Guest Blogger, Bridesmaid Extraordinaire & Bride-to-Be Lyndsay LeClair Tells You Where To Eat in Minnesota!

I asked Lyndsay, who lives in St. Paul, to suggest some good stopping places between MSP and Spencer. Boy, did she deliver! Check out the helpful websites that she posted also. Notice that all the non-fast food options are in or very close to the Twin Cities. Cracker Barrell is your last chance when driving towards Iowa.

Now, here’s what Lyndsay has to say:

Also Chipotle in Richfield off of 494, (Exit Lyndale Avenue, just before the exit for I-35) as you know, is awesome:
http://www.chipotle.com/restaurants/map.asp?address=&city=Minneapolis&state=MN&zip=

Then there’s Potbelly Sandwich works at the same exit off 494 (Lyndale). They have toasted sub sandwiches (about 5 notches up from Subway), ice cream (!), live music on weekends. Delicious and a nice vibe:
http://www.potbelly.com/searchresultsnew.asp?txtAddr=7644+Lyndale+Ave+S&txtCity=Richfield&txtState=MN&txtZip=55423

Also close by (same exit I think) is a Don Pablos for sit down TexMex and giant Margaritas for those who aren’t driving:
http://donpablos.know-where.com/donpablos/cgi/site?site=00060&address=&design=default&lang=en&mapid=us

I think the Cracker Barrell is good in Lakeville (Exit 85 off I-35). I’ve gone there a lot for brunch and it’s darn good for road food:
http://www.crackerbarrel.com/location.cfm?state=MN

In general, we find that the Albert Lea stop at 35 and I-90 is a nice place with Arby’s, DQ, McDonalds–the usual fast food spread, but also clean gas stations with clean restrooms and easy to navigate on and off the interstate. Oh, and a big ShopKo store for last minute needs. I would also mention that all the rest stops along 90 (especially Blue Earth) are nice for a quick stop and good places to picnic.

The Top of Iowa Welcome center on 35S on your way down to Hwy 18/Mason City is a fun, down home stop too. On weekends you can get fresh popcorn upstairs for like 50 cents or something, there’s a little gift shop and tons of vending machines and clean bathrooms. It looks like a giant barn. It’s the same exit at Diamond Joe Casino which you can clearly see from the road.