FARGO – So, what’s for lunch?
That’s always a tough question when picking a place to eat in the Fargo-Moorhead area, and soon there will be even more choices on the menu.
Of the new arrivals, few restaurants have sparked buzzes like those generated by the news that Chipotle and Sonic Drive-In were coming to the area.
The latest on Sonic is that it will open its doors Saturday at 4470 28th Ave. S. in Fargo.
Chipotle’s opening day will come later.
How much later?
Unfortunately for fans of the brand, construction on the stand-alone Chipotle at the Prairie Stone Center at 1680 45th St. S. in Fargo is expected to start shortly after Labor Day, and the restaurant isn’t expected to open until early next year.
Read on for more about the businesses that recently joined Fargo’s restaurant row and those that soon will.
Prairie Stone
Besides Chipotle, other eateries coming to Prairie Stone include:
- Potbelly Sandwich Shop plans a Sept. 16 opening.
- Panda Express plans to open sometime this fall.
- Uncle Maddio’s Pizza also plans a fall opening, though a specific date has not been announced.
A Classic Rock Coffee is also coming to the Prairie Stone Center, with a starting date sometime in late September. Marco’s Pizza
A Marco’s Pizza recently opened at 2505 S. University Drive in Fargo, boosting the number of Marco’s locations in the Fargo-Moorhead area to two.
The other store is at 675 13th Ave. W., in West Fargo.
Marco’s does most of its business through pick-up and delivery, though the restaurants have tables and chairs for those who want to sit down and eat.
Donuts, donuts, donuts
Paradise Donuts and Deli recently opened at 3001 13th Ave. S., in Fargo.
The brand, which dates back to the 1930s, has locations scattered across the South and the Midwest.
The Fargo store is the first in North Dakota.
Meanwhile, a Sandy’s Donuts and Coffee shop is anticipated to open by mid-September at 300 Broadway in downtown Fargo.
The original Sandy’s Donuts is in West Fargo.
Sandy’s Donuts is named for founder Sandy Ostlund. His son, Mark Ostlund, now owns the business.
Sandwich shops
Scratch Deli recently opened at 68 Broadway in downtown Fargo.
It is in what used to be the home of Broadway Classic Subs.
Firehouse Subs is another recent entry in the sandwich category.
The Firehouse Subs at 5675 26th Ave. S. in Fargo is the brand’s first store in North Dakota.
Firehouse, which dates to the 1930s, has many stores spread around the South and the Midwest.
Porter Creek
Porter Creek Hardwood Grill expects to open in the spring of 2015 in the 1500 block of 44th Street South in Fargo.
The Porter Creek concept is similar to its sister brand, Doolittles Woodfire Grill, though there will be differences, organizers say.
Porter Creek’s menu will have a California flavor with Mediterranean influences with a rustic décor of stone and hardwoods.
Red Robin
A Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews is planned for 4159 17th Ave. S. in Fargo.
Construction is getting underway as building permits make their way through the approval process.
The company has said the restaurant will open within a year, though a precise timetable was not available.
Rustica
Rustica Eatery & Tavern, 315 Main Ave., Moorhead, opened its eatery side earlier this month.
Tavern construction will start soon, and the tavern side of the business is expected to open by late fall.
The tavern will be more casual than the dining area, with a wood-fire pizza oven.
Street parking will be augmented by a parking ramp just south of the Rustica building.
Toasted Frog
Toasted Frog, which has a location in Grand Forks, is coming to Fargo, but an official opening day has not been announced.
A company spokesman said the eclectic restaurant and lounge will open sometime in 2014, but the event likely won’t be announced until right before it happens.
The Fargo Toasted Frog will be at 305 Broadway.
McDonald’s
A new McDonald’s has opened at 5640 23rd Ave. S. in Fargo.
That brings to 10 the number of McDonald’s in the Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo area.
A McDonald’s restaurant has also been talked about for the area of 49th Avenue and 45th Street South in Fargo, but no construction dates have been set.
