All About Food

Is Farm to Table Dead in North Dakota or is it the “Mushrooms” Talking?

October 23rd, 2019

It is ironic that in the state where the mentality of protecting the 2nd Amendment at all costs is considering making foraged food items such as, wild, local mushrooms be controlled by the state. Forcing restaurateurs to buy all their food stuffs through licensed vendors or in the case of mushrooms from licensed, expert foragers.

Is this the same slippery slope occupied by gun owners? Can chefs and restaurateurs seek protection somewhere in the constitution. First, it’s the mushrooms,…

Read more...


​Funky, fresh, and fried: Brew Bird Funky Fried Chicken

October 9th, 2019

Brew Bird Funky Fried Chicken - photograph by J Earl Miller

By Jill Finkelson
jsfinkelson99@gmail.com

The unassuming old truck shop on First and University is now frying up Funky Fried Chicken for Fargo. Their menu features chicken tenders and sandwiches with a selection of sides like pimento Mac and cheese (which I tried— delicious!) and rainbow slaw.

I called up to speak with Britt Behlquist about opening up a restaurant here in Fargo. Britt, and her husband, Alex, the chef behind the operation, are no strangers to opening up restaurants.

They…

Read more...


​Excavating Whiskey: HPR catches up with Dr. George Holley

October 2nd, 2019

Excavating whiskey - photograph by Sabrina Hornung

By Jill Finkelson
jsfinkelson99@gmail.com

At the turn of the century, prohibition was the hot topic and the “Wets” and the “Drys” made their way across the country. They clashed at the Red River where Fargo and Moorhead met on the way west. Dry North Dakota allowed a boom at the border. The little city of Moorhead suffered and boomed while alcohol still poured. Thirsty Minnesotans and North Dakotans filled up the almost fifty bar and saloons that popped up along the river. 

They…

Read more...


​A prairie sampler platter

September 18th, 2019

A brat burger at Harvester's cafe in Pettibone, North Dakota - photograph by Sabrina Hornung

It’s no secret that I like to explore the roads less travelled and rediscover some hidden gems along the way. In fact some of these small communities are all too well hidden gems. In a previous issue I offered a six pack of some of my favorite watering holes on the prairie, now it’s time for a trio of my favorite eateries on the roads less traveled. Coincidentally, all three of these establishments are located in communities that have a population of less than 100--only proving that…

Read more...


​Aronia Berry Harvest Festival

September 11th, 2019

Aronia berry festival

By Kristin Gruber
perriex1@gmail.com

The High Plains Reader spoke to Chase Nelson of Nelson Farms about why his farm chose to specialize in the unique Aronia berry, and the upcoming festival celebrating it.

HPR: Can you tell us about Aronia berries, and how they came to be a focus of Nelson Farms?

Chase Nelson: The Aronia berry is full of antioxidants! It is actually the highest on the ORAC scale. Aronia berries grow on a shrub and produce a dark, purple berry. They are amazing in…

Read more...


Make way for VegFest!

September 4th, 2019

By Joey Haynes
joeghcafe@gmail.com

Fargo VegFest is an admission-free, cruelty-free, fun-filled community event, sponsored by Danielson Legal. The excitement starts right at 4 p.m., on September 8, as the first 150 people get a swag bag full of goodies. We were able to work with Lost in Fargo to create these bags, so the bag alone is worth trying to be first in line for. The event runs from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Live music, animal rights education, door prizes, free samples and vegan food…

Read more...


Sol Ave. Kitchen: Let your taste buds dance

August 28th, 2019

Curried chickpea toast with side of Shishito peppers

“The first day wasn’t too bad. It was a slow start, then it picked up after a couple of hours, and it wound up being a fairly busy night, which was nice. We got a feel for the kitchen and how it’s going to flow, so it’s nice to get a feel for that so it went better than I imagined it would go.” Shea Syverson, manager and Chef de cuisine at Sol Ave Kitchen, Moorhead’s latest and much anticipated dining hotspot, said. 

Though the restaurant has been open for a couple of weeks,…

Read more...


Savoring the Local Flavor: Ojata Records and the Dogmajal

August 21st, 2019

Local flavor-photograph by Chris O'Neil

By Kris Gruber
perriex1@gmail.com

The High Plains Reader spoke to Ojata Records and the Dogmajal owner and operator Jeremy Swisher about the ever-growing Grand Forks record store and hotdog shop.

