ON CAMPUS BUSES
September 14, 2020
2
Letter from the Editor-in-Chief
Welcome back to campus (sort of). By Dylan Miettinen eic@mndaily.com
The Minnesota Daily has provided comprehensive news coverage of the University of Minnesota and its surrounding communities since 1900. In those 120 years, the publication has weathered many storms and covered important stories through a student lens: from wars to elections, from moments of mourning to times of shared triumph. And believe it or not, this is not the first pandemic the Daily – and our campus community – has survived. You’ve heard it before: these times are unprecedented. If you happen to be on campus, you will undoubtedly notice the absence of Minnesota Daily publications on newsstands. But our staff is still publishing every day online (and on a redesigned website). And there’s been no shortage of things to cover. In the spring, President Joan Gabel announced that all classes would be moved online in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A state of emergency was declared by Gov. Tim Walz. Local restaurants struggled to stay open, while others shuttered. Some students struggled to afford necessities such as rent as a result of lost jobs. Then, after online finals were completed, with students granted the option of switching their grades to pass/fail, Minneapolis was thrust into the international spotlight following the police killing of George Floyd. Our staff has been there to cover
it all. They’ve been out in the streets with student protestors and community members covering their demands for racial justice. They spotlighted the sense of community formed in subsequent cleanups, profiled donation centers, highlighted the University’s cut ties with the Minneapolis Police Department and covered the sustained calls for equity. All of this, while the pandemic raged on and students’ lives adapted. Artists moved their work online or turned to open-air venues. Fans and athletes held their breath, hoping for in-person games – hopes which would soon be dashed. The University’s plans changed time and time again in response to the pandemic. Now, though school has begun, it looks far different than just one year ago: dorms sit empty, for now; classrooms are desolate and deserted; the Memorial Union – what used to be the hub of student life on campus – is quiet, with the few students there donning masks. Each year, the Daily publishes an orientation guide, with the aim of providing students with tips, advice and information useful to them for navigating their campus; This year is no different, though we’ve tailored it to our uncertain times. Read the Minnesota Daily online, tune in to our podcasts and follow us on social media. You can count on the Daily to be your one-stop shop for coverage of University news, arts, sports, politics and commentary. In a time of uncertainty, we hope that the Daily will be your consistent source of quality news.
Table Of Contents Letter from the editor
2
Guide for POC students
3
Dorm personality quiz
6
Letter to first-years
7
Know your admin
10
Thrifting near campus
11
Hot take(-out spots)
14
September 14, 2020
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A short guide for students of color at the University of Minnesota These tips are designed to help students of color navigate the campus community. By Jasmine Snow jsnow@mndaily.com Maneuvering through a predominantly white institution can be difficult as a student of color. It can be hard to navigate blatant racism, micro- and macro-aggressions and spaces reckoning with social justice when many of the rooms you’ll find yourself in will be full of faces that don’t look like yours. Here’s a short list of beginning steps you can take to start orienting yourself around campus: Student Groups and Unions Student groups designed solely for students of color and their allies (often called “unions”) can be found throughout the University. Many of the “unions” or “cultural centers” for students of color can be found on the second floor of Coffman Union. (Go to the “Cultural Centers” tab on the SUA site to find out more.) Log in on the UMN Gopher Link page with your .edu account to see complete calendar dates and rosters of events and meetings by groups all around campus. Although the physical spaces designated for these groups may be affected by COVID-19 restrictions, many of these groups still meet and host events virtually. Mental Health Resources Your life matters, and nurturing that life can mean different things to different people. Addressing racial trauma or being involved in any sort of race-based therapy or counseling can be a part of that meaning. While mental health
Illustration By Luis Mendoza services on campus (like those at Boynton Mental Health Services and Student Counseling Services) have faced criticism for their lack of representation in staff and other internal issues, many of their providers have still helped countless students along the way. For one-on-one support, students can request but are not always guaranteed providers of color. Current group therapy options oriented specifically toward students of color can be found on the Boynton Health Group Therapy page. Academic Success Spaces and Other Groups From social justice-oriented advising offices, several of the spaces found in Appleby Hall (including the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence [MCAE] and the Presidents’ Emerging Scholars Program [PES]) and around campus are dedicated to the academic success of students of color. Whether you’re looking for fellow POC to meet or hang out with, or melanated spaces to study, these locations have become key in the lives of many students of color at the University. Like student groups,
though some of these physical spaces may be affected by COVID-19 restrictions, many aspects of these organizations are still available in virtual meets and events. Many colleges and departments have started diversity, equity and inclusivity initiatives. If you’re interested, you might be able to find folks who look like you and those that have a social justice-oriented mindset. Social Media It’s often helpful to follow multicultural groups and their members to keep up with the culture and events at the University, see fellow POC students succeed or even to create your own “little village” of mutual, melanin-filled support. Following and adding Black and brown students at the University can help do similar things, as well as give better visibility to folks who might be able to help you navigate the campus on a more accessible level. Pages like the BIPOC at UMN Instagram, for example, can provide an undiluted barrage of student-experiences at the University that you may find useful for your time here.
