PF! Guide to Culture, History & Cuisine

Explore the people of Eden Prairie's past and present through food and history! Experience a taste of cultural traditions by creating your own ethnic food tour go on a history hunt to learn about some of the people who helped shape our community's beginnings.

About the Guidebook:

In 2021, the PeopleFest! Committee, with help from the Eden Prairie Historical Society and the City’s Human Rights and Diversity Commission, developed a guide to assist residents in discovering the richness of the Eden Prairie community in an asynchronous and socially-distanced way. The guide was well received and thus updated for the 2022 celebration and again for PeopleFest! 2023. We hope it serves as a tool for ongoing exploration!

Eden Prairie is home to many incredible cuisine options, and this is just a sampling of what our community has to offer. The restaurant list below was curated by the City’s Human Rights and Diversity Commission. We hope you enjoy the recommendations of your fellow residents and support these local businesses!

Similarly, this is not an all-inclusive list of significant historical sites. Special thanks to the Eden Prairie Historical Society for their contributions to this project and to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community for their input.

Click on each featured site below to learn more or download the PeopleFest! Guide to Culture, History & Cuisine by clicking here.

PeopleFest! Food & Historical Site Map

Featured Restaurants

01 Asia Mall: Bober Tea

01 Asia Mall: CrunCheese

01 Asia Mall: Dosirak

01 Asia Mall: Home Taste

01 Asia Mall: Hot Pot City

01 Asia Mall: Legendary Spice

01 Asia Mall: Mochi Dough

01 Asia Mall: Pho Mai

01 Asia Mall: SnowBing

01 Asia Mall: Uni Uni Bubble Team

02 Aurelia’s Authentic Mexican Food

03 Baker's Ribs

Address: 8019 Glen Lane

Website: bakersribsmn.com

Cuisine Type: Texas BBQ

Recommended Dishes: Baker's recommends the Rib Plate: 6 pork spareribs, 2 single sides and Texas toast or the House Special: chopped brisket sandwich and 2 sides. Commissioner Phil Skeie suggests the Two Meat Combo Plate with beef brisket and chopped pork.

Inside Scoop: Fun place to take the kids!

04 Bay Leaf Indian Cuisine

05 Bombay Pizza Kitchen

Address: 16518 W 78th St

Website: bombaypizza.kitchen

Cuisine Type: Modern Indian Pizzeria

Recommended Dishes: Bombay Chaat Fries and Bombay Butter Masala Pizza

Inside Scoop: Bombay Pizza Kitchen is a fusion of eastern flavors (the signature pizzas are designed to pay tribute to different parts of India), blended with western comforts and Italian market style servings to make BPK a unique neighborhood pizzeria.

06 Campiello

Address: 6411 City West Pkwy

Website: campielloedenprairie.com

Cuisine Type: Italian

Recommended Dishes: Campiello recommends the balsamic-glazed short ribs. Commissioner John Urbanski has many favorites, including the penne, roasted chicken, and artichoke pasta or the wood-fired pizzas.

Inside Scoop: Campiello offers a beautiful patio for those that prefer to dine al fresco!

07 China Wok

08 Deg Deg Halal

09 Detello's

10 Eden Prairie Halal Market & Deli

11 Eden Vietnamese Restaurant

Address: 7130 Shady Oak Rd

Website: edenvietnamese.com

Cuisine Type: Vietnamese/Asian Home Cooking

Recommended Dishes: The restaurant recommends the Hot & Spicy Chicken w/Ginger or any of their shrimp specialties (Friday only). Commissioner John Urbanski suggests the Chicken Lo Mein w/Egg Roll.

Inside Scoop: "This is a quick but delicious place to get lunch during the week. Just like all the best 'hole in the wall' restaurants, it has simple aesthetics with folding tables and chairs and paper plates but the food is mouth-wateringly amazing. I highly recommend visiting this place for a work from home lunch break." ~John Urbanski

12 El Burrito Mexican Grill

13 Godavari

14 Greek Grill and Fry Co

Address: 8795 Columbine Rd and 8251 Flying Cloud Dr (EP Center Food Court)

Website: GreekGrillandFry.com

Cuisine Type: Greek

Recommended Dishes: Lamb Kabob Platter and Lamb Gyro

Inside Scoop: Don't be confused when Google brings you to a convenience store for the Columbine Road address. The restaurant is right inside. Give this a try! They provide freshly made Halal food.

15 HAVEN Asian Eatery

16: Hawaii Poke Bowl

17 House of Kai

18 India Palace

Address: 936 Prairie Center Dr

Website: indiapalace.org

Cuisine Type: North Indian

Recommended Dishes: India Palace recommends the Chicken Tikka Masala and Tandoori Dinner for two. Commissioner Katherine Lucht suggests the Vegetable Samosas, Palak Paneer, or the Chicken Shahi Korma.

