Best Sandwiches In Minnesota
National Sandwich Month returns this August to remind us that we are fortunate in Minnesota, the breadbasket of the nation, to have such a rich variety of foods from which to choose. Try a Minnesota turkey sandwich from the nation's leader in turkey production. Or try a tasty Minnesota chicken with its trademark golden color not found in other parts of the country. Blue Door Pub has created a tasty snack made from world-renowned SPAM. Minnesota's walleye makes a great sandwich and Tavern On Grand makes it best. Here are the five best Minnesota-unique sandwiches.
Patrick McGovern's Pub
225 7th St. W.
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 224-5821
www.patmcgoverns.com
McGovern's Famous Roasted Turkey Sandwiches come with an ample choice of sides for $10 and some change. Savor a Fresh Turkey Sandwich in the summer outdoors on the patio. It comes topped with your choice of cheese, tomato and lettuce with mayo on a homemade bun. Try a Turkey Melt before going out for the night. McGovern's melts cheddar over sautéed onions and mushrooms and tops it with cranberry mayo on grilled Parmesan wheat bread. Relish a while Reuben relaxing near the fireplace. The Reuben is made of delicious McGovern's Roasted Turkey covered with creamy cole slaw, melted Swiss and thousand island dressing on grilled pumpernickel. Taste a Turkey Philly before a Minnesota Wild game. It has Swiss cheese melted over sautéed green peppers and onions on a grilled hoagie. The Texas BBQ Turkey Sandwich is simmered in BBQ sauce with bacon, lettuce and sliced raw onions on a deli bun. The Turkey Clubhouse goes great with a Jameson, amplifying the taste of turkey, ham, bacon, Swiss, lettuce, tomato and mayo on whole-wheat toast.
The Blue Ox Sandwiches
14270 Buckhill Road
Burnsville, MN 55306
(952) 898-2583
www.blueoxsubs.com
Owner Bill Allen tries to get everything locally. He special orders his Gold'n Plump quarter-pound chicken breasts and pops the battered morsel in a deep fryer fresh, one at a time, only after the customer orders it. He makes the blue cheese dressing from scratch at the restaurant and gets fresh rolls delivered directly from nearby Denny's 5th Avenue Bakery. When customers order crowd favorite The Mighty Buffalo Sandwich on a Kaiser roll, he tops it all with fresh lettuce, tomato, blue cheese dressing and slathers it with a special buffalo sauce.
Related: Best Burgers In The Twin Cities
(credit: CBS)
The Perfect Pickle
Minnesota State Fair
St. Paul, MN 55108
(612) 465-9311
www.myfriedpickles.com
Date: Aug. 21 – Sept. 1, 2014
Not a real sandwich, but breaded with cornmeal and flour and deep-fried on a stick makes it a mouth-watering winner. Co-owners Jeff Watson, David Finger and Greg Klindt, all originally from Stillwater, started the business in 1997 and it has been wildly successful ever since. The Perfect Pickle uses only Gedney products. Take your pick among the original deep-fried Perfect Pickle, the spicy Cajun Pickle, the Gourmet Pickle with cream cheese in the middle or the Naked Pickle.
The Blue Door Pub
1811 Selby Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55104
(651) 493-1865
www.thebluedoorpubmn.com
Minnesota fed the army that won the Second World War with SPAM. Blue Door has morphed this staple into a finger-licking, gourmet delight. SPAM Bites are breaded balls of SPAM, cream cheese and pickle chunks made crispy in a deep fryer. Dip these little treats in a side of sweet chili lime sauce and enjoy. No slouch in other sandwiches, Blue Door has made its name for the many delicious variations of its famous cheese-stuffed hamburger, The Blucy.
Related: Best Creative Burgers In Minnesota
(credit: CBS)
Tavern On Grand
656 Grand Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55114
(651) 228-9030
www.thetavernongrand.com
Last but not least is that most Minnesotan of sandwiches — the fried walleye sandwich. Many Twin Cities menus have a fried walleye sandwich, but none compare to St. Paul's Tavern on Grand's Famous Walleye Sandwich. Gourmands may choose between grilled, blackened or deep-fried on a toasted ciabatta loaf with lettuce and tomato. Try it with the special handmade béarnaise. The less adventurous may simply top it with tartar sauce. For a piquant festivity, try the jalapeño tartar sauce.
Robin Johnson was born in Annandale, Minn. and graduated from Richfield High School and then the University of Minnesota where he studied Political Science, Business and Industrial Relations. A writer for Examiner.com, he also consults with a variety of organizations and individuals helping them develop and grow. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
