Enjoy the original fast food, the pasty.
With its Union Jack-painted exterior, the Potter's Pasties & Pies truck is a can't-miss sight on downtown streets. Those who crave the truck's well-prepared signature item — beef with root vegetables, coriander-scented pulled pork with apples and onions, Thai-style potato-carrot with tons of ginger and a red curry sauce, all $5 and $8 — can also turn to Potter's handy basement-level takeout counter. Don't want to leave the house? Order through the Bite Squad (www.bitesquad.com) delivery service.
1828 Como Av. SE., Mpls., 612-819-3107, www.potterspasties.com
Forget about iron ore. The most valuable exports coming out of Hibbing, Minn., are the goodies being made at Sunrise Creative Gourmet Foods. Fourth-generation owner Tom Forti is expanding his family's reach in the Twin Cities with a new St. Paul retail outlet. The shelves at Sunrise Market are stocked with a wide range of dried pastas, and Forti fills the freezer cases with a variety of temptations, including his family's famous potica and heat-and-serve ground beef/ground pork/root vegetable pasties ($4.99) that rise above any supermarket frozen pot pie. Forti also showcases other regionally produced foods, including Ruhland's sweet and savory strudels.
865 Pierce Butler Route, St. Paul, 651-487-1913, www.sunrisecreative gourmet.com
Sun Street Breads baker/co-owner Solveig Tofte knows a thing or two about doughs, which explains why her kitchen's pasties boast the buttery-est, flakiest crust imaginable. Each golden, crescent-shaped pie ($7.50) is filled with tender beef, rutabagas, potatoes and onions, and after enjoying one for lunch, grab a few to keep on hand at home.
4600 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls., 612-354-3414, www.sunstreetbreads.com
RICK NELSON
