Vang comes in fierce on Chef Jon Wipfli’s barbecue pop-up: “I think they’re the best barbeque in the area.” Locally sourced pork shoulder, brisket and chicken are smoked over Minnesota red oak wood chips and served in taco kits or over a bright slaw. Along with their recently expanded food trailer outside Able Brewery, Animales is also planning a second residency just up the block at Bauhaus Brew Labs.

When a chef names an ice cream shop for its burgers, you know those are some special burgers. “My go-to is the cheeseburger and the root beer float made with the 1919 root beer. That’s a Saturday afternoon lunch right there.” While you’re at Bebe Zito, be sure to check out the incredible ice creams. Rotating flavors like Prickly Pear Margarita and Umeboshi Marzipan make this a perfect spot for an elevated daytime summer date.

Kitty corner from Indeed Brewing Company, Chef Jose Alarcon’s charming and vibrant Centro taqueria offers tacos that range from beer-battered fish to melt-in-your-mouth barbacoa and tangy chicken tinga. “The life hack with the tacos there is that they overload ‘em with meat,” says Vang. “So you gotta get the guac and chips so when you’re eating, the excess meat falls out on the chips. You almost have your little nachos.”

Underneath the casual, counter-service aesthetic and punny name, this University Avenue spot is home to some of the best banh mi sandwiches in town—available daily with a buy-four-get-one-free takeout deal. Vang notes that the pho is consistently amazing, as well, and you can even order a 10-pound bowl to slurp down if you please/dare.