Local Rumor

I've always wanted to have a neighborhood gem and now I do!Accidentally found Local Tumor on Yelp. Sounded great based upon the reviews and boy did this place deliver. It was a beautiful early evening and we chose a table outside on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. A little bit of blinding sunlight for one side of the table but on for a few minutes. Our waiter was kind enough to suggest some highlights from the menu and gave us time to ponder. We ordered a bottle of Vinho Verde, the Beet Salad, a Thai Curry the Chopped Steak Sandwich and the French Fries. The Beet Salad was fresh, crisp and delicious with dollops of Labneh, Roasted Beets and a tasty vinaigrette. The Fries arrived hot and crispy with a garlic aioli on the side. A generous portion of fries and try as we might we couldn't empty the plate. The entrees showed up and my wife's Thai Curry was a hit. Rice was already mixed into the curry. The flavors were on point and had an excellent array of veggies. A bit of heat but not too much. The Chopped Steak Sandwich!! Oh my! Talk about a grand slam! Served like a hoagie, this sandwich was outstanding. Hot and juicy pieces of steak, caramelized onions and a romesco sauce. It was perfect. This is a sandwich I could eat multiple times a week, easily. The food was great. The service was fast, fun and professional. The evening was lovely. We found our neighborhood gem.

This bar is located where one of my favorite burger joints, the blue door, had been. So is a little apprehensive about visiting that it would bring back too many memories of what I miss.Walking in the door, it was obvious that it was a whole new place, which I appreciated. It's not huge and has even less seating than it had before. There's a small lounge like area, seats at the bar, and then multiple tables. The drink menu is really interesting. They have quite a few twists on popular cocktails. I enjoyed the two that I tried. We ordered a cheese plate as well, which was average. The service was helpful and answered our questions well. I don't feel like I have a great sense of how the food is come on because it was just a cheeseboard. The menu looked interesting, however, and there were a number of drinks I still want to try so I will be back.

4.5 stars. This is a fun and charming little spot with unique decor and pleasing colors. The main dining area has tables that are pretty close together, but the bar area has a high top and some lounge seating. A great spot for a casual but romantic date. We were there on a very cold night in November, so the patio was closed for the season. Be prepared that it is quite small inside, and if you are waiting for a seat, you may need to stand awkwardly in the main walkway or hovering near other diners. The bartenders were quick to offer us a drink while we waited, and the service was pretty phenomenal for the entire evening. I had the Brussels sprouts and they were surprisingly flavorful with a good kick of something spicy. My husband loved his smash burger and said it was the best he'd had in a long time. We shared fries and they were... well, fries. Nothing too memorable about them. I will definitely be back to try some other menu items, because the service was impressive and I couldn't try everything I wanted to.

Absolutely gorgeous interior, I just wanted to stay here all night. I got the chicken sandwich, fried, and my wife got the Thai Curry and we split the herb fries. All 3 dishes were super, super good. Chicken sandwich had a great ratio of ingredients, the breading was light and crispy, the aoli was citrusy and absolutely made the sandwich. Thai Curry was phenomenal and the fries were perfect! The server was incredible, I wish I remembered his name but it was the evening of 3/2/25 at around 6pm. He was so friendly and helpful! Oh, and the drinks were dynamite. Highly recommend this place.

I had the opportunity to check out Local Rumor located on Selby Ave in Saint Paul, and the spot was truly amazing. I sampled various menu items, and they were all really good.The cheeseboard looked great, and I enjoyed the various cheeses and the jam, which was quite amazing. Although I'm not a fan of nuts or olives, the cheese, fruits, jam, and crackers were fantastic. The mashed potatoes were pretty good, but I felt like adding some cheese would take the dish to a completely different level. The cornbread was flavorful and filling; I had to force myself to lay off ofit because I'm already thick and not trying to get thicker!The Smashburger was also pretty good and heartwarming. My favorite, though, was the chicken sandwich. The batter was cooked to perfection, making for a nice crunch with every bite. Lastly, I tried their shrimp cocktail, which was super good. It gave me ceviche vibes with the lovely house-made chips.Although this place is still working on their liquor license, they did have a mocktail menu with tasty drinks. The experience was great, and the service was a 10 out of 10. Make sure you ask for Meg if you're there--she is the best!Parking can be challenging. There is a small parking lot on the side of the restaurant, but otherwise, there is street parking, which can be busy at times. One cool thing about the spot is that it has a patio, so if you're looking for that outdoor vibe, this is a great spot for you.All in all, this spot is beautifully designed and is an ultimate vibe for a date night or an outing with friends.

Ambiance was dark, cozy, romantic. I went with my friend to celebrate her birthday! She got the curry, which is loved and was not too spicy and I got the chicken sandwich. Unfortunately it was so salty I could not finish it. We also shared the herbed fries and they were delicious! The ice cold margaritas were delicious and had a cute garnish. I was sad to see how slow they were, but it was a Sunday night. I would definitely be back!

This is a great new addition to the neighborhood! The decor is modern and stylish. Cozy, compact seating. I would definitely come early or get a reservation for any party over 2 people. The cocktails were delish! I tried the butternut squash (yum! The ricotta and honey topping was amazing), the Thai curry (tasty, but no spice and a bit underwhelming), and the smash burger. An eclectic menu but fun to share and try many things!

Local rumor silently opened recently without much fanfare on the westernmost end of Selby in the old BDP spot. It's small, but mighty. They pack a lot of punch in this joint. It's no fuss, but fancy at the same time. It's giving the aesthetic of a baby Bar+Cart down the way on Grand, and a much more elevated version of the local bar food joint down the road. But somehow the most affordable meal I've had in a very long time. How do they do it?! They are a scratch kitchen with a nice melange of standard fare, elevated small bites, and hearty comfort food. The confit wings were very well cooked, and a bit too salty, but downed without a speck left. TTHD- what's not to love. Brussels were perfectly sauced. A simple menu of bevies with traditional cocktails and an array of wines and beers. Hardly any photos because, well, everything was eaten immediately. Local Rumor is the neighborhood spot we've been waiting for.

Word on the street is there's a new restaurant in Merriam Park! As of July '24, Local Rumor is pretty much brand new and has a few wrinkles to iron out (liquor license coming soon!) but already offers a quality experience. The staff is friendly and accommodating, the menu is flexible and fun (Tater Tot Hotdish anyone??), and the vibe is pretty dope. Personally, I could do without the TV playing youtube videos of tropical scenery but I love the colorful paint inside, the tasteful furnishings, and the nice clean bathrooms.I expect to return soon and anticipate more satisfaction upon my return.

Everything we had was amazing. The owner came out to chat with us too! We sat outside and it was beautiful out. Indoors was really cute too. Highly recommend the carrots. (Forgot that camera eats first and didn't get a picture)!