Food Allergy Support

Discussion Boards => Traveling & Restaurants => Topic started by: DoubleAs on July 19, 2013, 07:56:50 PM

FAS has upgraded our forum security. Some members may need to log in again. If you are unable to remember your login information, please email food.allergy.supt@flash.net and we will help you get back in. Thanks for your patience!

Title: Twin Cities / Minneapolis / Saint Paul
Post by: DoubleAs on July 19, 2013, 07:56:50 PM
We're headed to Minneapolis soon to fulfill my son's dream of seeing the Twins play :-)  We're staying near the Mall of America and I know that Chipotle is there which is great.  I also see that there's a Chipotle a few blocks from Target Field.  Anyplace else at Mall of America that is nut-free or super good with allergies?  Chevy's is near our hotel, but we've ever eaten there and I don't know how good they are at dealing with allergies.  My son is allergic to eggs and tree nuts (all of them).  He doesn't seem to react to cross contamination from egg, but I really prefer a restaurant that doesn't have nuts.  Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Minneapolis
Post by: Macabre on July 20, 2013, 12:39:02 PM
DS can eat at Chevy's with his PA. I cannot with my SFA. DH and DS find the salsa there very good, and we are really from Texas and know salsa. :)

DS has eaten safely in MOA at a crepe place that is near an Italian restaurant whose name I have to research. That won't help you, because you're dealing with egg, but it could be good for others.

We do not deal with egg and avoid tree nuts in restaurants (DS has outgrown them and we have them at home), but places we go in the Twin Cities:
--Buca di Beppo (downtown near Theatre District, so several blocks from Tartget field).
-- (I will fill in name) across from Orpheum and over one block toward Target field.
--Hello Pizza at France and Sunnyside (north of 50th). We eat there frequently. It's inexpensive and has a very fun atmosphere.
--Chipotle on Nicolette Mall near the Theatre District
--Qdoba (several locations)
--Andiamo (Eagan)
--Smash Burger (several locations--yummy fried veggies)
--Bonfire Grill (several locations--Woodbury and Eagan)
--Davanni's pizza.  Many locations. I think there is a thread.
--DS has eaten at Mickey's Diner car in St. Paul, but I do not recommend it.

-->>YoYo Donuts in Minnestonka. Specifically peanut and treenuit free---sign on door. FAB. By the time you get here they will have but free ice cream. It is not necessarily egg free though. I don't know about their donuts, so call them before mentioning them to your kiddo. Really, this a heat place. It's 25 min from MoA (up 77, west on 62 for 15 min and north on _______will look up). We have a thread on YoYo.
Title: Re: Minneapolis
Post by: DoubleAs on July 30, 2013, 03:48:00 PM
Thank you so much, Macabre!  I wish we could do donuts -- but not with the egg allergy.  That said, I am looking forward to trying Davanni's Pizza -- I was so impressed with their allergy awareness brochure!

Title: Re: Minneapolis
Post by: Macabre on July 30, 2013, 05:31:15 PM
We had Davanni's Saturday night in Minnetonka. YUM.

I assume you know you can take the train from MoA to the stadium, but I'll mention it in case you don't. DS takes that to dance class, and it's great. The football stadium stop comes before the baseball stadium stop, FYI.

And I'll just mention this here for others--the ice cream at YoYo is amazing. It's really good. And they do shakes, malts, root beer floats, too!
Title: Re: Minneapolis
Post by: DoubleAs on July 30, 2013, 08:44:47 PM
We were planning to take the train from Mall of America to Target Field -- but a stop to check out football would be a sure hit :-)  Heading your way tomorrow :-)
Title: Re: Minneapolis
Post by: Macabre on July 30, 2013, 08:58:36 PM
Then I'll tell you that you can transfer at no cost for up to 2.5 hours. There's a special deal for downtown during certain hours (for downtown stops only). Nicolette Mall is a fun place to walk up and down day or night.

There is a cool Target on Nicolette Mall--two stories.

If its raining (or, um, snowing) you can get most places in Downtown on the skyways.

Oh--there's an Ikea the next block north of MoA.

Welcome to town!
Title: Re: Minneapolis
Post by: luci too on August 03, 2013, 12:18:18 AM
Also, Punch Pizza.  They have always been good about the peanut/treenut allergies and we tell them when we order then they tell the pizza cook.
Title: Re: Minneapolis
Post by: Macabre on August 03, 2013, 10:33:58 PM
Oh wow!!!  I hadn't heard of that. It looks amazing!!! The only nuts: pine nuts (not really nuts), walnut and hazelnut spread (looks like it may not be actual Nutella, sadly). DS is not allergic to any of those, though he doesn't eat them anywhere besides home. Except Nutella.

