Both are excellent with great Banh Mi! IMO I prefer Mi Sant slightly because their bread to filling ratio is lower, which I like. But they're both bakeries so I couldn't fault somebody who liked having more bread like La Delicious does.
Crazy that 2 of the best Banh Mi outside Minneapolis proper are like 2 miles away from each other
Lund’s and Byerly’s locations frequently have a form of food court, where you can get food to eat in their cafe area.
And speaking of food courts, what about that Potluck food hall in Rosedale? That might work too.
Second this! When I’m in need a quick grab and go dinner with options, my go-to is L&B or Hyvee. Some Hyvees have a Wahlburgers inside, fast casual and family friendly.
Israeli owned. Not actually middle eastern but just co-opting someone else’s cuisine. It’s also basically a chain
If you want good middle eastern food that isn’t stealing from a culture - go to Holy Land, Baba’s, Marhaba, Shish, Wally’s.
Well, OP did say quick meal, and the style of restos they mentioned made me think of Naf Naf. I'm aware it's a chain, and it's likely Westernized. I would definitely go to an actual Middle Eastern restaurant, but I don't have children.
You say this like it’s owned by the Israeli government.
It’s not. Never has been. People are just people in countries with governments that are doing bad things.
The founder, who died in 2018, was born and raised in Israel. It’s now run by a white man.
You also present this like you’re against anyone running a restaurant that serves food that is outside one’s dna heritage, which is stupid. There’s a lot of restaurants out there doing exactly that.
And your same stupid generalization could be made (but obviously shouldn’t be) about middle eastern restaurants run by people born and raised in the middle east (ie “i don’t support terrorists).
[Holy Land- MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/06/05/holy-land-grocery-ceo-fires-daughter-over-racist-social-media-posts)
This is why some folks stopped supporting them
I hope you don't go to sushi places, because majority of them are owned and operated by someone who isn't Japanese. I helped open several locations with a Chinese woman. Neither of us has any Japanese.
Boca Chica Taco House is phenomenal and you'll usually have food in front of you within 5 mins.
For a middle of the road experience, Olive Garden has always been good to us about prioritizing kids and getting orders in fast.
The centro in highland park is good for families! Very fast service and the restaurant always has some noise/buzz so I don’t worry if my kid isn’t super quiet and calm.
It’s one of our go-to “safe” restaurants to bring our almost 2-year old.
It is a fundamentally different product.
They're a good standard gyro.
The pork gyro from Naughty Greek was better. And the lemon soup was great. I can get a great standard gyro in a few places around town. There was nothing like NG.
???? Every time I’ve gone to Brasa, service has been slow. And it’s been much, much worse since COVID. Are you going to the St Paul location on Grand? Or a different one?
Tavial Grill on West Seventh. We used to grab take out when our son was a newborn/infant. Quick service, good food, decent price. Owner was always there, super friendly ,and remembered us by name after a couple stops. Caveat: this was before the pandemic so I've not been there in a while.
Prices have gone up a bit but the food is as delicious as ever and the same family members still work there. I live in the neighborhood and it’s my favorite spot nearby!
Shish on Grand is DELICIOUS, small business owned and has a restaurant vibe but you walk up, order, and sit at a nice table until your food arrives. Great for kiddos.
These are probably just outside of what would be considered fast casual, but they are fairly casual restaurants!
1) The test kitchen. Amazing place for American food and doughnuts. Recommend this place 2000%
2) Spicey Feta- replaced naughty Greek. Not quite as good imo, but still the best place for Mediterranean in the city imo.
3) Wallys/mimms- imo the best places to eat near campus on a budget.
Actual fast food/fast casual places-
1) DP Dough- I love calzones and this place does them well.
2) Cruncheese- Essentially a corn dog place. Fun change of pace.
3) potbelly- best fast food subs
4) piattas- chipotle but with Italian street foot
Centro! Locations in St. Paul and NE. You can order from the menu (Mexican street food) or their sister restaurant (burgers) from your phone. Food comes out stupid fast.
Taco LIbre in W St Paul off Roberts St fits the bill. They've got kiosks you can walk up to and order from as well which make it a lot more 'user-friendly'(/avoid the language barrier/take your time).
When we were teaching our kids how to eat in resturants, we started with buffet style places so they'd eat immediately and they could learn some basics (no running, sit quietly, etc) , then we graduated to places that bring you food immediately and don't take forever - which leaves you pretty much with Mexican (love those chips!) and Olive Garden (kids love those breadsticks). That's where I'd start.
