​Optimistic about the 2025 F-M dining scene

By Rick Gion

rickgion@gmail.com

So far in 2025, announcements for new restaurant openings in the metro far outnumber closings. This is good news going into the new year for us hungry folk. In my opinion, the positive trend will continue for a while. The state of the restaurant scene is strong.

The big news of Harry’s Steakhouse coming to West Fargo has my mouth watering. If you’ve visited the location in downtown Grand Forks, then you know what’s coming. The decor of the restaurant is set in the 1940s. It’s a fun vibe and the food is excellent. Harry’s Steakhouse features premium cuts of beef, other meaty dishes, fine red wines and craft cocktails. Classic steakhouse sides accompany main offerings.

The local version of Harry’s Steakhouse will be located in the former JoJo’s across Veterans Boulevard from the Blarney Stone. The new location will actually boast more seating capacity than the Grand Forks restaurant.

Checking out the Harry’s Steakhouse menu online is a worthwhile venture that I highly recommend. You’ll notice that the beef is regionally sourced from the so-called “Napa Valley of Beef.” Classic steak cuts are the obvious featured offering. Chops, poultry, seafood and side options are also available. Who needs that extra stuff, though?I can’t wait to slice into a medium-rare ribeye and sip a glass of dry red wine. A couple of classic martinis will also be part of the program.

Harry’s Steakhouse promises to be a great experience. It’s an exciting addition to the area’s dining scene. I’m sure owner Hal Gershman can’t wait to share his venture with friends to the south. Just so you know, he also owned the Happy Harry’s package stores around the area for many years. Hal’s father was Happy Harry.

A new steakhouse is not the only juicy morsel of news for local culinary adventurers. Mexican options continue to grow here too.

The recent announcement of Mango’s Mexican and American Grill reopening is great news to many. The restaurant formerly on Main Avenue in Fargo will now move to Moorhead, occupying the former Boulder Tap House off of U.S. Highway 10. Mango’s is a favorite of those heat-seeking chowhounds who are looking for an affordable, tasty meal. Lunches are typically cheap at Mango’s, but the portions are generous. It will take Mango’s a few months to get set up in the new location, so please be patient.

Also, it’s good to see Moorhead gain a restaurant. Although this new Mango’s location will compete with El Torero, it’s still a good thing for Moorhead. Choices for Moorhead diners are slim compared to Fargo. The more good restaurants located in Moorhead, the better.

Vaqueros Taqueria and Mexican Restaurantis another establishment offering south of the border gastronomic satisfaction. Vaqueros originally opened just before the Covid-19 pandemic at 3001 13th Ave. S. in Fargo. The restaurant closed for a bit and then successfully reopened. It’s now moved a few blocks west to 3402 13th Ave. S. It’s worth seeking out, because the birria tacos served there are excellent. I also enjoy the chile relleno. Vaqueros has become a Fargo favorite for authentic flavors. The prices and service are also quite good.

Now onto some negative news about a heritage Mexican restaurant here. I understand that the closing of the Mexican Village restaurants was devastating to many. Mexican Village is classic Fargo. The downtown location first opened in 1970. That’s almost 60 years of serving up Midwestern-Mexican style grub.

However, tastes have evolved here. Newer restaurants have brought more authentic flavors. It’s not that Mexican Village was terrible; it just became stale. If you really like those flavors, there is an option though. A Mexican Village location is still open in Grand Forks. So, if you’re in the mood for Mexican Village, take a run closer to the northern border.

The social media restaurant rumor mill has become quite something the past few years. The large Facebook group that I administer, Fargo-Moorhead Eats, is a hotbed of tasty gossip. The reason I mention this is because the former BernBaum’s location in downtown Fargo may soon be occupied. I will leave those details to the fine restaurateurs seeking to fill that void. An announcement from them will come soon. I will say this: The aforementioned business people are highly respected in the community. This new venture of theirs will be quality. It won’t be the same style of fare offered at BernBaum’s, but will still be delicious.

This new year promises to offer some great additions to the Fargo-Moorhead food scene. A positive trend will continue. I call it tasty optimism.

Rick Gion administers a Facebook food group called “Fargo-Moorhead Eats” that’s dedicated to the area’s great cooks and cuisine. The group now has nearly 43,000 followers. Check it out, join, and feel free to post items about your local culinary adventures and home cooking. And, while you’re at it, also join the Instagram and TikTok pages. Rick is also a featured guest on Prairie Public Radio’s “Main Street.” His weekly segment about food called “Prairie Plates” airs between 3 and 4 p.m. every Wednesday.