Urban Skillet Riverside - Minneapolis, MN

A rare late night burger joint in The Twin Cites, that happens to be Halal . . . 

Cut to the chase, the place is worthy.  Give 'em a shot.  And get their Sambusas.  Trust me

  

Over the past half year I've stopped in to Urban Skillet Riverside four times either before or after concerts.  It's especially nice that they're open until 2am Friday and Saturday nights.  I love to see live music, but when the music stops, it's grim pickin's in the TC's for reasonably quick non-fastfood options.  Though technically it IS a chain restaurant that started in LA, with near a dozen locations in Cali, Texas, and another Minneapolis location in Uptown.  I see no reason why they couldn't continue to expand, and hell, I wish they'd open one nearer to home or work

The first time was last June.  After seeing the Melbournian band, Civic, at The 7th St Entry, I was wanting a burger, so I gave Urban Skillet a shot.  Beautiful night, so sat on the patio looking at the Children's Hospital where our daughter was born.  With the glaring lights of the gas station next door and the general neglect of the area, it's NOT a pretty setting, but somehow that was perfect.  Kicking back and watching Minneapolis go by 

Here's some crappy pics for ya.  Their thick patty double smash Oh So Hot Burger did the trick (Smashed double patties, jalapenos, pickles, lettuce, swiss cheese, spicy aioli, urban sauce).  I'd say their Skillet Fries were pedestrian except for the ton of sauteed onions (which I appreciated) 

The wings reminded me for all the world of Pizza Hut wings they had a couple decades ago in AZ.  Why the Lime Jarrito's is nuclear piss yellow I don't know (I'm Tamarindo-core), but the manager insisted on giving me an extra one because my order took so long.  I didn't need or want it, but good on him for recognizing an issue and trying 

A few weeks later, after Bones Owens at The Entry, I hit them up again, and enjoyed their Patty Melt.  Enough so that last month when I thought I'd ordered the Briskett Melt, I wasn't put out.  It certainly won't win any awards or set the world on fire, and at $14 seems a bit steep, but the manager did say that a side of fries and a pop were only an extra $3, so there you go

Before seeing Fox Stevenson at the Fine Line, the surprise star of this visit were their Veg and Beef Sambusas at only $2.50 a pop.  Both with a lovely crisp exterior, and great flavor to the wrapper.  I could just eat the wrappers unfilled.  The veg interestingly were filled with whole lentils it seemed.  I've never had one where the filling wasn't mushed up (technical term).  I dug it.  That continued with the Beef option, which were filled with a rough mince of meat and herbs.  They are not shy with the herbs.  I dug these too

Tack on to that, the accompaning chutney brought the heat!   Whew.  Pureed chilis, herbs, and a touch of sweetness . . . it caught even me off guard when it hit the back of my throat.  Love it.  I need to ask for extra from now on.  I'd say their sambusas are a guaranteed order here on out

For my visit last Saturday before Battery Eyes and In Lieu at the Cloudland Theater on Lake St, I wanted to round out what I'd tried so far.  I'd been eyeing up their Brisket Sandwich, and it was the first real disappointment.  For the $14, it came off as glorified cafeteria pulled pork  

Necessary close-up

Faring MUCH better was their Z-dog (All beef smoked bacon wrapped dog, fries, American cheese, BBQ brisket, caramelized onions, parsley, spicy aioli sauce, BBQ sauce).  An EXCELLENT big thick jumbo red spicy dog, buried in an excessive sloppy monstrosity.  It's not art, it's stunt food, a garbage pile, but it's a delicious freaking garbage pile 

What's the scene inside?  Bright tones but dimly lit.  Generally a youthful crowd, though this weekend about a dozen older gentlman were settled in with coffees and lively conversation

The menu has something for everyone . . . as long as you're a carnivore.  There's not even a salad for our veg/vegan friends, nor were the Veg Sambusa's an option last weekend.  Oh well, it is what it is.  Bring your cash when you go as there's about a 4% discount off the price on the menu board  

  

Yeah, so Urban Skillet Riverside.  I'm going to give them a thumbs up, and a solid recommend

 

Comments, Questions, Two Bit Opinions, and Whatnot are welcome:

tundrabites     @      yahoo.com

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Urban Skillet Riverside - 815 25th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55454

612-293-5989

IG #urbanskilletmn    

www.urbanskilletriverside.com  

Next door . . .