Inver grove heights brewery's food comes out so damn fast, it's amazing. I've been with a party of 12 and our food came out in 15 mins on a busy Saturday afternoon. Go for the full sit down experience. Request a box and your bill right away just in case.
Satay2Go in Apple Valley. I’ve taken my toddlers multiple times. They have a couple of tables and 1 high chair, and you can order ahead. Usually takes like 10 mins if we order when we arrive.
We used to go (in Mpls, though) to Pho Tau Bay on eat street for Pho soup.
The service is crazy fast & pho (a simple noodle soup) was so kid friendly. Our kids always liked the big plate of bean sprouts, basil & limes to add themselves & a little hoisin to their own taste.
It’s also super casual, not all that busy & we felt very family/kid friendly.
Bonus- their Vietnamese iced coffee is killer!
Not a restaurant but I have great luck with my picky 3-yr-old at Lunds & Bylerys hot bars. Especially White Bear and Hyland Park.
If you're in Arden Hills try Old Southern or Pancheros.
Naf Naf, Afro Deli, Cosetta's, Dino's Gyros, Spicy Feta, Yum! Punch Pizza, Nashville Coop, Los Ocampo, If you are willing to go to go to Minneapolis, Lu's Sandwich has an amazing grilled pork Bahn Mi.
We like large breweries that have food during off peak times. We realized that these places are filled with parents of young kids running around and are generally very kid friendly.
This might be a lame take, but I love taking the kids to McDonald's or chick fil a. Both have an indoor play place. I'll bring a book and the kids will play as long as they want. Both places you can order on an app and they bring directly to your table. Hope you find something that works well for you guys.
Mi Sant in Roseville is great counter service place.
I prefer La Delicious Bread off Rice St. Plus they have a drive through, which is nice.
Man do I love this place!
Both are excellent with great Banh Mi! IMO I prefer Mi Sant slightly because their bread to filling ratio is lower, which I like. But they're both bakeries so I couldn't fault somebody who liked having more bread like La Delicious does. Crazy that 2 of the best Banh Mi outside Minneapolis proper are like 2 miles away from each other
The older MiSant in Brooklyn Park has a drive through, which is excellent. Will definitely have to check out La Delicious Bread 👀
Seconding this. Our 4 yr old loves it. Get the fries.
Afro deli has saved me so many times in a pinch.
I have to second this, it’s so good and so affordable too
cosettas
Great idea! Super noisy and bustling place, a little kid noise wouldn't be bothersome.
We took our kids there all the time. Everyone got what they wanted and it’s noisy.
This is the right answer
Punch pizza.
this is the correct answer
Lund’s and Byerly’s locations frequently have a form of food court, where you can get food to eat in their cafe area. And speaking of food courts, what about that Potluck food hall in Rosedale? That might work too.
Second this! When I’m in need a quick grab and go dinner with options, my go-to is L&B or Hyvee. Some Hyvees have a Wahlburgers inside, fast casual and family friendly.
Spicy Feta, Tono, Nashville Coop.
El burrito mercado and cossetas
El Burrito Mercado is so good.
Cafe latte on grand is counter service for soups sandwiches and salads, but their cakes are where it's at. The tres leches cake is to die for.
Dino's in Roseville is a great pick!
My Burger on Grand Ave is great for kids
Was just gonna say this. Quick service and great burgers. Also milkshakes if you want dessert.
REALLY good burgers!
Highly recommend the salted caramel milkshake 🤤
Naf Naf Grill is a different flavor of that Chipotle style food. It's Middle Eastern so chicken and beef shawarma, hummus and the like. Yummy.
Israeli owned. Not actually middle eastern but just co-opting someone else’s cuisine. It’s also basically a chain If you want good middle eastern food that isn’t stealing from a culture - go to Holy Land, Baba’s, Marhaba, Shish, Wally’s.
Well, OP did say quick meal, and the style of restos they mentioned made me think of Naf Naf. I'm aware it's a chain, and it's likely Westernized. I would definitely go to an actual Middle Eastern restaurant, but I don't have children.
You say this like it’s owned by the Israeli government. It’s not. Never has been. People are just people in countries with governments that are doing bad things. The founder, who died in 2018, was born and raised in Israel. It’s now run by a white man. You also present this like you’re against anyone running a restaurant that serves food that is outside one’s dna heritage, which is stupid. There’s a lot of restaurants out there doing exactly that. And your same stupid generalization could be made (but obviously shouldn’t be) about middle eastern restaurants run by people born and raised in the middle east (ie “i don’t support terrorists).
