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.
Crispy Pork Dumplings at Dumpling
When Dumpling’s your name, your dumpling game better be tight. Challenge accepted and met at Dumpling. These extremely appetizing appetizers hit our table beautifully browned and super crispy, packed with a dense, flavorful, herbed meat filling that was among the best we’ve had in the metro. Mrs. Dumpling, the savory pastry’s now in your court.
[Last Week on the Hot Five: #1 | Submitted from an Instagram post by James Norton]
Yucca Fries at Mañana Restaurant
The yucca fries at the popular Hola Arepa in the Lyndale neighborhood of Minneapolis sparked our love for the food, but we think the same snack at the El Salvadoran Mañana Restaurant in Dayton’s Bluff, Saint Paul give Hola’s a serious run for the money. The deep-fried root vegetable comes out in thick, hot fingers. They are as starchy as a potato fry but have an attractive earthy flavor and a bigger bite. What’s more, Manana’s yucca fries are served with a portion of fried pork rinds, creating a salty, starchy snack plate of dreams.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Ruthie Young]
Hamburguesa del Gordo de Res at Hamburguesa El Gordo
One of our favorite hamburgers in the Twin Cities is at the newly established Hamburguesa El Gordo in the Plaza del Sol on St. Paul’s Payne Avenue. It’s a plate-sized monster burger with ham and bacon and cheese on a toasted bun spread with mayo. The burger is accompanied by a killer hot charred pepper that is the perfect friend to the mountain of richness. Kudos to reader @heyitswick for the tip.
[Last Week on the Hot Five: #1 | Submitted from an Instagram post by James Norton]
Banh Mi at Dumpling
Sure, it’s not typical for us to have a restaurant pop up twice in the Hot Five, but Dumpling had a hell of an opening night. The Dumpling version of the classic banh mi sandwich gets a number of things right: The baguette is perfectly light, chewy, and crisp, the pork is flavorful (and doesn’t get swamped by the bread or pickled veg), and the overall balance of sandwich toppings was on point.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by James Norton]
Apple Turnover from Solomon’s Bakery
The apple turnover from Solomon’s Bakery in New Brighton is like a little apple pie, with a mildly sweet, flaky crust and just the right amount of apples inside — not so many that they overwhelm the delicate crust, just enough to taste the apple … and plenty of cinnamon. A perfect fall treat.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Amy Rea]