Don't forget about 5 Guys (or whatever they are called) in the mall.

Personally, I love food, and the more options the better.  I'm looking forward to Texas Roadhouse and Buffalo Wild Wings.

I've tried Sclavis in Superior, and hope others give it a chance as well.

I've had Chipolte once before. It was good, but not phenomenal.  If they put it in an easily accessible location (i.e. not downtown) I'm sure I will make return visits.

I've heard great things about Mexico Lindo, but have never been.  However, ANYTHING will be better than Baja Billy's.  That was the worst meal I've had out ever.

Has anyone heard anything conclusive on the Hooters in Duluth rumor? I would be horrified if it opened next to Carmody!
http://www.areavoices.com/biz/?blog=66339

There is no chance in hell a franchise operation is going to move in next to Carmody. Their MO is pretty clear: mall areas, build new building, make big parking lot, sell boobs. Downtown has pretty much the opposite of everything they want. And that spot is for rent.

My guess is nothing is going in there. They're just sexing up the place for potential renters, installing energy-saving windows and cleaning up the facade.

Culver's, Texas Roadhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings???  ish Ish ISH!  The Mall Zone can sure have those lame excuse for food entities.  Sorry for the soapbox but after seeing Food, Inc. recently I get scared of food too fat to walk.

@woodtick.  Yep, Food, Inc. will do that do a person, including my wife.  Food, Inc. is out on DVD by the way and available at Target.

I felt the same about Hanabi. I checked out their website to see what sort of beef entrees they would offer (I don't eat fish).

Hooters did enter a pre-existing downtown building in La Crosse, WI a few years back (unfortunately, after I had finished college, so I've never experienced it):

http://maps.google.com/maps?source=ig&hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=Hooters+La+Crosse,+WI&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Hooters&hnear=La+Crosse,+WI&cid=0,0,9223784667306686246&ei=Jp1DS_ztOoyINo6eoZUL&ved=0CAoQnwIwAA&ll=43.811187,-91.253412&spn=0,359.996516&z=19&layer=c&cbll=43.811003,-91.253407&panoid=tfPwHnnTU50JlmMobJs66Q&cbp=12,226.88,,0,-5.95

So they aren't completely opposed to occupying DT locals with poor parking.

I've been waiting for a Chipotle, but they have a 3 per 20 mile radius (or thereabouts) policy, so if I hear rumors of one location, I'm not going to put any stock in it. As for Hanabi, I'm hoping for some ramen, please and thanks. This otaku says sushi is not worth my time.

@Terry G -- and anyone else interested in seeing Hanabi's menu -- I uploaded a pdf to PDD.

http://www.perfectduluthday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/HanabiMenu.pdf

Thanks Paul - looks great - can't wait!

There is no way that Trader Joes would come to Duluth. Just not enough population and the wrong demographic for them. True, they tend to fit their stores onto small footprints with zany parking but Duluth just doesn't fit their MO. They could coin so much more by expanding in the Twin Cities.

As to Chipotle, I just cannot believe that folks that have taste buds find that place good. Besides, who wants to support McDonalds?? That's what you're doing when going to Chipotle mis amigos.

Getting Baja Billy's out was a great first step. I thought that the Brewhouse should have grabbed that space to capitalize on the best outdoor seating in town but I guess the boys have their hands full with the Old City Hall building.

Looking forward to the new Japanese place. If we had to get a chain in town up on the hill I would vote for Panera so that there would be a place to buy good crusty bread at least.

So I don't know Chipotle for nada, but according to wikipedia and this blog: http://nutritionwonderland.com/2009/06/does-mcdonalds-own-chipotle-mailbag/

McDonald's does not own any share of Chipotle, though it once did.

I don't think a nation-wide corp can make good Mexican food, but who am I, just some schmo with my own opinions--still, in the age of the Interwebs, it's pretty easy to fact check a claim about corporate ownership of one chain by another.

Hanabi's menu is pretty ambitious. Hope they can pull it off. and as for Trader Joe's YEAH. I love Trader Joe's!!! But seriously, I can't see them coming to Duluth. But who knows, i never thought to see the variety of great restaurants in Duluth that I am seeing.

When I was at Fitger's last weekend I saw some flyers taped around saying "Mexico Lindo Restaurant - Opening This Spring At Fitger's - Another great location for them."  

As for Chipotle, I've always described the Burrito Union to my out of town friends as "It's like Chipotle, only better.  And they have really good beer."

2 sushi places????? In Duluth? and now a TJ's? (They were all over Portland when I moved out here.) Hell HAS frozen over, and installed a new rink as well.

