Written by: Luci Fischer
We all love eating off campus when the Billy’s food is less edible than usual. There are so many chain restaurants surrounding our campus that make that convenient. However, in addition to Chipotle and Chick-fil-a, we have many local businesses in our area that are just as good and provide a more individual experience. A couple favorites of UNW students are Karta Thai, Mi-Sant and La Casita.
Karta Thai is a Thai restaurant that serves a wide range of dishes from soups to stir fry to noodle curry. “Karta” or กระทะ means frying pan or skillet and, according to Karta Thai, is the most important cookware in any kitchen as is it used to bring all of the ingredients together. Karta Thai is less than two miles from campus and is open Tuesday-Sunday from 11a.m.-9p.m.
Mi-Sant was started by second-generation Vietnamese American immigrants. Their parents started making this food as a means of survival in a foreign country and today, they carry the business on not because they have to, but because they want to. Mi-Sant serves quality banh mi and croissants. Banh mi is a combination of French delicacies that traveled over when France conquered Indochina including the french baguette, pate, and mayo, combined with Vietnamese flavors such as pickled carrots and daikons, cucumbers, and cilantro. All of the ingredients Mi-Sant uses are fresh and they make all of their bread daily. Mi-Sant is located near campus and is open Monday-Saturday from 9a.m.-8p.m.
La Casita brings authentic border-style Mexican food to the Roseville area. In addition to serving some of the best Mexican food in the Twin Cities, La Casita even brings you into their culture with their interior design. They create a modern yet rustic atmosphere with arches and fountains and plants, all in colors representing the vibrant Mexican culture. La Casita is open Sunday-Thursday from 11a.m.-9p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 11a.m.-10p.m. and is located within a ten minute drive from campus.
Although these restaurants don’t serve the Lord’s fried chicken, Karta Thai, Mi-Sant and La Casita are all amazing off-campus dining options that every student should try at some point in their time at Northwestern.
