It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Landmark Center gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in St Paul, MN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Harriet Island Regional Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Meritage or visit Burbank Livingston Griggs Mansion, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in St Paul, MN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in St Paul, MN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in St Paul, MN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Marie Schrul and a colleague, Curtis Mahanay, claim under the state’s whistleblower act that they were let go because they objected to misuse of funds.The Minnesota Star TribuneMarie Schrul, who was ousted as chief financial officer of St. Paul Public Schools in 2022 over the protests of parents and budget watchdogs, is suing the district, alleging it retaliated against her for calling out misuses of public funds.She’s joined by Curtis Mahanay, a former colleague who was let go on the same day, as plaintiffs ...
Marie Schrul and a colleague, Curtis Mahanay, claim under the state’s whistleblower act that they were let go because they objected to misuse of funds.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
Marie Schrul, who was ousted as chief financial officer of St. Paul Public Schools in 2022 over the protests of parents and budget watchdogs, is suing the district, alleging it retaliated against her for calling out misuses of public funds.
She’s joined by Curtis Mahanay, a former colleague who was let go on the same day, as plaintiffs in the whistleblower lawsuit filed Wednesday in Ramsey County District Court.
The two allege in the 54-page document that district officials repeatedly chafed at their strict adherence to spending rules, and among the chief critics was former Superintendent Joe Gothard.
“Marie, you guys are always looking for a gotcha,” Gothard is quoted as saying in a conversation about the district’s beleagured long-term facilities plan.
At the time of her dismissal, Gothard suggested Schrul was not the right person for a newly fashioned finance job. But the lawsuit alleges the position was essentially the same and that the district simply wanted a “team player.”
St. Paul schools said it does not comment on pending legal matters. But it noted its outside auditor issued a clean or unmodified assessment of fiscal year 2023 — “the most favorable audit opinion a school district can receive.”
Gothard, now the schools chief in his hometown of Madison, Wis., did not respond to a request for comment.
His administration won accolades for its handling of $319 million in COVID relief funds — helping propel him earlier this year to National Superintendent of the Year honors.
But the lawsuit finds fault with the use of some of those funds, too.
District employees who were paid to deliver school lunches to students during COVID lockdowns continued to be paid for school-lunch delivery even after in-person learning resumed and no deliveries were being made, the lawsuit states.
About $7 million in pandemic relief funds was set aside for a community partnership program, but the outside vendors chosen were allegedly paid before contracts were signed or the work completed.
“We need to pay people fast,” Jackie Turner, the district’s chief of operations, allegedly told Schrul when she raised compliance concerns.
In addition, an unspecified number of employees received gifts inconsistent with the “spirit of the funds,” the lawsuit alleges, and the district covered it up by “falsely characterizing the gifts as cleaning/disinfectant.”
Schrul began her career as an accountant in the state’s second-largest district in 1998 before becoming controller in 2010 and chief financial officer in 2014.
Three months before her departure, Gothard and the school board recognized her office for having secured an award from the state Department of Education for its timely submission of audited data and accuracy in reporting.
But a review conducted after a first wave of building renovations cost tens of millions more than projected found the district needed better coordination between its facilities and finance departments.
The lawsuit argues finance officials were trying to hold the facilities department accountable.
Mahanay flagged Tom Parent, then the district’s facilities director, for continuing to spend money beyond what had been approved by the state, the lawsuit alleges, and Schrul told school board members that Parent was using funds for other purposes to cover his deficits, “digging deeper holes in other funding sources.”
Parent now serves as senior operations officer for Minneapolis Public Schools.
Also cited in the lawsuit was St. Paul’s use of $10,000 in public funds to cover the costs of food trucks serving an invite-only party attended by district leaders before the 2022-23 school year.
“Schrul didn’t object to the party in a general sense, but she made clear that the district couldn’t lawfully pay for the party using public funds,” the lawsuit states. “The district fired Schrul shortly thereafter.”
She now serves as executive director of finance for Stillwater Area Public Schools.
Schrul and Mahanay are seeking compensatory damages, including for emotional distress, and reinstatements to their old positions — or “front pay,” instead.