I am a die hard Trader Joe's fan, and every time I go to one of the cities locations I request that they come to Duluth. The last time, one of the workers said she had heard that they were looking at it. Doesn't necessarily mean anything, but it was enough to get my hopes up.

I dig Burrito Union but it's not the best burrito joint in the world.  Having lived out west for a number of years, I experienced some pretty fabulous Mexican and Tex-Mex on a regular basis which made me a bit of a snob, apparently, since I can't stand Hacienda and it's cheddar cheese-smothered-ridiculousness.  But I digress.  Chipotle is some damn good burrito-eatin, and perfect for college town Dinkytown areas like we also really need in Duluth.  Baja Billy's was also tasteless and the service sucked.  Bring on Mexico Lindo!  Bring on anything different and get these mediocre eateries outta here, I don't care if they're a chain, just give me a CHOICE.  Get some competition in this market.  

When I moved back here I was pleasantly surprised Duluth had new(er) chains like Erbs & Gerbs and Jimmy John's.  5 Guys is cool, another interesting option.  Chipotle would rock, or how about Panera, Noodles & Co. (my fave), Spicy Pickle, or Wahoo's Fish Tacos?  If a local eatery could give me some fantastic fast, fresh, affordable fish tacos, pad thai, or portobello paninis I'd be in heaven.

I agree with wildreed - as a Twin Cities transplant, I'm fairly pleased with Duluth dining. I still crave some decent Vietnamese and more Asian options (creative Chinese cafe?). Something like Everest (Tibetan/Nepalese) would be awesome here.

Tim Anderson used to call the Hacienda the "Horse's Enda."

WTF: "I like stores and buying things. Let's talk about stores." Pedestrian. And creepy.

Actually, there's good new and bad news for Chipotle fans who would love to see this trendy purveyor of tacos and jumbo burritos right here in Duluth.

The chain — which is on a roll opening more than 100 restaurants a year — has looked at at least one site in Duluth: the former Gander Mountain near Miller Hill Mall.

I got that confirmed this week by Beth Wentzlaff, president of CMRA, property manager for the building at 1307 Miller Trunk Highway.

"We've talked to them," she said. "It won't work in that building. There's not enough parking." [ source ]

I'm with ya on the Buy/Spend Local support.  And if I could stand fighting for parking in Canal Park and waiting an hour for breakfast on the weekend, I'd be at Amazing Grace for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Competition is good for business, and we need more business.  This negativity will not stand, man.

Agree with Barrett, Tamara and others with the local food stuff.  It always blows me away when people cheer for chain stores to come into town.

I like eating at Chipotle, in fact this last weekend I went on hwy15 through St. Cloud just to get a couple burritos.


I also like Trade Joe's. I am excited by the thought of one moving to town. 


I was very surprised that Duluth finally got a Jimmy John's and Papa John's. I have gotten they both in pickup and delivery form.


Just let it be known that a chain place will probably get the same food from the same Sysco or Albertson's representative and it will come to town on the same truck. Do you local foodies think that Burrito Union has their own chicken coop? Their own free-range cow farms? Well, they don't. It would be unfeasible.


PDD needs a foodie and delivery guide. Also, someone convince Taste of Saigon that they should start doing delivery.

Ugh, Chipotle.  I worked above one in downtown St. Paul for about two years.  It was good the first couple times, then got old really fast.  At least Burrito Union changes up the special every week (like the odd/crazy ones that they come up with) and has much fresher ingredients.  I just wish BU offered some real spicy salsa/burritos, not just Minnesota hot.

As for sushi, I love the stuff and like trying new places whenever possible.

BWW - have a hate/kinda-hate relationship with them.  Will probably head up there every couple months for my wing fix (usually do Luce or BU).

Texas Roadhouse... meh, I'll probably end up there with my family at some point.  I'll try to keep an open mind.

2 comments:

Mexico Lindo coming to Duluth brings joy to my mouth and stomach but pain to my wallet. I can't wait, I am going to spend way too much money there.

I have been contemplating opening a bakery (much like the Ashland Baking Co. style) here in Duluth. IMHO, there is a huge lack in really good bakeries in this town, a place where you can find great crusty breads, flakey pastries, and other great baked goods. Amazing grace is just okay (decent bread though), I dislike Great Harvest's chewy bread, and Mount Royal gets a lot of those little fancy cakes pre-made from Sysco. 3rd street is also okay, good for big cookies, but I like my bread with a thick crust and a sourdough taste. I am happy to see one commenter talk about the need for another bakery here in Duluth and wonder how others feel.

What's so great about Trader Joe's? It's like the co-op, only not a co-op.

