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    LOCAL RUMOR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Local Rumor

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    Reviews With Photos

    Micah L.

    Went with a friend, she had it on her list and I joined her. Made reservations, a little trouble finding parking on the street but not too terrible. Much smaller inside than I thought but chill vibes. Ordered a couple drinks and food. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Food was pretty good, but wasn't a huge fan of everything. I would probably go for drinks and a snack, not really a spot I'd eat dinner at though.

    Kristofer M.

    I tend to reserve 5 stars for like life changing meals, but this place is a 5/5 on a number of fronts. A few notes to set the scene I went today for lunch on a lovely 70 degree Spring day after getting a haircut across the street to check some work emails, grab a beer and quick lunch to go order. Full disclosure: I'm slightly biased bc I grew up about a mile away and just moved home recently, so any cool vibey place in the old neighborhood has a special place in my heart. That said, it has a very cozy/hip neighborhood feel and understated sophistication for what is a pretty residential and quiet area of St Paul The 5/5 elements... Scott (who I think may be the owner?) is super cool, was serving/tending bar and running around to manage the patio while chatting me up & giving great recs on beer/food based on my half hearted description while I multi tasked on work nonsense. Awesome guy, and reason enough to check this place out The vibe/softly playing music and entrancing Twin Cities flyover footage playing in the background on the TV at the bar was oddly soothing Ordered brisket tacos, brussels sprouts, and fried chicken sandwich for myself + a friend to go. Yamahama, I'm not gonna cheat and double check the menu, but the brussels have a delicious umami flavor from either duck fat or facsimile that perfectly balances the acid from the balsamic/vinegar situation. Fried chicken sandwich is a KILLER, highly recommend. Friend loved the brisket tacos as well Highly recommend this place should you find yourself near Merriam Park in St Paul for lunch, dinner, or happy hour. Must try spot. Cheers

    Food Menu as of Sept 2024
    Dan D.

    I've always wanted to have a neighborhood gem and now I do! Accidentally found Local Tumor on Yelp. Sounded great based upon the reviews and boy did this place deliver. It was a beautiful early evening and we chose a table outside on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. A little bit of blinding sunlight for one side of the table but on for a few minutes. Our waiter was kind enough to suggest some highlights from the menu and gave us time to ponder. We ordered a bottle of Vinho Verde, the Beet Salad, a Thai Curry the Chopped Steak Sandwich and the French Fries. The Beet Salad was fresh, crisp and delicious with dollops of Labneh, Roasted Beets and a tasty vinaigrette. The Fries arrived hot and crispy with a garlic aioli on the side. A generous portion of fries and try as we might we couldn't empty the plate. The entrees showed up and my wife's Thai Curry was a hit. Rice was already mixed into the curry. The flavors were on point and had an excellent array of veggies. A bit of heat but not too much. The Chopped Steak Sandwich!! Oh my! Talk about a grand slam! Served like a hoagie, this sandwich was outstanding. Hot and juicy pieces of steak, caramelized onions and a romesco sauce. It was perfect. This is a sandwich I could eat multiple times a week, easily. The food was great. The service was fast, fun and professional. The evening was lovely. We found our neighborhood gem.

    Bar
    Vicki K.

    Wonderful food, service. Great neighborhood gem. Music level and lighting was perfect.

    Smashed Roots
    Davon G.

    I had the opportunity to check out Local Rumor located on Selby Ave in Saint Paul, and the spot was truly amazing. I sampled various menu items, and they were all really good. The cheeseboard looked great, and I enjoyed the various cheeses and the jam, which was quite amazing. Although I'm not a fan of nuts or olives, the cheese, fruits, jam, and crackers were fantastic. The mashed potatoes were pretty good, but I felt like adding some cheese would take the dish to a completely different level. The cornbread was flavorful and filling; I had to force myself to lay off ofit because I'm already thick and not trying to get thicker! The Smashburger was also pretty good and heartwarming. My favorite, though, was the chicken sandwich. The batter was cooked to perfection, making for a nice crunch with every bite. Lastly, I tried their shrimp cocktail, which was super good. It gave me ceviche vibes with the lovely house-made chips. Although this place is still working on their liquor license, they did have a mocktail menu with tasty drinks. The experience was great, and the service was a 10 out of 10. Make sure you ask for Meg if you're there--she is the best! Parking can be challenging. There is a small parking lot on the side of the restaurant, but otherwise, there is street parking, which can be busy at times. One cool thing about the spot is that it has a patio, so if you're looking for that outdoor vibe, this is a great spot for you. All in all, this spot is beautifully designed and is an ultimate vibe for a date night or an outing with friends.

    Yummy Margarita!
    Rimma B.

    Ambiance was dark, cozy, romantic. I went with my friend to celebrate her birthday! She got the curry, which is loved and was not too spicy and I got the chicken sandwich. Unfortunately it was so salty I could not finish it. We also shared the herbed fries and they were delicious! The ice cold margaritas were delicious and had a cute garnish. I was sad to see how slow they were, but it was a Sunday night. I would definitely be back!

    Bathroom-adjacent neon sign
    Audrey H.

    Local Rumor continues to not disappoint. The current menu has several items I was tempted by, so I made the difficult decision to get zucchini (healthy!) followed by a burger (not). The zucchini had so many satisfying flavors and textures and was unexpectedly (deliciously) spicier than expected. I devoured the saucy burger on its baby-soft bun.

    TTHd
    Gita B.

    Local rumor silently opened recently without much fanfare on the westernmost end of Selby in the old BDP spot. It's small, but mighty. They pack a lot of punch in this joint. It's no fuss, but fancy at the same time. It's giving the aesthetic of a baby Bar+Cart down the way on Grand, and a much more elevated version of the local bar food joint down the road. But somehow the most affordable meal I've had in a very long time. How do they do it?! They are a scratch kitchen with a nice melange of standard fare, elevated small bites, and hearty comfort food. The confit wings were very well cooked, and a bit too salty, but downed without a speck left. TTHD- what's not to love. Brussels were perfectly sauced. A simple menu of bevies with traditional cocktails and an array of wines and beers. Hardly any photos because, well, everything was eaten immediately. Local Rumor is the neighborhood spot we've been waiting for.

    Jalapeno cornbread

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    2 years ago

    Amazing food, great service. Fun atmosphere. Great drinks too! Friendly team. Ordered a number of dishes to share and it worked out great.

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Local Rumor

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    I had been really wanting to go to Altera and was excited to go! I liked the ambiance but will say…read morethere was room for improvement for attention to cleanliness - menu, water glass, chair were not clean. We ordered: POK POK CHICKEN WINGS 5/5 BURRATA 1/5 CACIO E PEPE Pizza 2/5 DAN DAN NOODLE 4.5/5 (not terribly warm) CLAUDEL 5/5 Wine list was good!

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