It sure looks like Fargo and three bucket lists

Sunny with a change of Fargo
After a lot of consideration, emotion, and logical/illogical discourse, Jake and I have decided to proceed with his job transfer to Fargo, ND.

As lifelong Twin Citians (with an exception of my undergraduate stint in Waverly, IA), we realize we are embarking on a difficult and life-changing venture that removes us far from our comfort zones.  We are going to move forward with optimism, in good faith that the good things in life have a way of working themselves out.

This move means that I am temporarily putting my graduate schooling on hold.  Of all his recent job transfer offers, the Fargo-Moorhead area has the most compelling educational opportunities.

This spring, I embarked on an endeavor on which I had always wanted to begin but was fearful.  After an amazing trip through Central Mexico, I wrote my first blog posts and joined the vibrant MN Food Bloggers group.  I am sad to leave this community and new-found network of local foodies, but plan to both continue my blogging exploits from Fargo, and remain current with the Twin Cities and the MN Food Bloggers.  We will come home often to visit both of our families and many friends.

At first glace, it appears the number of Fargo-Moorhead food bloggers may be scarce.  Therefore, I would be grateful for any tips or resources to connect with other Fargo-Moorhead foodies and food bloggers, restaurant and grocery suggestions, and even jobs or volunteer opportunities in the mental health/higher education/nonprofit/restaurant/co-op/food industries.

Our time in the Twin Cities is limited, as it is looking like we will have to move by the end of October.  I have created an initial bucket list.  Jake and I will not be able to get to all of these restaurants, but will see what we can do in a month.  We are also looking for suggestions to add to our bucket list.

Thank you all for your readership and support.  You have made my lifelong blogging dream approachable and possible.  A sincere thank you to my fellow bloggers who who have kindly provided the advice and encouragement I needed to begin blogging.  

I hope you all will follow me to Fargo at the end of October.  In the mean time, we will try to attack the following lists.

A taste of our favorites/Our loyal rotation

  • Broders Eggplant Pizza and Olivata Nero
  • Ted Cook’s 19th Hole Barbecue: Spicy pork ribs
  • The Nook’s Paul Molitar burgers and sweet potato fries
  • Surabhi: Thali meals with bhindi masala (okra) and their super spicy palek paneer
  • Takeout from Hoban
  • Meritage Moules et Frites
  • Bangkok Thai Deli
  • Obento-Ya
  • Gyropolis
  • Fasika

Jen’s Bucket List: Has never been

  • Heartland
  • Gastohfs
  • Azima
  • Masu
  • Lobster night with Smack Shack
  • Chimbarazo
  • Heidi’s
  • Al’s Diner
  • Kramarczuk’s
  • Hamdi
  • Keefer Court
  • Crescent Moon
  • India Cafe (Tiny restaurant located near the Indian grocery store off 494 and Portland. Am curious).
  • Ghandi Mahal (my herbalist said this was her favorite).
  • Bar La Grassa
  • Moscow on the Hill

Haven’t been for a while but would like to return

  • Cleveland Wok (Sentimental value. Haven’t been since college)
  • Manana
  • Hmong Marketplace
  • The Teahouse in Plymouth
  • Sole Cafe (Would like to celebrate my birthday here!)
  • Mirror of Korea for mandu
  •  Pho 79 (I’ve been many times but not with Jake).
  •  Sole Cafe (Would like to celebrate my birthday here!)
  • La Gran Colombia
  • Beirut for raw kibbee
  • Everest on Grand

    7 Comments

    1. Anonymous

      Al’s Diner… Do you mean Al’s Breakfast?

    2. Jen

      Oops- I do mean Al’s Breakfast. Thank you!

    3. Bill Roehl

      Great to see a lot of my own favorites and “must do yet” before our own relocation which will occur once I finish grad school.

      Best of luck to you both. I can’t wait to watch as you change the food-devoid landscape of F/M into a vibrant community of food-centric goodness 🙂

    4. Jen

      Thanks for the well wishes! Hope grad school continues to go well and will look forward to reading your blog from Fargo.

    5. Anonymous

      Oh! I love Pho79! I haven’t been there in ages. Maybe the next time I’m ‘up’ to the Cities I will have to go. 🙂

    6. Anonymous

      as a Fargo native, I can say that Fargo has it’s own culinary gems as well!

    7. daysandyears

      Hey there,
      I am just stumbling upon your blog for the first time, via Heavy Table… I thought I would offer a few tips about Fargo 🙂 I was born and raised there. I went to college out of state, and landed in the Twin Cities during grad school, but I get back up there a few times a year. It’s not as horrible as the Cohen Brothers would expect you to believe (and you will soon find yourself defending “Fargo” with “ALMOST THAT ENTIRE MOVIE IS ABOUT THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN MINNESOTA!!!”).

      So, in no particular order:

      Generally, the people are friendly and very down-to-earth.

      The farmers market at The Dike in downtown Fargo is tiny, but decent.

      The big-box shopping district out by “the mall” has all of the staples that you would expect to find in the Twin Cities, but Downtown Fargo is definitely worth exploring for unique and independent shops.

      There are a few ethnic groceries in Fargo (along Main Ave, I think). Otherwise, one of the newer Hornbachers stores is probably going to be your best bet for groceries.

      The Shady Hollow Flea Market outside of Detroit Lakes is fun and quirky and should be a once-a-summer priority.

      The new Bluestem Amphitheater in south Moorhead is a very, very cool venue. It’s the permanent home of Trollwood Performing Arts School, but national acts have been playing there this year.

      The Fargo Theater downtown is a neat, restored vaudeville theater that hosts live music, as well as indie and big-budget movies.

      The weather can be tough. Even though it’s only four hours away, the climate is way different. Summers are HOT. Winters are COLD. Very, very cold. I learned how to drive on packed snow/ice. They just “do” plowing differently up there. Pack your Smartwool.

      Most importantly: Don’t buy or rent next to the river.

      Good luck!

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