Inside Scoop: "India Palace has been in Eden Prairie for years. They have a wonderful lunch buffet. My family has been eating here for over 7 years. The quality has always been high. They became one of the restaurants we would order from almost weekly during the pandemic and love their Vegetable Samosas. When dining in, they usually pour your water from great heights and it's so fun to watch how they never spill a drop. If you are unsure what to order I suggest going to their buffet, but I always get Palak Paneer and Chicken Shahi Korma." ~Katherine Lucht

19 India Spice House

20 Kuubs Modern Mediterranean

21 Kyoto Sushi

Address: 8242 Commonwealth Dr

Website: kyotosushimn.com

Cuisine Type: Japanese Sushi

Recommended Dishes: Chicken Fried Rice, Sexy Girl Roll, Spider Roll

Inside Scoop: "Kyoto is an all-you-can-eat Sushi restaurant. It is a local Eden Prairie family who owns this location, and they are the kindest people and giving neighbors. The restaurant is a great place for newbies as well as seasoned Sushi eaters. For those who have never tried Sushi, it is perfect because you can order a few options and find out what you like. Plus, they have amazing fried rice. For those that know and love Sushi, they have common rolls like California and Tuna Rolls as well as fun ones like the Sexy Girl. Don't forget to get your ice cream at the end of your meal!" ~Commissioner Katherine Lucht

22 Lotus Leaf

Address: 7922 Mitchell Rd

Website: lotusleafmn.com

Cuisine Type: Thai

Recommended Dishes: Lotus Leaf recommends the Chicken Fried Rice. Commissioner Susan Weaver's favorite menu items are the Crispy Chicken Egg Rolls and the Yellow Curry.

Inside Scoop: "My Family has been eating here for years. During the pandemic they became a staple in our take out rotation. Their egg rolls are amazing, crispy, and crunchy with a sweet dipping sauce. I love their Yellow curry dish and my husband loves to try something different every time, he is never disappointed." ~Susan Weaver

23 Lucky Inn Chinese Cuisine

24 Mi Pueblo Mexican Bar & Grill

25 Osaka Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi

Address: 11528 Leona Rd

Website: osakaedenprairiemn.com

Cuisine Type: Japanese, Teppanyaki, Sushi

Recommended Dishes: If you're looking for Sushi, Osaka recommends the #9 roll. If you're in the mood for Hibachi, try the chicken and steak. Commissioner Sam Griffin recommends the Beef Negimaki.

Inside Scoop: Always entertaining! Bring the whole family and enjoy the skills of the Teppanyaki chefs as they prepare your meal in front of you on the large Hibachi grills.

26 Pizza Karma

Address: 8451 Joiner Way

Website: pizzakarma.com

Cuisine Type: Tandoor Fired Pizza

Recommended Dishes: Commissioner Sam Griffin recommends the Coconut Shrimp Pizza.

Inside Scoop: "This great Indian pizzeria has 2 huge Tandoori ovens visible for everyone to see. It is a fast casual restaurant with a great location and is very family friendly. This restaurant was one of our family's staples for take-out during the pandemic, and I became addicted to the Coconut Shrimp Pizza. My daughters love going into the restaurant to watch them cook in the ovens." ~Commissioner Katherine Lucht

27 Red Moon Asian Cuisine

Address: 582 Prairie Center Dr

Website: redmoonmn.com

Cuisine Type: Chinese and Southeast Asia

Recommended Dishes: Egg Rolls, Shiitake Mushroom Stir Fry with Beef, Orange Blossom Chicken

Inside Scoop: "Red Moon had some major changes happen in the last few years. If you haven't visited recently, I recommend giving this place a second try. They have redone their menu with a lot of new dishes. I love their stir fry dishes and their egg rolls are very tasty." ~Commissioner Leslie Philmon

28 Red's Savoy Pizza

29 Smokin Hottdish

Address: 8080 Mitchell Rd

Website: smokinhottdish.com

Cuisine Type: Southern Food

Recommended Dishes: Co-owner Mz. Christene recommends the Chicken or Steak Philly. PeopleFest! Committee Member Molly Malone Patil loves the turkey burger because its always juicy and never dry, but thinks you can't go wrong of the daily specials (especially ones with Daddy Davis' brisket or Mz. Christene's creamy 4 cheese mac).

Inside Scoop: If you haven't experienced this amazing food, it's worth the hunt to find them in the basement of the City Center-follow the signs for the Garden Room.