Other Tips/Tricks Don’t be afraid to reach out to faculty of color. Academia is and always has been predominantly white — it’s more than likely professors of color know what you’re going through. If you happen to have a professor who is a POC, if you find a professor of color in your college, if you come across a professor of color doing research you find interesting: reach out! It can be very meaningful to find and network with successful folks who look like you in and out of your field. Your student-media wants to hear from you. Whether it’s tips, complaints, story ideas, or just to say hello, members of your campus newspaper want to hear from you. Feel free to reach out to reporters through their listed emails or social media DMs. (Note: this guide is by no means exhaustive. Students of color are not a monolith — there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the issues you may face during your time at the University. However, I hope you can at least use this as a starting point as you carve your own path here at the University of Minnesota!)
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NAVIGATING YOUR WAY AROUND THE U Your Transportation Choices WALK n
Gopher Way: tunnels and skyways connecting campus
BIKE n
designated for biking.
buildings. n
612-624-WALK: call for a safe, free security escort to walk
n
with you.
Bike Racks: situated near most buildings on campus (on a seasonal basis).
PARK n
Bike Paths and Lanes: almost six miles on campus
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Bike Lockers and Secure Bike Parking: rent a storage area.
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Bike Center: full service - learn more at z.umn.edu/bikecenter.
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Helmet & Headlights: purchase at Boynton Health Service
Contract Parking: guaranteed space 24/7 via an online
Pharmacy.
lottery each semester. Details at parklot.umn.edu. n
Public Parking: hourly, daily, carpool, meter, discount and
BUS
event parking is available. Visit umn.edu/pts for rates and locations. n
Motorist Assistance Program: FREE service (lock-outs,
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students. Purchase at http://buspass.umn.edu.
jump starts and air for tires) for legally parked PTS customers. n
Car-Sharing: on-campus vehicles. Drive by the hour or day.
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Ride-Sharing: Gopher RideShare is a U of M database to connect and share your commute with others. Download the Gopher RideShare app. Learn more at gopherrideshare.umn.edu.
Campus Shuttle: FREE bus service between the St. Paul, East Bank and West Bank campuses. Use a telephone, mobile device, or web-enabled computer to see where the bus is and its predicted arrival. Learn more online and at bus stops.
Fee includes gas and insurance. Find out more at umn.edu/pts. n
U-Pass: discounted, unlimited-ride city bus and rail pass for
n
Campus Zone Pass: free pass that allows rides on Green Line between three campus stations.
n
Paratransit Service: free curb-to-curb on-campus transportation for persons with temporary or permanent disabilities. Rides can be scheduled online at z.umn.edu/paratransit or by phone at 612-624-8338.
612-626-PARK • pts@umn.edu umn.edu/pts
September 14, 2020
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The end-all, be-all UMN dormitory personality quiz Find out which dorm or residence hall you match with based on this personality quiz.
