Smack Shack | North Loop Minneapolis

I wanted to get a Hipster Hack review out about the Smack Shack this week, since Valentine’s Day in just around the corner and according to their website they have a stuffed lobster & champagne pairing going on this Saturday, February 14th. What better way to say “I like you better than anyone else in my life,” than lobster and champagne?

The interesting thing about Smack Shack is that they originated as a Food Truck that specialized in Lobster Rolls. They were also featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” because of their food truck and as the food service at 1029 Bar. The actual “Smack Shack” restaurant has only been open since 2013, but it has quickly become a staple of the North Loop dining experience. Continue reading

Masu Sushi & Robata | Northeast Minneapolis

Every night I experience chronic mouthwatering while passing Masu Sushi & Robata on my drive home. Being a relatively new sushi supporter, it took me some time to muster up the courage to venture in. Luckily, I have some experienced sushi orderers as friends who were totally game for going with me and even for braving the sub-zero Minnesota temperatures and horrible traffic. Continue reading

Hipster Hack’s Best of 2014

I’ve tried a bunch of amazing foods, drinks, and places this year, so I wanted to share my Top 6 (I couldn’t make myself limit it to 5!) choices for the Best of 2014!

6. The Vegas Lounge

It’s probably not fair to call this a best of 2014, because it wasn’t new to me this year, but any Hipster “Best Of” list just feels immoral without the inclusion of this gem. Northeast really does have some of the most amazing places.

5. Dangerous Man – Chocolate Milk Stout

I’ve never had a beer that tasted like childhood before. This beer makes Peter Pan Syndrome acceptable and for that it receives no less than a high5, wink, and awkward two step with a little twist. Continue reading

B&G Wine & Liquor | Northeast Minneapolis

B&G Wine & Liquor is a convenient 3 blocks from my apartment. They’re also open until 10pm…dangerous.

What I like most about this liquor store (besides the obvious convenience) is the staff.

Service:

The employees are not only super friendly, but they’re entertaining. Upon stopping outside the door to make sure it was still open (since it was after 9pm), one of the workers opened up the door and said, “I’ve been waiting for you inside. You’re late. Were you going to stand out here all night?”

I’ve also been told to: “Keep doing what you’re doing,” after it was revealed I was, indeed, over 21 years of age.

However, my favorite encounter was the time my roommate bought a bottle of wine and informed them it was her post 5k run “treat.” When she walked outside the guy turned to me and said I should move out, because “she’s a bad influence on you.” Continue reading

Dogwood Coffee Bar | Uptown Minneapolis

The Dogwood Coffee Co. Coffee Bar in Uptown is located in Calhoun Square. According to their website they have three coffee bar locations as well as a warehouse location. Dogwood Coffee Co. was created by a group of coffee professionals.

Their mission:

“To dedicate our time to perfect the art of espresso and single-cup brewing, [in the hopes that] our coffee bar is a place to showcase and share some really great coffees we’ve discovered.”

Dangerous Man Brewing Co. | Northeast Minneapolis

Dangerous Man Brewing Co has been at the top of my brewery list for a while, because I’ve been hearing such amazing things. I’m pleased to report that it lived up to the hipster hype.

Drinks:

We went to Dangerous Man for girls night and between us had the Oktoberfest, Chocolate Milk Stout, and Kolsch. Nowhere near the whole selection, but it was a good start! Continue reading

Gasthof zur Gemutlichkeit Oktoberfest | Northeast Minneapolis

Gasthof zur Gemutlichkeit Oktoberfest has come and gone. Some friends and I made it there this last Saturday, which happened to be the last day of Oktoberfest this year.

In order to eat or drink you needed to buy tokens. Tokens which are $5 a piece.

Everything was also cash only, so if you want to avoid a long ATM line and a $3 ATM fee, I would suggest making a pit stop for cash on the way. Continue reading

Indeed Brewing Company | Northeast Minneapolis

Indeed Brewing Company is one of my favorites. I’ve now experienced it during every season and while patio weather is clearly the most ideal, especially since they have a pretty legit food truck line-up, it’s still a really fun place to be in the winter.

Drinks:

I have a weakness for their seasonal varietals. Mexican Honey was by far my favorite, but I’m also a pretty big fan of the LSD which has a really intriguing Lavender component.

Last week I was privileged to get a tour from Indeed Bartender/Bouncer/Busser Extraordinaire, Ben Hering. The truly amazing thing about Indeed is how successful they’ve managed to be in such a short amount of time. They’ve really gotten their recipe and their distribution down and it was cool to get a behind the scenes look. Continue reading

Matchbox Coffee Shop Northeast

I’ve been eyeing Matchbox Coffee Shop for a couple weeks, but everytime I go past it in the morning I’m already 10 minutes behind schedule so there’s just no time to stop.

Located next to Dangerous Man Brewery (another place on my to-go list) this is an extremely tiny and long shop that almost seems like it was once an alley between two buildings, but added a roof.

Service:

This is a cash only establishment, so unfortunately, I had went against my gut and didn’t take cash out before, meaning I had to awkwardly walk out, go get cash, then return. Don’t mind me…

The barista was really friendly and the customers openly greeted me, bringing me to the environment… Continue reading

Spyhouse Coffee | Northeast Minneapolis

As most of my friends know, my dream is to have someone write a Craigslist Missed Connection about me, so after seeing two missed connections happen at Spyhouse Coffee in Northeast, it naturally shot to the top of my “must go” list.

It doesn’t matter what time of day it is, everytime I drive by Spyhouse off of Broadway it’s packed, which is no surprise considering how delicious it is. Continue reading

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