The Meals on Heels mega-restaurant preview!
This year’s Meals on Heels restaurant lineup is set! The food is always a highlight of our big summer party to support Meals on Wheels and this year’s lineup may just be the best yet! Read on to see what of each of the 13 restaurants joining us at Nicollet Island on Aug. 15 will be bringing to share with our guests. Your ticket lets you sample all of them to your heart’s delight!
Menu item: Juicy Lucy
The home of the renowned Juicy Lucy, the 5-8 Club, will be returning to Meals on Heels! The 5-8 Club has been a longtime supporter of Meals on Wheels, as they were at the very first Meals on Heels event back in 2009 (and they’ve been a part of seven other Meals on Heels events since then). We are so excited to have this beloved Minnesota staple back at Meals on Heels! The next time you’re on the lookout for a burger and a beer, head to one of the best locally-owned burger restaurants in Minnesota — the 5-8 Club.
Menu item: Grilled flank steak salad
The Loop in Minneapolis, located just blocks away from Target Field, will be making their first showing at Meals on Heels! The Loop is praised for its great atmosphere, well-crafted drinks, and appetizing meals. We are so happy to have this vibrant restaurant, a Minneapolis favorite, as one of our featured restaurants.
Menu item: Variety of locally made ice cream flavors
There’s nothing better than ice cream on a hot summer day…Sweet Science is committed to making ice cream that is all-natural and free of stabilizers, artificial flavors, colors or gums. By using food science and organic ingredients they are able to conjure up so many unique flavors. The Creator of Sweet Science, Ashlee Olds, creates and tests all of the flavors herself, then they are made by hand in their St. Paul kitchen. Sweet Science Ice Cream can be found in St. Paul at the Keg and Case Market, at their Pop-ups in Delicata, and in many local retailers. Sweet Science will be the perfect addition to the Meals on Heels restaurant lineup and we can’t wait for you all to give this one-of-a-kind ice cream a try.
Menu item: Pork belly and edamame falafel sliders
We are so happy to announce that Eli’s East Food & Cocktails will be back at Meals on Heels! Their last appearance at Meals on Heels was a hit, with many attendees asking for them to return. This classy yet casual restaurant offers outstanding food in a warm, friendly atmosphere. Swing by their Northeast Minneapolis location for a cocktail or a weekend brunch!
Menu item: Chopped chicken sliders and pork ribs
Beast BBQ, a recent addition to the Minneapolis food scene, will be making its Meals on Heels debut. Although Beast BBQ just opened its doors this year, they are already making a name for themselves among the top barbecue joints in the city. In addition to their tasty food that is smoked over Minnesota oak, they also have an excellent range of drinks thanks to their local partnerships with Rockfilter distillery, Headflyer Brewing and J. Carver Distillery. We are so excited to have this up-and-coming restaurant, but you don’t have to wait until Meals on Heels! Their full menu and bar are open until 2 a.m., so swing by next time you’re out looking for some late night barbecue.
Menu item: Tres leches cake
The Kitchen of Opportunities is a kitchen dedicated solely to serving Meals on Wheels recipients in the Twin Cities area. Since its opening over a year ago in partnership with the outstanding Open Arms of Minnesota culinary staff the kitchen has continuously grown. Prior to the opening of the Kitchen of Opportunities all 32 individual Meals on Wheels programs in the Metro area had gotten their food from outside catering companies. Through this project Meals on Wheels is able to reduce costs and provide healthier, more customizable menu options. One of the coolest things about the Kitchen of Opportunities being a part of Meals on Heels is that attendees can try for themselves the same food served to Meals on Wheels recipients. So even though you’ll have your swankiest shoes on, you’ll still be able to step into another person’s shoes and see what delicious food a Meals on Wheels recipient receives!
Menu item: Shrimp tacos
NOLO’s Kitchen, the neighborhood restaurant located in the heart of the North Loop, will be making their first appearance at Meals on Heels next month! NOLO’s specializes in recipes made with simple and high-quality ingredients. In addition to their flavorful food, they also serve an array of hand-crafted cocktails, local beer and a diverse wine list. When you visit NOLO’s you’ll quickly notice their commitment to Midwestern hospitality and great service. NOLO’s Kitchen is the perfect option for casual dining, and if you’re looking for a new spot with a fun atmosphere, you need to check out what’s downstairs: The Basement Bar.
Menu item: Black bean quinoa burger
Simply Steve’s Mobile Food Truck will once again be joining us at Meals on Heels! Not only do we love the delicious food coming out of this truck, we love the support coming from it. Simply Steve’s has been a part of our event 7 years now, and is always down to give to Meals on Wheels in any way. We are so happy to have this awesome food truck in action at Meals on Heels this year. Simply Steve’s is always moving, so you can follow the food truck on social media to find its latest whereabouts.
Menu item: Chilled avocado soup with a crab & tomato salad
The St. Paul Grill will once again be joining us for an unforgettable evening at Meals on Heels! We are so thankful for their continuous support of Meals on Wheels throughout the years (and for their fantastic food, of course). Oh, and did we mention they were just named the top restaurant in St. Paul by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine? Since we know you can’t wait until the event, chose The St. Paul Grill for your next night out.
Menu item: Beyond cheeseburger pizza, Fire Breathing Dragon pizza, & gluten-free Lucé
Your favorite place to go for pizza in Minnesota, Pizza Lucé, will once again be providing their mouthwatering pizza at Meals on Heels. This is the 9th year that they have partnered with us and every year they bring new and unique pizzas along with some of their classic fan-favorites. We can’t wait to see what they will bring to this year’s event!
Menu item: Chicken tikka masala with a slice of naan bread
Gandhi Mahal Restaurant will be bringing their Bangladeshi/Indian food for Meals on Heels attendees to enjoy once again! Since its opening 11 years ago Gandhi Mahal has continually been praised as one of the best Indian restaurants in the Twin Cities. In addition to their exquisite food, we also love their commitment to the environment and sustainable practices. Much of the food used at Gandhi Mahal is grown in their own community gardens or purchased locally. They are also committed to creating a peaceful gathering space for everyone who joins them at their restaurant. Check out Gandhi Mahal for their all-you-can-eat lunch buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or at dinnertime.
Catrinas Cerveza and Mexican Grill
Menu item: Chicken tinga tostadas
Catrinas Cerveza and Mexican Grill provides fresh, authentic Mexican food in a fast-casual taqueria setting. All of their food is made in house by the owners and chefs on a daily basis, including the delicious chicken tinga tostadas which will be up for the tasting at Meals on Heels. We are ecstatic about this addition to the Meals on Heels food lineup and want to also encourage you to check out Catrinas, whether it be for Taco Tuesday or your next catering event.
Menu item: Assortment of bundtinis
Our taste buds are jumping for joy just thinking about the desserts that this next Meals on Heels restaurant will be bringing to the event this year. A Meals on Heels favorite, Nothing Bundt Cakes, will be providing their to-die-for cakes at Meals on Heels 2019.