By Hana Ikramuddin hikramuddin@mndaily.com 1) Do you like to be in the center of things? A) No way! I like to stay out of the way! B) Sometimes. It depends on what’s going on. C) Yes! I need to know what’s going on. D) I was born in the spotlight, and I’ll die there.
public transportation. C) I will only use e-scooters. D) I have never seen a car — what is that?
6) How aware are you about the drama/gossip? A) Never. It just avoids me, which I’m glad about. B) Despite never asking, people always seem to tell me. C) I’m the one people make up stuff about. D) I live and die by the drama!
comfort at the end of the long day. You might get tired of people easily but still want to be at the center of all the action.
Bailey (12-15 points) Ahh Bailey. Over half an hour away from all those annoying city-slicker Minneapolis people. Am I right? Bailey is in St. Paul near the College of Farming and Agriculture, so you might run into a few people who know a thing or two about plants. But don’t be scared! Learn to love relaxing drives from St. Paul and get to know the names of all the plants you’ll see along the way. I wouldn’t be too afraid of calling this the Hufflepuff of the dorms. You enjoy peace and quiet and hate to see anything crowded (except the State Fair). You’ll never have to deal with a line in the dining hall either!
7) Choose one. (No, this quiz won’t actually give you any of these.) A) Spotify Premium and Disney+ for free. B) The power to instantly memorize any 2) What’s your zodiac sign type? syllabus. A) Water. C) A relationship. Middlebrook (16-19 points) B) Earth. D) The power to have a pet in your dorm Middlebrook is over on the West C) Air. room. Bank, which means it’s a little farD) Fire. ther from Superblock and University 8) Pick a color. Avenue. Depending on your in-person 3) Thoughts on noise? A) Baby blue. classes, you’ll do well to either learn the A) I hate it. Can’t people just shut up? B) Moss green. bus system at the University or get used B) Don’t mind it. I’ll just buy a pair of C) Maroon. to long walks across the bridge to the earplugs. D) Gold. East Bank each day. You love watching C) I’m the one making the noise! Music from a distance and observing things for all! For each ‘A’ give yourself 1 point. before you jump in it for real. You’re D) I’m the one telling the RA about the For each ‘B’ give yourself 2 points. thoughtful without being pensive. noise. For each ‘C’ give yourself 3 points. Middlebrook is what you make of it! For each ‘D’ give yourself 4 points. If you put in the effort, you can meet a lot 4) Pick a time of day. of people and get to know campus. West A) Sunrise because it’s when the library Comstock (8-11 points) Bank also has a lot of fun food places to is empty. In Comstock, you get the benefit of go too that those snobby East Bank kids B) Sunset. being a little bit away from the other never try. Learn to love it, and it will C) 4 p.m. on a Friday. dorms while still being near Coffman love you. D) Time is a social construct. Union and other parts of East Bank. You’ll always be right by a bus stop and Sanford (20-24 points) 5) How do you like to get around? have the safety of knowing you’re in the Sanford is a real catch (if you ignore A) Forget the bus, I’m walking. heart of campus while … getting a bit of the lack of air conditioning). You are B) I have dedicated my life to peace and quiet. You like stability and right on top of University Avenue, where
everything seems to happen on campus. You have a bus stop and a dining hall that’s a little out of the way for other dorm kids to show up to and cause a huge line. Waking up to frat music isn’t the end of the world for you. You enjoy knowing what’s going on without being so involved you get overwhelmed, and you tend to know what you want in life. You hold tightly to your individuality, but remember it’s okay to be a little mainstream sometimes! 17th Avenue (25-27 points) 17th Avenue is Sanford Hall but a little noisier and a little more hyped up. The dining hall is one of the better ones on campus. This dorm is also right in the center of University Avenue, giving you the chance to really involve yourself on campus. You’re social and like to be involved. Sometimes people might call you mainstream, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t an individual with a lot to offer! You might also be thinking of joining a sorority or fraternity on campus. Superblock (Frontier Hall, Pioneer Hall, Territorial Hall, Centennial Hall) (28+ points) Superblock is known for being loud and proud just about every year. With Pioneer Hall’s renovation last year, Superblock has the best dining hall around campus and some of the nicer dorms. You don’t mind being around a lot of people because you know no matter how big the crowd is, you’ll always stand out! Because all of these dorms are so close, Superblock feels like it’s right in the center of all first-year life on campus. Social distance this year and wear a mask — you’ll need it when you’re waiting 30 minutes to get dinner each night.
