Five Guys in Duluth, MN

We have seen shows about the history on Five Guys, and a lot of people we know have tried Five Guys. On July 13, 2013, our family went to try Five Guys. I did not call ahead to ask about handicapped accessibility, or if was kid friendly, but we were excited to try it.

We brought both wheelchairs because we were going to see a movie afterwards. I went in with the 32" chair just to be on the safe side. The first set of doors were double but no bar in the middle, which then made me hopeful that the 36" chair would fit inside. Nope, the second set of doors only the 32" would fit, unless I would have pivoted. 

Once inside, we noticed other patrons getting salted peanuts in the shell to eat. We didn't see a sign saying free peanuts. but assumed it was ok. The peanuts were a nice added snack while we waited for our food. 

On the walls, for their decor, were awards and news articles they had been in. I remember from the show I watched that the five squares on the wall represents the five brothers. Colors were white and red, with a decent size dining area. It worked fine for the 32" chair, but not for the bigger one. 

We got up to the menu, and the cashier asked what we would like to order. I told her that we are first timers at Five Guys. She was very friendly and helpful explaining the menu. The Little Burgers are single patties, the others are double. It was amazing to see the toppings were free, and the fries you can order Five Guy style or Cajun style. We asked if the Cajun seasoning was really spicy, and she said it has some kick to it. She offered to put some of the Cajun seasoning in a container on the side, so that we could try it. 

After paying, they give you a number that they will call out when food is ready. We sat at the table listening to the upbeat music and watching the cooks work in unison while waiting for our number to be called. 

One thing we ask is why use canned mushrooms on good quality restaurant food? You have fresh tomatoes, lettuce, you even post where you got your potatoes. So why serve processed, spongy, canned mushrooms when fresh would taste so much better? Hope to see this changed on our next visit. 

Jodi ordered a Bacon Cheeseburger with onions, mayo, and mushrooms. She really liked the burger. She said it tasted really good and liked the simpleness of the wrappers. It let the food be the star. 

 

KayMarie ordered a Bacon Cheeseburger with pickles, tomatoes, mushrooms, and A1 Sauce.
 

Brian ordered a Bacon Cheeseburger as well, but all the way. I asked how much would it cost to add jalapeños, and the cashier said it costs nothing. I really liked the burger a lot. It tasted so good, but it needed fresh mushrooms. 

Christopher and Jonathan had a Little Bacon Cheeseburger with pickles, tomatoes, onions, ketchup, mustard, and mushrooms. They liked their burgers a lot. They got so full. 

We liked the fries a lot. They seemed like the old-fashioned fries you get at a carnival. They were in a cup in a brown paper bag, with a side cup of Cajun seasoning. Next time, we would like to try the seasoning cooked with the fries. Brian really enjoyed that they offered malt vinegar. He says it brought back memories as a child at the fair. 

Five Guys in Duluth, MN, is a STOP IN, kick back, enjoy the music, and the burgers, you will not be disappointed. 

Check it out at Five Guys!

Pizza Lucé in Duluth, MN

When we write a post, we like to visit the place to get the full experience. But, this post will be a little different. We had Pizza Lucé delivered to our hotel room at The Edge. The food was so good that we have to share about it.

The first thing we liked about Pizza Lucé was the unique pizza flavors. The second was the late hours that they still delivered. It allowed us to enjoy the waterpark longer and eat later. And, the third was that they delivered promptly and the food was done well. We didn't want to just order a pie that we can get back at home. 

Garlic Cheese Toast

Tangy BBQ Wings

We ordered Garlic Cheese Toast, served with sprinkled oregano and a side of red sauce. You can also order it dairy free with their vegan cheese or Rinotta* which contains nuts. 

 

We also ordered Luce's Chicken Wings they are a  21 time winner at the Minneapolis Wing-Capades. We ordered Tangy BBQ that is served with blue cheese dressing, but we believe we got an order of the Spicy Buffalo. They were so spicy that the family did not like them. Now, I like spicy foods, but I can say they were hot. You can order the wings Gluten Free upon request as an option as well. 