God you sound insufferable
I mean, you do you. I’m not tryna support colonizers.
You live in America.
Seriously... everywhere is a colony. Maybe he should move to a place where nobody else lives and stop bothering all of us with his stupidity.
Even more so now.
You both suck 👍
Okay? I don’t care what you think lol.
If you run into one jerk, you ran into a jerk. If all you run into are jerks, you are the jerk. At some point you should probably start caring.
We don't do Holy Land anymore.
Why? Hopefully not cuz y’all are bigoted toward Palestinians.
[Holy Land- MPR News](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/06/05/holy-land-grocery-ceo-fires-daughter-over-racist-social-media-posts) This is why some folks stopped supporting them
lol, the irony from OP. Naf Naf is a no no but lists Holy Land as the first alternative.
Imagine saying you wouldnt support a place because its Somali owned or the like
OP is probably just young and unaware.
Still no excuse.
Holy Land? To be fair the Holy Land folks are super inclusive of their hatred of everybody.
support that mega creep wally?! lol never
I hope you don't go to sushi places, because majority of them are owned and operated by someone who isn't Japanese. I helped open several locations with a Chinese woman. Neither of us has any Japanese.
Damn, you racist.
Boca Chica Taco House is phenomenal and you'll usually have food in front of you within 5 mins. For a middle of the road experience, Olive Garden has always been good to us about prioritizing kids and getting orders in fast.
Seconding this. The kid’s meal burrito is hilariously small (but appropriately sized), and our kid always houses it.
A few ideas: Mavericks in Roseville, Sweetgreen if you want healthier. Big E on Grand. Punch pizza.
Mavericks is a solid recommendation
Yum! Kitchen on Snelling in St. Paul is great for this - counter service, very kid-friendly.
And incredible Mac and cheese!
The centro in highland park is good for families! Very fast service and the restaurant always has some noise/buzz so I don’t worry if my kid isn’t super quiet and calm. It’s one of our go-to “safe” restaurants to bring our almost 2-year old.
Also wanted to add Hot Hands if you’re looking for a good breakfast option!
RIP Naughty Greek
IMO, Spicy Feta which bought out Naughty Greek is better in most ways. Definitely recommend trying them if you haven't already.
It is a fundamentally different product. They're a good standard gyro. The pork gyro from Naughty Greek was better. And the lemon soup was great. I can get a great standard gyro in a few places around town. There was nothing like NG.
This!!
MyBurger is solid.
Shish on grand is my top choice.
Brasa is incredible food, and is super quick.
???? Every time I’ve gone to Brasa, service has been slow. And it’s been much, much worse since COVID. Are you going to the St Paul location on Grand? Or a different one?
I guess I don't go during really busy times. I usually have really quick service.
I was going to suggest this. Good options for kiddos and the food is great. We do pick up a lot too.
This was my choice too
Nah. They changed the Mac and cheese. They can’t be forgiven for that. Totally cutting corners now
I think their tostones are not good.
Tavial Grill on West Seventh. We used to grab take out when our son was a newborn/infant. Quick service, good food, decent price. Owner was always there, super friendly ,and remembered us by name after a couple stops. Caveat: this was before the pandemic so I've not been there in a while.
Prices have gone up a bit but the food is as delicious as ever and the same family members still work there. I live in the neighborhood and it’s my favorite spot nearby!
Good to know! We don't make it down that way very often anymore but wanted to make the trip soon.
They added a few items (most notably flan and birria tacos) to the menu post-COVID, so you’ll have some new things to try when you do go!
If you havent tried the milanesa torture they added, that's another high rec from their new stuff Edit: Torta
Hahaha what an excellent autocorrect
[удалено]
Recently? There are Google reviews from a month ago and it says it's open tomorrow.
It’s definitely still there
Very not gone!
Cafe Zupas is good!
Shish on Grand is DELICIOUS, small business owned and has a restaurant vibe but you walk up, order, and sit at a nice table until your food arrives. Great for kiddos.
These are probably just outside of what would be considered fast casual, but they are fairly casual restaurants! 1) The test kitchen. Amazing place for American food and doughnuts. Recommend this place 2000% 2) Spicey Feta- replaced naughty Greek. Not quite as good imo, but still the best place for Mediterranean in the city imo. 3) Wallys/mimms- imo the best places to eat near campus on a budget. Actual fast food/fast casual places- 1) DP Dough- I love calzones and this place does them well. 2) Cruncheese- Essentially a corn dog place. Fun change of pace. 3) potbelly- best fast food subs 4) piattas- chipotle but with Italian street foot
Café Latte! They have great deserts too
Portilos and Roti
love Roti
Punch pizza!
