Downtown Lunching

Since I work downtown, I have been to my fair share of downtown restaurants for lunch. Here is a run down of what you can expect in downtown Minneapolis, whether you are being wined & dined on a corporate tab, or if you just need a quick place to grab a bite on the run:

$ (Cheap Eats):

Taco Johns- In the skyway. If you go on a Tuesday, beware of "Taco Tuesday" chaos when their $.69 tacos bring in droves of hungry taco lovers.

Andreas Pizza- Best pizza I've had in the skyway. Tons of different varieties....and Andreas is a big teddy bear.

Sawatdee- This tiny little take-out only place is located in the skyway near the IDS Center. I love the Tom Yum soup.....at only $4 for the small bowl, it also comes with a very generous portion of rice on the side, which you can put into the soup for a tasty and hearty meal. That's right, for only $4 you can stuff your gullet on a very authentic tasting Thai soup!

Potbellies- I have to plug their meatball subs. If you can handle the heat, add onions and peppers. Welcome to heartburn city! (But you will be so satisfied)

$$: (Moderate- expect to pay between $10-$15 for lunch):

Barrio- How could I forget this fun tequileria and restaurant? They have also jumped on the lunch special bandwagon....$10 gets you a different taco each day accompanied by homemade guacamole served in one of those heavy stone mortar & pestles. You don't get as much food here for $10 as you do at Masa, but it is still good and worth a trip.

The Local- I could literally eat an entire bucket of their Chicken Shots. Their Shepherd's Pie is very rich. Guaranteed to give you that gut bomb feel, so don't plan on being too productive after you eat it. They also have a great "Wee Lunch" plate that is just $10.

Masa- They have a great lunch combo special. Pick any 3 mix & match items off their special menu for only $10. I always pick the same 3 items: guacamole, chicken tortilla soup, and their pork carnitas sandwich.

Vincent- Don't let the fancy French exterior scare you away from this place. They have 2 course lunch specials for $12 every day. If you haven't tried their famous Vincent burger, you have not lived....it is stuffed with braised short ribs and smoked gouda. Heaven!

ZakeMN- Used to be called Musashi. They offer 30% off your lunch tab if you are a Target team member. Yes, you read that right--30 percent!!! They have tons of lunch items including hibachi, bento boxes, teriyaki, etc. for between $8-$12.....then you deduct the 30%!! Most of their lunch specials come with miso soup and a salad. What a deal!!

More to come as I think of them....right now I need to go get some LUNCH!!