• Empanadas (shared) $5.50
• Walleye Sandwich $9.00
• Coconut Tapioca Pudding $5.50

Pop! was one of the most anticipated openings in NE Minneapolis. It is replacing the Nan's which was a fixture in NE for many, many years. Nan's was a great hamburger and pizza place that was always packed. So Pop! has big shoes to fill.

We dispensed with our usual practice of putting it in the basket and waiting to draw it out, we just went there. It has been open for less than a month, but word has it has been packed pretty much every night. I know every time I drive by it is. We arrived without reservations at about 8:30 and got in with no problem, although there were not many available tables. Pop! is completely different from Nan's. It still would be classified as a neighborhood place no doubt and they do have a burger and fries on the menu, but beyond that there is no resemblance. They have painted the inside bright and fun colors which reflects the menu. They have a bit of everything on the menu with an overall Southwestern/Mexico/South American theme.

We started with the empanadas which I was very excited to see on the menu. They were beef, not pork which is my favorite, but they were still great and will do when I need a empanada fix.

I had the Walleye sandwich which was amazing. I was greatly impressed with the piece of walleye and its perfectly crunchy, non greasy coating. They added a strip of bacon, lettuce, tomato and homemade tarter sauce on a big bun. The bacon was an unusual touch, but it lent a element of smokiness to the walleye which was a great change. The fries that accompanied the sandwich were thin, crisp and perfect, not at all like the larger, soggier, but still perfect fries of Nan's. It is amazing to me how many perfect fries there are.

For dessert I had the coconut tapioca. The tapioca was served in a cookie shell with passion fruit sauce and roasted pineapple. It really was a great end to the meal.

For me this restaurant is excellent, but it is very close by and I am excited that it is a positive replacement to Nan's. However, if you are travelling from Eden Prairie or Stillwater, just for Pop you may be disappointed. This really is a excellent neighborhood restaurant, but it may not an excellent destination restaurant. But if you are coming to NE anyway for say the great artist community, the Heights Theatre, a wedding, etc, a stop off at Pop! would not be a bad idea.

• Pasta B $9.50
• Chocolate Tres Leches $6.00

I liked Pop!, but not as much as Renee, and I would have rated it good overall on food only. The reasonable prices put Pop! over the top and qualify it for excellent status.

We started with empanadas, which were clearly excellent and a great bargain. A palatable chimichurri* accompanied these little picadillo wonders.

I was not as impressed with the Pasta B. Pasta B was bucatini, that wonderful straw-like noodle, with a tomato sauce and spicy Italian sausage. Even with the Italian sausage, the dish seemed a little bland, like it was missing some critical, fresh herbs. I'm not complaining about the price, which was low considering the amount of meat and the newly remodeled decor, but I think it could have been better.

I also didn't care for the chocolate tres leches** cake. It was the first time I've had tres leches, so I know not to bother again. I'm not blaming the restaurant, because tres leches lovers may enjoy the chocolate version. However, I can't recommend it to the non-adventurous.

One final word about Pop!: I loved the modern decor. The outside awning and the inside walls are painted bright orange and yellow. You would think that you would get a headache looking at the walls for an hour, but I found myself mesmerized and pleased by their daring color choices. I look forward to visiting Pop! again and trying other menu selections.

*Chimichurri is a combination of olive oil, vinegar, and finely chopped parsley, oregano, onion and garlic, all seasoned with salt, cayenne, and black pepper.

**Spanish translation: "three milk"