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September 14, 2020
An open letter to first-years Some advice to first-year students entering their first semester from a second-year student. Dear first-years, I’m sorry you have to start your first year of college like this. None of us asked for a pandemic, and none of us wanted to start a new school year under quarantine, a curfew and with mostly online classes. Though I’m in my second year now, I remember how excited I was to move into my dorm, meet my roommates and start classes. While pandemic learning is relatively new for everyone, there are a few tips and tricks that might be useful when starting up a new school year. Listen, I know that for most, if not all, of your classes, attendance means clicking a link on your Canvas page. It’s becoming easier to lose track and forget you have a class altogether, if not sleep in so long you miss the whole thing. If you can, set an alarm for the morning or a phone call with your friend the morning of class. Consistently waking up and going to sleep at roughly the same time each night can be really helpful. Making a personal connection with your professors and people in your class can also be a way to keep yourself
accountable and excited to come to class! Finding (or making!) a friend in class has other benefits. They’re a good person to text if an assignment you have questions over is due at midnight, it’s already 10 p.m. and you don’t want your professor or TA to judge you. A class friend can also be someone you can study with before a big test over Zoom. Brainstorming before a class essay is due and bouncing ideas off of one another is another way to know you’re on the right track. While you won’t have a chance to meet all of your classmates in person this year, you can still make connections during those breakout sessions in Zoom! Don’t just sit there in awkward Zoom silence. And don’t be afraid to ask for people’s numbers and Snapchats to start a new friendship. Other important people to befriend this year are your professor and TA. Show up to office hours whenever you can with questions (just not ones that are in bold at the top of your syllabus). Come ready to discuss things you feel got left out of class discussions and discuss how to prepare for upcoming exams. TAs are a similar story, especially since in a lot of cases they are the ones grading your papers and exams with a red pen (or on Google Docs). When you aren’t going to Zoom classes and office hours, it’s im-
Illustration by Sarah Mai
portant to create a study space you can depend on. Studying on your bed can make you fall asleep, especially during those 8 a.m. lectures. Even just the process of getting up to go to your desk can be helpful. Avoid doing nonschool work at your desk to help keep your space focused and distraction-free. For those of you who get a job and join clubs, it can be hard to separate your extracurricular activities from school. Balancing your life when you’re being pulled in different directions can be very overwhelming. Everyone copes with stress
in different ways, but try and set your priorities early. How important is work? Your club? School? If you’re working in a job you love and want to chase a career in, the answer might not be so clear cut. The same can go for other extracurricular activities, but try to remember how expensive college is and why you felt the need to show up to get your education during a pandemic in the first place. Good luck! You’ve got this. Sincerely, Hana Ikramuddin
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September 14, 2020
A newcomer’s guide to the University’s administration University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel fields questions from the Minnesota Daily in her office on Tuesday, Feb. 25. ( Emily Urfer / Minnesota Daily)
The University of Minnesota’s administration is tasked with making decisions that affect the entire University community. Here is a breakdown of top administrators and their roles and responsibilities. By Abbey Machtig amachtig@mndaily.com
September 14, 2020
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S
tudents at the University of Minnesota have received dozens of emails this summer as plans for the fall semester have shifted and pivoted in response to the changing COVID-19 pandemic. Who makes those decisions? This guide can help you understand who’s who of the University’s senior administrators. Board of Regents: The Board of Regents consists of 12 members elected by the Minnesota State Legislature who serve at the highest level of the University’s administration. Even the University President reports to this board. The Board votes on all major decisions affecting the University, and oversaw all changes regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board meets most months of the year in public meetings that can be viewed on Youtube or online. President: Joan Gabel, who was newly elected in 2019, serves as the University of Minnesota’s President. In the position, Gabel oversees all campuses at the University and develops items such as the annual budget, the systemwide strategic plan and other initiatives like student mental health plans and strategies for diversity and inclusion. Although some decisions need to be approved by the Board of Regents, students can expect most communication to come from President Gabel’s office in systemwide emails. Executive Vice President and Provost: As Executive Vice President and Provost, Rachel Croson oversees all academic initiatives across the entire system. Croson joined the University in early 2020 during the pivot to virtual instruction. Croson is responsible for developing academic practices and policies and maintaining academic units. Chancellors work closely with Croson in this position. Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations: Myron Frans, who will begin in this position on September 30, will serve as the chief financial officer for the University of Minnesota. As part of the President’s cabinet of advisers, Frans will provide updates
on the University’s financial status and develop recommendations for the annual budget.