For our pizzas, we ordered the Greek Athena with fresh spinach, tomato, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, red onions, Greek oregano and toasted garlic with light mozzarella on Bianca sauce (white pizza). This is our new favorite pizza. We were not sure at first if we would like it, but all the flavors worked well together and tasted great, too. You can order Vegan and Gluten Free as well, upon request. 

Pizza Athena

The other pizza we ordered was the Pizza Lup'e, the flavors of Mexico, with black bean salsa, fresh pico de gallo, black olives, cheddar cheese, green onion, and seasoned beef. It is also served with shredded lettuce and a side of sour cream. We liked this pizza as well. It was stacked with ingredients, and the taste of fresh ingredients made a great Mexican pizza. You can order this pizza Gluten Free as well. 

Pizza Lup'e

So, if you are looking for a great pizza or other great menu choices, whether by delivery, take out, or dining in, Pizza Lucé is the place to get it. I know we will like to try dining in next time we are in Duluth. Pizza Lucé is a STOP IN or, in this case, a great choice for delivery. 

Check out their website at Pizza Luce!

Duluth Huskies At The Wade Stadium In Duluth, MN

 

We went to see the Duluth Huskies, as a start of our summer outings. I called the main number and left a message to get information about how accessible the park was. The Head Coach Daniel Hersey of the Huskies called me back and was very informative on how to get tickets, the handicapped accessibility, and how I would be able to sit together with my family.

We went on a Sunday June 2nd, 2013 for the Family Pack, you get 4 hot dogs, 4 small sodas, and 2 popcorns for $30.00 on home games. But, we needed an extra ticket for KayMarie with the food options, as well. Head Coach Daniel Hersey said they would charge $10.00 extra for the ticket and food. When we got to the gate to purchase our tickets and mentioned that we needed an extra ticket with the food, it took them awhile to completely understand what we needed. I even told them that the head coach called me and that is the price he said. They charged us the extra $10.00, and we were in. 



Huskies Dugout

The gate entrance was easily handicapped accessible, I was in my large chair which is bigger than the standard 32" chair. We didn't know where to go for the handicapped seating. The staff were kind, but they would just point directions. It would have been nice to have been ushered, since this was our
first time here. 

We got to the handicapped seating, and there were steps that I had a hard time getting passed. A standard chair would fit just fine, but my chair had to be angled just right to get through. People had to wait for me to get through. They were kind, but I got a bent wheel out of it. The handicapped seating was right next to the teams dugout, which brought an added bonus for Christopher's and Jonathan's first experience at a baseball game. My family was able to sit with me in the handicapped seating area which was great. 



#3 Kyle Teaf

Harley D. Huskie

The Sunday we went, it was a Double Header, and staff had said there was going to be fireworks. But, there was not, which was a little disappointing. That's why we stayed for second game, but, in the long run, it was a long day.

Another suggestion we have is having someone at the gate entrance directing visitors with kids to the information booth to sign up for the kids activity contests. Both Christopher and Jonathan asked where they could enter to try to win, we had to tell them that we were not sure. 





#6 Aaron Hernandez

We did have a lot of fun watching the Huskies play and buying a baseball for the meet and greet at the end of the game. Jonathan got to meet the players, and had them sign the baseball. He was really excited to be that close to the players for his first time. It was hard to get the wheelchair through the grass to get to the players, because it was wet and muddy, but it was worth it. 



#7 Garrett LaRosa and #22 Josh Alexander

For a reasonable, fun time at the ballpark and to support our local team this is a STOP IN.

Check it out at Duluth Huskies!

Restaurant 301 at the Sheraton Hotel in Duluth, Mn

Jodi made the reservation here for our date night on June 22nd, 2013, and what a great restaurant to visit! The whole time we were there, we were the only ones there, which was sad. Between the chef's skills and his tasty menu, this place should be filled every night. 

The setting was very romantic: white table tablecloth, linen napkins, candle, flowers, and nice dinnerware. The menu is made up of different ingredient combinations that work so well that it is the most unique menu we have tasted on the Northland. Our waitress, Sara Jean, was very helpful, kind, and knowledgeable of the menu items.

 





Lemon Balsamic Vinegar

Bread Basket

Restaurant 301 provides their menu on their website, so we knew what we would order when we got there, but it was still hard to choose. They brought us out a basket of bread with lemon balsamic butter. It was different: lemony, but so good.
 

