I tend to reserve 5 stars for like life changing meals, but this place is a 5/5 on a number of fronts. A few notes to set the scene I went today for lunch on a lovely 70 degree Spring day after getting a haircut across the street to check some work emails, grab a beer and quick lunch to go order. Full disclosure: I'm slightly biased bc I grew up about a mile away and just moved home recently, so any cool vibey place in the old neighborhood has a special place in my heart. That said, it has a very cozy/hip neighborhood feel and understated sophistication for what is a pretty residential and quiet area of St Paul The 5/5 elements... Scott (who I think may be the owner?) is super cool, was serving/tending bar and running around to manage the patio while chatting me up & giving great recs on beer/food based on my half hearted description while I multi tasked on work nonsense. Awesome guy, and reason enough to check this place out The vibe/softly playing music and entrancing Twin Cities flyover footage playing in the background on the TV at the bar was oddly soothing Ordered brisket tacos, brussels sprouts, and fried chicken sandwich for myself + a friend to go. Yamahama, I'm not gonna cheat and double check the menu, but the brussels have a delicious umami flavor from either duck fat or facsimile that perfectly balances the acid from the balsamic/vinegar situation. Fried chicken sandwich is a KILLER, highly recommend. Friend loved the brisket tacos as well Highly recommend this place should you find yourself near Merriam Park in St Paul for lunch, dinner, or happy hour. Must try spot. Cheers read more

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The interior of this place is incredible, such a cute spot with moody lighting, intimate seating, and vibey music. It's a great place for drinks and appetizers. The drinks were good, and they also have a solid selection of beer on tap. The food portion are a bit small imo but I will say the Mac and cheese was pretty darn tasty! read more

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I'd seen rave reviews about this place, so we decided to go here to celebrate a personal accomplishment last weekend! It's a really cozy moody interior, with *no big lights* aka great low lighting and comfy seating options. When we went, there were just a few other parties there so pretty quiet. I liked that we had a whole corner to ourselves with a sectional couch of sorts and some chairs. They close at 10pm on a Friday night, which felt absurdly early for a cocktail bar. But, we were able to order and drink one drink during the ~45 minutes we had. They closed up shop promptly at 10pm. They had a classics and a "rumors" section of the menu. I didn't think the signature drinks were overly unique, with classics like Paper Plane making that menu side. I had a pomegranate mojito which was good! Consensus was that the cocktails were good not exceptional, especially for the $16-17 price point. We ordered churros for the table which were a table favorite! I wouldn't go out of my way to come here again, but we enjoyed our time and could see this being a good option if you lived in the neighborhood and don't mind the early close hours. read more

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Came here on a week day and they were kinda busy! The space is not huge but perfect for small groups, no more than 5 people. The food was great! I'm glad I stopped by because I've been looking for a place for comfort food after the departure of revival on Selby. Check them out!! read more

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Went with a friend, she had it on her list and I joined her. Made reservations, a little trouble finding parking on the street but not too terrible. Much smaller inside than I thought but chill vibes. Ordered a couple drinks and food. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Food was pretty good, but wasn't a huge fan of everything. I would probably go for drinks and a snack, not really a spot I'd eat dinner at though. read more

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This is in the old Blue Door Pub space, so parking is pretty scarce. I like that the interior has been brightened up, and admittedly, we went on a Friday evening so it was probably busier than your average service. I ordered the Chopped Steak Hoagie and I thought it was quite tasty. My bestie and I split an order of the Herbed Fries, which weren't as seasoned as we hoped. By the time we were ready for the tab, it took a bit to get payment settled so we could head out. read more

I've always wanted to have a neighborhood gem and now I do! Accidentally found Local Tumor on Yelp. Sounded great based upon the reviews and boy did this place deliver. It was a beautiful early evening and we chose a table outside on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. A little bit of blinding sunlight for one side of the table but on for a few minutes. Our waiter was kind enough to suggest some highlights from the menu and gave us time to ponder. We ordered a bottle of Vinho Verde, the Beet Salad, a Thai Curry the Chopped Steak Sandwich and the French Fries. The Beet Salad was fresh, crisp and delicious with dollops of Labneh, Roasted Beets and a tasty vinaigrette. The Fries arrived hot and crispy with a garlic aioli on the side. A generous portion of fries and try as we might we couldn't empty the plate. The entrees showed up and my wife's Thai Curry was a hit. Rice was already mixed into the curry. The flavors were on point and had an excellent array of veggies. A bit of heat but not too much. The Chopped Steak Sandwich!! Oh my! Talk about a grand slam! Served like a hoagie, this sandwich was outstanding. Hot and juicy pieces of steak, caramelized onions and a romesco sauce. It was perfect. This is a sandwich I could eat multiple times a week, easily. The food was great. The service was fast, fun and professional. The evening was lovely. We found our neighborhood gem. read more

