The 5 best things our food writers ate around the Twin Cities this week

A craving for eggs and hash browns led us to check out this seven-day-a-week daytime 1980s-themed diner in Minneapolis. The Uptown spot is about connecting community and adding a bright spot to your day. Cheery orange and electric blue hues kick things off. George Michael, Whitney Houston and A Flock of Seagulls on the sound system (courtesy of a DJ the day we visited) and pop art further set the tone, as did the welcoming staff.

American diner fare, including hash platters, eggs Benedict, shrimp and grits, and chicken-fried steak, is available. As are dishes with global influences, from kimchi hash brown platters to pupusa eggs Benedict ($17), the latter among the dishes we tried — and the one that ended up being the standout of them all.

A cheese pupusa stands in for the classic English muffin, and the griddled South American pancake with melting quesillo was a great base for two poached eggs. Nicely seasoned carnitas as well as pickled red onions and salsa verde put an ultra-savory and bright twist on the classic Benny. And it was a delicious twist at that. Plus, it came with a side of hash browns and sunshine. Craving mission accomplished — and more. (Nancy Ngo)

1300 Lagoon Av., Mpls., thebreakfastclubmpls.com

There’s a new dumpling eatery in town, and although the sign on the door says “soft opening” and asks for patience, inside it’s a well-oiled machine.

While there are classic Chinese dishes like fried rice, noodles, egg rolls, orange chicken, etc. on the menu of this cute suburban eatery, it would be unthinkablenot to order dumplings. And there are plenty.

The showstoppers are the xiao long bao, or soup dumplings, with a half-dozen flavors (six for $13.95-$16.95). They’re fun to eat — the menu has directions for the uninitiated — and each are delightfully brothy. There’s also a variety of pan-fried dumplings, from pancakes to bao, and boiled dumplings, which includes these spicy pork wontons ($12.95 for eight). Stuffed with flavorful pork, the delicate dumplings swim in a chili-laced broth that’s potent yet approachable for the spice-averse. We were immediately smitten.

12561 Castlemoor Dr., Eden Prairie, dumplingeaterymn.com

Carnitas don Tacho on Payne Avenue in St. Paul serves traditional, old school Michoacán-style carnitas, in which pork is slow-cooked in lard and its own fat until tender and succulent. While the menu includes other taco fillings, such as a delicate lengua or juicy al pastor with chunks of pineapple, the focus is the carnitas, which are chopped to order. Here the carnitas are exceptional, with a super savory depth of flavor.

For carnitas tacos, the default style is surtido, a mix of different cuts of meat including shoulder, rib, stomach and, most importantly, fatty pork skin, which gives it that soft, gelatinous mouthfeel. If you want, you can get it lean without the fat, aka maciza, or even specify the particular cuts you prefer. Three electrifying salsas play nicely with the carnitas: a bright tomatillo, an earthy and smoky árbol and a spicy habanero. Carnitas don Tacho does a brisk takeout business, selling carnitas by the pound; they’re also on DoorDash. (Raphael Brion)

1193 Payne Av., St. Paul, @carnitasmn

Driving down Lowry Avenue in Minneapolis, I spotted this bright, brand-new Ecuadorian spot and pulled over on a whim — fitting, since antojitos translates loosely to “little whims” or snacks you crave in the moment. The chuzos de pollo ($18) were exactly that: two vivid-yellow chicken skewers draped in a lively green “Ryan’s sauce” with gentle heat and herbal notes, each finished with a sweet plantain at the tip, and generously served with rice, beans and a simple salad. The churrasco (sliced steak in pepper sauce with fries and an egg, $21) was another favorite. The booth-lined restaurant is roomy and clearly built to host large events. Named for the owners’ young son, it’s a warm, welcoming presence on the block. (Sharyn Jackson)

When comfort cravings force the choice of sandwich or soup, call on Em Quê Viêt for the Pho Dip ($15.) The brilliant combination of a French dip style sandwich of a crusty baguette loaded with beef, braised greens and shaved onion comes with a small bowl of aromatic pho broth for dipping. The savory and juicy combo is one of those ideas so good, it’s almost hard to believe this isn’t a commonplace dish.

Em Quê Viêt is known for those State Fair-famous mega eggrolls, but the menu goes deeper than that one delicious dish. The Pho Dip is one of several that blends traditional Vietnamese cuisine with modern dining tastes. Plus, it’s a savory bundle that travels well. So, it’s just as enjoyable inside the light and lovely restaurant as it is wrapped in the coziness of home. (Joy Summers)

1332 Grand Av., St. Paul, 651-330-4363, emqueviet.com