Just about any restaurant with a few available square feet outside the building will find a way to turn it into patio dining. That’s no surprise, given the seemingly insatiable appetite that Minnesotans have for dining alfresco. This year, if you’re out to make the most of our short-lived convertible season, we believe you should be enjoying what you taste as much as you enjoy the feel of warm sun and fresh air on your skin. Here’s some of Plymouth’s most tempting summer dishes to savor while basking in those summer rays.
Mahi Tacos
Axel’s Bonfire
Summer fare need not be restricted to salads. Dishes like the mahi tacos ($15.95) at Axel’s Bonfire, served with a mango salsa and chipotle aioli, are satisfying without letting you feel like you’ve overdone it. During the warmer months, there’s even a smaller lunch-size portion for junior appetites. Order them up with your favorite drink, $2 off during happy hour (3–6 p.m. seven days a week), and you’ll be living large. Appetizers like the triple-dip basket (with salsa, jalapeno cheese and guacamole), another popular item on the patio, are half-off during happy hour as well (9 p.m.–close Sun.–Fri.). 3000 Harbor Ln.; 763.398.7408
Island Chicken Salad
Joe Senser’s
The island chicken salad ($9.75) at Joe Senser’s is protein-rich, tossing together flavors so tangy, hearty and sweet, you won’t even miss the half-pound burger you were thinking about ordering. There’s grilled Hawaiian marinated chicken breast, bacon, pineapple, crumbled bleu cheese, red onion, dried cranberries and sunflower seeds, mixed with greens and a mango-pineapple vinaigrette. The latest menu at this popular sports haven also includes a new line of pizzas, like a white garlic chicken with roma tomatoes and fresh basil. The fenced-in landscaped patio is a draw, especially during happy hour, when domestic taps, house wines and well drinks are value-priced (3–6:30 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 10 p.m.–close Tues.–Sat., 9 p.m.–close Sun.–Mon.). With an outdoor television, you’ve got the best of all worlds, being able to catch whatever sporting event is playing while you also enjoy the great outdoors. 16605 County Rd. 24; 763.559.1990
Mona Lisa
Solos Pizza Café
Got a few extra minutes to take in some fresh air over your lunch hour? Try the outdoor seating at Solo’s Pizza Café, the counter-service pizza spot. During lunch it can fill up, but after 1 p.m. it’s usually pretty open, says manager Kimberly Cervantes. The Mona Lisa ($5.95/seven-inch, $7.45/10-inch) is one of the top-selling pizzas all year round, and you’ll appreciate that you’re getting a taste of the garden with the spinach and tomatoes on top, in addition to the white garlic sauce, smoked cheddar and bacon. If you’re sticking to a bikini diet, look for the “under 500 calories” menu. Jump on the e-club mailing list to get special offer e-mails, like two pizzas for $9.95 or pizza and a pop for $6.95. Solos recently started offering delivery, too. 2700 Annapolis Cir. N.; 763.331.0233
Crispy Coconut Chicken Salad
Jake’s City Grille
“Tex Mex is really good for summer,” says manager Nick Smith, who finds that items like the lobster tacos or fajitas at Jake’s City Grille have a strong run during the summer months. The coconut chicken salad, with its tropical flavors, is also one to try when you’re feeling the summer heat, made with mixed greens, pineapple, strawberries, mango, seasonal berries and red onion, tossed in a coconut lime buttermilk dressing with cornbread croutons ($12). During happy hour, find deeply discounted appetizers like the Asian lettuce wraps, with chicken, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, scallions and oyster sauce, for just $4.95. On sublime summer evenings, it’s all about the patio at Jake’s—think outdoor bar, two large fireplaces and a fountain. 3005 Harbor Ln. N.; 763.559.1595
Pink Lady Roll
Kobe
Light and refreshing, sushi is a near-perfect pairing for balmy weather. The pink lady roll, laying claim to its name from the hue of its soy paper wrapper, is made with spicy imitation crab meat, cucumber and avocado, and ranks as one of the most popular specialty rolls at Kobe ($10). Other favorites include a tiger roll with shrimp tempura, cucumber, lettuce, avocado, fish egg and eel, served with three different kinds of sauces. There’s also a hibachi menu here, but most people come for the sushi. Save a few pennies during happy hour, with $3.50 specialty cocktails, and reduced price tap beers (4–6 p.m. and 9 p.m.–close Sun.–Thu.). 15555 34th Ave. N.; 763.559.9999
Rib Platter Combo
Famous Dave’s
One of the old-style Famous Dave’s, where the menu is written up on the wall and servers give you a number after you place your order, this location has a small outdoor patio that’s first-come, first-served. The mad rush is at lunchtime, when the combo platters are most popular. Choose one meat, like St. Louis-style spareribs, for $6.99, or tack on another choice of meat, like sweetwater catfish or barbecued chicken, for $8.49. The combos are served with cornbread, corn-on-the-cob and your choice of one side—the creamy coleslaw or potato salad are particularly summery. This decades-old barbecue chain offers quarterly limited time specials, so ask about what’s on offer for summer during your next visit. 11308 Hwy. 55; 763.525.0500
Pecan-crusted Walleye
Woody’s Grille
A best-seller since the opening of Woody’s Grille, the pecan-crusted walleye is cold-water Canadian walleye lightly crusted in a pecan cracker breading, which is sure not to leave you feeling gluttonous in the summertime. Salads like the Woody’s chop salad also spike in popularity this time of year. The large patio space has a separate bar and lounge seating, with live music on Wednesdays and Fridays. The happy hour is valid on the patio and runs from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Seasonal specials, although not determined at the time of writing, are sure to be offered during Twins games. 220 Carlson Pkwy. N.; 763.476.1011
Italian Salad
Latuff’s Pizzeria
The pizzas are meaty and filling, the pastas hearty and toothsome, but when summer hits, you might be feeling something lighter at Latuff’s Pizzeria. That’s where the Italian salad ($6.95) comes in, a combination of pepperoni, pepperocini peppers, tomato wedges, black olives, green peppers and greens, served with garlic bread. The Latuff’s Special thin crust pizza, with sausage, pepperoni, green olive, black olive, mushroom, onion and green peppers, is the fan favorite no matter what month of the year it is. This family-owned, family-friendly pizza palace has a full bar and an outdoor patio, and a new happy hour was in the works at the time of writing. 10820 Hwy. 55; 763.545.2914