The Board of Regents meet about the East Gateway Project Resolution, on Friday, Feb. 14. The Board of Regents holds a meeting each month. (Emily Urfer / Minnesota Daily)
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education: Undergraduate education is overseen by Vice Provost Robert McMaster. McMaster provides regular updates to students and to the Board of Regents on data such as enrollment, admissions and demographics of students. McMaster will also communicate with students on advising and experience initiatives on campus. The Office of Undergraduate Education manages the other undergraduate colleges in the University. Medical School Dean: Jakub Tolar serves as the Dean of the University’s Medical School. Within this position, Tolar presents updates regularly to the Board of Regents. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Tolar continues to communicate public health guidance and suggestions with the University community.
Vice Provost and Dean Bob McMaster posed for a portrait on Monday, April 29, 2019 in Morrill Hall. (Chris McNamara / Minnesota Daily)
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September 14, 2020
Second-hand savvy: Where to thrift near campus
Though the University has few thrift shops nearby, a quick bus ride can still get you to these. By Tiffany Bui tbui@mndaily.com
Just like finding the perfect vintage sweater, you’ll have to do a bit of searching to find a thrift store around campus. Second-hand shops are, unfortunately for second-hand treasure finders, few and far between around the University. The good news is that the Sisterhood Boutique, a West Bank gem, is a close option with a great purpose. The boutique was launched by young East African women from the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood to build a space for other girls and women to develop business and leadership skills. It’s located right by Augsburg University. You can take the 121 Campus Connector, the 122 University Ave Circulator and the 123 4th Street Circulator to get to West Bank. For more choices, you’ll likely have to hop on a bus or take a rideshare. If you’re willing to take that venture, I recommend going to South Minneapolis. Buffalo Exchange highly curates their selection, which means it’s more expensive, but also means you can find more trendy and brand name clothes. Just over a 10 minute walk away from Buffalo Exchange is b. Resale, located in the Whittier neighborhood. They have unique, truly vintage finds and their music is always good. If you’re into kitschy, one-of-a-kind earrings, b. Resale has an awesome spread on their wall and at the counter. If you’re looking for an actual Goodwill experience, the St. Paul Goodwill Outlet is right along the light rail Green Line, off the Fairview Avenue Station. Since it’s an outlet, all the clothes are in bins and you
Illustration By Sarah Mai pay by the pound, not the item. So come prepared to dig, maybe equipped with some plastic gloves. Feeling icky about venturing into a store during the pandemic? You can thrift from home using Facebook Marketplace. It’s like Craigslist, where you interact directly with the seller, usually a person trying to get rid of some extra furniture. I recommend utilizing filters to specify listings by location, especially if you’re not interested in going all the way to the suburbs to pick up a new desk chair. The
more you search for items, the more you’ll see listings pop up tailored to your interests. Keep an eye on the “Newly Listed in Your Area” category to get first dibs on stuff nearby. However, if you’re keen on buying from a seller further away (like Wisconsin), some people will ship. Have you ever sat on a classroom chair and said, “Wow, I wish I had this in my house?” Well you can buy that chair, and recreate the feeling of reclining in a lecture hall, through the University ReUse Program. In an effort to reduce waste,
facilities management collects surplus office equipment across the Twin Cities campus and makes it available for purchase. Due to the pandemic, they require you to set up an appointment to visit the warehouse. You also could just keep an eye out for the woebegotten furniture that people leave out during moving time, usually at the beginning and end of the semester. Nothing says college like a couple of students hauling a couch down the sidewalk.
