As a football fan, I watch the Super Bowl every year.

But I have never lived in a metropolis where the Super Bowl is being hosted.

I come to find out…

It’s a pretty big deal.

The National Guard comes to town.

At cross walks, they block vehicles from plowing over pedestrians.

We all know that whenever a city decides to build a new stadium, they often get help from the NFL by allowing them to host a Super Bowl in the near future, with the expectation that such an event will boost the economy to help pay for the damn thing.

Now, I am a Packer fan living in Viking Country; but I have plenty of MN Vikings fan friends. (Some are die-hards; most are fair-weather. They came out of the woodworks this year!) I was happy for my die-hard fans to get a new stadium. It was long overdue. You can read this fun article about the 12,000-year-old history here.

I haven’t been to US Bank Stadium yet; but I can’t say I haven’t benefited from it’s construction! Perhaps indirectly, but from my paycheck to the Lefse Nachos at Erik the Red {Try them! You’ll be surprised!}, I’ve got to tell you, my life has been enhanced by its fabrication and the trickle-down effect.

But did I know that when a Super Bowl happens, there are festivities All. Week. Long.?

I feel bad for our visitors this weekend. It is a cold, cold weekend… When even the majority of us locals don’t want to be outside. In fact, here are a few things you shouldn’t do in this cold weather.

I was lucky enough to experience some of the festivities last weekend, when it was a balmy 35 degrees in the evening. This is not bad weather when there is no wind, you are shielded by downtown buildings and you are wearing the right clothing. I couldn’t believe I saw people in ski masks. I was just fine in my parka, scarf and mittens!

We were invited by friends on a Friday night and opted to Uber because it was cheaper (and less annoying) than $50 they were charging for parking. We never pay that much for parking here in our Twin Cities. Usually, it’ll be anywhere from $6 to $12. The most I think of paid was $20 for an event. This is crazy!

While downtown, we explored Nicollet Mall… enjoying some of our favorite haunts. But we also got up close and personal with the kitties performing in Hallmark Channel’s Kitten Bowl, watched people ski and tube down the makeshift American Birkebeiner International Bridge and finished the night listening to some free outdoor music.

The following morning, we hit up Hell’s Kitchen for some brunch with some more friends. You. Guys. I didn’t try it, but they have a killer bloody mary bar! I prefer someone to mix up a bloody for me; but this one is impressive and worth at least checking out. {And visitors, that little beer you get alongside is called a chaser or sometimes a beerback. Don’t knock it!}

And for those of you Philly fans needing your cheesesteak fix, our fave Devil’s Advocate has just reopened as a pop-up on Nicollet Mall. But they aren’t quite ready with a full menu yet. Still they are serving that perfect cheesesteak we’ve come to adore {no peppers/onions and cheese sauce, not provolone!} over at Dan Kelly’s Irish Pub where Devil’s has been hiding while they await their new digs. But if you are near the stadium, check out Erik the Red, a sister resto to Devil’s that I mentioned earlier – great beer selection and get those Lefse Nachos! They might be one of the most underrated MN foods that no one is talking about.

The other weird thing about being in Super Bowl country is how everyone seems to want a piece of pie. Some restaurants have been shown to change up their menus and increase prices. $36 Guac and Chips? I think not.

While I can’t vouch that all of our favorite dishes will be available this weekend or that crowds won’t be crazy, here are some of our past reviews and favorites:

• Best of the Twin Cities
• Best Restaurants to Take Out-of-Town Guests
• Restaurant Impressions
• MN Breweries (not all are listed here!)
• 5 Incredible Twin Cities Experiences (written in the summer!)

Rob’s best burgers and fries lists have not been updated in ages… but I can tell you that the top two burgers go to Parlour (Mpls) and St. Dinette (St. Paul), our top Juicy Lucy is still found at Buffalo Tap in Savage and that the only bar/restaurant missing on our Top 10 Best Beer Selections in the Twin Cities is Ansari’s Mediterranean Grill in Eagan. In fact, you’ll find beers there you won’t find any where else in the Twin Cities.

Want some other, uhem… more professional opinions? Try these:

• Esquire: Minneapolis is the Food World’s Best Kept Secret
• MSP Mag: 44 Best Bars (I’m guessing they were going with 52 and didn’t quite remember the last few… 🙂 )
• City Pages: Bars Open ’til 4a.m. Super Bowl weekend (This is unheard of… we just passed alcohol sales in liquor stores on Sundays!)
• Eater Twin Cities: The Super Bowl LII Guide to Dining, Drinking and Partying in Minneapolis
• BuzzFeed: Minneapolis Foodie Guide
• MSP Mag: Iconic Minneapolis Spots You Must See When You’re in Town
• Thrillist: Everything You Need to do in Minneapolis During Super Bowl Week
• MSP Mag: Party Like a Local (I like how this lists spots that you don’t even want to try to get into this weekend)
• And probably one of my faves from Surly Brewing Company: Welcome to Minnesota: A Primer

And if you are really, really cold (and you should be), learn how to Dress Minnesotan. I know I’m seeing a concert at the Turf Club in St. Paul when the majority of attendees are wearing North Face fleeces. Oh yah. You betcha.

If you’ve got anything to add to this list, feel free to let us know!

Oh… and although they aren’t playing in the Super Bowl this year, I’ll end this post in the words of Justin Timberlake, “Go Pack Go.”

Happy Super Bowl weekend!!!

Cheers~
Carrie