My little family and I took our official ONE-DAY trip - it was soo needed and everything went perfect! We headed off to Duluth, but first made the extra twenty-minute trip to Two Harbors to enjoy some Gooseberry Falls first... and it was there when I saw this!

Pooty-Pie! I always feel like saying Pooty-Pie after saying Betty's Pies. I also saw this on Andrew Zimmern's Bizzare Foods a while back. 

All the windows are facing the great blue Lake Superior.

Here's the waiting area/ get your purchase your postcards and coffee mug area.

Blue and white decor.

The pie menu. Composed of two kinds: Baked (which has more fruit filling) and Cream (custard or pudding type of pies). I stgotz three:

OOhh my goodess: 5 Layer chocolate. This is sort of a cross between Baker's Square French silk / chocolate ice cream / and something else really good. It's not as overly sweet as Baker's Square - thankgoodness, and the most bottom layer has this thin cinnamon merengue which is pure genuis!!

Blueberry custard. Not too shabby. I mean it was good, but perhaps the blueberry jamish-topping could have used a squig of lemon juice or zest to bring out more fruitiness.

Strawberry-Rhubarb, one that would make my sister weep with joy. and I'm not even that big on S/R. It was delicious, intense and had the right pie crust - where as many places might use a puff pastry (store bought), the crust was a perfect pie crust - like a less sugary firm sugar cookie.

And here's the view they have everyday.

So there you have it! An absolutely wonderful place that's only 238 miles away. I can't wait to go there again!

- Happy eating and living!

I've not had [this] much anticipation since the Coleman/Franklin vote recount. Waiting days and days, I even went early by accident thinking that they were already open.

A uniquely small spot. If two people stood side by side with their arms wide open, that would be about the width of the store.

Cutesy, bright white and orange decor with a few tables.

Bun Mi Sandwiches has been open for about two weeks now. I went there as fast as I could and got an array of their sandwiches.

Their 'Special' pork with fried egg.

Pate and pork.

Classic with meatloaf and bbq pork.

Lemongrass chicken. (not pictured: Grilled beef).

Alright, ready for my take? Let me first say that I'm a BIG Banh Mi sandwich person so I may sound like I'm over critical than usual.

Cons: 1) The mayo: It was a creamy, slightly watery, seems like store bought product. If a restaurant was going sell primarily Banh Mi, I would think it would have a homemade aioli - one with egg yolk, oil and garlic. I really didn't like the texture and it seemed to over cream or over power the sandwich. 2) I really didn't get a sense of pizzazz and umph! from the different sandwiches (meats). Out of all the different sandwiches, the grilled beef did stand out BUT I would like deep char, smokey flavor, almost dry like sizzled meat - The ones with the meatloaf and bbq pork really didn't stand out either. 3) When I asked where they get their bread, I got a sorry "It's a secret" answer.  Btw, I'm guessing they get their bread from Trung Nam.

Pros: 1) The pate is strong (but I think store bought) and goes well with the sandwich. 2) Good bread. 3) Fresh sandwich accompniments.

Good things to note: Who ever thought of the menu is a genius I think. Oh, did I mention that it's located on the U of M campus next, next door to Village Wok? The menu is very budget friendly with sandwiches, salad bun-cha that takes most of its key ingredients from the sandwiches themselves, a slue of favorable Asian drinks and sides like Thai chicken wings and cream cheese wontons that even people from Cyrus, Minnesota wouldn't be afraid to try. So, even though it's missing Pho - it's probably better that way; like I said, ingenius menu options for the U of M crew.

I know, I seemed a tad too harsh on the sandwiches here, but I think this place will do terrific! Until then, I'll stick to my hip-dancing #B11 at Saigon, with that fragrant grilled pork and them homemade meatballs!!

- Happy eating and living!