Ted R.
Yelp
This is a restaurant I've been to dozens of times, and another that is pure comfort food. Even though they make a number of Jewish-style foods such as Matzo ball soup, bagels and lox, chopped liver sandwiches, and corned beef sandwiches, this is NOT a typical Jewish Deli. In fact, this Sunday, they are having an Easter Brunch with carved ham. Items like ham, bacon, and pork ribs are menu staples. This is the mixed marriage of deli's, but they have their heart in the right place. In a town with only one authentic Jewish deli that I can think of (Cecil's), this somehow comes in #2 with apologies to Jewish friends, family, rabbis, and anyone even remotely Kosher. (It's like when Red Lobster was rated the #2 seafood restaurant in the Twin Cities by Twin Cities Monthly).
Ethnicity aside, almost everyone seems to be a regular and I'm pretty sure all customers qualify for Medicare. But that speaks to their staying-power. Crossroads is a family restaurant that has operated for over 25 years. The food is consistent and good quality at moderate prices (although these continue to increase with each visit, it seems).
The overall menu is eclectic. Besides the items I've mentioned, they have Chicken Marsala, Quesadillas, Walleye and Mac and Cheese, all of which are good.
If you are looking for a trendy restaurant or something hipster, stop reading this review and find something else. If you want a restaurant that feels like a well-worn, comfortable shoe, this is your place.
As a bonus, they have a take-out deli on the other side of the restaurant (turn left instead of right when entering). There you will find the usual deli meats, but more importantly the very best caraway rye bread in the Twin Cities and that's a promise. You can also buy the matzo ball soup by the quart, frozen in containers. It's a good idea to have a quart of this in your freezer as a guaranteed cure for what ails you. If you are lucky, they will have bagel chips that they have made, which I also highly recommend. In the bakery, you will find a variety of cookies and other sweets.
If you are a Minnesotan looking for the best Jewish/goyishe deli restaurant, give this a try.