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Wonderful food, service. Great neighborhood gem. Music level and lighting was perfect. read more

Local Rumor - Bar - Comfort Food Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

This bar is located where one of my favorite burger joints, the blue door, had been. So is a little apprehensive about visiting that it would bring back too many memories of what I miss. Walking in the door, it was obvious that it was a whole new place, which I appreciated. It's not huge and has even less seating than it had before. There's a small lounge like area, seats at the bar, and then multiple tables. The drink menu is really interesting. They have quite a few twists on popular cocktails. I enjoyed the two that I tried. We ordered a cheese plate as well, which was average. The service was helpful and answered our questions well. I don't feel like I have a great sense of how the food is come on because it was just a cheeseboard. The menu looked interesting, however, and there were a number of drinks I still want to try so I will be back. read more

I had the opportunity to check out Local Rumor located on Selby Ave in Saint Paul, and the spot was truly amazing. I sampled various menu items, and they were all really good. The cheeseboard looked great, and I enjoyed the various cheeses and the jam, which was quite amazing. Although I'm not a fan of nuts or olives, the cheese, fruits, jam, and crackers were fantastic. The mashed potatoes were pretty good, but I felt like adding some cheese would take the dish to a completely different level. The cornbread was flavorful and filling; I had to force myself to lay off ofit because I'm already thick and not trying to get thicker! The Smashburger was also pretty good and heartwarming. My favorite, though, was the chicken sandwich. The batter was cooked to perfection, making for a nice crunch with every bite. Lastly, I tried their shrimp cocktail, which was super good. It gave me ceviche vibes with the lovely house-made chips. Although this place is still working on their liquor license, they did have a mocktail menu with tasty drinks. The experience was great, and the service was a 10 out of 10. Make sure you ask for Meg if you're there--she is the best! Parking can be challenging. There is a small parking lot on the side of the restaurant, but otherwise, there is street parking, which can be busy at times. One cool thing about the spot is that it has a patio, so if you're looking for that outdoor vibe, this is a great spot for you. All in all, this spot is beautifully designed and is an ultimate vibe for a date night or an outing with friends. read more

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Ordered burger and cubano. Both were fine, but nothing incredible. The cubano, not traditional was more honey mustard forward. Fries are nice and crisp but felt like the rosemary was overkill. Also had some cocktails/mocktails. The mocktail sangria was great. For the price you pay, there are far better options in the area both in terms of price and flavor. This, sadly is a one and done. read more

Local Rumor continues to not disappoint. The current menu has several items I was tempted by, so I made the difficult decision to get zucchini (healthy!) followed by a burger (not). The zucchini had so many satisfying flavors and textures and was unexpectedly (deliciously) spicier than expected. I devoured the saucy burger on its baby-soft bun. read more

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We went to Local rumor and while the food and drinks were good, they brought my partners food out about 30 minutes before the brought out my meal. I did have to watch him eat/munch on his meal but when I did finally get my food, they were very sorry and comped the meal. I would definitely go back to give them another shot. read more

Ambiance was dark, cozy, romantic. I went with my friend to celebrate her birthday! She got the curry, which is loved and was not too spicy and I got the chicken sandwich. Unfortunately it was so salty I could not finish it. We also shared the herbed fries and they were delicious! The ice cold margaritas were delicious and had a cute garnish. I was sad to see how slow they were, but it was a Sunday night. I would definitely be back! read more

