Saint Paul Lunches
I had two really good Saint Paul lunches this week that you should consider adding to your repertoire.
The BBQ Black Bean Burger from J. Selby’s
Goddammit I love a Black Bean Burger. Acadia at one point held the crown. The Depot at one point held the crown. But I think at some point I got out of touch with both of those burgers. I went to J. Selby’s a bunch during the pandemic but it has been a long ass time. They have a great Big Mac rip off but I wanted to get the Black Bean burger. I also wanted to get the crispy cauliflower but I’m not made of money, that would’ve been a $31 lunch. But the BBQ Black Bean Burger was $15. And that comes with fries. (My wife thinks that it should be illegal to serve a burger without serving fries with it for no additional cost and I completely agree. We can accept chips instead if they are real good chips that are housemade).
This was a fine ass Black Bean Burger. The fake cheese tasted real good because fake cheese is actually pretty legit. Technology has really brought us some good fake cheese. The BBQ flavor was not overbearing and the whole scene was great. I wish I had gotten a side of ranch for the fries cause the ketchup wasn’t cutting it but I have no notes for the burger situation itself. Spectacular.
The Tarragon Chicken Salad from Yum!
Greens tossed in a tasty understated vinaigrette is some of the best. French Meadow might do it the best. But the chicken salad sitting on top of these nicely dressed greens is out of this world. Yum! is a big clean fresh ass feeling place and when they walk over this plate you feel like you are a smart media consultant who makes a lot of money and has a super clean house and a dog named Cinnamon who smells amazing.
I think tarragon is one of those fake ass spices that doesn’t do anything much of anything special when I use it but whatever they’re doing here is working I mean wow really working. Dive in and enjoy. This is an elite eat and keep going lunch. And at $12.95 you’ll feel like an asshole for eating it but not a huge asshole.