’t what it used to be; it’s experiencing a slowdown and we need help from the community to stay afloat. If you’re in the area please stop by for lunch or food to take home for your family.

Thanks for reading this and please take time to help your favorite Lebanese deli stay in business for another 50 years!!

110333

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 31/10/2025

Zen Box Izakaya is closing Nov. 22 after 21 years in business, citing road construction and the pending sale of its building.

Lina Goh and John Ng of Zen Box Izakaya. Dale Yasunaga / Heavy Table / File

Ramen from Zen Box Izakaya. Dale Yasunaga / Heavy Table / File

2144

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 30/10/2025

Tomorrow in the newsletter: Chi-Chi's 2.0. Huge buzz! Surprisingly challenging reservations! Can this reanimated dinosaur survive in a modern environment absolutely stuffed with terrific Mexican and Mexican-inspired dining?

Exterior photo of Chi-Chi's Mexican restaurant in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota. Becca Dilley / Heavy Table

A blue bowl of fried ice cream covered in whipped cream and caramel drizzle from Chi-Chi's in Saint Louis Park. Becca Dilley / Heavy Table

121

Reposted by Heavy Table

James Norton @jrnorton.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

the Scandinavians have rights we Americans haven’t even dreamed up yet

An IKEA gravy packet that reads: “Allemansrätten is everyone’s right to field, forest, and a fine meal with savoury sauce”

726524

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 02/10/2025

Minnesota Meeting: Next in News Hear from leaders who are shaping the future of journalism, with a keynote conversation with Kara Swisher. (Sponsored by @mplsfoundation.bsky.social )

eventbrite.com

Minnesota Meeting: Next in News

Join us for an event focused on our local news ecosystem and how Minnesotans get their information.

020

Reposted by Heavy Table

longfellowwhatever.bsky.social @longfellowwhatever.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

In the newsletter: A sneak peek of the Shepherd's Table cheese shop and deli, ahead of its grand opening tomorrow.

longfellowwhatever.com

🧀 First look: Shepherd's Table

A sneak peek of the long-awaited neighborhood cheese shop and deli.

021

Reposted by Heavy Table

Eli Radtke @eliradtke17.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

Diners, drive-ins and… gas stations? I get to try the new menu collaboration between Guy Fieri and Holiday/Circle K station stores. Come along for the ride with me and @heavytable.com

291

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 17/09/2025

This week in the newsletter: how AI "art" resembles dodgy suburban sushi; also, some excellent deli-style sandwiches. Also: Maybe a trip to Flavortown?!

A baked sushi roll with parmesan sauce. James Norton / Heavy Table

The exterior of North Star Deli in Minneapolis. James Norton / Heavy Table

110

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 11/09/2025

Editor James Norton, who is apparently very tired, has done a notebook dump and hyped up all the great stories and photos coming your way in tomorrow's newsletters.

042

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 11/09/2025

Minnesota Meeting: Next in News Hear from leaders who are shaping the future of journalism, with a keynote conversation with Kara Swisher. (Sponsored by @mplsfoundation.bsky.social)

eventbrite.com

Minnesota Meeting: Next in News

Join us for an event focused on our local news ecosystem and how Minnesotans get their information.

020

Heavy Table @heavytable.com · 10/09/2025

Live for our subscribers (free and paid): Nathan Wold's mini-documentary on Mrs. Dessert and Kumpir, a border-straddling wonderland of Middle Eastern sweets with a world food twist. heavytable.substack.com/p/video-rose...

1596

Reposted by Heavy Table

Visit Lake Street @visitlakestreet.com · 05/09/2025

One day until the Taco Tour on Lake Street, Saturday, September 6th! 🌮 Be there to enjoy tacos, music, family games, contests, and free swag! 🙌✨ 📅 Saturday, September 6 🕛 12–8 PM 📍 El Nuevo Campo | 2709 E Lake Street, Minneapolis #TacoTourOnLakeStreet #VisitLakeStreet #HotSauceTasting #TacoTour

165