Local Rumor - Yummy Margarita! - Comfort Food Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Local rumor silently opened recently without much fanfare on the westernmost end of Selby in the old BDP spot. It's small, but mighty. They pack a lot of punch in this joint. It's no fuss, but fancy at the same time. It's giving the aesthetic of a baby Bar+Cart down the way on Grand, and a much more elevated version of the local bar food joint down the road. But somehow the most affordable meal I've had in a very long time. How do they do it?! They are a scratch kitchen with a nice melange of standard fare, elevated small bites, and hearty comfort food. The confit wings were very well cooked, and a bit too salty, but downed without a speck left. TTHD- what's not to love. Brussels were perfectly sauced. A simple menu of bevies with traditional cocktails and an array of wines and beers. Hardly any photos because, well, everything was eaten immediately. Local Rumor is the neighborhood spot we've been waiting for. read more

Local Rumor - TTHd - Comfort Food Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Word on the street is there's a new restaurant in Merriam Park! As of July '24, Local Rumor is pretty much brand new and has a few wrinkles to iron out (liquor license coming soon!) but already offers a quality experience. The staff is friendly and accommodating, the menu is flexible and fun (Tater Tot Hotdish anyone??), and the vibe is pretty dope. Personally, I could do without the TV playing youtube videos of tropical scenery but I love the colorful paint inside, the tasteful furnishings, and the nice clean bathrooms. I expect to return soon and anticipate more satisfaction upon my return. read more

This is a great new addition to the neighborhood! The decor is modern and stylish. Cozy, compact seating. I would definitely come early or get a reservation for any party over 2 people. The cocktails were delish! I tried the butternut squash (yum! The ricotta and honey topping was amazing), the Thai curry (tasty, but no spice and a bit underwhelming), and the smash burger. An eclectic menu but fun to share and try many things! read more

We enjoyed our dinner here and being able to eat outside on a pretty summer evening. Prompt and friendly service. Delicious cocktails. Interesting but small variety of Asian and Mexican flavors all a la carte, as well as American standards. Price is at the high end but it is very good read more

My wife and I love this place. We're from NY and it reminded us of places we went to in Brooklyn. Love the music. great playlist! The food is amazing! Try the Cuban sandwich . The service was awesome! Drinks were tasty. Definitely going back there. Especially when my NYC friends come to visit read more

Everything we had was amazing. The owner came out to chat with us too! We sat outside and it was beautiful out. Indoors was really cute too. Highly recommend the carrots. (Forgot that camera eats first and didn't get a picture)! read more

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I went there with a friend for dinner after the local pub was completely booked on a Friday evening. Very chill atmosphere, and great service. The carnitas tacos were very tasty, as was the curried cauliflower. I do appreciate restaurants with more limited menus done well. read more

Food, service and ambiance are all amazing!! Run, don't walk to this neighborhood gem.

Amazing cocktails and a wide variety of food. Sat at the bar and was impressed by the vibe immediately...both staff and other patrons. Beef tartare was outstanding, with a nice level of "zing." The Madz' Word was outstanding and it was served by Madz, which was an added bonus. read more

Local Rumor - Limited space, broad menu! - Comfort Food Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Love this place. So charming. We had a shrimp cocktail and zucchini salad and they were both excellent and priced reasonably. Our server was very attentive, kind and friendly. read more

4.5 stars. This is a fun and charming little spot with unique decor and pleasing colors. The main dining area has tables that are pretty close together, but the bar area has a high top and some lounge seating. A great spot for a casual but romantic date. We were there on a very cold night in November, so the patio was closed for the season. Be prepared that it is quite small inside, and if you are waiting for a seat, you may need to stand awkwardly in the main walkway or hovering near other diners. The bartenders were quick to offer us a drink while we waited, and the service was pretty phenomenal for the entire evening. I had the Brussels sprouts and they were surprisingly flavorful with a good kick of something spicy. My husband loved his smash burger and said it was the best he'd had in a long time. We shared fries and they were... well, fries. Nothing too memorable about them. I will definitely be back to try some other menu items, because the service was impressive and I couldn't try everything I wanted to. read more

The atmosphere on a snowing day was warm and snug. The butternut squash with goat cheese was great, as was the cider cheese soup. Both of which paired well with the Sour Bitch cocktail. Service was good and Mads the bar manager knew her shit! read more

**Nice ambiance and friendly staff, but the food needs work.** The fries tasted fishy, and the flatbread was poorly made with Nutella. Making things from scratch would improve the quality. read more

