Thoughts & Observations at the Food Court plus 9 Fab Fast Foodie Stops at Mall of America
Poem (audio) and Listicle
Thoughts & Observations at the Food Court
I'm feeling pizza
and so jealous that Shaggy looking dude
sitting left from me
can scarf down three slices
without even thinking of the consequences!
Hmmm… I'm feeling pasta
and sympathetic for that young girl
sitting right from me
struggling to feed her baby
without a flinch of help from the baby daddy.
Ya know, I'm kinda craving Chinese
and wondering if
all the food court furniture
and plastic ware
is made in China.
Well, now I'm feeling Japanese food—
but it’ll be too weird and lonely
eating rolls of sushi
all by myself
I want company.
Actually… I’m feeling ice cream now
and also I feel the chill of the couple
across from me
whose silence is louder
than the boy screaming for a chocolate cone.
No… I'm feeling Mexican food now
and whether it's right that
all the food court clean-up crew
here is indeed
Mexican or Hispanic or Latino.
I’m absolutely teed off
that the crew has to pick up
food wasted by lazy folks
who don't put their trash
in the waste bins.
Hmmm... I’m really feeling something fried now.
Yeah, fries and a burger or chicken fingers.
Good ol’ American grub— or maybe I’ll just settle
on the global buffet and get a little this and that.
I just can’t stick to one cuisine!
Truth of the matter is I need something healthy
to eat, but realize there is nothing
that can be deemed truly healthy
at a mall food court—
I mean, nothing!
9 Fab Foodie Stops at Mall of America (MOA)
One of my old bucket list USA destinations was recently crossed out- Mall of America. Not merely a place to shop for material faves you don’t need, MOA is a food aficionado destination. While there are several fab full scale restaurants worthy of a review, get the lowdown here on the best fast casual options NOT McDonalds, Chic-fil-A or Subway before heading the grand mall.
Satisfy your hunger at any of these 9 non-mainstream food stops after wandering through the 96+ acre mall:
DeLeos Pizza place- Regional Minnesota establishment. The premire slice stop eaterie. Deluxe varieties available usually (6+). Perhaps the best pizza I’ve ever had.
At the Food Court: Piada Italian Street Food- Second best thing to a Roman street stand. Piada specializes in the convenient and filling piadina flatbread style sandwich- the Italian burrito, if you will. Head’s up, families: free kids meal throughout 2023 (and beyond?)
At the Food Court: Jerk King- had the longest wait time to order at the register when I was there. Is Jamaican food becoming the next “it” ethnic food in America? Question is, which to order: Jerk chicken or Oxtail
At the Food Court: Vitalis Kitchen- Local MN offering, unique mix of crepes, lunch place for salads, craft coffee and even bagels. Something quick and delish for everybody.
At the Food Court: Opa! of Greece - Local franchise. Get your Gyro or Soulvaki on! Healthier non fried options for fast food throughout menu.
At the Food Court: Naf Naf Grill- Another healthier alternative. Have a Mediterrean style salad, couscous and lentil soup. Even going heavy with a pita sandwich ot shawarma bowls not an automatic diet buster.
Bonchon- Korea! Must stop here if you like your fried chicken crunchy and saucy or have to have your bulgogi craving fixed.
Masons Famous Lobster Bowls- Lobsta straight from Maine in Minnesota. Go ahead and splurge on a bowl.
Great American Cookies - So slick that this cookie shop is just steps from the big amusement park inside MOA. Forget about your calorie counts here. Cheesecake brownies. Say no more.
Notes:
Thoughts & Observations at the Food Court - written originally around 2010 at a corporate strip mall, Irvine, California, off Main St. Irvine is a hub for food courts and halls- at corporate plazas, markets (including many ethnic Asian-oriented ones) and universities.
If you are seeking a spot to write to help get your creative writing juices going, consider heading to your local mall food court or food hall. Look around and start writing and scribbing.
Check current directory for the latest in MOA food options:
Also read The History of the Food Court via Mental Floss
Also read, like and share: Thoughts and Observations at the Hospital Café.
Leave a tip for Marinarena
The way you jumped from food to food to talk about different things going on in the food court was such a smart technique.
This was great.