Brian ordered two glasses of wine. He likes a more fruity taste. Our waitress, Sara Jean, suggested a red and a white wine, Marietta red old vine California lot 58 and Discoveries moscato California 2010. They were both very good: great aroma and accents.





Marietta Red Old Vine California lot 58





Beef Tenderloin Crustini

Spring Cheese Plate

We both ordered appetizers, so that we could try a little bit of everything, because everything sounded delicious. Jodi ordered the Beef Tenderloin Crustini, it had Cave-Aged Blue Cheese, Toasted BBQ Sauce, and Scallions. She said it was really good. The only thing that was different about it was the dollop of blue cheese. It seemed overpowering and out of place, but the other tastes worked together. 

 

Brian ordered the Spring Cheese Plate that came with Goat Cheese with Strawberry and Black Pepper Compote (which, in French, means "mixture" that is a dessert made of whole, or pieces, of fruit in sugar syrup). Manchango (which is cheese made from sheep's milk) with Greek Olives, Warm Brie with Smoked Almonds. I really liked this appetizer a lot, the goat cheese and strawberries was my favorite. As a cheese fan, I would order this again and would recommend this starter.

Spring Bone-In Lamb


For our entrees, Jodi ordered the Spring Bone-in-Lamb made with Butter Basted Domestic Lamb, Chocolate & Red Chili Veal Glace, Pan Fried Ricotta Polenta, Fava Beans & Tricolored Baby Carrots. She was concerned that the chili would be too spicy. Our waitress, Sara Jean, said that the chocolate will offset the chili heat, and she confirmed with Chef Kevin llenda it would be more on the sweeter side than heat. It was sweet. You couldn't taste the chili heat. The combinations worked very well. 




Whole Calamari

Yellow Curry Seafood Stew

Brian ordered the Yellow Curry Seafood Stew made with Coconut Shrimp Broth, Calamari, Shrimp, Scallop, Blue Crab, Mussel, Tomato, Scallion, Fresno Chili, and Cilantro. What more could I ask for? It has the seafood that I like, and I enjoy a good curry dish (oh, yes, I asked if I could have extra curry).  Everything was done perfectly, and the stew was seasoned very well. I really enjoyed the whole calamari! I never had them this way; they're usually fried and over done. The portion size was spot on with a nice balance of seafood and Coconut Shrimp Broth.   





Trio of House Made Cakes

We then ordered dessert. Jodi ordered the Trio Of House Made Cakes, which included Ginger Carrot Cake, Red Velvet, and Chocolate Fresno. She said they were delicious, but the Chocolate Fresno was a bit of a surprise. It was a good start of chocolat, but then, when you swallow, the spice hits the back of the throat. Her favorite cake was the Ginger Carrot Cake, the touch of ginger and the pineapple really made the flavors pop, but it blended very well together. 






Green Tea Cre'me Brûlée

Brian ordered the Green Tea Cre'me Brûlée,  the caramelization was beautiful, not over burnt, and had a nice crisp when breaking into it. The green tea custard base tasted amazing, the green tea was not overpowering or too strong, but it was smooth and creamy. This dessert was a perfect way to end a great meal and just makes you want more on a nice warm day. 

Another reason we liked Restaurant 301 was that our waitress Sara Jean didn't rush for us to order our next choice. She let us get to where we were about done, then she asked. It was a smooth, flowing experience. Sara Jean would refill our drinks when they were low often and bring out clean plates, and silverware when we got another fresh basket of bread. We also got word that Chef Kevin Ilenda changes his menu with fresh flavors and ingrediants according to the season and local flavors, so keep on eye out on their website for the current menu. 

Restaurant 301 is a must to STOP IN, whether staying at the Sheraton Hotel, shopping in Duluth, or, if you work in downtown Duluth, you can call for a free complimentary ride on your lunch break. When you're done, they will bring you back. If you are looking for a place to bring your loved one, Restaurant 301 is the place to be, from the atmosphere and kind staff to  Chef Kevin llenda, who has passion for Duluth, MN, and his menu. The food reflects all of that. I know we will be back very soon to try the other great menu choices.  

Check out the exciting options at Restaurant 301!