&DINING DRINKING

from Best of the Red River Valley 2021

SERVICES

Best Beer Selection Best Bakery

SANDY’S DONUTS

Location: Fargo, West Fargo honorable mentions

Whether you dunk them in coffee or take a bite right out of the box, Sandy’s Donuts have a hold on the sweet tooths of the area.

For the fifth year in a row, readers voted Sandy’s Donuts Best Bakery.

Part of the appeal may be the company’s willingness to bring donuts to your door. After the pandemic took a bite out of business, owner Mark Ostlund decided to offer home deliveries.

And it’s not just Fargo-area homes that get to sink their teeth into the fluffy baked goods; Sandy’s started rolling out over-the-road deliveries, dropping off sweets from Jamestown, N.D., to Fergus Falls and Pelican Rapids, Minn.

As the area’s appetite for donuts and sweet rolls continues to grow, so do Sandy’s operations. In April, Ostlund said he was looking to expand its production space. Sandy’s already makes more than 10,000 donuts a day, so more space just means more of the dozens of different sweets readers love the most.

SECOND PLACE: NICHOLE’S FINE PASTRY & CAFÉ

THIRD PLACE: JEN’S BAKERY

FOURTH PLACE: NOTHING BUNDT CAKES

FIFTH PLACE: BREADSMITH

Best Bar

LEGENDS SPORTS BAR & GRILL

Location: Moorhead

How does it feel to be voted Best Bar a second year in a row?

“It’s an incredible honor, holy smokes!” Co-owner Marissa West said. “We have a team that pours their heart and soul into this industry, this business and our people, and this is such a humbling reminder of how lucky we are.” honorable mentions

What makes Legends special to customers?

“We feel like family. We have always focused on building our space to connect family and friends and this community, and we couldn’t be more proud to be a part of these experiences,” she said.

What do you recommend a first-timer try at Legends?

“Our ‘218’ Burgers and beer cheese soup are always fun! Some of our customers’ favorites are our Asian Chicken Tacos, and our Legendary items: steak bites, salads, nachos and Legendary Large Pretzel,” she said.

SECOND PLACE: FRANK’S LOUNGE

THIRD PLACE: SOUTHTOWN POURHOUSE

FOURTH PLACE: BAR DOWN

FIFTH PLACE: BAR 9

HAPPY HARRY’S BOTTLE SHOPS

Location: 3 in Fargo

How does Happy Harry’s stay ahead of the changing beer scene?

“We have a great, young team that is constantly talking with the breweries, understanding what the customers are looking for and making sure the selection is as fresh and current as possible,” CEO Dustin Mitzel said.

What’s something people might not know about Happy Harry’s?

“We always try to think of ourselves as secondbest. We want to make sure that we’re always keeping our edge, whether it’s researching new bourbons or beers or wines, when we travel, when we talk,” Mitzel said. “We’re always trying to find out what’s coming up, what’s their story and what’s the history, and trying to take that information and bring it to a retail setting so that our customers here in Fargo and Grand Forks can have a little piece of that without having to travel.” honorable mentions

SECOND PLACE: JUNKYARD BREWING CO.

THIRD PLACE: DREKKER BREWING CO. — BREWHALLA

FOURTH PLACE: JL BEERS

FIFTH PLACE: BOTTLE BARN LIQUORS

BEST BREAKFAST/ BRUNCH PLACE

The Shack On Broadway

Location: Fargo

What’s your reaction to winning this category several consecutive times?

“It’s still such an honor and it’s so wonderful knowing we have the whole city’s support and the whole area’s support because we get people from all over,” Owner Tanya Bale said.

What makes The Shack’s breakfasts stand out?

“I think it’s not only our award-winning caramel rolls and buttermilk pancakes, but the quick service and friendly atmosphere,” she said. “We get to know our regulars pretty quickly.”

What’s something people might not know about The Shack?

“They might not realize that they can have breakfast during all open hours,” Bale said. “Breakfast isn’t just for breakfast around here. Other than that, we also have a lot of old-time family favorites like liver and onions on the dinner menu.”