They are represented by J. Ashwin Madia, the attorney for former St. Paul teacher Aaron Benner, who secured a $525,000 settlement after claiming the district retaliated against him for criticizing its discipline practices.
Madia declined to make Schrul available for an interview on Wednesday.
Reporter
Anthony Lonetree has been covering St. Paul Public Schools and general K-12 issues for the Star Tribune since 2012-13. He began work in the paper's St. Paul bureau in 1987 and was the City Hall reporter for five years before moving to various education, public safety and suburban beats.
Fans can follow live scores of all Prep Bowl games on MN Football Hub, our online source for Minnesota high school football stats, scores, schedules, stories, rankings and more.
Many Minnesotans are about to see their first snow of the season, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.William Bornhoft, Patch StaffTWIN CITIES, MN — Snowfall totals for the Twin Cities and the rest of central Minnesota have ticked up slight since Tuesday. The metro is now expected to see around an inch of snow, if the latest forecast holds."Strong northwesterly winds may gust...
William Bornhoft, Patch Staff
TWIN CITIES, MN — Snowfall totals for the Twin Cities and the rest of central Minnesota have ticked up slight since Tuesday. The metro is now expected to see around an inch of snow, if the latest forecast holds.
"Strong northwesterly winds may gust up to 40-45 mph across western Minnesota today," the National Weather Service said.
"Scattered snow showers will also combine with breezy winds to reduce visibility. Minor accumulations of up to around an inch or so can be expected for most locations, with some locations in far western Minnesota possibly receiving around 2 inches of snow accumulation."
Looking ahead, temperatures across Minnesota are expected to be slightly colder than normal on Thanksgiving Day and through the start of December.
Here's the full NWS forecast from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport:
Wednesday: Snow, mainly before 1pm. High near 34. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. East southeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north northwest in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: A slight chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 31. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
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There are plenty of excellent Chinese restaurants around the Twin Cities, from dim sum institutions like Mandarin Kitchen and Yangtze Restaurant to beloved Cantonese staples like Shuang Cheng. For hand-pulled noodles, Sichuan fare shimmering with chili oil, or Anhui-style braised whole walleye, look no further than these Chinese restaurants around Minneapolis and St. Paul, listed geographically (not ranked) as always. Read MoreEater maps...
There are plenty of excellent Chinese restaurants around the Twin Cities, from dim sum institutions like Mandarin Kitchen and Yangtze Restaurant to beloved Cantonese staples like Shuang Cheng. For hand-pulled noodles, Sichuan fare shimmering with chili oil, or Anhui-style braised whole walleye, look no further than these Chinese restaurants around Minneapolis and St. Paul, listed geographically (not ranked) as always.
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.
Peking Garden is a casual, family-oriented spot on St. Paul’s University Avenue, where it’s been serving Cantonese fare since 1991. Come for the excellent hospitality, the lobster with ginger and scallions, and the sizzling beef brisket five-spice hot pot.
Master Noodle (formerly Magic Noodle) makes fresh, hand-pulled noodle dishes daily in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood. There are few better places for tender, springy dan dan noodles, hot and sour sweet potato noodle soup, and Mongolian beef fried noodles. Master Noodle also serves an excellent Taiwanese tomato beef brisket soup.
Szechuan, of course, specializes in Sichuan cuisine: glassy dumplings swimming in chili oil; beef with Sichuan bean curd and peppercorns; dry pot with squid and vegetables. But it also serves Cantonese and Mandarin dishes, plus some Chinese American appetizers like cream cheese wontons. The dan dan noodles are especially popular. Szechuan’s sister restaurant, Jun, helmed by chef Jessie Wong, is another great stop for fiery Sichuan fare.
Head to Pagoda for an all-you-can-eat dim sum spread of steaming shu mai, taro buns, pork congee, and turnip cakes, served Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (A la carte dim sum is also offered Tuesday through Sunday.) Add on bottomless mimosas, sake, or sangria for an extra $15 a person. Pagoda has a full entree menu of roast duck, egg drop soup, and much, much more.
