About Zesty Dates
The story behind Max, Cindy, and Ernie
Our Story
We're Max and Cindy, two California transplants who fell head over heels for Minneapolis the moment we arrived. What started as a big life change turned into the best adventure we could have imagined! We started Zesty Dates in California but had to keep the dream alive in Minneapolis because we believe exploring a new city should be delicious, fun, and shared with the foodie community.
From hole-in-the-wall taco joints in South Minneapolis to trendy brunch spots in Northeast, we're on a mission to try every single restaurant, cafe, and food truck this incredible city has to offer. But we're not just about the food - we're about the whole experience. The cozy date nights, the weekend adventures, best dog spots, and the spontaneous discoveries that make you fall in love with a place all over again.
What We Do
Food Reviews That Actually Help
We give you the real scoop on restaurants - the good, the great, and the "maybe skip this one." No fancy food critic language here, just honest reviews from two people who eat out way too much and love every minute of it.
Weekend Adventure Guides
From farmers markets to music festivals, brewery tours to popup events, we're your go-to source for making the most of your weekends in the Twin Cities.
Product Recommendations We Actually Use
Whether it's kitchen gadgets that make date night cooking easier or gear for exploring the city, we only recommend stuff we genuinely love and use ourselves.
Meet Ernie
Our applehead chihuahua Ernie is basically the unofficial mascot of Zesty Dates, and honestly, he might be more popular than we are! This tiny guy comes with us to every dog-friendly patio and has strong opinions about which restaurants give the best puppy treats. We're first-time dog parents figuring it all out, and we love sharing the funny, chaotic, adorable moments of raising a chihuahua in Minneapolis.
Why Minneapolis?
After years in California, we were ready for a change, and Minneapolis delivered in the best possible way. This city has an incredible food scene that competes with anywhere we've lived, plus the warmest, most welcoming community (even when it's freezing outside). From the moment we tried our first Jucy Lucy to discovering the magic of the Minnesota lakes, we knew we were home.
Our Mission
Simple: we want to help you fall in love with the Minneapolis food scene just like we did. Whether you're a longtime local looking for your next favorite spot or a fellow transplant trying to navigate this amazing city, we're here to make your food adventures a little easier and a lot more fun.
Our Adventures in Pictures
Some highlights from our foodie journey thus far
Roll Call Sushi
Fresh sushi in LA
Souffle Pancakes
Instagram-worthy breakfast
Kung Pao Chicken
Authentic Szechuan cuisine