The Big Ten on Washington Ave.
A University of Minnesota Icon since 1955, if you have gone to the University of Minnesota as a student, or a visitor, you’ve probably stopped by this campus legend. The Big Ten is comprised as a three in one punch; it’s a sub shop, restaurant, and a beer bar all in one. The Big Ten serves as a popular escape for U of M students on any given night, but when there is a Gopher sporting event on campus, I recommend you get there early because it gets crowded quick. Also, Tuesday nights from 9:00 p.m. to midnight are a rowdy time when they serve .25 cent taps or $1.50 pitches of beer. As you can imagine, the shoulder to shoulder crowd isn’t there to order a lot of food. After 9:00 p.m., I suggest leaving the little ones at home, but stay for one heck of a good time! The only down falls are a $2.00 cover charge, limited seating on Tuesday nights, the fact they do not serve hard alcohol, and parking on campus.

The food and service. Now, I have to admit, I do come to the Big Ten on a regular basis, so I have come to know many of the staff and vice versa. However, they do have some of the best service on campus. I really mean that. Most of there servers have been working there for a long time and have come to know what to expect from their patrons, and bend over backwards to make a most pleasant and enjoyable dinning experience (except on Tuesday nights when it’s every one for them selves). But let’s not kid our selves, this is no Four-Star Beverly Hills Restaurant, this is a hole in the wall greasy spoon type dinner on a college campus, but the best greasy spoon type dinner on a college campus in Minnesota, if not the United States! The atmosphere is fabulous, no matter if you’ve come to watch sports on one of their many televisions broadcasting several satellite games at once, to get fired up for that big Gopher game, or just to relax with a beer and enjoy some good cuisine while listening to some Dave Matthews Band (which is usually playing on the juke box), maybe toss some darts. And may I suggest a few items on the menu? The Big Ten spicy wings and their award winning subs are the best. Hands down, no competition, the best. And the rest of their menu is not far behind, however, it has a hard act to follow. I can honestly say that there is not a dish I have tried at the Big Ten that I have not liked, from the deep fried delights to the salads. And the best part is … it’s easy on your budget. Yes, that’s right, college student or not, the amount you will pay for your meal is ridiculously cheap, especially for a large city like Minneapolis where an average meal for two people can cost up to $50.00. So, with that in mind, next time you’re in Minneapolis be sure to stop by the Big Ten in Stadium Village and enjoy yourself. You won’t regret it.    [04 Feb 2003 20:28:09]

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Recommended Dishes: Big Ten Wings and their award wining subs.

     ­Aaron Schweiger, Minneapolis, MN   schweiger7 at aol dot com

Delightful!
Best wings and hoagies ever. I have not tried much else, I got hooked on those the first time I went there. Oriental chicken wings are the way to go. Hoagies are even better than Quiznos or Davannis. Ask for the seasoned criss-cross fries instead of the regular ones!    [21 Jun 2006 12:11:29]

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Recommended Dishes: Assorted Club Hoagie, Oriental Chicken Wings

     ­Heidi