" It's worth taking a drive to the East Side, the West Side, University Avenue. Get a taste of the mom and pop shops. That's real Saint Paul." Justin Sutherland,
famously foodie friendly Foodies rejoice. You can tuck into everything from the new and hip to the classic and comforting, as well as the rustic, the random, and the really down to earth. A “come as you are” ethos makes it easy to explore Saint Paul restaurants. Whether you’re in the mood for adventure or tried-andtrue, it’s a melting pot of fresh finds, old favorites and hidden gems.
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V I S I T S A I N T PA U L
Official Insider's Guide
Chef Justin Sutherland’s recipe for restaurant success has all the key ingredients of the Saint Paul food scene: finely honed, collaborative and diverse — seasoned with genuine approachability. The restaurateur's rise to celebrity is a tasty starter story in itself. He grew up in nearby Apple Valley, graduated from an Atlanta culinary school and returned to his Midwest roots to hone his skills in some of the region’s top restaurants, including Meritage Oyster Bar downtown. Since opening his first establishment, the Handsome Hog in Saint Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood, Sutherland has gained a reputation for excellence — and a following that extends beyond the Twin Cities. He won a culinary showdown on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America,” and competed on Bravo’s “Top Chef Season 16,” where he introduced the world to some distinctly local traditions like a high-end Juicy Lucy, the much-beloved stuffed cheeseburger. He went on to do TruTv’s “Fast Foodies” Season 1 and Season 2 (airing in 2022), which showcases his haute fast food skills in pursuit of a ‘Chompionship Trophy.’
Chef
Locally, he focuses his culinary efforts at the Handsome Hog, which moved to a larger location with an expanded patio in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood, and Ox Cart Arcade and Rooftop in Lowertown. These restaurants, like Justin, are full of the “cool” factor without being too full of themselves. They’re authentic spots to experience new and old at the same time. In Diversity We Trust His style blends the distinctness of Saint Paul with a welcoming mix of the world that reflects his African American, Japanese and Norwegian roots. “In diversity we trust,” the motto of a clothing line he operates with his brother, comes across in his cooking — and his city pride. “As a city of neighborhoods, Saint Paul is very much a big melting pot of cultures,” he says, noting the newer influence of the Hmong and Somali populations in a city built by immigrants, including the Irish and Italian. “This was a sleepy town 15 years ago, which I loved. But I love being part of the growth and evolution that’s been happening here. It’s
