Decided to try this place out because of them being voted the best ice cream in the country…read more.. Sadly I was a little disappointed. It was a little on the bland side. I wasn't amazed by the taste. Definitely not worth waiting in line for.... However, on the plus side. The portion for a large cup of twist ice cream was impressive and the amount of cookie dough toppings for $0.73 was great. I will give them credit for that. Price for what I got was a total of $5.09. Which is good price for the amount of ice cream I received. Overall I don't think they lived up to their hype. But if you want a big portion of decent ice cream for good price, give it a try. They do have outdoor seating and a small parking lot.

We went here after an early dinner in the area. We had seen something in the news that morning…read morethat it was one of three Minnesota ice cream shops that were competing in some national best ice cream competition. We were planning to to have dinner in the area anyway, we may as well try it out. It's basically a stand in a parking lot with like a strip mall next-door. There's plenty of outside seats and parking. There was no line when we got there at 5:30 on a 90° day. They only do soft serve ice cream so we got vanilla dip, vanilla sprinkle, and an orange dip cone. The chocolate dip did not taste very chocolatey, so I took it off as it was not worth the calories. The ice cream was melting fast, but the chocolate shell did not melt at all and kept its form to the end. Not sure what is in it that made it not melt. The soft serve itself was just OK. It wasn't very creamy or tasty, but it was cold and served its purpose on a hot day.

In a nutshell: Great food, super small portions, kinda pricey…read more I've been here a handful of times now. It's a cute little family owned place. The indoor seating is larger than it looks, and the outdoor seating is nice too. The service has always been pretty good. The bad: The sandwiches don't come with any sides. None at all. When they bring out your $9 brisket sandwich, it's only the size of a McDonald's Happy Meal hamburger - I'm not kidding, it's really that small. And there are no sides with it. None at all. Those cost an extra $2.50 each. The food is super good though, and all hand made, rubbed, and smoked on-site. Just know what you're getting in to and be prepared to spend a little more than you normally would. It's worth it! The ice cream is also great on a hot day.

Let me preface this review by saying, I love barbeque…read more So not too long ago, I was mulling around White Bear Lake on lunch break and out of the 80's suburban regularity CG Hooks appeared. I knew as soon as I saw it from the Taco Johns parking lot that this CG Hooks and I had a date with destiny. For there has always been a great dilemma in this Northern clime of where to find good barbeque and I thought I had found it. Alas, my experience with CG Hooks the next week was mixed at best. What attracts the senses to good barbeque is always the scent of smoking brisket and indeed, that is what caught my attention. In front of the unassuming restaurant is a large smoker from which emits that dark meaty fragrance that lures in the passersby. This is how CG Hooks makes its initial impression to me, all of which seemed good. After taking a look at the menu, I was encouraged by the selection. So, I ordered a beef brisket sandwich with my favorite fixins: baked beans and corn bread. Then comes the bad; I was surprised after getting the total which came closer to $20 than I really feel comfortable with for just lunch. I tried to comfort myself by saying the portions waiting for me in the little bag I clutched must be huge. But then, just another disappointment; the beans were in a container I normally associate with condiments and the cornbread was closer to a cookie than a muffin in size. The brisket was good, but there just wasn't much there. To be fair, they made me a sandwich which, isn't really on the menu because I was getting takeout. Overall the taste was decent, portions small and price high. I intend to visit again and eat in to see if my experience is any better, but for now I cannot rate ye high, CG Hooks.

