Three Restaurants I’d Like To See In St. Cloud

As we are all aware, there is no shortage of restaurants in the St. Cloud metro area. Anytime we do a story about a new restaurant opening we hear the same comments, especially when it is a restaurant that specializes in chicken.

However, the constant complaints will not be deterring me from opining on restaurants I would like to see make their way to central Minnesota.

1. BLAZE PIZZA 

Blaze Pizza features a Chipotle or Subway-style approach to making pizza. Customers go through the service line step-by-step to have their pie customized to their liking. The pizza is then sent to a super hot oven where it is 'fast-fired' at a temperature between 700 and 800 degrees Fahrenheit for three minutes.

As far as the pizza itself, it kind of reminds me of the brick-oven pizzas Coborn's used to make, with an airy, crispy crust.

Yes, there are several great pizza options already in town, but there is always room for one more!

2. CHEESECAKE FACTORY 

There are currently two Cheesecake Factory locations in Minnesota (Minnetonka and Edina). If you haven't been to one, the menu is ridiculously expansive (over 250 made-from-scratch entrees) and the desserts are legendary with over 40 different cheesecakes and desserts.

I am a big fan of their orange chicken with brown rice, and the portions are easily enough for seconds.

3. SONIC DRIVE-IN 

This is one that has been batted around in central Minnesota for years and it appeared at one point that Sonic coming to St. Cloud was imminent. However, it has been nearly three years since that post and I haven't seen any movement since then.

Honorable Mention: Davanni's Pizza and Hot Hoagies. Yes, I know there was one here years ago and that it didn't work out... but what is life without second chances?