HPR: We might as well get the elephant out of the room. What went into choosing the names for "Ojata Records" and the "DogMahal"?

Jeremy Swisher: Ha. Ojata, which is commonly pronounced “Ohota.” The word is a misspelling of a Native word meaning "to cross water."

Our first location was downtown…

Read more...


​First Annual International Potluck Summer Music Festival

August 14th, 2019

International potluck - photograph by Peter Schott

By Kris Gruber
perriex1@gmail.com

Fargo-Moorhead’s celebration of diversity continues at the Heritage Garden and Amphitheatre in Moorhead’s Woodlawn Park on Saturday, August 17, with an outdoor bash that is not to be missed. At least 100 to 150 people are expected.

Sponsored by the Plains Art Museum and Go/Do (a new company that hosts and sponsors events through an app), the International Potluck Summer Music Festival is a free, family-friendly event open to the public. The inaugural…

Read more...


‘The dependence days are behind us’

July 24th, 2019

Medicine wheel design by Raul Gomez, photographs by C.S. Hagen

FORT YATES – As a boy living near the Mníšoše, or Missouri River, ghosts surrounded Pete Red Tomahawk. Hungry entities that survived through the names of former oppressors: Yates, McLaughlin, Pick-Sloan. Even Morton County’s public health division – Custer Health – is named after the “Indian fighter,” Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer to present day.

A registered member of Standing Rock, Red Tomahawk and others have quietly resisted, using the name Long Soldier…

Read more...


Tracker Pixel for Entry nicholes Tracker Pixel for Entry Bismarck1 Tracker Pixel for Entry Blackbird Tracker Pixel for Entry concordia Tracker Pixel for Entry 7clans Tracker Pixel for Entry Abstract

Recently in:

By Winona LaDukewinona@winonaladuke.com The business of Indian Hating is a lucrative one. It’s historically been designed to dehumanize Native people so that it’s easier to take their land. ‘Kill the Indian, save the man,”…

By Winona LaDukewinona@winonaladuke.comThere’s not really a word for reconciliation, it's said in our language. There’s a word for making it right. To talk about reconciliation in terms of the relationship between Indigenous…

Thursday, December 5, 7-11:30 p.m.The Aquarium above Dempsey’s, 226 Broadway N., FargoLegendary post hardcore band Quicksand plays Fargo, with fellow New Yorkers Pilot to Gunner and local heroes Baltic to Boardwalk and Hevvy…

By Jim Fugliejimfuglie920@gmail.com Okay, so last month I promised you a woman President of the United States. So much for my predictability quotient. Lesson 1: Never promise something you can’t control. And nobody, not even…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comWith What is Happening in the World, Why not Artificial Intelligence? Since Lucy fell out of a tree and walked about four million years ago, she has been evolving to humans we call Homo sapiens. We…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gionrickgion@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…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.com Local band Zero Place has been making quite a name for itself locally and regionally in the last few years. Despite getting its start during a time it seemed the whole world was coming to…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com Writer-director Nicole Riegel’s sophomore feature “Dandelion” is now playing in theaters following a world premiere at South by Southwest in March. The movie stars KiKi Layne as the…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comIn 1974, the Jamestown Arts Center started as a small space above a downtown drugstore. It has grown to host multiple classrooms, a gallery, performance studio, ceramic studio and outdoor art park.…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comHigh Plains Reader had the opportunity to interview two mysterious new game show hosts named Milt and Bradley Barker about an upcoming event they will be putting on at Brewhalla. What…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Josette Ciceronunapologeticallyanxiousme@gmail.com What does it mean to truly live in a community —or should I say, among community? It’s a question I have been wrestling with since I moved to Fargo-Moorhead in February 2022.…

Rynn WillgohsJanuary 25, 1972-October 8, 2024 Rynn Azerial Willgohs, age 52, of Vantaa, Finland, died by suicide on October 8, 2024. Rynn became her true-self March 31, 2020. She immediately became a vocal and involved activist…

By Faye Seidlerfayeseidler@gmail.com My name is Faye Seidler and I’m a suicide prevention advocate and a champion of hope. I think it is fair to say that we’ve been living through difficult times and it may be especially…