Overall Score: 3.5/5 Solid spot for a Chicago-style fast…read morefood fix. Messy, greasy, and flavor-forward in the way you want. Food [2.5/3] Let's talk flavor and execution. Philly Sandwich Steak - This was a well-built sandwich. The onions, peppers, steak, and cheese came together in a cohesive mix, so each bite included a little of everything rather than feeling uneven or scattered. The cheese melted into the filling nicely, acting almost like a binder that brought the flavors together. The roll looked oversized at first, but its soft, airy texture created an excellent meat-to-bread ratio. My only criticism is that the beef seemed slightly overcooked, which introduced a touch of dryness. That may vary from sandwich to sandwich, but it was noticeable here. The sandwich can feel a bit heavy bite-after-bite. Italian Beef Sandwich with The Works - "The Works" included hot peppers, dipped in broth, and American cheese. Presentation-wise, this sandwich did not make the best first impression. The pale roll and heavily soaked exterior were not especially appealing visually, and with the extra dip, this is absolutely a sandwich best eaten fresh on-site rather than taken to go. But the first bite changed everything. The jus soaked into the bread and delivered a rush of flavor, while the beef was sliced and portioned in a way that made every bite feel substantial and satisfying. The giardiniera brought welcome heat and acidity, cutting through the richness and keeping the sandwich from feeling too heavy. The American cheese stayed in the background, but that actually worked to the sandwich's advantage by allowing the broth and beef to remain the focal point. This was the standout item, and easily the reason I would return. Cheese Curd - These were lightly battered, which let the cheese take center stage. For a fast-food setting, they were quite good and better than expected. Breaded Mushrooms - These are good if you miss and crave breaded mushrooms. Biting into these, one would expect a hot oily broth to flow out adding to the mushroom flavor, but there was no broth and the mushroom flavor was light. The marinara type sauce didn't pair well, so I did get a side of ranch to dip these in. Would order these again only if I crave bread mushrooms. Service[1/1] Service was exactly what it needed to be for a fast-food restaurant: prompt, clear, and helpful. The cashier took my order efficiently, clarified the available add-ons for the Italian beef, and responded well when I asked for a water cup. When I came back for ranch, he accommodated that request without issue. It was not full-service dining, nor should it be judged as such, but it met the standard for good quick-service hospitality. Atmosphere/Ambiance[0/1] The dining area is functional but not inviting. Seating is limited to a handful of booths and a small round table, and while the tables had been cleared, they were not especially clean. Flickering menu boards added to the worn fast-food feel, and the steady presence of people coming in to use the ATM created a somewhat distracting atmosphere. It gets the job done, but ambiance is not part of the appeal here.

Great Chicago style food. The Gyro platter is the best and…read morethe Philly Cheesesteak is right on

I have been twice and my last visit was underwhelming but I still give them a 5 stars. I'll come…read moreback to give them a best out of 3 The first time here I was so comforted by the truffle fries and their signature burger. I don't know what happened this last time but it didn't taste as fresh and came out a little warm. Oh but definitely don't skip out on their bacon wrapped curds. I forgot to order them this last time and boy did I regret it... I love the vibe, a bit of a classic diner joint with modern touches. The menu is fairly simple and straightforward with some twists. Service is friendly! I would recommend anyone to try them out. I will revise after my third visit, hopefully adding more compliments!

This was our first time trying out Mac's Diner and we came specifically for Minnesota Burger Week…read more When we arrived it was very busy, which I thought was a good sign for it being a random Wednesday evening. Unfortunately the area around the host stand is very cramped and made for some awkward standing and shuffling as people walked in and walked out. I was very impressed by the staff, especially the hostess who was always kind to everyone while working very hard to help clear tables, sit guests, and manage the wait list. Our waitress was very kind and helpful as well during our meal! Unfortunately, I was not a big fan of our food though, we both ordered the Curd Your Enthusiasm smashburger, which was a limited offering for Burger Week and featured cheese curds, spicy mayo, bacon, and cheese. The burger itself looked amazing and was a lot of food for the price, but the taste just wasn't there. The cheese curds and fries on the side had an old oil taste and the burger had an off taste that I couldn't quite place. It wasn't awful by any means and we both ate a good deal of our food, but neither of us would be interested in ordering it again. I got the feeling that we came on an unusually busy night and that they weren't staffed well enough to handle the crowd so I only took off one star for the food. Overall, I feel like our experience may not be what the standard experience is and I appreciate the staff working so diligently and being kind in their interactions. While the food was not to our liking this time, I would be open to coming again on a slower night and giving them another try!

I came here for the bakery items. My friend was raving about the bakery items. She brought me here…read morefor my first time! I got a ham and cheese bread and the hot dog bread! I enjoyed both! The place is very clean and sleek! The service was friendly.

Reposted from May 2023: So happy for a new boba choice in Maplewood! We felt like the BP location's…read moreblack milk tea was a bit inconsistent and not strong enough on the tea flavor/too creamy. However, here was perfect at 70% sweet, less ice. We tried one with the soy pudding, a new topping. They were kind to let us sample it. it's really good I don't think we've seen us on the menu anywhere else in the US. We did not try the boba today, but will keep going and update! UPDATE: tried the brown sugar milk tea as well- super good and not too sweet at regular sweet level. Boba is good texture and flavor Their baked goods are delicious! Today got the shredded pork bun. My only wish is that you could order a plain milk tea without getting charged for a topping.