Local Rumor - Rosemary fries - Comfort Food Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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What a delightful neighborhood spot! We've been meaning to come since it opened, and finally made it out a week ago for dinner. The vibes here are immaculate! Incredibly cozy and welcoming (though be aware that it gets full around 7 - we arrived at 6:30 and grabbed the last 4-top). I had a mocktail that was delicious, and our group split a few appetizers and mains (the smash burger was a standout!). Can't wait to return! read more

Food was mid. Service sucked. They never brought seasoning (just ketchup, we were told to wait for that) like we asked for. Kinda a waste of $90. read more

I miss the Blue Door Pub. The food was ok, the service was good, but it needs a good Happy Hour to bring in more attention. The location is in a college and student-filled neighborhood and prices seem too high. read more

Delicious sharing plates and fun atmosphere. My son loves the Chori-Queso dip, brisket tacos, and grilled broccolini. The staff are super friendly and attentive. This is a great addition to the neighborhood. read more

I just had a very pleasant meal here and found everything to be top notch. The menu is ala carte and the servings look small, but that's deceptive. They are quite filling. We had the following: the Mac and Cheese, the Smash Burger, the Grilled Chicken Sandwich, the Cheese Board, cornbread with Jalapeño butter, and the Tomato Cucumber Salad. The wait staff brought things to the table as soon as they were ready, so we got our meals at different times, which means food didn't sit under a warmer for any appreciable time. The service was attentive without being overbearing, and the wait staff were friendly, polite, and knew the menu thoroughly. First class in all respects. The decor is best described as bright and eclectic. Vibrant colors are used judiciously. Table settings include wood, cast iron, melamine, funky water glasses, and gold utensils. It may sound odd, but it works well. Overall, it is cool and dark, giving a real comfortable feel to the space. They are slated to have their liquor license next week sometime, but there's no need to wait for that. Check it out soon, I am certain you'll enjoy it. read more

Went for lunch and was very impressed. Tasty dishes. We had Cauliflower (which I normally am not fond of of, but loved their preparation), Fish tacos (made with walleye and blue corn totillas and the chorizo chili (special of the day) We will be back to try more. read more

BEST BURGER I HAVE EVER HAD in 5 years!!! Service friendly Good place Good food Can't wait to go back next time I'm in the cities read more

Excellent, friendly service. Nice beer and wine list. Tried smash burger and fish tacos, Brussel sprouts and TTHD. All great! Sat outside at small picnic tables. Went back for lunch the next day and then antiquing next door. read more

Absolutely gorgeous interior, I just wanted to stay here all night. I got the chicken sandwich, fried, and my wife got the Thai Curry and we split the herb fries. All 3 dishes were super, super good. Chicken sandwich had a great ratio of ingredients, the breading was light and crispy, the aoli was citrusy and absolutely made the sandwich. Thai Curry was phenomenal and the fries were perfect! The server was incredible, I wish I remembered his name but it was the evening of 3/2/25 at around 6pm. He was so friendly and helpful! Oh, and the drinks were dynamite. Highly recommend this place. read more

Great food and service. The music station was awesome, too. My whole family loved it! We will definitely be back.

At long last, The Local Rumor is open! We've been waiting for a great spot to open in our neighborhood ever since Blue Door closed. We came by Friday night just to see if they were open and they were! The interior is completely redesigned with the feel of a lot more space. They did a great job with colors, vibe and sound, so we felt right at home and were comfortable talking to each other in our group of 5. We ordered some delicious mocktails and immediately noticed bone broth on the menu. We ordered that, a burger, fries and wings, since we were only looking to snack and try a few things. The food was impressive and eminently affordable. In fact, the $12 smash burger is actually a double and was instantly demolished by our picky 14 year-old. We also got to know the staff, many of whom moved over from the Hewing Hotel, which helps explain the high caliber of service, food and ambiance. We can't wait to come back and keep going through the menu and see what else these good folks have in store. read more

Local Rumor - Well designed interior - Comfort Food Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Food ambiance and service with a smile. I tried the cauliflower which was spectacular! Love this place!

Great food and service in a small, cozy and relatively quiet venue! Many delicious vegetarian options in shareable plates as well as meat entrees and soups and the food comes to your table hot! read more