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.
Bacon Bratwurst at the Chef Shack Ranch
The craft of bratwurst has been elevated to an art at Chef Shack Ranch; the eatery’s bacon brats are savory and richly flavored without being greasy or heavy, and they snap pleasantly without being tough. These sausages are what we want summer to taste like.
[ Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by James Norton, from an upcoming episode of The Weekend Starts Now]
Fried Turkey Gizzards at Nighthawks
The texture of the fried turkey gizzards at Nighthawks is creamy enough to melt like foie gras while remaining somewhat meaty and hearty under the batter. Bright dill ranch perfectly cuts the richness of the little bites. Though the portion is beyond fair for $5, you’ll want more when the bowl is empty. And again in the morning.
[Last Week on the Hot Five: #1 | Submitted by Paige Latham]
The Morty Slider at Gyst
A couple of slices of mortadella, cheese, and a swipe of Dijon on a warm, soft roll with cornichons on the side. Three bites of pure bliss. If they sold them by the Crave Case, they could install a 24 / 7 drive-through window and clean up. For a tiny, cheap sandwich, it’s assembled more impeccably than most $16 sandwiches anywhere else in town. Simple, delicious, unimprovable.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Peter Sieve]
Tap Dancer Cold Press Coffee at Sebastian Joe’s
This spring I found a coffee that changed not only my morning drink routine but my route to work. Sebastian Joe’s brews up vats of its Tap Dancer cold press and serves it on tap at its Uptown location. (Cold press, but not on tap is available at Linden Hills.) It’s strong (I finally wised up and ordered it half-strength after a few jittery days), rich, and has just enough bite — for people who actually like the flavor of coffee.
[Last Week on the Hot Five: #4 | Submitted by Tricia Cornell]
Cheese and Radish Sandwich Made From Fixings From the Mill City Farmers Market
The perfect summer lunch, with a trio of goodies from the Mill City Farmers Market: Salty Tart baguette, Singing Hills Dairy goat cheese, and Loon Organics radishes. Tangy, chewy, satisfying.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Amy Rea]