Where to Eat Before a Wild Game in St. Paul

Where to eat before a Wild game in St. Paul has a simple answer: West 7th Street, a few minutes from Grand Casino Arena, formerly Xcel Energy Center. Hockey pubs, an Italian market and a brewery that hosts food trucks all sit within walking distance, and several run free shuttles on game days. Plan the meal for an early hour.

This guide names four places that Explore Minnesota and Visit Saint Paul both describe, and what each is known for.

Where to eat before a Wild game if you want hockey atmosphere?

The hockey pub on West 7th Street is the obvious choice. Explore Minnesota says it is owned by a former Minnesota North Stars player, decorated with hockey memorabilia and equipped with TVs for pregame coverage, and Visit Saint Paul lists it among the popular pregame spots on West 7th Street.

Go early. A pub near the arena fills an hour or two before puck drop, and the kitchen slows when it does.

Which Grand Casino Arena restaurants are good for a sit-down meal?

A tavern named for Minnesota hockey legend Herb Brooks is known for tavern fare, handcrafted cocktails and local beers, according to Explore Minnesota. Visit Saint Paul also lists it among the favorite pregame choices. It suits a table of friends who want something between a pub and a restaurant.

An old Italian family market is the other sit-down option, an Italian pizza, pasta and sandwich counter on West 7th. Check its current hours before game day.

Is there a quick St. Paul hockey night dinner for families?

Yes. A counter-service meal at an Italian market is faster than a table at a pub, and children usually like pizza and pasta. The Italian counter works for that, and the arena also has food inside. Eat early, leave time to walk, and agree on a meeting point if the crowd splits.

Check the puck-drop time and plan to be seated at least two hours before it. Kitchens near the arena sell out of popular dishes in the last hour.

Where does a brewery with food trucks fit in?

A local brewery a short walk from the arena regularly hosts food trucks, according to Explore Minnesota. The breweries with food guide covers it and others. Visit Saint Paul says it offers a free shuttle that leaves 45, 30 and 15 minutes before puck drop. Food is the reason to plan this stop: check which truck is parked that day, and eat before you drink.

If the truck does not suit your group, keep a second option on the list.

How does West 7th Street pregame food work on game day?

Several restaurants run shuttles, and Visit Saint Paul lists the arena's participating places. Park near your restaurant, eat, then ride to the door. The shuttle times depend on the venue, so ask when you arrive. Walking is also easy on a dry evening, and the route is flat.

In winter, wear a coat for the walk back. Hockey evenings can end after the sidewalks have cooled.

What should you order before the puck drops?

Choose food that is quick to serve and easy to finish. At a hockey pub, that means a burger, wings or a sandwich. At an Italian counter, it means a pizza, a plate of pasta or the Italian sausage that CBS Minnesota said the family is famous for. At a brewery with a food truck, it means whatever the truck specializes in that evening.

Avoid anything that takes a long time to arrive. If the server says the kitchen is backed up, order a shared plate and save the main dish for after the game.

What if you are going with children or a large group?

Eat earlier than you think you need to, and book where a place takes reservations. A group of eight needs a long table, and large tables go first at any busy pub. Children usually do best with a counter-service meal, since a long wait before a game is hard on everyone.

Agree on a meeting point near the arena in case the group splits, and keep a second restaurant on your list in case the first is full. The shuttles that run from several restaurants help with parking and the walk.

How do you rate and tag a pregame meal?

Rate the dish, not the game. A burger, a slice of pizza and a plate of tavern food deserve separate scores, and a note on the wait is useful to the next hungry fan. Tags such as Sports Bar, Quick Service, Group Dining and Family Friendly describe the visit.

Tags earn badges and help people find a place. They are a rater's note, never a guarantee, so confirm hours and menus before game day.

How do you plan a game day with friends?

Pick a first stop, a backup and a meeting time, and put them in a list. Add a note on why each belongs and invite the friends you are meeting so they can add their own picks. If one place is full, the next is already there.

For other game days, the Minneapolis game day guide covers the stadium side of the Twin Cities, and the brunch guide suits an afternoon game.

More in the US food guides, and across the state in the Minnesota guides.

Open the Mosey app before your next Wild game, rate the dish you ate and share the list with the friends who are meeting you.