After nearly 15 years on University Avenue, Tea House remains a staple for excellent Chinese fare — Szechuan in particular. It’s a great place to dine family-style: Mix and match between a steaming bowl of thick, supple kudai lamb noodles (a street food from China’s Shaanxi Province); the whole braised Anhui walleye; or the classic kung pao chicken, peppered with crispy peanuts. On the weekend, come for a dim sum brunch.
Legendary Spice — formerly of the Lao Sze Chuan restaurant group, now linked to a Chengdu, China-based restaurant — focuses on classic Szechuan cuisine. The vast menu spans seafood, pork, beef, chicken, and vegetarian dishes, but the highlights are among the Szechuan cold appetizers (preserved duck egg with chili pepper, sliced beef and maw, etc.) and the Chengdu local favorites (spicy mao cai, tea-smoked duck, Szechuan crawfish, etc.).
Also near the University of Minnesota campus, Lao Sze Chuan is a great place to share chilled, tangy Szechuan noodles; tea-smoked duck; and steaming beef soup, infused with spicy chili oil. Lao Sze Chuan’s appetizer list is notable, too — order some green bean jelly and spicy and sour squid for the table.
This 31-year Dinkytown staple is known for its top-notch Cantonese menu. It specializes in seafood dishes, like crab with ginger and scallions and baked lobster in a five-spice salt. (For holidays and celebrations, the Peking duck is a solid choice.) Shuang Cheng has great hot pot, too.
Situated on Eat Street’s main drag, chef Tammy Wong’s Rainbow Chinese has been dishing up excellent “Chinese Minnesotan” fare since the late 1980s, and after a pandemic hiatus, the dining room has finally reopened. Wander down Nicollet Avenue for plates of sauteed green beans, firecracker dumplings with fried hot pepper, and ma po tofu, simmered with Sichuan peppercorns.
Chef Jessie Wong’s sleek North Loop restaurant delves into its namesake Szechuan cuisine, dishing up savory pork dumplings swimming in chile oil; ma po silken tofu in rich black bean sauce; noodle soup brimming with beef flank steak and bok choy; and mouth-numbing mala duck. There’s an extensive cocktail menu, too, plus beer, wine, and a few selections of sake.
Head to Mandarin Kitchen for a dim sum brunch of pan-fried turnip cakes, pillowy steamed buns, egg custards, and steamed pork dumplings. (Mandarin Kitchen has a vast menu of entrees, too, and hot pot.) At peak meal times, small parties can expect share tables — an arrangement that only adds to the bustling, convivial atmosphere. On weekends, this spot is packed with families, and the line often wraps out the door.
Chef Luo Guanghe’s dishes, shimmering with chili oil and studded with peppercorns, hit all the hot, sour, mouth-numbing notes of classic Szechuan cuisine. Try the beef and tofu in hot peppercorn broth, or the spicy lotus roots as an appetizer.
Though Yangtze has a full menu, it’s best-known for its weekend dim sum, served every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Spare ribs arrive in a rich black bean sauce; golden-seared shrimp and chive dumplings are packed with sharp allium flavor. Round out the meal with sweet bites of egg custard.
Peking Garden is a casual, family-oriented spot on St. Paul’s University Avenue, where it’s been serving Cantonese fare since 1991. Come for the excellent hospitality, the lobster with ginger and scallions, and the sizzling beef brisket five-spice hot pot.
Master Noodle (formerly Magic Noodle) makes fresh, hand-pulled noodle dishes daily in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood. There are few better places for tender, springy dan dan noodles, hot and sour sweet potato noodle soup, and Mongolian beef fried noodles. Master Noodle also serves an excellent Taiwanese tomato beef brisket soup.
Szechuan, of course, specializes in Sichuan cuisine: glassy dumplings swimming in chili oil; beef with Sichuan bean curd and peppercorns; dry pot with squid and vegetables. But it also serves Cantonese and Mandarin dishes, plus some Chinese American appetizers like cream cheese wontons. The dan dan noodles are especially popular. Szechuan’s sister restaurant, Jun, helmed by chef Jessie Wong, is another great stop for fiery Sichuan fare.