30 Teque Arepa

31 Wingman Matt

Featured Historical Sites

32 Cummins-Phipps-Grill House

The Cummins-Phipps-Grill House • 13600 Pioneer Trail

This historic home was built in 1879-1880 by John (JR) and Mattie Cummins. The original property was purchased in 1856 and spanned 280 acres from the Minnesota River to Staring Lake. JR kept a horticultural journal throughout the 60 years that they lived here and his horticultural influence was highly respected as he experimented with apple trees, nuts, flowers and fruits.

In 1908, JR Cummins sold his farm to Edwin & Harriet Phipps. Phipps purchased additional acreage bringing the total to 385 acres. Edwin Phipps was known as “The Asparagus King of Hennepin County.”

Harriet Phipps purchased peony plants from the Minneapolis Farmers Market around 1920. Her large peony garden on the east side of the house is over 100 years old and still enjoyed today! It is an important feature of this site and is protected.

Milldred Phipps (daughter of Edwin & Harriet Phipps) married Martin “Pappy” Grill in 1934 and purchased the farm. Pappy Martin Grill was Mildred’s schoolmate and was a hired man on the farm.

In 1943, Pappy Grill sold the land (and most of the farm) to the American Aviation Corp. naming it Flying Cloud Airport. It was later bought by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) in 1948.

Pappy passed away in 1975. Mildred sold the farm to the City of Eden Prairie in 1976. The Cummins-Phipps-Grill House was placed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

PF! Challenge:

Read the outdoor kiosk to find out how many peony plants Harriet Phipps had planted over 100 years ago!

33 Riley-Jacques Farmstead

The Riley-Jacques Farmstead • 9100 Riley Lake Road

The Riley-Jacques Farmstead was established by Frank Riley in 1855. The City of Eden Prairie purchased the land in 1990 to expand the park along the east side of Riley Lake.

The house, garage and barn are all part of the original farm. Today, the renovated barn is used for public events and is also available to rent for private functions.

PF! Challenge:

Locate the “From Settlers to Suburbs” sign near the parking lot to learn what kind of farms settlers like the Warner family started establishing in the 1850s.

34 The Dorenkemper House

The Dorenkemper House • 9090 Riley Lake Road

The Dorenkemper House is one of the last remaining log-built homes in Eden Prairie. Built in the 1860s and originally located along Pioneer Trail at Settler’s Ridge, it was moved to the Riley-Jacque Farmstead in 2002 to save it from demolition.

The hewn log construction makes the house unique and historically significant. The house has been restored and is used for educational and interpretive purposes. Be sure to check out the civil-war style fence between the house and the lake, which was an Eagle Scout project by one of our local Boy Scouts.

PF! Challenge:

Read the sign in front of the house to determine the year Elizabeth Dorn Richard gave birth to daughter Irene in this home.

35 Consolidated School

The Consolidated School • 8100 School Road

Built in the early 1920s, this Grand Mission-style building first opened its doors to students in March 1924, with the first senior class graduating in 1929.

The school was also an important cultural hub and community building, providing space for movies, voting, weddings and clothes ironing – the school was one of the first buildings to have electricity in Eden Prairie.

Today it houses the Eden Prairie Schools ISD 272 administrative offices. The building is also home to the district’s Historic Gym, which was a state of the art facility at the time it was built as there were no supportive pillars in the middle of the court! This gym is still enjoyed daily by Little Eagles Early Childhood & Preschool participants.

PF! Challenge:

How many historical site markers are located on the south side of the building (near doors 4 & 5)?

36 Eden Prairie Cemetery

Eden Prairie Cemetery • 8810 Eden Prairie Rd

Monroe Barker was a child-aged Civil War soldier who lost an eye in the conflict. Conflicting census information says he was born in Tennessee, Louisiana or Kentucky around 1852. He was one of the first black residents of Eden Prairie. Monroe, also known as “Mun,” was listed as a farm laborer and lodger in Eden Prairie Census rolls and worked at Miller’s General Store, a community cornerstone, until his death at 90 in 1942.

He's believed to have arrived in Eden Prairie around 1870 — the same time as emancipated slave Joseph Graham, who is also buried here. Neither man had children, but before Monroe died, he bought a granite tombstone and a plot in the Eden Prairie Cemetery. In a 2018 Star Tribune Article about Joseph Graham by Curt Brown, “Freed Slave Now Has a Place in Eden Prairie History,” Eden Prairie Historical Society President Katherine Case is quoted as saying, “I think it’s important to know that [Graham and Barker] were loved, appreciated and accepted here then...They were farmers, laborers. They did make Eden Prairie what it was at that time.”

PF! Challenge:

Find Monroe Barker’s tombstone near the bottom of the hill. He is located near a family he was close to. What is the name on the family tombstone just to the left of his?

