In 2022 we booked an Airbnb in Minneapolis and took a few days off to see the Twins play the Tigers (twice), search for home plate from the team’s former ballpark as ensconced at Mall of America, explore the respective Twin Cities downtown districts (the other is St. Paul, of course), eat a lot, and drink a tad more judiciously than I used to.
We didn’t manage Hmong cuisine (think: Laos) this time, and I regret that.
Every bit of this itinerary, including our airport rides, came courtesy of light rail (with a few easy bus connections) and our own two feet. Even the Airbnb was a mere two blocks from a light rail station on University Avenue, and only ten minutes on foot from Surly Brewing Company, which is a must-visit.
I already knew about Surly. The Market at Malcolm Yards, a long block from Surly, came as a pleasant surprise.
No. 6: Best Food Hall (USA Today)
This community-centered food hall is on a mission to bring Minnesotans together and help local chefs build their businesses. The Market at Malcom Yards offers nine different food concepts, a cocktail bar, and a convenient self-pour tap wall. Locals love Wrecktangle Pizza, which serves a Detroit-style pie that’s received national attention.
The repurposed Malcolm Yards district where the brewery and food hall have put down roots is “recovering industrial,” from which a new, planned residential community is rising. It’s south of the eponymous rail yard, with the grounds of the University of Minnesota immediately adjacent.
I’ve long believed in the power of food and drink to serve as a tool in the arsenal of revitalization. I’m aware there is a discussion to be had and safeguards implemented when gentrification disrupts existing communities. At the same time, under-utilized or entirely abandoned former industrial areas are capable of being harnessed for much-needed wasteland improvements with fewer concerns about existing residents, precisely because there are few or none.
Let’s define the term, because a food hall differs from a food court.
A food court is a collection of fast-food or quick-service restaurants, usually found in malls or airports, with shared seating. A food hall features a variety of independent or artisanal eateries, offering diverse, high-quality cuisine in a market-style setting. Food halls focus on local, chef-driven concepts, while food courts prioritize convenience and affordability.
We have ’em in Louisville: Logan Street Market, The Village Market, The Streatery and Mashup Food Hall...Read more