Spiderpig: If and when you get a biz plan together and are interested in raising money, please post to PDD and I'll get in contact.

rediquana:have you ever been to a Trader Joes? Not sure how you can compare them to a co-op. They are full of quite reasonably priced excellent offerings with a VERY friendly and helpful staff. Compare this to our co-op (of which I am a member) and you'll find only excellent offerings in common.

Bread? 'Sustanance bread' loaves are absolutely amazing. I believe the baker is in the red mug building in Superior. Light, fluffy, with goodies inside (cranberries, nuts, etc). The co-op has it.

I've only been to Trader Joe's stores in Calif., and Chicago, but those are some happy people working there AND they have good wine for good prices. I think the Coop could co-exist with a Trader Joe's, I would go to both of them for different things. Though I guess a TJ in Minny couldn't sell Two Buck Chuck, could they?

I thought I read where a bakery was going to be locating in the Heritage/Clyde complex?

Comcast changed the number and did not tell Hanabi, they are working on getting it fixed.  The Sushi Bar is fabulous, great atmosphere and the food will be wonderful.  Takes a lot of work putting together a restaurant  but it is finally done and will be open on Saturday and will be just great!

I thought I read somewhere that the Heritage Center in West End would be more than a hockey hall and a parking lot.

I see the Children's Museum is making movement now. http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/156906/


(I live in West end and a market would be great somewhere near. I also welcome anyone else in the neighborhood, including someone wanting to buy my house. http://mzr.com/listings_detail.aspx?MLS=150324)

TJ's two buck chuck is three bucks in MN.

Carla, if you *ever* have sushi on the menu, yell up the street and let me know, OK? Bennett's had sushi specials a few times, they were the strangest morsels of fish and rice I've ever seen.

Are you serious about HellBurgers? Maybe there is hope that they will serve up some good food finally? I feel like I am sitting inside of a poorly decorated warehouse there. The amount of self-promotional back patting that they have on their menu and walls is a joke. Has anybody ever tried their "homemade" peanut butter? What is it: ground peanuts mixed 50/50 with maple syrup and some salt thrown in?

I just went to Hanabu for lunch and it was AMAZING. I was very impressed with the meal we had. The fried tofu app and lobster tempura rolls were out of this world. Please go and see for yourself!

You say "Hanabi," I say "Hanabu." Let's call the whole thing off!

Does anyone know if Texas Roadhouse has a Happy Hour?  And if so, what's the HH menu like?

I got the connection.. just put your panties back on. It'll take a day or three.

@Terry G, you put your finger on it, both Zeitgeist and Hanabi do get that Duluthians are more sophisticated and cosmopolitan than the stereotype.  Maybe it's because the locals associated with both places are themselves sophisticated and cosmopolitan in their world views?

BTW, we were over the hill Saturday, and had lunch at Zen House. After enjoying the world-class service at Hanabi, it was tough enduring the inept service at Zen House, where we didn't even get a glass of water until our apps were served. My kid prefers Zen to Hanabi (she likes the shumai at Zen best), but I doubt we'll go back unless the kid is craving a visit there.

Uggggh.  No more franchises.  I love all the local shops.  For most of those chains listed Duluth already has something that could fill the need. Sept maybe hooters. Local shops give a town soul and a better feel than just having chains that are well thought out and streamlined.  
I love going to Tak/Kippis or Amazing Grace  and being able to chat with the owners. I like seeing Local owners out at the Farmers market supporting other locals.  I like the fact that my money is being spent how I spend it and not on lobbists or in other deals to optimize profit on a large scale.

Thats why the last year or so has been so great with lots of local stores opening up.

Screw Panara bread, or hooters.

zeitgeist could buy a little more local, IMO...getting their beans from 200 miles away doesn't count...

I just heard a couple days ago from a coworker, who works at a local hotel in Duluth, that Hooters' corporate people were staying at their hotel lately. She told me they said they are looking at opening in the remaining square footage space of the old Gander Mountain building, next to the new Buffalo Wild Wings...we shall see! I could do without a Hooters, personally!

I find it hard to believe that Hooter's and BWW would be in the same building. The menus are too close to identical for that to make any business sense. I also don't see a Hooter's drawing that well, either. I'm guessing it would be a hit with the DCB crowd, but they are such a tiny minority in this town...

My attitude is I talk with my dollars. Hooters can open anywhere they please, but I will never walk through their doors -- same thing with the Olive Garden. Unh unh. I frequent local places, I like to support local entrepreneurs. The food is always better at local places, anyways. And my money supports my fellow citizens's livelihoods.

Zeitgeist has an amazing walleye sandwich. And I just tried a vegetarian burger at Hellburgers. It was terrific.

Love the authentic Mexican food at Guadalajara in Superior. Also, the best two pizza's around are at Old Chicago (deep dish) and the Pescara crust at Green Mill.  Mmmm good!