Street art on a building on the 3500 block of Chicago Ave in Minneapolis.

11/22/17 Gayla Ellis "Jakeeno's on Chicago Avenue" One of my favorite restaurants on the planet and in Powderhorn neighborhood – Jakeeno’s Pizza & Pasta. Patty Keegan, owner, showed me the kitchen. Founded in 1975 by Jack Keegan, it has been a mainstay on 36th and Chicago. Eat in or have your food delivered or go to Trattoria Jakeeno’s in Midtown Global Market. The food and beverage options are plentiful and delicious, including their salads. There are happy hours and special deals and online groupons (check online). Most of all, it’s a very comforting atmosphere, welcoming photographers from our project and giving support to our project and many neighborhood groups.

Pizzaaaa #jakeenos #pizza #mmm https://www.instagram.com/p/BtFWvTXBw_PwJzYz58aIErCqaw5KZQezlfQctU0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=gk1bya79kpf2

Claudette’s Story (Hope)

Twin Cities Arts Frontier Outpost People’s State of the Union Story Circle, January 26, 2019

Claudette’s Story (Hope)

A story that gave me hope. What came to mind is how I met Gaylord, because we couldn’t have started this without him. I’ll start there. I had been in Minneapolis two months—it happened in April. I went to the Art Crawl.

So I arrived here in Minneapolis in January, and I was looking for a home, and a friend suggested I come and visit. And I got here and I met her community, and they were very, very welcoming. And I said, “Oh yeah, I can be here.” And it’s winter. And it snowed the day before I was supposed to leave, and we’re walking in the snow, and it’s quiet, and I had not walked in the snow in a long time. It was really nice to just walk in a city and not even have it feel like a city. It felt more like a small town. So we walked around, and we stopped and we got a pizza—and I got a brownie—at Jakeeno’s. And then we went back. So that was nice.

And then I moved here in March, and I’m learning the neighborhood, and I’m walking all over South Minneapolis, and I’m checking out things to go to and I found about the Art Crawl and I go to the art crawl.

And I didn’t know where it started or how big it was, so I go to Lowertown, in St. Paul—because the train went to Lowertown, really! And I didn’t have a map or anything. I’m walking around the studios and I went and toured all around the Union Depot when I saw that, and then I went over to another building, because now I had the directory, I knew where to go. So I went upstairs and I walked along and looked, and I went to Gaylord’s studio and looked around at his stuff. I was there for a long time. And we started talking, and I met his daughter, and the dog Winter, and I was there for a long time. And he was very gracious in terms of just wanting to connect.

We talked, and I left, and I walked around the building. I went to another building where there was music and more artwork, and I met artists who had relocated here, and I remember meeting this Native American artist and this African American man—they were a couple—and I talked with them about how they came to be here. He had moved here and been here a little over a year and he was finally settling in. And he said, “You know, initially, it was a bit of a challenge. But now it had calmed down.” And she was saying to me, “Oh, you’ll be okay here. You’re in the right place.” It was beautiful.

And so all of those interactions fed me well. 

Quick Rundown of the Last Week

Rally’s, 21 July

   After an archery lesson, I had the Champ with Cheese combo because, man, those fries. This was a big deal for me because the last time I had Rally’s was in Bowling Green, OH thirteen years ago back when Tom Laughlin (McLaughlin? It’s been a long time.) would just hand me an extra large Dr. Pepper with no ice so I could “cold cock the cotton mouth” and I think this might be the only location in Minnesota.    Good times.

Frank from Philly, 22 July

   Don’t tell my doctor.    Well, you know what? As per the conversations I’ve had with at least a half dozen different people this week, I’m not telling him shit, either.    As for how this was, it was like every other time I’ve been there, only this time it was after I got a slice from Jakeeno’s which I’ve never had because I can’t remember which girlfriend it was that once said, “Fuck Jakeeno’s,” and I’m not even entirely sure it wasn’t the one I’m with right now so I’m not sure if I’m cheating on her or not by going to Jakeeno’s behind her back. But it’s like the kimchi: As long as I don’t bring the farts to her, my belly can go out and play. Or something.    Let’s not allude to picking up an STD on this sandwich blog again. At least not until next time.

Taqueria Victor Hugo (Truck), 26 July

   Got the tinga burrito, got a dangerous case of the itis.    Full, rich smokey flavor, lovely texture, and that mild green sauce fucks.    I don’t fuck with food trucks generally and the last time I did was a major let down but this was really good, as good as the brick and mortar location. If you see their truck, hit it up.