Head to Pagoda for an all-you-can-eat dim sum spread of steaming shu mai, taro buns, pork congee, and turnip cakes, served Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (A la carte dim sum is also offered Tuesday through Sunday.) Add on bottomless mimosas, sake, or sangria for an extra $15 a person. Pagoda has a full entree menu of roast duck, egg drop soup, and much, much more.
After nearly 15 years on University Avenue, Tea House remains a staple for excellent Chinese fare — Szechuan in particular. It’s a great place to dine family-style: Mix and match between a steaming bowl of thick, supple kudai lamb noodles (a street food from China’s Shaanxi Province); the whole braised Anhui walleye; or the classic kung pao chicken, peppered with crispy peanuts. On the weekend, come for a dim sum brunch.
Legendary Spice — formerly of the Lao Sze Chuan restaurant group, now linked to a Chengdu, China-based restaurant — focuses on classic Szechuan cuisine. The vast menu spans seafood, pork, beef, chicken, and vegetarian dishes, but the highlights are among the Szechuan cold appetizers (preserved duck egg with chili pepper, sliced beef and maw, etc.) and the Chengdu local favorites (spicy mao cai, tea-smoked duck, Szechuan crawfish, etc.).
Also near the University of Minnesota campus, Lao Sze Chuan is a great place to share chilled, tangy Szechuan noodles; tea-smoked duck; and steaming beef soup, infused with spicy chili oil. Lao Sze Chuan’s appetizer list is notable, too — order some green bean jelly and spicy and sour squid for the table.
This 31-year Dinkytown staple is known for its top-notch Cantonese menu. It specializes in seafood dishes, like crab with ginger and scallions and baked lobster in a five-spice salt. (For holidays and celebrations, the Peking duck is a solid choice.) Shuang Cheng has great hot pot, too.
Situated on Eat Street’s main drag, chef Tammy Wong’s Rainbow Chinese has been dishing up excellent “Chinese Minnesotan” fare since the late 1980s, and after a pandemic hiatus, the dining room has finally reopened. Wander down Nicollet Avenue for plates of sauteed green beans, firecracker dumplings with fried hot pepper, and ma po tofu, simmered with Sichuan peppercorns.
Chef Jessie Wong’s sleek North Loop restaurant delves into its namesake Szechuan cuisine, dishing up savory pork dumplings swimming in chile oil; ma po silken tofu in rich black bean sauce; noodle soup brimming with beef flank steak and bok choy; and mouth-numbing mala duck. There’s an extensive cocktail menu, too, plus beer, wine, and a few selections of sake.
Head to Mandarin Kitchen for a dim sum brunch of pan-fried turnip cakes, pillowy steamed buns, egg custards, and steamed pork dumplings. (Mandarin Kitchen has a vast menu of entrees, too, and hot pot.) At peak meal times, small parties can expect share tables — an arrangement that only adds to the bustling, convivial atmosphere. On weekends, this spot is packed with families, and the line often wraps out the door.
Chef Luo Guanghe’s dishes, shimmering with chili oil and studded with peppercorns, hit all the hot, sour, mouth-numbing notes of classic Szechuan cuisine. Try the beef and tofu in hot peppercorn broth, or the spicy lotus roots as an appetizer.
Though Yangtze has a full menu, it’s best-known for its weekend dim sum, served every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Spare ribs arrive in a rich black bean sauce; golden-seared shrimp and chive dumplings are packed with sharp allium flavor. Round out the meal with sweet bites of egg custard.
ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Wild announced a few roster moves on Sunday. They sent down defenseman Daemon Hunt and forwards Liam Ohgren and Mikey Milne to the American Hockey League (AHL).Hunt, 22, did not play a game during his recall and has been sent down. He was called up with Jonas Brodin hurt. But with Jon Merrill and Declan Chisholm playing well, Hunt did not get in.Brodin is expected to practice Monday and join the team on their upc...
ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Wild announced a few roster moves on Sunday. They sent down defenseman Daemon Hunt and forwards Liam Ohgren and Mikey Milne to the American Hockey League (AHL).
Hunt, 22, did not play a game during his recall and has been sent down. He was called up with Jonas Brodin hurt. But with Jon Merrill and Declan Chisholm playing well, Hunt did not get in.
