WINNER Battle #3 - IZZY"S ICE CREAM

This was a much closer battle than it appears. When I sampled the goods at Lyden's I was impressed - rich, creamy, plus candy that is hard to find anywhere else in the Twin Cities?? A vintage soda shop with all the classic intriguing options?? What's not to love?

Two things put Izzy's over the top - intense flavors and split singles. That being said, I will definitely be back to Lynden's...a strong runner up to say the least! Oh...and I still have to try Kitty Kitty Bang Bang. Maybe there will be a rematch if Tara's recommendation lives up to the hype!

Lynden's Soda Shop Reviews

Post your Lynden's reviews here. Be sure to let me know what flavor(s) and special additions you chose. Again - feel free to leave as much explanation (or as little) as you like along with a score of 1(terrible) 5(fine) 10(terrific).

Izzy's Ice Cream Reviews

Be sure to let me know what flavor(s) and special additions you chose. Again - feel free to leave as much explanation (or as little) as you like along with a score of 1(terrible) 5(fine) 10(terrific).

Battle #3 - Izzy's Ice Cream vs Lynden Soda Fountain

Battle #3 is all about ice cream. It's the end of the summer here in MN and soon my appetite for this cool and creamy treat will diminish in direct proportion to the growth of the snowbanks that line all the streets. For years I have firmly believed that there was no competition in this realm - Izzy's Ice Cream was it. Done. No conversation needed. From the first taste of Black Cherry Chocolate Chunk ice cream that my husband bought me on our first date, all other ice cream joints have ceased to exist. Now I have been led to believe that there is a serious contender located nearby in St. Paul - Lynden's Soda Fountain. Who can blame me - whenever I'm on that block all I see is The Nook, with its outrageously good hamburgers and fries. Yet my co-worker Tara(who is arguably MN's premiere expert on ice cream) assures me Lynden's is the place to go. So once again, I'm looking for Twin Cities eaters to head to these two joints, and put them to the test. This battle is a bit different though...I won't specify the flavors, you can pick - just make sure the glorious dishes of creamy goodness have enough in common to be compared to each other!

WINNER Battle #2 - RED'S SAVOY

Deep fried oreos, firey Cheetos, pickles rolled in cream cheese and ham, peanut butter and banana sandwiches, unpitted dates, green olive and onion salad, Red's Savoy Philly Cheesesteak...there's so many reasons to reject foods like this, but the soul satisfaction that they deliver won't be denied.

By all that is right and good in the world, Papa's Restaurant should have won this battle - its beef is better quality and has a finer texture; its bun is chewier and stands up to the test of holding everything together with more authority; the outside seating is in a more pleasant neighborhood...but the heart wants what it wants and that's a cheese whiz, hot pepper, gut bomb that has haunted me for the last week while I have tried to rationalize it away. So when all is said and done...Red's Savoy has won this battle by sliding greasily into my heart! Let's hear it for Red's Savoy Philly Cheesesteak!

WINNER Battle #1 - MASU

With a score of 44 to 39 Masu is the top dog in ramen! The traditional flavors, the textures, and the attention to detail were the factors that put Masu over the top. I talked with many of you who ate at these two places - thanks for you input! Sorry about the hassle of posting comments for the first time. Be sure to log into gmail/blogger before rating - apparently everything disappears if you don't! Again feel free just to post numbers for each criteria if you don't have time to write anything up.

Papa's Reviews

Post your opinions about Papa's Cheesesteak here. Be sure you let me know about how you customized your order - plain, with cheese, with onions and peppers, or mushrooms, ketchup or no - I want to know how you ordered as well as what you thought! Again - feel free to leave as much explanation (or as little) as you like along with a score of 1(terrible) 5(fine) 10(terrific).