Some summer days aren’t meant to be planned — they’re meant to unfold.
A casual drink turns into dinner, a few friends become a full-on crew, and before you know it, the sun has set and you’re still laughing over one last round. Those moments call for a certain kind of restaurant: spacious, welcoming and ready to roll with the ever-growing party.
Whether you’re celebrating something big or just the fact that it’s tank-top season, these three spots make room for whatever the day (or night) brings.
Hey Y’all Tipsy Taco Bar
The party vibes are right there in the name: Hey, y’all, come on over. And the Ferris wheel out front couldn’t be more inviting. A spin (or eight) on that carnival ride is an easy $5 add-on to your dining bill, and you can bring your drinks and food with you for the northeast Minneapolis views. But that’s not all this unabashedly happy place has going for it. There’s a putt-putt course and various lawn games; a covered patio that looks like a 1950s living room straight out of Better Homes & Gardens; and snackable, easily shareable tacos and frozen margaritas that come out fast and yummy. A big skillet cookie with lots of spoons makes the perfect finale.
2501 NE. Marshall St., Mpls., heyyallmpls.com
Fogão Gaúcho
If your idea of a party involves nonstop meat paraded around on skewers, Fogão Gaúcho is a carnivorous fever dream come true. This Brazilian steakhouse keeps the grilled goods coming — filet, fraldinha, linguiça, you name it — until you physically wave the servers off. The cinnamon-roasted pineapple is a cult favorite, and the buffet of sides (watermelon wedges, potato salad, cowboy rice!) is abundant. Kids love the spectacle and the speed, adults might indulge in the cooling caipirinhas, and even picky eaters end up trying something new. Linger here as long as your appetite allows.
1901 Killebrew Dr., Bloomington, fogaogauchousa.com
Mito
When your celebration calls for a little spectacle, start at this joyously over-the-top Latin American restaurant in Roseville. The drinks come with sparklers, the staff chants “shots, shots, shots,” and your group toast might arrive via a flaming airplane. Cocktails come served in everything from skulls and IV bags to foot-shaped glassware; kitschy, yes, but they taste classy. Everything at Mito is unapologetically extra, with colorful nooks for selfies, big tables for growing parties and a massive menu of maximalist dishes piled high with toppings (birria pizza, loaded fries), all far tastier than they need to be. The fun continues through dessert; when we ordered a slice of tres leches cake doused in a Bailey’s shot, it came under a dangling piñata.
