How do you like your food—hot, hot, hot? Tempting choices abound for spicy food in Edina. At any time for any meal, you’ll find a full menu of dishes to warm your heart and soul. Go international with your zesty dishes and a world of fiery flavors will be your reward.
KOREAN COWBOY MEATBALL SUB
Say hello to something spicy. The Korean cowboy sub is just as the vintage over-sized sign on the back wall proclaims: “HOT!” Fans come from all over for the fiery Korean-style banh mi sandwich overflowing on an 8-inch ciabatta bun. “Most of the spice comes from the sauce,” says Jordan Hamilton, general manager. A medley of vegetable slivers and a feathery finish of cilantro disguise the spicy chili paste. Pickled onions, daikon radish, carrot, cilantro and basil in a fresh savory slaw balance the heat from house-made gojuchang sauce-covered meatballs. $7.95.
3904 Sunnyside Road; 952.303.4514
CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA
The chicken tikka masala will enliven your day with a good dash of spice. “Masala doesn’t come mild,” says Mohammed Oddin, who runs Biryani. The authentic Indian recipe has a bold blend of homemade spice. For those who want even more heat, fresh green jalapeño peppers go into the mix. For extra-hot requests, red chili powder adds fuel to the flame. In any case, a pungent tomato-infused sauce cloaks tender chunks of chicken and onions with a never too runny or dry consistency. $14.95.
7078 Amundson Ave.; 952.946.0009
CAJUN STYLE FRIES
The tender interior and firm exterior of the fries at Five Guys are legendary; they come in two flavors. The jazzy Cajun style is a taste party for your mouth. You can’t eat just one or even two or three. Fresh-made feisty fries are better by the mouthful. A light dip in ketchup adds just the right sweet flair to the red and black confetti of Cajun spice. $2.39 small, $3.39 medium, $4.99 large.
3873 Gallagher Drive; 952.893.5489
SANTA FE SOUFFLÉ OMELET
Original Pancake House
Warm, sunny flavors brighten the Santa Fe soufflé omelet. A tantalizing trio of jalapeño peppers, pepper jack cheese and house-made salsa puts pep into an otherwise tame four-egg puff. “It is a spicy omelet,” says Jane Smalkoski, general manager. Fresh tomatoes, onions and cilantro complete the jazzy jumble. The Original Pancake House has a reputation for serving up farmhouse-sized plates and then some. The already generously portioned omelet grows in staying power with a side of three buttermilk pancakes or toast—so bring a spice-loving friend. $10.75 Go lighter with an egg-white omelet for an additional $1.
3501 W. 70th St.; 952.920.4444
BUFFALO SANDWICH
Tavern on France
The buffalo sandwich moves past subtle to sublime. It’s a simple chicken sandwich jazzed up with extras. Habanero jack and fresh sliced jalapeños add heat to already zippy buffalo marinated chicken breast. Fresh shredded lettuce and blue cheese dressing cool the flame. A grilled stadium bun provides a chewy base. Choose one of the many beers on tap to chill down the heat of your buffalo sandwich. $10.50.
6740 France Ave. S.; 952.358.6100
CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
Rojo Mexican Grill
The chicken enchiladas are a customer favorite at Rojo Mexican Grill. A roasted poblano cream sauce enrobes the shredded chicken nestled in a black crockery dish. “You can really taste the peppers in it,” says Ben Albaugh, assistant general manager. Spicy sauce encases two neatly rolled corn tortillas. Rich creaminess comes from sprinkles of Asadero and Manchego cheese. A mound of downy sweet rice and a dish of refried beans speckled with white cheese make substantive sides. $13.95.
10 Southdale Center; 952.595.5495
VEGGIE LOVE BURGER
Red Cow
At Red Cow, a good dash of curry puts the heat into the veggie love burger. The fierce flavor can satisfy vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Avocado salsa and sliced red cabbage toppings, along with a side of fries, fresh fruit or coleslaw temper the curried chickpea patty. Wuollet Bakery next door provides a custom sourdough bun with a faintly sweet finish. “It’s a great veggie burger that really stands up—one of the best in town,” says Luke Shimp, president. For a gluten-free veggie love burger, request a special bun. $10.50.
3624 W. 50th St.; 612.767.4411
BIG MOUTH STRIKES AGAIN MARTINI
Pittsburgh Blue Steakhouse
As a true all-season drink, the Big Mouth spices up a warm day and heats up a cold one. Be warned: This martini has a bite. Bar manager Andy Shields invented the drink to a 1980s remix beat of the Smiths’ song of the same name. The result? A fiery martini pours from a margarita-influenced mix of 1800 Silver tequila, house-made jalapeño simple syrup, fresh cucumber and lime juice. Kosher salt, lime and cayenne pepper glitter along the rim. A nice balance of sweet and spice make the drink, “way better than a traditional margarita,” says Shields. $12.
3220 70th St. West; 952.567.2700
RICE HARVEST CELEBRATION
Ready for some real Vietnamese-style heat fueled by spicy Thai scallion lemon grass sauce and a finish of Thai basil? “This dish is inherently spicy,” says An Nguyen, owner. Compared to other cuisines like Indian or Thai, the spiciness of Vietnamese food is less aggressive and takes a few seconds to fully surface. Contrasting flavors of sweet, sour and bitter mask the heat at first bite. Thai scallion lemongrass sauce over grilled shrimp, chicken or tofu boasts opposing flavors. Delicate jasmine rice soothes a lingering whack of heat. $12.50 for lunch, add shrimp for $3. 3948 W.
50th St. S.; 952.288.2888
SPICY CAJUN BENEDICT
The Southern-style spicy sausage and eggs in the spicy Cajun Benedict have an Americanized French accent. Two perfectly poached eggs hide under the glorious pale yellow sheen of hollandaise. Anchors of toasted English muffin halves and feathery hash browns ensure not a drop of the precious sauce goes to waste. Fresh cool notes surface from a scatter of chopped tomatoes. On top, a shake of cayenne pepper adds a fiesta of color and flavor that intensifies the heat of real Cajun Andouille sausage. $10.25.
3808 W. 50th St.; 612.927.4464