Grumpy’s (Downtown), 27 July

   I went there because they had a Reuben and a Cuban on the menu and my plan was to ask for the recommendation. But the bartender informed me that they’re going through a transitional phase right now so those weren’t on the menu. I could get a quarter pounder with fries for $8.50, though. So I went with that.    I’m not going to talk shit about it because they are in whatever it is a transitional phase is so things weren’t phenomenal. Bald-face honesty? It was pretty clearly a patty you could pick up in one of those block from the super market and then pan fry at home which isn’t bad but isn’t what you go out for either.

It’s been a long year for people and restaurants across the country, but especially those in South Minneapolis. I decided to ask nearby restaurant owners if they’d meet to discuss the ups and downs of 2020. On Feb. 8, I spoke with Frederick Braithwaite of Mama Sheila’s, Amy Keegan of Jakeeno’s, and Rachel Swan of Pie & Mighty, all of whom are situated within a mile of George Floyd Square.

—Cecelia Johnson

This artichoke dip is honestly life. That is all. #food #foodstagram #minneapolis #midwestisbest (at Jakeeno's)

Updated: December 5th Phillips West Community Agenda!

Updated: December 5th Phillips West Community Agenda!

Community Meeting December 5th 2019

6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

(Jakeeno’s Pizza Delivery Dinner & Beverages will be provided)

(Meeting held at The Center for Changing Lives in Centrum Room, 2400 Park Avenue the purpose of this meeting is for residents & Community stakeholders to have an opportunity to hear updates from Neighborhood Partners, Police & City Leaders, give input & network with other…

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My first non-liquid meal in a week!! Gotta choose pasta from Jakeeno's!! ..More on why later..for now I eat!!!! https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Sk6kblBj7/?igshid=7w35mwo7ukv3

It was such a good time Catching up! @erikkluetz and I Got to hang out with @kelvinthoulouis too #wearefamily #friendsarefriendsforever (at Jakeeno's)

I guess even public transit isn’t above needing a tow in this blizzard. For some reason all I could hear in my head was Ben Hur’s “Ramming Speed!” (at Jakeeno's)

Muy rica!!! (en Jakeeno's)

Invite: this Thursday Phillips West Community Meeting 6-7 p.m.

Invite: this Thursday Phillips West Community Meeting 6-7 p.m.

Community Meeting December 5th 2019

6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

(Jakeeno’s Pizza Delivery Dinner & Beverages will be provided (note in past we used to get Famous Dave’s for December Meeting but Famous Dave’s has since

closed its location in Calhoun Square indefinitely)

(Meeting held at The Center for Changing Lives in Centrum Room, 2400 Park Avenue the purpose of this meeting is for residents & Community…

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This Thursday Phillips West Community Meeting Invite!

This Thursday Phillips West Community Meeting Invite!

Community Meeting October 3rd, 2019

6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

(Jakeeno’s Pizza Delivery Dinner & Beverages will be provided)

(Meeting held at The Center for Changing Lives in Centrum Room, 2400 Park Avenue the purpose of this meeting is for residents & Community stakeholders to have an opportunity to hear updates from Neighborhood Partners, Police & City Leaders, give input & network with other…

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Invite Phillips West Community Meeting Thursday @ 6pm!

Invite Phillips West Community Meeting Thursday @ 6pm!

Phillips West Community Meeting Thursday November 1st, 2018

6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

(Jakeeno’s Pizza Delivery Dinner & Beverages will be provided)

(Meeting held at The Center for Changing Lives in the Centrum Room, 2400 Park Avenue the purpose of this meeting is for residents & Community stakeholders to have an opportunity to hear updates from Neighborhood Partners, Police & City Leaders, give input &…

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Invite: Phillips West Community Meeting 10/4

Invite: Phillips West Community Meeting 10/4

Community Meeting Thursday October 4th, 2018

6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

(Jakeeno’s Pizza Delivery Dinner & Beverages will be provided)

(Meeting held at The Center for Changing Lives in ROOM 182 (NOTE ROOM CHANGE JUST FOR MONTH OF OCTOBER WE WILL BE ACROSS THE HALL FROM OUR REGULAR MEETING SPACE), 2400 Park Avenue the purpose of this meeting is for residents & Community stakeholders to have an opportunity…

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