Malling at the Mall of America

No visit to Minneapolis is complete without stopping at the Mall of America. We had been here about three or four years ago when we took the train across America. Always find you just walk around and window shop and of course take in some eating.

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Disco Fries. A tad disappointing since they were "out" of the menu choices we wanted, so we settled for our second choices. They say I got the fish and chips and I got the American sliders.

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Huge Lego creations near the mall's center

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For dessert, Lisa had a hankering for a simple A&W root beer float. Unfortunately she had a bit of trouble mixing up the ice cream and root beer without having it spill all over the place.

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On our previous visit, I sampled some of this popcorn but didn't buy any. I made the mistake of buying it this time, which was an epic fail since I became quite sick from eating too much on these two humongous bags

St. Paul Eats

We arrived into Minneapolis just after noon today, and after checking into our hotel it was time to eat a late lunch…

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Just a five-minute walk away from our hotel in the Lower Town District, I really had a delicious lunch at Golden's Deli

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We ordered this steak sandwich with au jus and French fries

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The place has been around San Diego weekend events like farmer's markets and craft markets, in addition to having music and very funky and functional space

For dinner, we ate at the Afro Deli on a Groupon deal I purchased, which included an appetizer, two entrees, one dessert baklava and two drinks for $16. This place was a winner!

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And to cap off the evening, Lisa got a little beverage to enjoy back in the hotel room…

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Pizzeria Bianco

When visiting Phoenix, recommended restaurants and reviews all point to Pizzeria Bianco as having some of the best pizza in the country… so naturally we had to try it!

 

Located in Heritage Square in downtown Phoenix, typical waits are half and hour and longer during the peak times. We were lucky to eat at 3pm and snag the last open table.

The magic oven…

The wood burning oven cranks out these delicious pies…

We chose the ‘Wise Guy’

Wood-Roasted Onion, House Smoked Mozzarella and Fennel Sausage…was it worth the hype and the $18?

Lisa approves!

And Edwin approved too! This was one of the best pizzas we have ever had, just perfectly balanced with quality ingredients and just perfect. We highly recommend!

Doughnut World Tour Stop: Tempe, AZ

After my half marathon, Lisa and I walked around the campus and discovered this location of Fractured Prune Doughnuts – –  we actually found them on Saturday in downtown Phoenix, but it had already closed fir the day.  Well we can’t let this opportunity pass us up. And so we got one doughnut, as per our doughnut agreement.

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In business since 1976

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You walk in and find a giant board of doughnut creations...

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But instead of donuts already made, ready to sell, you instead have a bevy of different glazes and toppings

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The donuts are fried plain, and then they are handcrafted to the specifications of the flavor

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Once created, they are presented in this nifty little box

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Voila! Lisa chose the Lemon glaze

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Yeah, it's gonna be a little hard to eat, so lick those fingers!

Verdict!
Sold!  Only $2 + tax for so many different combinations, we liked how warm and crisp and fresh the donut was. No stale, wasted doughnuts here, just fresh and made right before your eyes.  Yum!!

Doughnut World Tour Stop: Phoenix, AZ

We were just walking along Roosevelt Row, a downtown arts district, when we came across this doughnut joint, Rollover Doughnuts.  And our travel creed is fated by doughnuts – if they appear, we try out one doughnut.  And so it is…

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The little display shares space with Short Leash Hot Dogs

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Lisa wanted to get the Spicy Thai Chili Coconut, but they were sold out

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Instead, she opted for the Orange Pistachio

Verdict?
A definite winner! 
We compare all donuts to Blue Star, and this single sample held its own, and at half the price!