They serve Izzy's ice cream, so they could serve an actual peanut thing, but the rest of their menu looks great for allergies--and amazing to eat!  Thank you!
Title: Re: Minneapolis
Post by: DoubleAs on August 04, 2013, 08:41:54 AM
We had a great trip and enjoyed Davanni's -- thanks again!  Wonderful city :-)
Title: Minneapolis area trip
Post by: Mookie86 on September 19, 2014, 01:34:20 PM
I am planning a trip to the Minneapolis area (Bloomington and St. Paul as well).  We are completely crazy and voluntarily will go there over Winter Break.  The Mall of America has a Star Trek exhibit that ds2 wants to see, and that's likely how we'll spend his birthday.  I'm trying to figure out what to do beyond Mall of America.  My kids aren't fans of art museums or the theater, so that's off the table.  I read good things about the science museum in St. Paul, but it seems too juvenile for my teen and tween.

Here's what I have on my list so far.  Please offer additional suggestions, and remember indoor stuff only!

Water Park of America (indoor water park)

Mall of America:  Star Trek Experience, CSI Experience, Nickelodeon Universe, stores

Twin Cities Model R/R Museum in St. Paul

Minnesota Wild hockey game

Visiting a FAS member  ;)
Title: Re: Minneapolis area trip
Post by: GingerPye on September 19, 2014, 02:21:07 PM
there might be a Prairie Home Companion show.  That's always fun.
Title: Re: Minneapolis area trip
Post by: Macabre on September 19, 2014, 03:21:25 PM
I am parked outside the Fitzgerald Theater as I type this. :)

There is a thread in Travel. 

I'm liking forward to it. :yes:
Title: Re: Minneapolis area trip
Post by: Macabre on September 19, 2014, 03:33:47 PM
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b205/McCobbre/Mobile%20Uploads/7273B7D3-F123-4AE1-95A6-EE34C2A279F5_zpsjnxidngh.jpg)
Title: Re: Minneapolis area trip
Post by: hezzier on September 19, 2014, 04:11:43 PM
What's the donut place called? 
Title: Re: Minneapolis area trip
Post by: Macabre on September 19, 2014, 04:57:04 PM
YoYo!  It's in Minnetonka, west of Minneapolis. And they are award-winning donuts. Now they have PF/TNF ice cream, too!  And wowza is it good.

Since Mookie's DS outgrew his PA, I figured that would not be of interest or worth the travel. But I will say--if anyone who has PA/TNA is stopping over here or has a DH in a business meeting here, i would (if I can swing it) be happy to make a donut delivery. 

I wil mention a few other things here this weekend in the interst of a general thread on the Twin Cities, even though Mookie's family won't be doing them--in case someone else might find it useful for a trip here. 
Title: Re: Minneapolis area trip
Post by: YouKnowWho on September 19, 2014, 05:42:03 PM
Star Trek exhibit - if it is modeled after the one in St. Louis ROCKS.  DS1 crawled off his deathbed to attend (this was the trip from hell that I think he had protracted anaphylaxsis thanks to an error in judgement on day one of the trip).

Other than that - I am totally with you on going when it's cold :)  I am secretly hoping for a December trip to NJ.
Title: Re: Minneapolis area trip
Post by: Macabre on September 19, 2014, 05:46:17 PM
I don't care if it's outside--if you are here when the MOA Ice Castle is open, you should do it. But they're building on the land where they normally have it, so I'm not sure about this year.


http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/arts/2013/01/17/photos-ice-castles-mall-america
Title: Re: Minneapolis area trip
Post by: Mookie86 on September 19, 2014, 05:58:41 PM
Quote from: Macabre on September 19, 2014, 05:46:17 PM
I don't care if it's outside--if you are here when the MOA Ice Castle is open, you should do it. But they're building on the land where they normally have it, so I'm not sure about this year.


[url]http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/arts/2013/01/17/photos-ice-castles-mall-america[/url]


Will you stand next to me with a personal heater?  ;)

Seriously, I am willing to do anything outdoors if I feel ok with my -30 rated full-length coat, boots with toe warmers, gloves with hand warmers, and hat.  I'm guessing that's not happening over Winter Break.
Title: Re: Minneapolis area trip
Post by: hezzier on September 19, 2014, 06:15:20 PM
Quote from: Macabre on September 19, 2014, 04:57:04 PM
And they are award-winning donuts.

