Keeping up the tradition of the last couple years I wanted to share 12 of my favorite foods of 2025. This year, due to my husband and I buying a house we did a lot less eating out, but it was still hard to pick just 12 dishes. So without further ado, sharing in no particular order…
1. Deep Fried Sushi, Sushi Flip
Deep Fried Sushi – Tuna King: Spicy tuna, cream cheese, avocado, jalapeno with spicy mayo, unagi sauce and ponzu
The deep fried sushi was my favorite new food of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival this year. I would eat these every month.
Minnesota Renaissance Festival (King’s Gate)
3525 145th St W
Shakopee, MN 55379
2. Garlic Bread, Liliana
Garlic Bread: Milk bread, garlic butter, cream cheese, grana padano
There were a lot of good dishes at Liliana and I know it feels kind of basic to pick the garlic bread, but it is elite. Trust me.
Liliana
10060 City Walk Drive
Woodbury, MN 55129
3. Somali Street Fries, Midtown Global Market
Midtown Global Market’s Somali Street Fries: A blend of Somali Beef Suqaar – spiced beef, vegetables, cheese and herbs – piled atop a bed of french fries. Topped with white garlic sauce and green jalapeño hot sauce
It is no secret I’m obsessed with trying out new foods at the Minnesota State Fair, but I can safely say this was my favorite of 2025.
Minnesota State Fair
Hoyt Ave W
Falcon Heights, MN 55108
4. Big Dilly Pizza, OG Zaza
Big Dilly: White sauce, dill pickles, mozzarella, garlic, parm blend
I love dill pickle pizza so much. I highly recommend the one at OG Zaza and bonus you can order it for pickup and enjoy it next door with a beer at Lake Monster Brewing.
OG Zaza
550 Vandalia St suite 140
St Paul, MN 55114
5. Philly Mac, MACS
Philly Mac: Provolone, mozzarella, philly steak, sautéed green peppers, onions & mushrooms
I know, I know this isn’t in the Twin Cities, but if you are ever near the Wisconsin Dells this specialty Mac and Cheese shop is a must.
MACS
208 Broadway
Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965
6. Uncle Bob’s Flatbread, Tamarack Tap Room
Uncle Bobs: Dill pickle sauce, cheese blend, ground beef, diced tomatoes, pickled onions, dill pickle chips, chopped bacon, lettuce with house sauce
This was a seasonal menu item earlier this year and I would like to open a petition to have it on the menu year round.
Tamarack Tap Room
8418 Tamarack Village
Woodbury, MN 55125
7. Crab Cake Benedict, BLVD Kitchen & Bar
Crab Cake Benedict: Jumbo lump crab cakes, poached eggs, toasted English muffin,
whole grain mustard hollandaise, crispy potato strings.
If you’re looking for a great upscale brunch BLVD Kitchen & Bar in Minnetonka is a great option. The Crab Cake Benedict was really good.
BLVD Kitchen & Bar
11544 Wayzata Boulevard
Minnetonka, MN 55305
8. Honey Mustard Wrap, Crisp & Green
Honey Mustard Wrap: low net carb tortilla with romaine, roasted chicken, tomatoes, white cheddar, avocado, bacon, & honey mustard dressing
Husband really enjoys the salads at Crisp & Green and so do I, but truthfully I just find a wrap more filling so when they launched them this year I was PUMPED. The honey mustard wrap is my go-to.
Crisp & Green
7030 Valley Creek Plaza #101
Woodbury, MN 55125
9. Sweetheart Roll, Dragon Pearl Sushi
Sweetheart Roll: Spicy tuna,crunch in pink soy wrapper w.special sauce
I had to add a second sushi and yes this is another in Wisconsin, but this one is just over the border! The flavor is delicious and the heart shape is just fun.
Dragon Pearl
431 2nd St #202
Hudson, WI 54016
10. Dill Pickle Grilled Cheese, The Buttered Tin
Dill Pickle Grilled Cheese w/Bacon: Dill Havarti and provolone cheese, dill pickle chips, and peppadew relish on toasted sourdough bread.
Sandwiches are my favorite food so this dill pickled grilled cheese with added bacon being on the list is a no brainer.
The Buttered Tin
2445 Marshall St NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
11. Cream Cheese Frittelle, Minari
Cream Cheese Frittelle: Pecorino, hot honey, pickled plum
Minari was my favorite new (to me) restaurant of 2025. It was hard to pick my favorite dish, because I loved all the dim sum, but I am a creature of habit and I have to admit their take on a cream cheese wonton won it for me.
Minari
323 13th Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
12. Crispy Chicken Bites, Taco Bell
Crispy Chicken Bites: Premium all-white meat crispy chicken, marinated with bold Mexican spices, and tossed in a crunchy tortilla chip coating. Served with Fire Ranch sauce.
I am no food snob and Taco Bell is my favorite fast food restaurant so it would be blasphemy for me not to include their new crispy chicken on my favorite foods list, because they were that good.
Taco Bell
And that’s a wrap!
I hope you enjoyed my 2025 recap. I’m ready to get back to crossing off more restaurants from my list in 2026.
Not everything I try gets a full-on review, because it may be a dish from a place I’ve tried before or recently so be sure to check out all things I’ve tried over on my instagram.
Hipster Hack 