restaurants

With spring finally showing its face, we thought it would be a good time to take a look at the best spots in Central Minnesota for outdoor eating and drinking.

I am good with any of these places, and there are definitely a few I need to get out and try.

I am good with any of these places, and there are definitely a few I need to get out and try.

Back by popular demand is OpenTable's 100 Most Romantic Restaurants list, curated by analyzing more than 12.4M US diner reviews.

Sartell has become a destination spot for sports tournaments. Sartell Mayor Ryan Fitzthum joined me on WJON today. He says the city brings people to the community for tournaments often but many people leave for surrounding communities to stay in hotels and eat at restaurants.

I am good with any of these places, and there are definitely a few I need to get out and try.

A worker shortage, COVID-19 pandemic and a shortage of many products has triggered inflation in many different areas in our economy. St. Cloud State Economist and Dean, School of Public Affairs, King Banaian joined me on WJON today. He says inflation is sticking around for the foreseeable future and will impact many Central Minnesotans.

With COVID-19 limits fading away, tourists are returning to Minnesota resorts, many of them from neighboring states. A lot of the workers are not coming back.

Starting Monday, bars and restaurants across Minnesota will be able to begin reopening for limited outdoor service and a local county is helping cover the costs associated.

Add a few more central Minnesota cities looking to loosen their restrictions on outdoor seating for bars and restaurants.