Brodin is expected to practice Monday and join the team on their upcoming three-game road trip.
Ohgren, 20, played one game for the Wild during his emergency loan. He wasn't recalled on normal conditions and only was able to play if Joel Eriksson Ek couldn't. He had two shots at 12:10 of ice time on Saturday.
Milne, 22, got eight shifts in his NHL debut on Saturday. He had three hits in six minutes and 34 seconds of ice time.
“I thought he did good. I’m certainly happy for him and his family to obviously get your first NHL game is special," Wild head coach John Hynes said on Milne. "I thought he did good. He’s a quick player. I thought he made good decisions. He got his feet wet. It’s also some games you come into in your first NHL game it might be a different style of game but when you’re playing a team like we played tonight, it’s a hard game and I thought he did well.”
The Wild will have to recall a forward for the upcoming road trip because even with Eriksson Ek healthy, they would only have 11 forwards. They also may call up an extra forward.
Let us know what you think by commenting below or on the Forum.
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ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Wild (11-2-3) are back in action tonight to host the Dallas Stars (10-5-0) for the first time this year.The Wild are a bit banged up tonight. They will be without Joel Eriksson Ek, Mats Zuccarello, and Jonas Brodin. Three very important players.Wild head coach John Hynes said that both Eriksson Ek and Brodin will skate on Mo...
ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Wild (11-2-3) are back in action tonight to host the Dallas Stars (10-5-0) for the first time this year.
The Wild are a bit banged up tonight. They will be without Joel Eriksson Ek, Mats Zuccarello, and Jonas Brodin. Three very important players.
Wild head coach John Hynes said that both Eriksson Ek and Brodin will skate on Monday with the Wild and they will find out if both will go on the road trip or not.
Zuccarello will remain out for a month or more. Without Eriksson Ek tonight, the Wild will turn to Matt Boldy who will be the team's No. 1 center.
Mikey Milne will make his NHL debut tonight against the Stars and will play on the fourth line.
"Yeah, I’m super excited. I’ve been working hard all year, and to get this opportunity, I can’t wait," Milne said. "Saturday night, State of Hockey, couldn’t ask for much more, so I’m fired up."
Liam Ohgren is back as well and will get a chance in the top six for the Wild.
Filip Gustavsson will start again for the Wild tonight. It will be his fourth consecutive start. Gustavsson is 8-2-2 on the year with a 2.08 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage in 12 games.
Here are tonight's projected lines (subject to change).
Kirill Kaprizov - Matt Boldy - Marcus Johansson
Liam Ohgren - Freddy Gaudreau - Ryan Hartman
Marcus Foligno - Marco Rossi - Yakov Trenin
Jakub Lauko - Marat Khusnutdinov - Mikey Milne
Defense:
Jake Middleton - Brock Faber
Declan Chisholm - Jared Spurgeon
Jon Merrill - Zach Bogosian
Starting Goaltender: Filip Gustavsson
Scratched: Daemon Hunt
Injured: Jonas Brodin (upper), Joel Eriksson Ek (lower), Mats Zuccarello (lower)
Jason Robertson - Roope Hintz - Evgenii Dadonov
Mason Marchment - Tyler Seguin - Matt Duchene
Wyatt Johnston - Jamie Benn - Logan Stankoven
Mavrik Bourque - Sam Steel - Oskar Back
Defense:
Esa Lindell - Miro Heiskanen
Thomas Harley - Ilya Lyubushkin
Brendan Smith - Matt Dumba
Starting Goaltender: Jake Oettinger
Scratched: Colin Blackwell, Nils Lundkvist
Injured: None
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on Fanduel Sports Network North. Anthony LaPanta will be on the play-by-play with Wes Walz as the color analyst and Kevin Gorg a reporter. The radio broadcast will be on KFAN FM 100.3 with Joe O'Donnell behind the mic doing the play-by-play. Tom Reid as the color analyst and Kevin Falness as the Studio Host.
Let us know what you think by commenting below or on the Forum.
Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' Minnesota Wild page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.
Follow Dylan Loucks on Blue Sky and Twitter (X).
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