We scoured our archives for the best dishes featured in Plymouth Magazine throughout the past year, added some tweaks and updates from these local restaurants—many of which are finalists in this year’s Best of Plymouth categories as well—and pulled together one delectable dining guide that crosses all categories of cuisine. Bon appétit!
Irish Soda Bread
Wuollet Bakery
Wuollet bakes two distinct kids of Irish soda bread—standard and rustic. The standard bread is a soda-raised, slightly sweet quick bread with raisins; it’s baked in a round pan, then topped with coarse sugar. “It tastes great with a traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal of corned beef and cabbage, or as a breakfast bread lightly toasted with butter,” manager Aaron Wuollet says. The rustic Irish soda bread is made with whole-wheat flour, which gives the loaf a denser texture. Baked in a square shape, the rustic bread better complements savory dishes, but is also delicious when toasted or served plain with butter. Both breads can be ordered year-round for $7.25.
771 East Lake St., Wayzata; 952.473.8621
Bacon-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin
Jake’s City Grille
Looking to spend a night out on the town while noshing on some fabulous bacon-inspired cuisine? If you have a hankering for bacon, you can’t go wrong with the bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin at Jake’s City Grille. First, the tenderloin is seasoned with Kosher salt and cracked pepper, then wrapped with juicy pieces of bacon, then topped with tangy bleu cheese—and even a jumbo onion ring for an extra dose of deliciousness ($28.95). Served on a sizzling platter, this beef tenderloin is the real deal.
3005 Harbor Lane N.; 763.559.1595
Brunch Bar
Lund’s & Byerly’s Catering
As an alternative to the typical party, we love the idea of throwing a brunch-themed celebration. Lund’s and Byerly’s Catering will make your morning oh-so-worry-free with its selection of breakfast and brunch eats. The continental breakfast option is simply delish with its combination of fresh fruit and pastries, like donuts, danishes, bagels and muffins. It also comes with your choice of bottled water or orange juice, as well as plates and utensils ($7.99 per person). For a heartier option, breakfast burritos are the way to go. These little bundles of morning joy are filled with scrambled eggs, chorizo, red and green peppers, and shredded Colby Jack cheese wrapped in a soft flour tortilla, then served with sour cream, salsa and fresh fruit ($8.99).
3455 Vicksburg Lane N.; 763.268.1624
Sub Sandwiches
Firehouse Subs
For a casual backyard gathering, sub sandwiches fill the bill. Plymouth’s own Firehouse Subs offers a variety of sandwich, salad, and dessert platters—an easy solution for feeding a big crowd. Serving 10 people, the deluxe sandwich platter features the sub shop’s most popular combinations—provolone with ham and turkey, roast beef and turkey or ham, Genoa salami, and pepperoni ($42.99). “Most people get the deluxe sandwich platter, because it offers more variety,” owner Dustin Elbing says. “But we can make it any way people want with our meat and cheese selections.” You also can add a salad platter with romaine and iceberg lettuce, cucumber, tomato, green bell pepper and red onion, with your choice of dressing served on the side ($27.99). Editor’s tip: Don’t forget the dessert! The combination platter with fresh-baked cookies and brownies will not disappoint ($19.99). 2855 Glacier Lane Ste.
400; 763.276.9514
Berries (Seasonal)
Plymouth Farmers Market
Minnesota explodes with neighborhood farmers markets, where we can support local farmers and pass an enjoyable hour while doing so. The sellers are many; berry bearers include Mau Family Produce and Untiedt’s Farm. Pick up a berry-riffic smoothie from Berry Blendz to slurp on your stroll among fruit and flowers. The market is open 2:30–6:30 p.m. Wednesdays June 18 through October 1, and hosts 20-plus vendors, all of them from within 50 miles of Plymouth.
3650 Plymouth Blvd; 763.509.5225
Thai Iced Coffee
Thai Table
One of our favorite hot-weather drinks is Thai iced coffee, and we’ve never tasted a bad one. Thai Table’s version is, in fact, excellent. Strong coffee and sweetened condensed milk is poured over ice cubes, and that’s it. Why does it taste so delicious, so exotic? No clue—a lurking secret ingredient, perhaps?—but it’s both a cooler and a pick-me-up, and it’s killer with spicy Thai food. $2.99.
