Ray J’s brings its famous wings to Rogers

Fans of this huge Ray J’s Wings will soon be able to reach you in the east, west and now north of the metropolitan area when its newest location opens in Rogers.

“I live on the border between Maple Grove and Rogers and have been trying to open a restaurant here for years,” says Mark Jacob, who runs Ray J’s and Schuller’s Tavern with his brother Paul.

Both restaurants have always been family-run. Founded by their father, the late Ray Jacob, the businesses grew under his leadership for 30 years, a product of his American dream after moving here from Lebanon.

His sons took over the business when Ray retired, and they’re excited about the expansion. “This is the first and only time we’ve been able to start from scratch,” said Mark Jacob. The other locations have all moved into existing buildings. The new location will be on a vacant lot south of the future Ripple Effect Brewing (14086 Northdale Blvd.), just off Highway 101. We can confirm there will be a patio, but many other big ideas are being discussed with architects. Does that mean pickleball courts? A stage for live music? Maybe. The menu will combine Ray J’s classics with some dishes that are popular with Schuller’s Tavern fans.

“Restaurants have been through a lot,” Jacob said. “The community has supported us during COVID. Even the people who made our to-go meals. I feel like we’ve pulled through. Everything is looking positive and moving forward. That’s always been the exciting thing.”

The restaurant is scheduled to open in fall 2025. In the meantime, get your chicken wings fix at Ray J’s in Minneapolis (500 Central Av. SE.) and Woodbury (9854 Norma Lane), and Schullers Tavern in Golden Valley (7345 Country Club Dr.).

“Local Rumor” opens in Merriam Park

Local rumor quietly opened late last week with food and nonalcoholic beverages while it awaits its final liquor license. The new restaurant takes the space of the former Blue Door Pub (1811 Selby Av., St. Paul). Owner Scott Cochran, the former COO of Keg and Case food hall, has given the interior a major makeover, refreshing it with colorful murals and open seating. The dark booths have been removed, and faux flowers and greenery liven up the place. The menu ranges from several roasted vegetarian entrees and sides to a burger ($12) and chicken wings ($9), with prices ranging from $6 for a leaf salad with beets to $18 for a Denver steak with harissa butter and demi sauce. Regular hours have not yet been set, but it was open for lunch and dinner on weekends.

Hotel Emery features a pop-up cocktail lounge

Welcome Nightlark to nightlife. This luxe new cocktail lounge, operated by the Hotel Emery Autograph Collection, is in town only on weekends this summer. The neon-lit lounge is open Thursday through Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight and offers dreamy-sounding cocktails like the It Was All a Dream ($16) with Plantation Rum, Velvet Falernum, Orgeat and Spyhouse Cold Brew. There are also a few international snacks, like togarashi-spiced wings and Spam Musubi, with prices ranging from $8 to $15. Find it at 215 S. 4th St., Mpls., hotelemery.com.

Will the Bloomington Arcade Tavern add a…slide?

Bloomington’s play and entertainment options will soon be expanding to include adults. While the little ones have Nickelodeon Universe and Great Wolf Lodge, the adults will soon have a two-story slide with access to alcohol. Full throttle (8301 Normandale Blvd., fulltilttavern.com).

The Business Journal reports that the arcade complex, which already features skee-ball, pinball machines and arcade games, plans to add a giant slide to the side of the building. The newly planned expansion will connect a rooftop deck to a ground-floor patio. The plans have been approved by the city, but there is no information yet on when construction is expected to be completed.

Kim’s lunch and bar service on the ground floor

Kim, Award-winning chef and restaurant owner Ann Kim’s Korean-American restaurant has announced reduced hours starting August 1. The restaurant will no longer be open for weekend lunch and will close the Bronto Bar in the basement. A representative for Vestalia Hospitality, which operates Kim’s, told Bring Me The News the closure was due to a decline in business and that they wanted to “focus our efforts on evening service in our main dining room.”

Brian Ingram wants to beat Bobby Flay

Chef and restaurant owner Brian Ingram invites everyone to his Gnome Craft Pub (498 Selby Av., St. Paul) to watch him battle Bobby Flay. Ingram will appear on the Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay” on August 1. The show will naturally have a breakfast theme, as Ingram’s first and most successful restaurant is Hope Breakfast Bar. The episode will air at 8 p.m. and the watch party will begin at 7 p.m. in the bar’s private function room. For more information, visit thegnomepub.com.

Big plans for the former Arezzo

Details are intentionally kept secret, but it is known that the chef and his ownership team of Mr. Paul’s Supper Club will open a new restaurant. The former Arezzo at 5057 France Av. S., Mpls., will be the site of their next project. Begnaud has hinted that there might be pizza, but isn’t ready to confirm the suspicion yet.

Calling all rib lovers

Grab those extra napkins, it’s time for the 10th Annual Great Midwest Rib Fest at Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake. This weekend of barbecue and live music will see 10 of the country’s best grill masters compete for prizes.

Admission and music are free; attendees can purchase food – ribs, sides, desserts and drinks – from participating vendors. The event runs from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. For the full event and music schedule, visit mysticlake.com. The casino is located at 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd. NW., Prior Lake; the event is in the north parking lot. Just follow your nose.