37 Pleasant Hill Cemetery

Pleasant Hill Cemetery • 12390 Pioneer Trl

Pleasant Hill Cemetery was formed in 1885 on Pioneer Trail. The Prebyterian Church of Eden Prairie once was right in front of the Cemetery; it is hard to imagine as Pioneer Trail has been widened. Early Presbyterian's had taken their oxen carts all the way to the Bloomington Church on Penn and Old Shakopee road, and used the old cemetery for burial on Lyndale and 104th Street. Jacob Wolf purchased this beautiful location overlooking wide valley to the north with Mill Creek at the base of the hill, and Neill Lake in the distance. Loved ones were moved from the Bloomington Cemetery to Pleasant Hill.

The Anderson Clan (large Scotch-Irish family), arrived in Eden Prairie in the 1850's. Elizabeth brought five sons, and five daughters with her. Mary Jane Hill Anderson married Robert, Elizabeth's son. Mary Jane wrote in her Autobiography "Here in our cabin were our happiest days. We had a home of our very own; we were young and hopeful; and with our little family and life before us, and always work to do and the strength to do it, what more could we ask?"

PF! Challenge:

Notice the large number of Anderson’s buried in this cemetery. Locate Elizabeth Anderson’s large tombstone (near the road on the south side of the cemetery), born in 1792. What year did she die?

38 Smith-Douglas-More Homestead/Smith Coffee & Cafe

Smith-Douglas-More Homestead/Smith Coffee & Cafe • 8107 Eden Prairie Rd

Lured by the rich farmlands, Sheldon and Mary Smith came from New York as a young married couple ages 21 and 23 years old.

They were among the early settlers in Eden Prairie. Their first home was a cabin close to Round Lake. In 1877 they built the Queen Ann-Style home in the center of town which included a railroad depot, creamery, grain elevator, pickle factory and Miller's General Store. Their young daughters Amie and Etta, helped with the boarders that lived upstairs, and took care of the farm and kitchen garden. Both Sheldon and daughter Amie worked at the Depot as telegraphers. Amie attended school in Minneapolis. Etta died at 16 from TB. Amie married David Frank Douglas and their son Sheldon Douglas carried on the farm until 1948. Sheldon attended college in Pennsylvania. He later served as Chair of the Eden Prairie school board.

The house was sold to Earl and Helen More in 1952. The More's added electricity and beautiful plants around the homestead. They were careful to respect the integrity of the home, changing only what needed to be done. Beautiful hostas, peonies, and lilacs were planted on the property.

The home was purchased by the city from the More's in 1982, and they had life time estate until Earl's death in 1999. In 2001 the city restored and added a kitchen to renovate the home for commercial use, and it has been operating as a coffee shop since 2002.

Eden Prairie resident Ann Schuster and her family opened an independent coffee shop in October 2006 in this historic home. They named it Smith Coffee & Cafe to honor Sheldon and Mary Smith. The Schuster family has lived in Eden Prairie since 1985 and is grateful to continue welcoming guests to this beautiful historic property.

PF! Challenge:

Find the "stained glass windows" in the parlor and then check out the historical timeline on the well across the room. Who created this beautiful work of art? Or take a photo in front of the gazebo with your favorite drink.

39 Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area

Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area • 18700 Flying Cloud Dr

Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area provides breathtaking views of the Minnesota River Valley. This site has been settled since time immemorial, where Dakota people have fished, hunted, and harvested food; built houses, made tools, and prepared meals; raised families and buried those who passed on. Artifacts demonstrate great age, recent history, and everything in between. The people who lived at this site were not alone. Networks of indigenous nations shared goods, languages, and beliefs as they traveled along the Minnesota River valley and far beyond. Objects found here demonstrate those interconnections and eras. This information was pulled from the Dakota on the Minnesota website and reviewed by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community site. Learn more by visiting at www.mnriverhistory.org.

PF! Challenge:

Hike to the top of the bluff overlook and locate the River Valley History sign. How many people inhabited Tintonwan prior to 1853?

Eden Prairie Land Acknowledgement Statement

It is important to acknowledge that we are gathered upon the ancestral, traditional and contemporary homelands of the Dakóta. Through treaties the U.S. government seized Ojibwe and Dakóta land in Minnesota. Specifically, signing of the treaties of Traverse des Sioux and Mendota in 1851 opened land located to the west of Ȟaȟáwakpa/Wakpá Tháŋka (Mississippi River), allowing pioneers to settle in what is now Eden Prairie.

We acknowledge this land has a complex and layered history, and pay respect to the elders who have stewarded the land throughout the generations and continue to do so. We offer this statement as a step toward healing and make a commitment to learn the history of the land Eden Prairie is built on, to recognize, support, collaborate with and advocate for Indigenous People, and to consider the convergence of legacies that bring us to where we are today.

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