10100 6th Ave. N.; 763.591.6085
Turtle Mocha Cooler
Caribou Coffee
Coffee drinks are getting more and more elaborate, to the point where, let’s face it, they’re really liquid ice cream sundaes. But that’s OK—who doesn’t love a caffeinated ice cream sundae? The turtle mocha cooler at our homegrown coffee shop chain is off-the-hook decadent: It’s good coffee blended with ice, chocolate (your choice of dark, milk or white) and caramel, crowned with a mound of whipped cream, drizzles of sticky caramel sauce and crushed up Snickers bars. Sundae or not, it’s definitely for the seasoned coffee drinkers among us: Caribou’s intensely roasted coffee delivers a solid kick of caffeine. Medium, $4.71.
1400 County Road 101; 763.473.1339
The Pink Lady Roll
KOBE
Sushi houses nationwide compete with this kooky-named, creative roll that is big enough for a meal. Kobe keeps up with the best of ’em with the likes of the Kill Bill, Scorpion and BMW rolls. We always return to the Pink Lady; translucent pink soybean paper filled with spicy kani (crab stick) avocado, crunchy panko crumbs and diced cucumber. It looks kind of dainty, sliced and arranged like a flower on the plate, but the pink mayo packs a wallop of heat. $10, lunch. $12, dinner.
15555 34th Ave. N.; 763.559.9999
Swedish Pancakes
Original Pancake House
We are steeped in Swedish heritage in these parts, though there are surprisingly few places where we can enjoy Scandinavia’s culinary gifts. The lingonberry is one of these; a bright red, vitamin-C rich cross between a red currant and a cranberry. It’s a sweet and tart love match for eggy pancakes. The Original Pancake House honors Swedish tradition with lacy thin, crepe-like pancakes. The lingonberries make a sassy topping. Served with whipped butter and a dusting of powdered sugar. $8.75.
1415 County Road 101; 952.475.9151
Raw Caterpillar
Kobe
For some people, you say the word, “sushi,” and they scream. The thought of raw fish just doesn’t sound appetizing in any way, shape or form. But if you are one of those people, we’re here to tell you that with a little courage, sushi might just become one of your new favorites. We love Kobe’s caterpillar roll. This scrumptious morsel is packed with baked (not raw!) eel and fresh cucumber. Then it’s topped with some crunch ($10.50). You can also order the caterpillar roll as part of the sushi roll combo lunch special, which includes three rolls and soup for just $12. Or consider a truly daring morsel: The black dragon roll incorporates a whole barbecued eel on top, and jalapeño and tempura salmon sushi on the inside ($13).
1555 34th Ave. N.; 763.559.9999
Peppermint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Honey & Mackie’s
This ice cream and french fry joint churns up a dazzling array of rotating flavors, and this time of year we can count on peppermint chocolate chip. The ice cream is made on site; the old-school texture and flavors might trigger a spell of nostalgia. Or order a pint or quart hand-packed and delivered to your door. $6.25/pint.
16725 County Road 24; 763.225.6682
Eggnog, Gingerbread And Peppermint Truffles
Painted Turtle Chocolatier
A box of chocolate truffles makes a fine gift—a box of divergent holiday-flavored truffles are even better. You can help select your own assortment at Painted Turtle: We found eggnog, peppermint and gingerbread truffles for a perfectly sized nine-piece box. Ganache, a smooth mixture of chocolate and cream, forms the bulk of this confection; the peppermint truffle comes in three types (dark, milk and white) and is garnished with crushed green and red candy canes. The eggnog truffle is white chocolate with a dusting of nutmeg on top. The gingerbread is adorably decorated with rows of smiling gingerbread men, and it tastes astonishingly close to its cookie cousin, that is if gingerbread donned some chocolate icing. Each one is dense and creamy and full of rich holiday cheer. Nine-piece box, $25.25.
10100 Sixth Ave. N.; 763.550.9475
