Manhattan Chick in the Midwest, Part 2: Eating My Way Through Northfield

After overcoming my surprise at the overbearing amount of good human decency and in between bridesmaid duties and wedding events, I had some time to explore Northfield. And just because I left the East Coast, I had no reason to stop eating my way through town. Since all of the main points in Northfield are within a 3 block radius, I was able to hit up a bunch of local spots for overfilling my stomach, having a glass of wine, and picking up a few items to remind me of my trip.

Goodbye Blue Monday Coffee House
319 Division Street

By far GBM is the best place to get coffee in Northfield...ok, it may be one of the only places to get coffee in Northfield, aside from a gas station, but either way nothing beats this adorable, cozy little coffee shop serving teas, smoothies, lattes, cappuccinos, coffee cake, scones, old fashioned donuts, and, oh yeah, coffee. If these delectable delights aren't enough, they even have souvenir coffee mugs and t-shirts for purchase. Who needs Dunkin' after all?

Coffee shops don't get cuter than this!

At the counter...note the plethora of choices!

Toffee flavored coffee...a perfect way to start the day

An old fashioned donut...crispy & glazed, just the way I like it

Hogan Brothers Acoustic Cafe
405 Division Street
While I thoroughly enjoyed my rare breakfast of coffee and donut (this is generally reserved for my 7 mornings in Aruba each year), for lunch a must is Hogan Bros. Famous for their 'Hot Hoagies' (for you tri-staters, a hoagie is also know as a sub), Hogan serves 'em up with your choice of cold cut, provolone & swiss cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomato and their signature special sauce. Of the latter, fear not; it's a delicious olive oil vinaigrette.

Ordering at the counter

My hot ham hoagie, heated to perfection

Cocoa Bean
515 Division Street
And of course, what lunch would be complete without dessert? I headed down to Cocoa Bean, a candy and ice cream shop, where they scooped up a perfect cup of Island Fudge ice cream. It was tasty.

An old-fashioned candy & treat shop...including ice cream

Outside Cocoa Bean with my tasty Island Fudge scoop

Sisters Ugly
13 Bridge Square

With all of the eating going on, I felt it was only necessary that I take in some sights and do some shopping. A walk by the river and a teeny boutique called Sisters Ugly fulfilled this necessity. An eased tummy and one super cute belt later, I was content.

Sisters Ugly, a truly fab boutique

The Popcorn Wagon
Bridge Square

Contented by shopping and exploring, I made my way to the town square where I came upon one of the most charming aspects of any town...ever...an old-fashioned popcorn wagon. I was disappointed to find that since it was a Sunday, the stand was closed. Though I really wanted some old-fashioned popcorn, my stomach thanked me and a little piece of my heart was touched that some places still close on Sundays.

The Popcorn Wagon & me...a perfect friendship

Next up: Part 3 of our Midwest series, Nighttime in Northfield.

Manhattan Chick in the Midwest, Part 1: Pleasantries & a Weekend of Firsts

This past weekend, I visited the small Midwestern town of Northfield, Minnesota. You may now be asking...why? Well because one of my bestest gals and favorite Midwesterner turned New Yorker turned West Coaster got married in a truly gorgeous, down home wedding ceremony. For the last 9 years of friendship, C has regaled me with tales of small town wonder, including but not limited to extreme niceness, use of the word 'pop' in reference to soda, and of a land where everyone really does know your name.

Cornfields as far as the eye could see

A Weekend of Firsts
I realized that this trip not only symbolized the everlasting love and happiness of C & I, but also my own personal weekend of firsts.
1) First time in the Midwest.
Yes, it's true. I, Rachel, had never been to a Midwestern state before this weekend. As my dear friend M asked, 'Why have you never been to the Midwest?', I responded with a simple, 'Why would I go to the Midwest?' I do not mean to be snobbish or uppity over my East Coast roots...but they call them flyover states for a reason.

2) First time renting a car.
And I'm just glad that this was experienced for the first time in Minneapolis. As I rushed to the Enterprise counter, hoping against all odds that there would be a short line, imagine my astonishment that not only was there no line at all, but 6 tellers waiting to assist me. Had this been Newark International, there would have been a line 40 deep with a lone representative half working, half chatting with another representative who in turn was doing absolutely nothing. Midwest 1, Jersey 0.

3) First time flying Northwest.
And unlike numbers one and two, this first will likely be my last. Tiny, old planes and impossible online check-in (When I printed my boarding pass at work, there was no bar code on my ticket. When I called Northwest, instead of offering a solution, they informed me that yes, I do need a bar code. Thanks.) made this a less than desirable flying option. Don't even get me started on trying to move my flight to a later time. Unhelpful customer service reps and forced Internet changes solidified the pain, to boot. Though ultimately, I made it to Minneapolis and back in one piece, so I suppose I can't take that away from them.

Pleasantries & Unbelievable Occurrences:
1) Case #1: The people in Minnesota are just...nice.
In addition to the more than pleasant rental car experience, all locals thereafter put East Coasters to shame. Let me tell you about my darkest Jersey girl moment. On Friday, C & I had a rehearsal dinner at the local golf club. Putting on my cutest green summer dress and dolling myself up with pretty hair and make up, my lovely ladies and I parked across the street and walked to the club. A car pulled up next to us and the man inside rolled down his window. Immediately, I was prepared with my signature eye-roll and anti-cat calling slurs. As I braced myself, the nice man inside asked what was going on at the club as he had heard there was a football dinner. We said we weren't sure if there was a football dinner. The man wished us a nice evening and drove away. Northfield 1, Manhattan 0.

2) Case #2: The people in Minnesota actually line up at the bar.
No punching, pushing, eye rolling, or brawling. Instead, Northfielders form an orderly queue, pressed tightly against one wall of the bar and order their drinks one at a time. I have never seen anything like it. I'm not sure how anyone actually got themselves a drink or how long of a wait the line was...but it sure was a sight to see.

The bottom line from my first Midwestern excursion? I like it. A lot. It was refreshingly down to earth and all of C's tales of tea time and beyond really did live up to expectations. Up next, I'll be bringing you Northfield: A Big Weekend in a Small Town.