DeRusha Download: State Fair IS ON
New Fair Food to Get! PLUS lots of openings!
I love this part of summer: whether it’s squeezing in a last-minute family vacation, getting out to the fair, or getting the kids back-to-school - there are so many special memories right now. If you’re not a State Fair person - this is a GREAT time of year to walk in to a typically busy restaurant. So get on it! I’m also amazed at how many places have opened this month or are standing by for opening. Optimism abounds. Grab some of that hot sunshine this weekend and enjoy.
Let me know what you think: Jason@JasonDeRusha.com!
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TOO BUSY TO DOWNLOAD:
Ann Kim closes Kim’s In Uptown
I ate 25 State Fair foods so you Don’t Have To
The Parlour Burger is Coming To Excelsior!
Tender Lovin’ Chix is OPEN/ First impressions of Lynette
Speakeasy in Chaska
Podcasts for the weekend
DOWNLOAD DIALOGUE
The State Fair isn’t for everyone, and that’s ok. I don’t love waiting in long lines, super-hot days don’t get me all that thrilled, and yes, it is expensive. But for some crazy reason, even though I typically spend 8 out of 13 days at the fair, I love it. Why?
It’s a small town. I love seeing Stephanie and Yia and Fitz. I love tasting food on Day one with Danny and Billie and usually one of my boys. I love seeing Giggles holding court and the Abdos delivering ice and Dan at the Ball Park Cafe. I’ve been there for 21 years and despite the 2 million visitors, there really are about 100 faces or so that I see every year.
The surprises: every year there’s something I try that I didn’t expect to love. Maybe food, maybe a new product (yes we still use our chopper), maybe it’s a clever display or an attraction. Discovery is key to the fair. Experimenting is key. Trying new things even if you think you’ll hate it (lutefisk I’m talking to you).
And so I will be there all next week. Come see me at the WCCO booth M-F, 3-6pm! What do you like about the fair? Do you avoid it? Let me know!
If you’re looking for a speaker on food, media, career changes or current events: please reach out! Jason@JasonDeRusha.com
Thank you to the influx of new subscribers! Forward this to a friend - they can subscribe at bit.ly/DeRushaDownload!
THE OFFICIAL DERUSHA STATE FAIR GUIDE
My running list of BLUE RIBBON WINNERS, what to maybe eat, and what to skip: https://fluence-media.co/4fSFA7b
My new food guide organized by location: with all my writing at mnmo.com/Jason
Here’s how it compares to my list of the official new State Fair foods - ranked before I tried them: https://fluence-media.co/4czjRz6
And my list of the new State Fair drinks (the only list organized into type of beverage!): https://fluence-media.co/3yD0wOL
CLASSICS/FAVORITES: Sick of the NEW NEW NEW! My work from the print edition of Minnesota Monthly: https://fluence-media.co/3SMCSpW
Proud to welcome locally-owned Warners’ Stellian as a DeRusha Download partner! I had a washer dilemma that was driving me nuts, they helped me find a new set that will save energy and have a door that opens the right direction! They’re having a big sale right now (Sale prices up to 50% off + up to $1,200 instant bonus savings!) at their website! Follow Warners’ Stellian Instagram to see how they solved our problem! Or visit a store and tell them you saw this in the Download!
ANN KIM TO CLOSE KIM’S: It’s sad. Ann Kim’s bet on Uptown failed, the workers who were hoping to create a model for a collectively bargained workplace are out of a job and the neighborhood loses another destination. Can’t deny that construction, empty buildings everywhere, negative perception of Uptown - all are factors. Also can’t deny that Sooki & Mimi didn’t work, reboots are difficult, at a certain point even if you can continue losing money it’s reasonable to decide that you need to stop the bleeding.
WILDCHLD IS OPEN: Excited for this cocktail bar next to and from the StepCHLD team. Open six days a week, closed on Tuesdays. Drink names are fantastic: “Political heartburn,” “Jabberwocky Punch” and “Very Demure” - prices are $15 or $16. MENU: https://fluence-media.co/3WKmQOo
CHASKA GETS A SPEAKEASY: I love the cool hangs that are popping up in the suburbs! Chaska’s Red Bench Bakery has carved out a speakeasy space called Rouge 41. Open Wednesday-Saturday, 4pm-11pm in the same building. Cool stuff! IG: https://fluence-media.co/3Xb4g3E
TENDER LOVIN’ CHIX IS OPEN: 7 DAYS a week, lunch and dinner, Tender Lovin’ Chix has a much more ambitious menu than the CHX food truck. Looks promising. Marques (Ques) Johnson is opening at 10am daily and keeping it open until 10p weeknights and 11p on Sat/Sunday. IG: https://fluence-media.co/3X0jYOP
PARLOUR BAR COMING TO EXCELSIOR: The economics of restaurants are really leading to more multi-unit operators and more expansion into the suburbs. I wrote about Parlour coming to the old Jake O’Connors in Excelsior - plus two yet to be announced concepts. MNMO: https://fluence-media.co/3AtemDT
LYNETTE IS OPEN: I love the vibe here - so many happy people at the bar on Saturday night. Neighborhood people + people like me who adored the old Lyn 65 in Richfield. Travis Serbus-White’s cocktails, Ben Siers-Rients’ hospitality and food, yes the burger and duck fries are there too. Many photos and more details in a report I sent to paid subscribers this week - you can upgrade and subscribe right here!!
WEEKEND PLANNER
DRIVETIME WITH DERUSHA ON DEMAND
GUS WALZ REAX: My 16-year-old shares his thoughts: https://fluence-media.co/3YVYCDD
YOUTH & Crime: We’re failing. https://fluence-media.co/3yQtzOX
HUNGER IS A POLICY CHOICE: Allison O’Toole, Second Harvest Heartland CEO - https://fluence-media.co/4dA9207
THE EYE DOC + Dave Schwartz: https://fluence-media.co/4dtxRLg
FIRED FOR POSTING POLITICS: Dan Niepow from TCB Mag - https://fluence-media.co/3MjLLDG
GIANT EGG ROLL: The awesome Que Viet Concessions team makes how much $? https://fluence-media.co/4dECkuH
HOW LULU’S CAME UP WITH FRIED RANCH: Charlie Burrows https://fluence-media.co/4dWvmBc
THOMAS LANE SHOULDN’T HAVE PLED GUILTY: My thoughts https://fluence-media.co/4fVpIRk
SUBSCRIBE TO THE DRIVETIME WITH DERUSHA PODCAST!
Apple Podcast https://fluence-media.co/3xTkkNu
Spotify: https://fluence-media.co/3VUtph4
We upload every segment so you can listen on your own time!
FUNNY: Racket made the Tim Walz hotdish that supposedly proves he’s a liar when he said black pepper is the peak of spice in Minnesota. (he’s not a liar! Just because our food scene and palate is more than black pepper… doesn’t mean that it is not also generally spice-averse.) https://fluence-media.co/3YXcL3H
E-MAIL ME!! HAVE A GOOD QUESTION? WANT TO PARTNER?
The partners make it possible for me to do this — so do you! Thank you for reading!! I love seeing your feedback - so please share thoughts and news tips to Jason@JasonDeRusha.com.