Ike's MSP Airport

Evie and Carlos tried out Ike's at MSP airport on their way out of town a few weeks ago (president's day skiing in Oregon).  Mixed experience... read on.

Kids Menu Choices
No specific kids menu

Evie's Order
"Serious Patty Melt" (hold the onions)
Ice water




Evie's Review:  When we were at Ike's, it was busy, so service was slow.  The caesar salad was really good (Carlos shared it).  I liked it because it didn't have too many croutons, or too much dressing (too much dressing is always a problem).  I'm not very into burgers, so maybe I would have liked it better if burgers were my thing... but I wasn't a big fan and didn't eat much of it.  I liked the white bread and parmesean taste, and buttery greasiness.  The fries were also delicious:  Greasy, salty and sometimes you got a crunchy one that added to the deliciousness.

Evie's Rating:  2 stars

Carlos' Order
Caesar Salad
Surly Furious




Carlos' Review:  This place definitely makes my "avoid" list when traveling with kids.  There's no kids menu, so you are forced to order huge adult portions, and share them, which means you are eating what your kid wants, not what you want.  So Evie wanted the blandest possible burger.  I ate half of said burger.  I also wanted something green, so ordered a Caesar salad that had some brown lettuce and "out of a box" style croutons.... Beer list was really limited, but at least included Furious.  As Evie mentioned, the service was slow and inattentive.  The guy acted like I was crazy asking if there were kid portions.  Not sure why I went here over the great Stone Arch restaurant.  Won't be back.

Carlos' Rating:  1 star

Location
MSP Airport
Main Mall (North side)

Website
http://mspairport.ilikeikes.com/

Punch Neapolitan Pizza

We've been gone for a while, but now it's time for Evie and Carlos to get the reviews flowing again!  Today, we're reviewing our favorite pizza place on Grand Ave, PUNCH!  It's on a busy block, next door to Brasa (to be reviewed in the future).  Parking can be difficult, walk if you can.  We are regular customers here, as it is the closest restaurant to our house.

Kids Menu Choices
Bambini (very small cheese pizza,)

Evie's Order
Adult sized Margherita Pizza (no basil)
San Pelegrino Limonata

  

Evie's Review:  The margherita is a cheese pizza with olive oil and basil (but you don't have to get the basil if you ask for it to be removed).  This tastes just like the bambini, but is bigger.  The bambini just isn't big enough for anyone over the age of 4, maybe 3.  Depends how big of an appetite they have.  In my opinion, I think the pizza is quite good.  They don't put on too much olive oil, or cheese.  It's almost the perfect pizza.  I also ate some salad, but I don't really remember what that was like.  San Pellegrino Limonata is like a lemon-ade soda.  They also have an orange version.  I always order it here.  I like it because it is cool and refreshing.  I get it on camping trips as well as at punch.

Evie's Rating:  5 stars

Carlos' Order
Rugula Pizza (Arugula and Prosciutto)
Punch Salad (shared)
Beer



Carlos' Review:  You could do a lot worse than having Punch Pizza 3 blocks from your house.  Quick and easy after school dinner.  I like the pizzas which have uncooked arugula on them.  I appreciate that Evie can have a relatively round meal... and they usually have a couple interesting beers on tap.  Sometimes I wish they had some non-traditional topping choices... and/or add some more Euro style toppings (egg for instance?).  But... overall, great go-to after school pizza spot, WAY better than delivery.

Carlos' Rating:  4 stars

Location
769 Grand Ave 
St Paul MN 55105


Website
http://www.punchpizza.com/