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September 14, 2020
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UMN takeout guide: Waffles & falafels
A roundup of great restaurants offering takeout near the Twin Cities campuses By Alex Strangman astrangman@mndaily.com
Dining halls are great — all you can eat food, a wide variety of options and ice cream machines that (sort of ) work — but eventually those off-brand McChickens and afternoon-old pizzas just don’t quite hit like they used to. Here’s a list of fantastic takeout options near the University of Minnesota that offer a bit of reprieve from the repetition of dining hall patronage. Dinkytown Wally’s Falafel, Hummus and Bakery: Wally’s is here for all your falafel related needs. Open daily from 11 a.m. 11 p.m., they have some of the best Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine in Dinkytown; (612) 746-4776 Banh Appetit: Formerly Bun Mi Sandwiches, Banh Appetit offers fantastic Vietnamese street food, served up sandwich-style. Looking for sides? From fan favorite french fries to savory spring rolls, Banh Appetit has you covered from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday Monday and 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday Friday; (612) 367-4765 Stadium Village Afro Deli: Celebrate Afro Deli’s tin anniversary this year by pulling up to their stadium village location, open daily from 10:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. A flavorful fusion of African, Mediterranean and American themed food, Afro Deli has a little bit of something for everyone; (612) 871-5555 Sidewalk Kitchen: If you find yourself on campus jonesing for some Chinese food, head on down Washington Avenue to Sidewalk Kitchen. Open 11 a.m. 9 p.m. Monday - Sunday, there’s no better place near campus for modern
interpretations of classic dishes; (612) 379-9999
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West Bank Dilla’s Ethiopian Restaurant: The self-proclaimed best Ethiopian Restaurant in Minneapolis, Dilla’s Ethiopian Restaurant lives up to the hype and then some. Open 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. Monday - Sunday, with buffets from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Thursdays and 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Sundays; (612) 332-2898 Flamin Thai: A mouthwatering mashup of Thai and Laos cuisine, Flamin Thai serves up savory specials like red curry with catfish and Ka Piek Sen soup. Open 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday - Thursday and 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; (612) 224-9691 Como Black Coffee and Waffle Bar: A perfect way to start any day, Black Coffee and Waffle Bar is more than aptly named. They whip up hot waffles and strong coffee, nothing more and less, daily from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.; (612) 436-0719 Como Tap: Half dive bar, half restaurant, Como Tap is the go to burger joint of SE Como. Ovpen 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 11 a.m. - midnight Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday, be sure to check out their daily happy hour and weekend brunch specials; (612) 315-5257 St. Anthony Park (St. Paul) Mim’s Cafe: Sometimes life just needs a bit more shawarma. Enter Mim’s Cafe. A tasty blend of Middle Eastern and American food, kitty-corner to Bailey Hall on Cleveland Ave., Mim’s is open 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Friday; (651) 646-0456 Nico’s Taco Bar on Como: Inspired by traditional Mexican street food, Nico’s Tacos offers a wide variety of tacos, burritos, salsas and more — all made from scratch using indigenous Mexican herbs and spices. Open seven days a week 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.; (651) 450-8848
Top, Afro Deli as seen in Stadium Village on June 28, 2019. (Tony Saunders / Minnesota Daily). Bottom, a pulled pork sandwich from the menu Banh Appetit is seen on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (Parker Johnson / Minnesota Daily)