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El Samurai

VARIOUS LOCATIONS

507-990-8356

FACEBOOK.COM/ELSAMURAIJTC

WHAT’S IN A NAME? El Samurai serves teppanyaki, a cuisine that emerged in Japan post-WWII, characterized by cooking food over a searing-hot iron griddle.

GRUB AND A SCRUB. The truck is often parked outside Express Car Wash 1 in southeast Rochester, so you can solve the question of what to have for dinner and get your car sparkling at the same time. They can also be found on occasion at local breweries and catering private events. Check their Facebook page for weekly updates.

NIGHT OWL SPECIAL. For those eating late, be sure to bring your appetite. After 7:30pm, you can get 2 combos for $30—that means you can get the filet mignon and chicken and the scallops and shrimp, plus two sides of fried rice, for the cost of a single dinner entree at many local restaurants.

The Compadres

1764 SOUTH BROADWAY, AND OTHER ROTATING LOCATIONS

507-319-9050

THECOMPADRESMEXICANFOOD.COM

TACO THE TOWN. In addition to well-known sites around Rochester, The Compadres food truck and trailer has also expanded to the food court in the Apache Mall and a sit-down restaurant in Byron. They’re also available for catering.

ON THE MENU. Serving tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, The Compadres food truck is perhaps best known for their authentic Mexican tacos, featuring three tortillas stuffed with your choice of veggie or meat options and topped with fresh cilantro, onion, and queso fresco.

BRING ON THE SAUCE. The fresh pico de gallo and smoky chipotle sauce are chef’s kiss. THAT’S REFRESHING! Finish your meal off with a bottle of Jarritos, the beloved Mexican soda made with cane sugar and fresh fruit juice.

Firebrick Bread Woodfired Pizza Truck

VARIOUS LOCATIONS

507-272-7885

FIREBRICKBREAD.COM/PIZZA

ON THE ROAD. This local favorite will celebrate their 10th anniversary in May 2023. The Firebrick truck can often be found outside Rochester breweries or at regional farmers markets.

THAT’S HOT. The mobile oven runs between 800 and 900 degrees, can fit up to five pizzas at once and cook them in two minutes or less. Some summer mornings, the coals from the night before are still hot enough to ignite a fresh log.

THE EARLY BIRD. One specialty item—the Breakfast Pizza—can only be found Saturday mornings at the Rochester Farmers Market. Other unique offerings include an Asparagus Pizza in late spring and an Oktoberfest Pizza (sliced sweet onion, sauerkraut, bacon, smoked garlic kielbasa and havarti, served with an assortment of savory mustards) in the fall.

A LOCAL TWIST. The Dill Pickle Pizza, originally created for the Minnesota State Fair, returns to the menu this year. Or try the Lavosh Pizza: a rich, buttery pie inspired by an appetizer from Rochester’s long-shuttered John Barleycorn restaurant, featuring sliced mushrooms and onions drizzled with olive oil and havarti cheese, piled atop a pizza crust instead of the Armenian crackers for which it’s named.

Rochester’s Global Music Series offers three distinct shows

by Hadley Lange

The 14th annual Global Music Series-—run by Rochester Civic Music, and supported by a Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund grant-—features three artists whose cultural backgrounds (Native American, Cajun, and Irish) directly inform their musical stylings.

Blackbird

When: Thursday, June 22 at 6pm

Where: Rochesterfest/Soldiers Field

What: Self-described as “Alter-Native” Rock, Blackbird was founded by brothers Cody and Caleb Blackbird (Dakota/Cherokee/Romani gypsy) and combines their love of music and their dedication to spreading knowledge of Indigenous cultures. This six-time Native American Music Award Winning band blends Native American flute, vocal percussion, and rock and roll to produce a cutting-edge sound.

Feufollet

When: Thursday, July 20 at 7pm

Where: Thursdays Downtown

(Peace Plaza Stage)

What: Feufollet, fittingly named after a spirit taken from Louisiana and French folklore, is a poppy, folky band with Cajun roots. These roots permeate the band—from their twin fiddles to their dual language songs (French and English)—but they are unafraid to draw on members’ unique styles, whether it be an Appalachian upbringing or a tendency towards gospel. These sounds meld together in a twangy, boppy sound that’s keeping Cajun music alive.

JigJam

When: Thursday, August 20 at 7pm

Where: Thursdays Downtown

(Peace Plaza Stage)

What: JigJam is hailed as “the best Irish band in bluegrass” (with some Scottish flair from new member Danny Hunter). The band performs everything from traditional Irish songs to originals to covers of pop songs (including Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”), all of which feature mandolin, banjo, and Irish accents.