All About Food

​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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Hot Right Now: Three Local Eateries in the Social Media Spotlight

May 14th, 2023

By Rick Gion

rickgion@gmail.com

Spring has finally sprung. It’s time to bounce out of the house and try a few new places to eat. Let’s explore what restaurants are trending on the Fargo-Moorhead Eats Facebook page.

With nearly 18,000 page followers, there are a lot of posts that come in daily in that social media group. It’s an extremely active page that keeps me very busy. Trust me: I created it. However, only a few posts really get strong feedback. It’s an interesting gig that…

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​Wishek Living Center Holds Food Traditions Dear

April 26th, 2023

By Sabrina Hornung

sabrina@hpr1.com

There was something special on the menu at Wishek Living Center on Good Friday, homemade noodles with stewed prunes, pickled herring and a slice of homemade kuchen, which has been a Good Friday tradition in German Russia country as far as anyone can remember.

Wait…what? Prunes and noodles?

“Christians would not eat meat, because of the proper holiday. Jesus was crucified on Good Friday, so it became a tradition back then. Most people around here 100…

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Brewhalla: Fargo’s New Good Times Factory Is Epic

April 11th, 2023

By Rick Gion

rickgion@gmail.com

Brewhalla is self-described as “a food and beverage wonderland from the weirdos at Drekker Brewing.” The recent opening of the mega-fun market is the most important event for the North Dakota food and beverage scene since the original Hotel Donaldson opened in 2003.

Much has already been written about Brewhalla, so I’ll just give you my unsolicited opinions. Take it for what it’s worth, but I’ve eaten and shopped at quite a few similar complexes in…

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​Battle of the Taco Grinder Sandwiches

March 3rd, 2023

By Rick Gion

rickgion@gmail.com

When thinking of popular sandwiches associated with the Upper Midwest, the sloppy joe immediately comes to mind. But let’s not forget the sandwich with a spicy side – the taco grinder. It’s a Fargo staple.

Now that outdoor temperatures have warmed up a wee bit, it’s time to get out of the house for a food competition. There are not two but three heavyweights in this sandwich match. Which sandwich will deliver the knock-out? Let’s get in the ring.

I…

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