Lots of Specialty Food Stores for Good Holiday Eating
November 13th, 2023
By Rick Gion
rickgion@gmail.com
The temperatures have dropped and so have the leaves in the Upper Midwest. That means it's now the holiday season. Part of the joy of this special season for me is eating.
But first things first. Before the eating begins, it’s necessary to know where to get all those great Holiday goodies. Below is a lengthy list of unique specialty food markets around the area. The highlighted stores are favorites.
The Asian and American Supermarket on Main Avenue in Fargo is an ethnic food fan’s wonderland. The store’s recent expansion makes it a regional destination. There you’ll find plenty of fresh produce, noodles, pastes, sauces, and spices. It’s a great place to shop if you’re cooking for large groups, especially if you’re into ethnic and international cuisines.
Brewhalla is Fargo’s palace of cool, and has all the goods to prove it. Cows & Co Creamery is one of those cool spots in Brewhalla and is a great stop if you’re looking for North Dakota-made cheeses and ice cream. The business produces award-winning artisan goudas near Carrington, N.D. Many of these cheeses are available for purchase at its funky kiosk in Brewhalla. Cows & Co also features some great flavors of gelato. You’ll want to sample a few. It takes strong self-control to not buy a few pints.
Creative Kitchen in West Acres Mall is well known for high-end culinary gear. However, that’s not the only thing the store carries. It's also a good location to pick up artisan cheeses, meats, olive oils, and vinegars. Make sure to check out some items to accompany those charcuterie and cheese boards like jams, olives and pickles.
Fargo Fresh, off of south 45th Street in Fargo, is a great place to check out if you need Indian and Middle Eastern groceries. They carry some great fresh produce as well as lentils, rice and spices. Pro tip: I also like to buy a lot of frozen samosas there.
Luna on South University and Luna Market in Brewhalla are both local destinations for artisan cheeses and charcuterie meats. Luna Market also carries chili crisps, dried noodles, flours, fresh seafood, gourmet tinned fish, and various sauces. The selection of specialty products at Luna Market in Brewhalla is phenomenal and includes trendy and unique items that you see in the national food magazines. Pro tip: For a quick snack, be sure to pick up some pimento cheese in the cold case at Luna Market in Brewhalla.
For larger stores, Natural Grocers off of south 45th Street in Fargo is a popular specialty supermarket. During colder months, the organic produce carried there can’t be beat. Natural Grocers also carries all sorts of bulk items, organic dairy, meats, snacks, and other items that will help you make a special Holiday meal.
Pinch & Pour just off of 32nd Avenue in south Fargo is a fun place to try out different artisan olive oils and vinegars. It’s also the first gourmet market in the area to carry great cheeses. You’ll also find imported dried pastas and…