Each Friday, this list will track five of the best things Heavy Table’s writers, editors, and photographers have recently bitten or sipped. Have a suggestion for the Hot Five? Email editor@heavytable.com.
The Hot Five is a weekly feature created by the Heavy Table and supported by Shepherd Song Farm.
Lefse Good Times Roll at the Rabbit Hole at the Minnesota State Fair
It’s a shame that this lefse + cream cheese + marshmallow + almond brittle + roasted pineapple + mint hand roll wasn’t available at the start of the fair, because it might have topped our list. Between its creamy-chewy texture, the lovely crunch of the brittle, and the brightness of the mint, this is a dessert dish we’ve never tried before, and one we’d like to try again and again due to its perfect balance and the novelty “wow” factor. Seek it out while you can — the fair ends soon.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by James Norton]
Crispy Tilapia with Mango Salad at On’s Kitchen
This dish made us fall in love with On’s all over again. The large whole tilapia was exquisitely fried — crunchy exterior, juicy interior, and not the least bit greasy. Bright, balanced, and beautiful, the mango salad was equally impressive. When combined, the fried fish and fresh salad made each other even better. Even at $22, this dish seemed like a deal.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Joshua Page]
Shrimp and Grits at the Kenwood
The Kenwood’s Shrimp and Grits with bacon, shiitakes, poached egg and K-Mama* sauce, priced at $15, is substantial on many levels. We were a little cautious about the K-Mama sauce overpowering the cheesy/creamy texture of the grits, but this was not the case. There was a perfect balance between heat, spice, and texture. The bacon/mushroom/caramelized onions sauté planted on top was loaded with flavor and extremely rich all on its own. The poached egg actually toned down the salty-smokeiness. Oh, and yes: There were shrimp. They were perfect, too, but definitely not the hero in this dish. *K-Mama is a high quality, locally produced (in Columbia Heights) Korean sauce.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Brenda Johnson]
Barbacoa Taco at the Seventh Street Truck Park
There was a lot to be skeptical of at the Seventh Street Truck Park between the Guy Fieri-ish bro decor and the endless TVs, but the barbacoa taco actually lived up to the hype. A nice balance of crunchy acid, plenty of decent cotija cheese, and well-seasoned, moist pork made this a taco we’d definitely eat again.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by James Norton]
Ole Juan a Rolle at the Rabbit Hole at the Minnesota State Fair
It takes some effort to parse what this dish even is, between the name and the ingredients: it’s a lefse quesadilla with cheese and Kahlúa pork wrapped around pineapple fried rice. Most of what you get is the soothing chewy-crispiness of the lefse and the fried rice, but the warm, full-flavored wads of pork add substance and interest, making this a highly satisfying fair-time entree.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by James Norton]
For the last day of the Fair Rabbit Hole brought back the carpe diem cone and filled it with roasted pineapple, cream cheese, ice cream and almond brittle. It was divine. The cakelike cone soaked up the pineapple syrup. It was divine.