Back in January, I made fun of Apple Valley Magazine’s “Best of Apple Valley 2006″ in a post here. Apple Valley Magazine, along with its sister magazines like Eden Prairie Magazine and Bloomington Magazine (among others) are glossy mags that have a $3.95 price tag but end up in my mailbox for free.
I have done an interview with Bloomington Magazine about geocaching, which should appear in the June or July edition, and I enjoyed working with their competent staff. What I don’t like is writing articles like “Best of Apple Valley 2006″ when there isn’t exactly a story to write about…
I’m not going to go over all of their “readers’ picks” because they just aren’t worth it. For some background, for those of you that might not know, Apple Valley is not exactly what you’d consider worthy of “Best of” anything, especially restaurants — unless you want to talk about chain restaurants which is exactly what they ended up doing.
First of all, their “readers” chose, for “best” pizza, Broadway Pizza. Now, Kim and I have discussed this, and the only reason that they could have chosen this place was because there just aren’t that many local pizza places at all in Apple Valley (in fact, I don’t think there are any). Not that Broadway Pizza is “local” but it’s more local than Papa Murphy’s Take and Bake… Anyway, you can read on about why you shouldn’t go to Broadway and instead why you should pick Carbone’s in Lakeville.
Anyway, my next favorites included “Best Place for Burgers” and “Best Place for Dessert”. Both of these important titles were won by none other than Culver’s. Like excuse me? Culvers shouldn’t even be considered for this competition as it’s a National chain. But then again Apple Valley Magazine’s knowledgeable readers chose the ever so locally important McDonald’s as “Best Kids’ Party Place”. Seriously, what the fuck is that?! Kim wants to know what second place for “Best Burgers” was — McDonalds?
For some odd reason, no one voted for some of the truly good places in Apple Valley to get food or drinks. Sorry, Apple Valley has more than just “Enjoy” people!
So, I’m going to remind everyone of where they really should eat when they come to Apple Valley… For great food, great service, and even great drinks; you’re going to want to check out Rascal’s Apple Valley Bar and Grill. Kim and I have eaten here a couple of times and haven’t been disappointed at all. The service has always been excellent and the food quality is far better than anything else you will find for the price in Apple Valley.
For “Best Ethnic Restaurant”, I can’t agree that El Azteca is your best option. I realize that most people wouldn’t know good Mexican food from Culver’s “best burgers” but after Kim puked in the parking lot, I certainly don’t believe anyone should try that place out… Instead, why not try something completely different at Daria’s Mediterranean Deli and Cafe. A really interesting location with excellent and different food. Next time, “readers” why don’t you actually try a couple of places in Apple Valley before so blindly voting for “the best”?!
I guess I shouldn’t expect much from the residents of Apple Valley as they are obviously more interested in supporting chain restaurants and chain businesses in general than they are the little guys.
Wake up and get a clue. All of you.
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- Rascal’s Apple Valley Bar and Grill: Apple Valley, MN
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- Apple Valley Home and Garden Expo: Apple Valley, MN
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May 2nd, 2006 at 10:09 pm
Well said. You’re right on.
-Aaron
May 3rd, 2006 at 7:54 am
Don’t be tooo harsh, Culvers makes a pretty good burger. Up there with the Nook in St. Paul. Darias- Best ethnic no question. I’m surprised they didn’t have Noodles Inc or what ever tha place is called. Rascals is pretty good for bar food but you’re right, a Best of Apple Valley is a waste. Maybe they should do a Best of the South of the Rivier?
BTW- Pizza Biga at 42 and Chicago in MPLS is top pizza I’ve had in MN.
May 3rd, 2006 at 8:17 am
If I’m going to eat at Culvers, it’s for their melt. I guess it’s better than McDonalds for “Best Burger”, I just can’t get over the fact that people would actually rather consider national chains over locally owned excellent businesses.
But as I said above, it’s apparent that the residents of Apple Valley *want* national chains over locally owned and operated businesses.
Mmmm, best sandwich, Subway! Blah.
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:11 pm
Who did they poll for Best of Apple Valley? Maybe they asked the people eating at the chains. As a resident of Apple Valley (for the last three years) I’ve had to *search* for places that weren’t chains. Hands down, my favorite place in Apple Valley is Rascals. (If only it wasn’t so smoky in there.) Satay 2 Go and Daria’s are my next two favorites.
July 19th, 2006 at 6:42 pm
After reading all of this… I am glad I moved to Rosemount after my 17 years in Apple Valley (beginning in 1979). Never have I ever been polled or heard from anyone that has been polled for a ‘best of’ anything. You want best of pizza? Go next door to Ole Piper Inn…
April 8th, 2007 at 2:58 am
While I was essentially born and raised in Apple Valley, I have also been fortunate enough to travel around quite a bit too. The ‘best of…” awards are, at best, a good way to figure out if some place is worth yout time. After all, who now has not heard of the Zagat rating. However, my issue is this, most of the establishments listed in the Apple Valley ‘zine are chains of some kind and not the really the great mom and pop places, nor the kind establishments with a lot of great history, say 20+ years (like the old piper inn–even though its a chain, it still has a lot of great history!). Moreover, I think it is the magazines over reaching and failed attempt to be too much like a big city, trendy, cutting edge, on the scene type of magazine as well. Anyway, enough ranting…I just think is too damn funny.
April 8th, 2007 at 7:12 am
Ole Piper is a chain? I’m fairly certain it’s not.
April 11th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
I don’t believe Ole Piper is a chain. Their website lists only a single location.
February 11th, 2008 at 12:37 am
You come off a little hasty here. OK, so the best of apple valley was a bad idea. I like the idea of best south of the river. Apple Valley is not meant to be a city for turists or attraction. We do not have a lot of restaurants that arent chains and only now have a few more privately owened ones shown up east of cedar. But you can’t say that broadway or culvers arent good choices as a place to eat when you live in AV. Personally I am not a fan of Rascal’s because to me it feels kind of like a “biker bar.” But the food is pretty good and well priced. I suppose i just ask that you look at everyone’s point of view when asked about the “Best of Apple Valley.” Thank You.
February 11th, 2008 at 4:02 am
Eric,
A biker bar? You apparently have never been in one before because they don’t have a cozy fireplace and a Ms. Pacman machine next to a claw game dropping furry toys down to take home to the biker kiddies.