Ten Good Eats in Marshall

Marshall may as well be christened a culinary wasteland. Burger and fry joints are as high class dining as one could find here. However, there are a few gems in Marshall which may satisfy a fussy palate. Here is a list of ten good things, in no particular order, to eat and drink here in the corn field.

1. Mariachi Fiesta: Arroz con pollo (Rice with chicken)
   I have a friend who only orders this dish, and he never misses ordering anything else. Mariachi Fiesta does a fantastic job making this dish. It seems like it's never quite the same each time --my personal theory is that it depends who made it -- but that is the beauty of Arroz con pollo. It's homemade, rich red saucy goodness. The tender chicken and warming red sauce tastes great when wrapped in a steamy hot tortilla.
   
   
2. Hunan Lion: Sesame Chicken
   Something about the sesame chicken from Hunan Lion makes me jealous. I wish I could be the lucky chicken who could turn into such a great plate of food. Deep fried, bit sized pieces of chicken coated with a tangy red sauce. It's crunchy on the outside, and soft on the inside. Served with steamed broccoli and hot rice, there's nothing quite as divine.
   
   
3. Landmark Bistro Happy Hour
   Cheers! If you are looking for a nice place to sit back and have a drink with some friends, the Landmark Bistro has a great happy hour. The bar is well stocked and drinks are half off from 5 - 7 most weeknights. It's a "nice" bar, fairly uncommon to this area. To sweeten the deal, there are free appetizers. So far, I have seen chicken wings, cheesy potato wedges, and chips and salsa.
   
   
4. Mariachi Fiesta: Vegetable Enchiladas
   Forget eating meat. Vegetable enchiladas from Mariachi Fiesta are equal to or better than the meat filled ones: sauteed bell peppers and onions, rich enchilada sauce wrapped in a tortilla shell. They are succulent, healthy for you, and better than watching any dirty PETA ad -- read this article for a little context.
   
   
5. Momo
   The magical momo is not quite what you may expect in the middle of rural Minnesota; however, thanks to the large body of students from Nepal at SMSU, something great has been introduced here. My Nepalese friend Sapana once told me that momo are one of the favorite foods in all of Nepal. A thin dough wrapper hides a gently seasoned meat mixture. To make it even better, a light spicy tomatoey sauce covers the top. They are simple and lovely. Here is a recipe for momo.
   
   
6. Diary Queen: Ice Cream
   Ah, sweet nostalgia. Dairy Queen gives a lot of memories to people, especially people from smaller towns. DQ has been around for a while, and it's ice cream treats can't be beat -- sorry ColdStone lovers. It's just the right consistency, temperature, and of course, customizable to your liking.
   
   
7. The Daily Grind: Turkey Pot Pie
   I've only had it once, but every time I think about it I drool a little bit. The buttery crust flakes better than the snow when you expose the juicy morsels inside - chunks of turkey and vegetables. Delicious.
   
   
8. Bagels and Brew: Grilled Turkey Panini
   All I have to say is turkey glued between bread with melted cheese. Crusty, satisfying, and not too bad for you.
   
   
9. Bagels and Brew: White Chocolate Mocha
   My best friend introduced me to the white chocolate mocha, and I have to say he has a good sense of taste. Steamed milk, espresso, and white chocolate syrup. Yum! It melts in your mouth any season and any weather. Add whipped cream for that extra special decadence you deserve.
   
   
10. Jimmy John's
    Move over Subway, Jimmy John's has you beat hands down. The bread is umptious, soft yet chewy, and, well, more like real bread. Although not as customizable as other places, these sandwiches are the real deal. They are stacked high with everything you could want, or they can be slim: just meat and some bread. Jimmy John's doesn't skip on the veggies either. They put other fast food to shame, not only for speed, but also what they dish out.
    I would highly recommend the Lulu or the Beach Club.