201 Tavern & Grill in Anoka has a menu that overdelivers. (Sharyn Jackson/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
At the 201 Tavern in Anoka, grilled chicken is topped with spinach artichoke dip and cheese on a pretzel bun and served with waffle fries and seasoned sour cream. (Joy Summers/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
We love a menu that under-promises and overdelivers. The spinach artichoke chicken sandwich ($15) sounds like something Mom would want us to order, but the reality is a decadent bite that takes the best spinach artichoke dip, smothers it all over a juicy chicken breast, then covers the whole thing in gooey provolone. It’s all piled onto a pretzel bun that holds up to all that creamy goodness with gusto. Cut it in half and watch the cheese pull do its magic. We recommend upgrading to the waffle fries with seasoned sour cream as a side. It’s more than worth the nominal upcharge.
Pair with: Lift Bridge Mango Blonde ($7), a juicy summertime beauty with just enough fruit to feel festive, but a crisp finish to stand up to all that flavor.
Danno’s Ibiza West in Anoka is a nod to the tropics. (Sharyn Jackson/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Among the menu items to love at Danno’s Ibiza West in Anoka: Steak tips and baby baked potatoes. (Joy Summers/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
This vaguely tropical dive bar, set in the shadow of the county courthouse amid bail-bond outfits, is full of surprises: 1) The secret doughnut special that starts each day until sold out and, according to our server, outdoes Krispy Kreme. 2) The “best ever” marinated steak bites (again, our server), with a house-made Caesar-type dip, that really does put all others to shame ($13). Get them with the Baby Bakers, mini baked potatoes, to make it a meal ($10). And 3) the Tuesday $3 hamburger, a hand-formed ⅓-pound patty, has to be among the best deals in the metro. That the food comes from a tiny flat top in a bump-out behind the bar is even more of a marvel.
Pair with: An icy-cold Kona Big Wave ($6) plays into the tropical theme.