I love their meat. Came by here just for some experimenting with different meat shops and can say…read morethis is my new go-to place!

Excellent customer service. Friendly staff and quality cuts. I visit this location regularly and…read moreget consistent quality service.

Great place to stop in for a quick bite on the go. It's a deli/convenience store that does up…read moreChicago style dogs, Gyros and Phillys, etc. Fries are excellent. They've got chicken wings as well. Most of all, this place is really affordable ($5 meal?). There are a couple of benches to sit on, but no table seating. Maybe the first Gyro I've had with fried onions on it, which gave it a sweeter flavor. Nonetheless, great lamb and sauce. If you're in the 'hood, it's definitely worth stepping into. Great guys working the counter too.

Did not enjoy my food I waited 30 mins for a my food and it was not right I have been going to…read morethis restaurant for years different people take it over and the food is getting horrible me and my family will never never eat at this restaurant again

Cute small place in a strip mall. When you walk in, there's an order screen you can use or you can…read morealso walk to the register. It's a little on the pricey side. For a 3 pack it's $10 which is $3.33 per donut and their drinks are $6.50. I got the strawberry tea with rainbow jellies. It was pretty delicious, strong strawberry flavor. Which is what I like. The donuts have pretty designs and have good taste. A little pricer though than what it is actually worth but still was great to try and would get again for a special treat. Also bonus is if you do a Google review in the store and show them, they give you a free donut on the spot!

Cashier was kind and friendly. The restaurant was clean and bright. I ordered the ube milk tea and…read morethe Nutella Mochi Donut. The boba pearls were fresh tasting. The Mochi Donut was soft and fluffy. I would recommend stopping here for a refreshing pick me up. They also sell specialty corn dogs that seem very popular!

Your Saint Paul staple. Located on Dale Street, this establishment is crucial to support as they…read moreare only open during the summer months. Don't let the tiny building fool you away. This is a historic site and their operations run extremely smoothly. Long lines? Yes on hot summer days. Contrary, the order window moves swiftly as employees are well seasoned. The pickup window separates the lines but due to the small area, it can often appear more congested then it really is. Offering more than 50 soft serve flavors, dipped cones, flurries and other cold treats, there are also hot eats like burgers, mini corn dogs, deep fried pickles, cheese curds and more. My favorite hot item is the mini corn dogs. My favorite cold item is an ores flurry or any of the soft serve flavors. If you love the fair, this is as close as you'll get to one offseason. Oh yeah, they also do pup cups and the funding goes to support the animals. Enjoy!!

If you can walk or bike here, you are very very lucky. If it's a short drive, you should come here…read moreoften. The wait on a Sunday at 3 pm was surprisingly long, but everyone was in a good mood and I saw a lot of good food. Many different colors of flavored cones were being eaten and lots of cheese curds too. Sadly, my peanut butter cone was almost vanilla. Still good.

I have been in the hunt for a great Hispanic grocery store and can't say I've found one yet. I…read moredecided to give this a try since there weren't any recent reviews and unfortunately I wasn't impressed. It was awesome that they had all the spices I grew up with and to see the bowls and jars and cups I would see on my trips to Tijuana, Mexico. The prices are pretty high for your typical queso fresco or Mexican sour cream. They do have pretty cool options for frozen meals as I saw empanadas and pupusas that were frozen. The meat section did not look appetizing and produce was looking a bit rough. I would say if you want to try Hispanic medicines then this is your spot. Such as Vicks or Beoncolin or honestly there are so many products that you'll find what you need. It is a very small space and noticed they opened a bakery/ restaurant next door. It smelled delicious just wish they had more options for bread.

I bought a churro and a sweet cream croissant-style pastry. Both were so good, I've been thinking…read moreof driving up there today to buy more. The churro was sliced length-wise and a filling added, making it delightfully gooey. The sweet cream croissant thingy had some crisp to it. It was more of the standard bready inside. It was some serious stuff. Please don't let the tame exterior or locaiton of this place cause you to overlook it! They also have a restaurant that looks promising. I'll edit this review after I try it.