Joy Summers
Food and Drink Reporter
Food and Drink ReporterJoy Summers is a St. Paul-based food reporter who has been covering Twin Cities restaurants since 2010. She joined the Minnesota Star Tribune in 2021.
Latest from Joy Summers
Editor's Pick
Meet the bakers behind the 2025 Star Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest winning cookies
This year’s winners range from a fifth-grader to Minnesota State Fair baking champions, and here’s how they created their one-of-a-kind treats.
December 4, 2025
Gavin Kaysen's French bistro Bellecour North Loop opens this week
The much-anticipated restaurant opens this week, with pastries and light lunch by day and classic French fare at night.
December 3, 2025
Saturday Dumpling Co. opens third restaurant; TokiDoki Burger is closing
Saturday Dumpling Co. in Armatage has all the hits plus congee hash browns. Plus, TokiDoki Burger is closing and more restaurant news.
December 2, 2025
15 picks for eating (and drinking) your way through Northfield’s restaurant scene
Spend a day in this picturesque college town, and fuel up at these places whether you’re there morning, noon or night — or all three.
November 28, 2025
12 holiday gift ideas for the Minnesota foodies in your life
From art, liqueurs and spices to brown butter glaze, Bundt mixes and bakery-scented candles, the Taste team shares their favorite local food finds.
November 26, 2025
5 tasty insider tips for plotting the best Mall of America shopping day
A secret happy hour, cut-the-line pizza orders, quick caffeine runs and more will help make your excursion hangry-free.
November 24, 2025
The 5 best things our food writers ate this week
Noteworthy onion rings, creative pizzas, well-played seasonal ingredients and more.
November 21, 2025
Good news, burrito lovers: Lito’s is now open on Lake Street
Plus: New Vietnamese coffee and BBQ, Buttered Tin expands, pizza updates and more food news.
November 18, 2025
Bellecour is now open in Edina, and it’s serving those iconic French fries
The daytime cafe is one of three late-year restaurant openings for chef Gavin Kaysen.
November 18, 2025
The 5 best things our food writers ate this week
Checking out new bakeries, Mexican markets and banh mi places, while old school dive bar staples and holiday pop ups kept things nostalgic.
November 14, 2025
X2 Pastries opens in St. Paul's Mac-Groveland; Krispy Kreme returns
Plus Krispy Kreme is almost here, three new eateries opening in Kingfield, cocktails in Northeast and more food news.
November 11, 2025
A new Mexican-Asian bar moving in to Modern Cafe space in Minneapolis
Mestiizo will join the ranks of buzzy bar and restaurants in the area when it moves into the former Modern Cafe digs in Minneapolis.
November 10, 2025
