Today’s installment of Friday Five Favorites is a quick list of my five favorites place to “carbo-load.” These are great places to eat in Minneapolis the night before a race or a long run.
1. Punch Pizza.
Website: http://www.punchpizza.com
Hands down. The best place in town pre-long run/pre-race. It’s light- it won’t weigh you down. And it’s so, so tasty!
There are several locations in the Twin Cities, but I usually end up at the Lake Calhoun location, which can get very busy on a Friday. But the line moves quickly and they also offer a “half-pint” beer while you wait for a discounted price. Dustin and I usually split the Toto pizza as well as one of their awesome salads (the Punch salad or the Rocket Salad are my favorites)
2. Broder’s Pasta Bar/Broder’s Cucina
Website: http://broders.com
Border’s Pasta Bar has been around forever. I have been there so many times and have never had a bad meal. There can be a wait for a table, but you can also order for pickup. And if you’re in a real rush, you can just go to Broder’s Cucina across the street, which is more casual, but still very yummy!
3. Pizzeria Lola:
Website: http://www.pizzerialola.com
Rated one of the best pizzerias in the COUNTRY. So you know its good. Similar to Punch, it’s a thin crust wood-fired pizza, not heavy but interesting flavor combinations.
4. Big River Pizza (actually in St. Paul)
Website: http://bigriverpizza.com
I know, another pizza place and it’s not even Minneapolis…but I just recently went to Big River and it is definitely worth a mention. Very good pizza.
5. Amore Uptown:
Website: http://www.amoreuptown.com
On a nice night, they have an amazing rooftop patio. Their pastas are delicious.
Bonus item:
D’Amico’s
Website: http://www.damicoandsons.com
If you’re looking for something quick and easy, D’Amico’s offers a great pasta (or pizza) menu. And if your dinner companion doesn’t have a long run in the morning, they can take advantage of their bottomless house wines during happy hour!
Happy eating!
Great Friday Five!! I’m all about Pizza before races!
Good luck tomorrow!! – I’ll be there running the half. Hoping the humidity isn’t as bad as the forecast shows now!
Thank you Kori! Good luck to you as well tomorrow.
Pizza (always) for the win! I’m seriously obsessed. Currently MPLSTP fave: Pizza Nea in NE. I haven’t heard of Big River, so need to check out… thanks for the rec! I’m jonesing to go to the pizza farm… have you been? We had post Grandma’s pizza, too, at Vitta Pizza… really good! Hope you’re recovering well 🙂
I have been to the Red Barn pizza farm in Northfield- so much fun! Definitely recommend a visit.
[…] friend Kris (who was also running) from the airport. It was lunch time, so we decided to stop at Punch Pizza on Grand Avenue in St. Paul before going to the […]
[…] we had my mother-in-law and Dustin’s stepdad over to see the remodel and then we went to Broder’s. I hadn’t been there in quite some time and its just as popular as ever! They don’t […]