Bol du Nord at Thirty Bales
It’s been said that Babe the Blue Ox ate 30 bales of hay a day. I didn’t find any hay on the menu at Thirty Bales, a scratch kitchen on Hopkins’ Mainstreet. But I did find plenty of dishes that are as Minnesotan as Paul Bunyan’s bovine sidekick.
On a lovely patio evening, our server guided us to the most popular order, the Bol du Nord ($29). It’s a wholesome crock of wild rice in roasted mushroom cream sauce, packed full of veggies and topped with two breaded walleye fillets. While I wouldn’t have minded more seasoning, this hearty entree is a good starting place for those who are salt-sensitive.
We sampled more of their comfort food with local flair, and especially liked the fried cauliflower tacos ($15), a substantial vegetarian main served on hand-pressed masa and Minnesota wild rice tortillas. There’s lots more on the menu to explore, including an intriguing “purple ribbon” carrot cake, a 4-H grand champion recipe. (Sharyn Jackson)
1106 Mainstreet, Hopkins, thirtybales.com

Tacos at Taqueria El Patron
Ever end up at the wrong place, yet it feels so right? That recently happened when punching an incorrect address into the GPS led me to this south Minneapolis score. It was lunchtime, and those from the neighborhood as well as construction workers conversing in Spanish started trickling into Taqueria El Patron, and I followed suit.
Turns out the spot on Xerxes Avenue near 50th Street, across from Hunt and Gather, quietly opened last November with offerings similar to its sibling restaurant on Lake Street and food truck by the same name. Nadia Rosales and Victor Herrera took over the quaint space in the Fulton neighborhood that was previously home to chef Hector Ruiz’s El Travieso and, before that, Don Raul.
The spot reminded me of the taquerias in Mexico, down to the vibrant murals and casual menu of dishes like burritos, tacos, tamales and tortas. Tacos served on two corn tortillas ($4 each, $2.50 on Tuesdays) have more than a dozen fillings to choose from, including chicken tinga, tripe, shrimp and vegetarian options. My picks of carne asada steak and, the favorite, al pastor, an achiote- and cumin-forward marinated pork that packed earthy, nutty and sweet flavors, made me one happy customer. (Nancy Ngo)
4953 Xerxes Av. S., Mpls., taqueriaelpatronmn.com