This is a good reason to go!
Title: Re: Minneapolis area trip
Post by: Macabre on September 19, 2014, 06:44:48 PM
It's only 10-15 degrees colder here than where you are typically.

Be brave!!
Title: Re: Minneapolis area trip
Post by: Mookie86 on September 19, 2014, 06:54:38 PM
But I hid inside most of last winter.  It was too cold for me here.  Anyway, there are plenty of fun things to do indoors, and I'm happy to make a list of things that involve some time outside in case I am ok with being outdoors.
Title: Re: Minneapolis area trip
Post by: Macabre on September 19, 2014, 09:25:54 PM
Oh, my thinking was if it's not too bad outside (say in the 20s), a 30 minute jaunt would not be so bad.


But in case anyone else uses this thread (or if we combine with the other Twin Citries thread), it would be a very cool thing for folks to know about. We have not gone yet but will this year.

Also for others as a general thread, I'll toss out some other things:

The Guthrie Theatre is not to be missed. It's in Minneapolis. We go a lot. The Twin Cities is second only to NYC for the most theatre seats per capita. We have so many wonderful theatres in both cities. Such a lucky place to be for our famiky. :yes:

And along the same lines--the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra has one of the most talented oboists in the world. And now they are off strike, the Minnesota Orchestra is very good. We are lucky to still have Vanksa as our conductor. Two world renowned choral groups, the all male Cantus and The Rose Ensemble have their home here.

St. Olaf is in Northfield, not very far south. And their music program is amazing. Their annual holiday concert is in early December, but you must get tickets in the fall.  DS always has a stage production then, so we've not been. We'll go when he's in college. But Northfield is such a fabulous town--very Austin-like. The town doesn't allow guns. It's a crunchy place--and also home to Carlton College, a very selective place.

Another town nearby on the St Croix River is Stillwater. It's a favorite place of my family. It's filled with quaint shops. The river was frozen this year though May. There are bluffs there--and a wine cave inside the bluffs. It's best visited Spring through Fall.
Title: Re: Minneapolis area trip
Post by: Macabre on September 19, 2014, 09:29:27 PM
We apparently have all manner of sports teams here as well, but I can only tell you who the football and baseball teams Are and that you can get to both stadia by train.
Title: Re: Minneapolis area trip
Post by: Mookie86 on September 19, 2014, 09:48:55 PM
I didn't think to search Twin Cities, so I will bump that thread.  It'd be fine if someone merges.

I can add to the sports team list.  In addition to baseball and football, there's also the Minnesota Wild professional hockey team playing in Minneapolis.  The University of Minnesota has an excellent hockey team, and they also play in Minneapolis.
Title: Re: Minneapolis area trip
Post by: Macabre on September 19, 2014, 10:38:56 PM
And even if you searched Minneapolis, there's no guarantee it would actually show up. ~)  Grrrr.
Title: Re: Minneapolis area trip
Post by: Macabre on September 20, 2014, 10:56:36 PM
Noting--ikea is across the street from MOA to the north. Hotel shuttles go there, too. DS gets the brocolli medallions and a salad. And mashed potatoes with lingonberry sauce (no gravy --it's not vegetarian). It's quite inexpensive. If you have a free ikea family member card you get free coffee. The lingonberry sofa is good.

Also both downtowns have am extensive skyway system. It's cool (warm, ha) to walk through in the winter. You don't have to go outside. Fourteen years ago I had a business trip to  Saint  Paul in March and used the  skyway from my hotel to the meeting. There were grocery places in it. It sky first trip away from do and I still nursing. I brought a hand pump with me and was  unsuccessful with it. I found  a farmers market outside my hotel in the skyway and bought a cabbage. Relief! 

Anyway the skyway is great to know about.
Title: Re: Minneapolis
Post by: Macabre on April 10, 2015, 01:27:43 PM
bump
Title: Re: Twin Cities / Minneapolis / Saint Paul
Post by: Macabre on April 10, 2015, 01:33:41 PM
YoYo Donuts - Minnetonka, MN

Davanni's Pizza. How's this for cool CYA?
Title: Re: Twin Cities / Minneapolis / Saint Paul
Post by: Macabre on June 05, 2016, 10:31:24 AM
We've had  Punch Pizza a few times this year. It's safe for both DS and me. I don't think they have any shellfish there and the pizzas take like two minutes to cook. Seriously. Fun atmosphere. They are mostly in St Paul, but there is one in the St. Anthony Main area in Minneapolis.

One of the St. Paul locations--on Grand--is in a great walking neighborhood drilled with fun shops and upscale shops.