Forks up for SimplyGrand dining

Hungering for a grand place to dine? With the word “forks” in your name, the pressure is on to deliver! Fortunately, our two towns have lots of locally owned spots to deliciously fulfill all your cravings.

Narrowing it down is tough but for the sake of brevity, here are my top five favs.

Dreaming about pizza with pizzazz? The guys at Rhombus can make all your foodie fantasies come true with pies dubbed Best Pizza in the State by Business Insider! Toppings range from the usual suspects like pepperoni, peppers and pineapple to gourmet pies crowned with shrimp, steak and sautéed crimini mushrooms.  Be sure to order one of the amazing ales (Iconic Blonde is my thirst quencher of choice) from their sister establishment – Rhombus Guys Brewing Company.  I also happen to think these cheesylicious pies taste even better up high…on Rhombus’ rooftop deck overlooking our beautiful Downtown. 

No need to travel south of the border to satisfy your desire for muy delicioso Mexican fare...just jump in the car and head east to Casa Mexico EGF. Even though it has been around a while, this family run restaurant continues to win over new customers.  Everyone loves Casa Mexico’s warm and crispy tortilla chips.  Along with being complimentary, they’re tasty and very addictive.  Paired with the slightly spicy homemade salsa, it’s hard to stop yourself from emptying the whole basket even before your dinner arrives.  Choosing just what to order from their diverse menu is challenging, mainly because everything sounds so tempting.  To help you out, some of the most popular items include the chorizo queso, shredded beef chimichanga, pollo fundido, shrimp tostada, enchiladas supreme and Casa’s amazing carnitas – sautéed pork served with lettuce, tomato, sliced avocado, onion, Spanish rice, refried beans and either corn or flour tortillas.  If it doesn’t already come with your meal, make sure to order a side of their “holy moly that’s good” guacamole!  For dessert, nothing beats a generous serving of the rich and creamy Spanish custard called Flan

If you want superior suds served with a dose of brotherly love, put Half Brothers Brewing Company on your must-try list.  This popular brewpub, along with its sibling co-owners Chad and Taylor, offers tasty taps, awesome apps and live tunes to get everyone’s toes tapping.  Since only 15 are made fresh each day, don’t call me late for dinner because that faux pas usually means missing out on Half Brothers’ ginormous meatball served with marina and fresh baked bread!  Other menu favorites are the pretzel bites with inhouse beer cheese dip, Buddha Dry Rub baked wings and a chicken Caesar sandwich so delish, Julius himself would give it the thumbs up.  When getting my beers here, I prefer the Morning Squeeze IPA, Aloha Pale Ale or Harvester of Sour Gose. Wear off a few of those so-worth-it carbs by playing some cornhole or just relax and groove out to live music supplied by top local artists.

Ask anyone and they will tell you, The Toasted Frog is one hoppin’ Downtown restaurant/lounge!  Popular blogger, cookbook author and Food Network star, Molly Yeh, even dubbed The Frog’s fried cheesy pickles “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” on the Cooking Channel show by the same name.  A plateful of these dillectable Havarti and wonton wrapped spears, plus one of their cool cocktail creations, is definitely a tasty way to get pickled.  Entrée time means making the tough decision of whether to go with one of their nightly (steak, seafood or pasta) specials or choose a scrumptious standby like the gorgonzola butter filet mignon, mahi-mahi fish tacos or game-changing elk burger that’s adorned with fresh tomatoes, arugula and housemade caramelized onion aioli.  When it comes to dessert, there’s always room for (wood-fired) s’mores…with an Espresso or Caramel Latte martini chaser. 

Searching for hearty, innovative food served up in a unique Northwoods setting?  The Blue Moose Bar & Grill is the place for you!  Surrounded by knotty pine and neon, the cozy yet eclectic atmosphere is perfect for all occasions: a romantic dinner for two, family meal for four or even a birthday party with your closest friends.  In warm weather months, I prefer to sit on their large covered deck overlooking our scenic Greenway and the Red River.  Patrons are drawn to Blue Moose’s well-rounded menu, which offers fresh salads and wraps, hearty burgers, sandwiches and entrees, classic soups, tasty appetizers and decadent desserts.  Signature dishes include the creamy spinach con queso, sweet ‘n spicy Norwegian BBQ ribs, fresh fried walleye, ooey gooey Mac & Cheese Attack, crisp Oriental chicken salad and outrageously delicious PBEB burger that’s topped with peanut butter, bacon and a sunny side up egg.  When it comes to the hard stuff, have one of their friendly bartenders pour you a legendary Long Island Tea (passionfruit and mango are my top two flavors) or any of the 40+ beers on tap. 

For more info on these and all of our awesome eateries, go to VisitGrandForks.com.  While there, you’ll also find the 411 on Forks’ #SimplyGrand attractions, events, hotels, stores and more.  We also invite you to follow Visit Grand Forks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.