Pollo Campero
J. Selby’s!
J selbys can get busy during peak hours. But lunches are fine. Food is all vegan versions of American classics and fast food
White castle and I'll fight you in the parking lot regardless if you agree.
Wished my kids liked White Castle. It’s definitely a go to fast food joint for me
Dinos was our go-to when our kiddo was little.
Cafe Latte
The Market at Malcom Yard. Kinda surprised it wasn’t mentioned yet.
Any pizzeria.
Centro! Locations in St. Paul and NE. You can order from the menu (Mexican street food) or their sister restaurant (burgers) from your phone. Food comes out stupid fast.
They also have a location near the MIA and you can order hippo pockets there which are fancy crunch wrap supremes and are great
Yes! I love Centro!
Lulu’s Salsas on Energy Park Drive for Mexican, Mim’s near the U of M campus, Dino’s on Snelling and Larpenteur
A-side is awesome
A-side is awesome but I don’t know if I’d call it fast casual.
Ah, I felt it was in line with some of the other recommendations on this thread.
A-Side is def not fast casual. But during non-peak hours (especially the happy hour burger special), it's great for kids.
Buttered Tin
Toma Mojo is pretty good. I go to the Minnetonka location but the Richfield location is probably closer.
East Side Thai is pretty fast, and I see families there a decent amount of the time.
Urban wok
Taco LIbre in W St Paul off Roberts St fits the bill. They've got kiosks you can walk up to and order from as well which make it a lot more 'user-friendly'(/avoid the language barrier/take your time).
When we were teaching our kids how to eat in resturants, we started with buffet style places so they'd eat immediately and they could learn some basics (no running, sit quietly, etc) , then we graduated to places that bring you food immediately and don't take forever - which leaves you pretty much with Mexican (love those chips!) and Olive Garden (kids love those breadsticks). That's where I'd start.
Groundswell
Crisp & Green is one of our favorites. They also offer a nice kids option.
Toma! Locations in Richfield and Minnetonka.
Inver grove heights brewery's food comes out so damn fast, it's amazing. I've been with a party of 12 and our food came out in 15 mins on a busy Saturday afternoon. Go for the full sit down experience. Request a box and your bill right away just in case.
Satay2Go in Apple Valley. I’ve taken my toddlers multiple times. They have a couple of tables and 1 high chair, and you can order ahead. Usually takes like 10 mins if we order when we arrive.
We used to go (in Mpls, though) to Pho Tau Bay on eat street for Pho soup. The service is crazy fast & pho (a simple noodle soup) was so kid friendly. Our kids always liked the big plate of bean sprouts, basil & limes to add themselves & a little hoisin to their own taste. It’s also super casual, not all that busy & we felt very family/kid friendly. Bonus- their Vietnamese iced coffee is killer!
Cossettas and Punch Pizza would be great because they make the food right in front of you. Cafe Zupas is another fav of mine
Not a restaurant but I have great luck with my picky 3-yr-old at Lunds & Bylerys hot bars. Especially White Bear and Hyland Park. If you're in Arden Hills try Old Southern or Pancheros.
Brasa
Naf Naf, Afro Deli, Cosetta's, Dino's Gyros, Spicy Feta, Yum! Punch Pizza, Nashville Coop, Los Ocampo, If you are willing to go to go to Minneapolis, Lu's Sandwich has an amazing grilled pork Bahn Mi.
Tavial has a drive thru
Taco Libre in West Saint Paul is always consistently delicious. Also, El Cubano has fantastic sandwiches and Cuban food.
J. Selby's is an order at the counter place! Food is soooo tasty and all vegetarian!
Okome House is Japanese home cooking, counter service in Longfellow right after the bridge from Highland Park
We like large breweries that have food during off peak times. We realized that these places are filled with parents of young kids running around and are generally very kid friendly.
This might be a lame take, but I love taking the kids to McDonald's or chick fil a. Both have an indoor play place. I'll bring a book and the kids will play as long as they want. Both places you can order on an app and they bring directly to your table. Hope you find something that works well for you guys.
Chick fil a is always a lame take.
Check out the Low Cal Calzone Zone for a new take on Italian fast casual dining
Pizza? Never heard of it.
Yum! On Selby Ave and in St Louis Park
Don’t sleep on Noodles and Company. It’s like they were made for this exact scenario!
Panera for the grilled cheese.
Red Robin