minnesota

The Spam Museum :: Austin, Minnesota

July 28, 2011 By Chris Blecha Leave a Comment

The Spam Museum, ready to provide the public with the information necessary to appreciate this culinary heavyweight. We’re talking Spam, with a capital S and a registered trademark symbol. You know: “Pork, water, salt, sugar, spices” and a few preservatives packed in a blue and yellow can with rounded corners. This icon of commercially-produced comfort food was first introduced by Hormel Foods in 1937. Located in Austin, Minnesota just a block off I-90 (exit 178B), the museum was founded in 2001 and has been open every day (except for five major holidays per year) since. It is part corporate self-promotion, part social and culinary history, part near-cult campiness and part good, old-fashioned hucksterism. It is all great fun. [Read more…] about The Spam Museum :: Austin, Minnesota

Redbull Flugtag

July 11, 2010 By Chris Blecha Leave a Comment

Most festivals take place at a certain place or a certain time of year. The Redbull Flugtag, however adheres to very few rules. Sponsored by Red Bull (yes, the famous energy drink that gives you wings) the Flugtag is a wet and wild event that occurs at various spots all over the world each year. The official goal is to create a homemade human powered flying machine that glides as far as possible off a long pier with a 30 foot drop off. Unofficially very few of these quirky crafts do anything even close to flying and become more of a comical fall into the waters below. This is where all the fun for the thousands of spectators comes in. [Read more…] about Redbull Flugtag

Hell’s Kitchen :: Minneapolis, Minnesota

March 22, 2010 By Chris Blecha Leave a Comment

Hell’s Kitchen in Minneapolis is a must see if you find yourself lucky enough to be in Minnesota’s most populated and beautifully unique city. Super close to the Orpheum Theater, The Target Center, and the Minnesota Shubert Performing Arts and Education Center, it’s the perfect place to visit after a fun night out. The name of the restaurant would suggest a bill of fare right from a volcano, but don’t let the name fool you. The food is damn good and plentiful. Hell’s Kitchen is located underground and it is open 7 days a week. Frequented by chefs, the food is original, fun, bountiful and freshly prepared for each individual diner. The results are tasty and best of all it was created for you in the most casual of settings. The restaurant boasts of award winning peanut butter, homemade ketchup, and other sundry items as well as a full bar and great service. [Read more…] about Hell’s Kitchen :: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Mall of America :: Minnesota

February 18, 2010 By Chris Blecha Leave a Comment

Covering more enclosed floor area than any other mall in the entire United States, Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota is a testament to consumerism and capitalism like no other. Not simply a parking spot for retailers, Mall of America is a hot bed of entertainment, dining, events, and so much more. You could easily come here every day for a week and still not experience everything they have to offer. Opened in 1992, it is undergoing an expansion project that has it poised to become the official largest mall in America, both in retail space (where it is currently second) and in floor area. This expansion project is expected to include [Read more…] about Mall of America :: Minnesota

Viking Inn :: Minnesota

December 28, 2009 By Chris Blecha 1 Comment

Smack in the middle of Minnesota sits a truly unbelievable bed and breakfast. If the cold Midwestern winters make you think of the fury of the Norse gods, then take shelter at the Viking Inn. Also called the Nordic Inn Medieval Bed and Brew, this fantastic lodge does well to live up to its many names. Located in Crosby, Minnesota, the Viking Inn’s recipe is a little bit history, a little bit fun, a touch of romance, and ta-da; a magic place to relax your cares away. [Read more…] about Viking Inn :: Minnesota