All About Food

Local pie scene is prolific

April 18th, 2024

By Rick Gion

rickgion@gmail.com

Ever since Pi Day on March 14 of this year, I’ve been on a pie-eating program. And although the shape of Fargo-Moorhead is not round, pie is definitely an easy to find and an enjoyable dessert option here.

As you know by now, when I get chewing on a particular food topic, it turns into an obsession and a food tour ensues. You’ve probably come to expect that with these columns. This subject of pie proved to be no different. The adage “pie makes all…

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Fish fry findings in Fargo-Moorhead

March 7th, 2024

By Rick Gion

rickgion@gmail.com

The Lenten Friday fish fry is becoming more popular in this area of the prairie and for good reason. Beer-battered, panko-coated, pecan-crusted, or tempura-dipped – it’s all delicious.

With its wide net of popularity in Wisconsin, the love of Friday fish fry is definitely swimming west. Yes, the land of cheese also exports its love for fried fish. After all, Minnesota and North Dakota don’t lack in the fresh fish department, especially regarding the…

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​French onion soup favorites at Fargo restaurants

February 15th, 2024

By Rick Gion

rickgion@gmail.com

In this land of hotdish and ham, the knoephla soup of German-Russian heritage seems to reign supreme. In my opinion though, the French have the superior soup. With a cheesy top layer, toasted baguette middle, and savory steaming interior, French onion soup is a sophisticated and satisfying mix of flavors and textures. And to seek out the best local version of this soup, I recently went on a Tour de Fargo.

To be exact, I recently tried French onion soup at…

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Noshing on knoephla at Fargo restaurants

January 18th, 2024

By Rick Gion

rickgion@gmail.com

In the upper Midwest, a bowl of knoephla soup is where dumpling dreams are made. And lately, my dumpling dreams have frequently come true.

Let me explain a bit more. If you’ve been checking out the Fargo-Moorhead Eats Facebook group lately, you know that I’ve been on a knoephla soup tasting tour of area restaurants. In recent months, I’ve tried this soup at quite a few spots, amounting to a whopping 16 restaurants. I have photos of most posted in the…

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​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…

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Red River Harvest Cooperative: A Local Food Community Worth Exploring

October 13th, 2023

By Rick Gion

rickgion@gmail.com

If you’re familiar with the Red River Harvest Cooperative, you know it’s an organization that’s on the grow. In fact, it’s now the leading food co-op in the area. They offer many goods including eggs, meat, produce, and even services like an innovative composting program.

I recently sat down with Candace Anderson, director of retail operations with the Red River Harvest Cooperative and asked her a bunch of questions. Her enthusiastic and thoughtful…

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​Copious Local Food Destinations for Hungry Students to Explore

September 15th, 2023

By Rick Gion

rickgion@gmail.com

My new venture as a master’s degree student has got me thinking…again about food. Although I’m in an online program with the University of North Dakota, I thought it would be handy to list and describe some affordable and unique food options for students attending classes here in Fargo-Moorhead.

Most of the locations highlighted below are economical and fairly close to the metro’s colleges and universities. I’ve made a list of a baker’s dozen…

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The Red River Market Is a Diverse Food Destination

August 15th, 2023

By Rick Gion

Photos by Rick Gion

rickgion@gmail.com

Fargo’s favorite farmers market seems to grow year after year. This season is no different. And if you go to Red River Market on its regular Saturday at Broadway Square in Downtown Fargo, you’ll notice the addition of a bunch of new mobile food vendors.

I’ve attended the Red River Market each week since the start of this season on July 8 and have definitely been busy checking out the food offerings. After all, there are now 18 hot…

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​Favorite Food Trucks Now Filling the Streets

July 22nd, 2023

By Rick Gion

rickgion@gmail.com

The warm weather has me bebopping around the area in search of tasty eats of old and new. With local food trucks on the move, it’s now prime snacking season.

This summer will be filled with good grub, so I’m going to dedicate this column to my favorite food trucks, carts, stalls, tents, and trailers in the area.

Let’s start with some meat and mosey to Beef Cakes, where you’ll get your patties smashed. Beef Cakes is an outdoor burger pop-up operated…

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Minnesota Lakes Area Features Great Eateries

June 14th, 2023

By Rick Gion

rickgion@gmail.com

The clever new tourism campaign slogan for Minnesota’s Otter Tail County is “find your inner otter.” Well, that otter better be hungry.

In addition to nearly 1,000 lakes, Otter Tail County is home to many great bars, cafes and restaurants. It’s fun to take a day trip and visit different establishments there. Yes, you could do a Zorbaz tour, and that would be zuper, but there’s definitely more to explore.

Located just north of the Silent Lakes on…

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