Turkey Nirvana

So this will come as no big surprise, given my employer for the past 17 years:

When I eat out at restaurants, I actively seek out turkey on the menu.

Not necessarily always to order … sometimes a meat-eating girl also needs a steak or pork or fish, too – you know, for variety. (Don’t judge me.) But I definitely appreciate restaurants that “dare” to showcase turkey in creative and delicious ways above and beyond the turkey club sandwich. Not that there’s anything wrong with that club sandwich, either. However, I think restaurants, generally-speaking, could do more – and should do more with turkey.

Enter Patrick McGovern’s Pub in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

This restaurant loves its turkey and isn’t afraid to show it. Turkey is EVERYWHERE on the menu … a multitude of sandwich combinations, soups, traditional roast turkey and more. And the best part? The restaurant roasts  a whole bunch of turkeys from Minnesota company, Jennie-O Turkey Store, every single day. Every. Single. Day.

This is turkey nirvana to a gobble gal like me.

After the ridiculously misleading Panera (#PluckEZChicken) campaign the past few weeks, it’s really refreshing to see a restaurant like Patrick McGovern’s serve up turkey with no added fluff or misinformation (remember hormone free! antibiotic free!).  

Just fresh roasted, delicious, Minnesota-raised turkey that scores high on the protein profile and low in calories and fat (well, if you don’t count the sweet potato fries with ranch dressing, I suppose) – all while enjoying, I might add, a gorgeous patio and the Minnesota sunshine in August. Does it get any better than this?

After tasting my Texas BBQ Turkey Sandwich today for lunch, I think not, people. I think not.

Pulled BBQ turkey topped with onion, lettuce, a single onion ring and one slice of bacon, sweet potato fries and ranch dressing … deliciousness!

Loving the Minnesota turkey options on the menu!

Part of the gorgeous outdoor space at Patrick McGovern’s Pub in St. Paul, Minnesota. It’s a mini-oasis in the city – you’d never know there is a busy street on one side and a parking ramp on the other.

Note: Opinions are my own – meaning, Patrick McGovern’s Pub has no idea I wrote this post.