Another early entry in the neighborhood artisan food shops, Broders Cucina Italiana has been a South Minneapolis institution for eaters on the fly. Order a thin crust, dry roasted pizza that is full on flavor but light on heavy sloppy ingrediants -- a style not all three-cheese in crust, five topping eaters go for but really the best. You can sit down and eat your Mediterranean salads, paninis, slices, imported meats, and lush deserts at the cafe tables scattered around the retail areas or take it all to go and see if you can succeed at getting it home before noshing it all down in the car during your drive. Order cookies and baked items individually or by the dozen. The fun and challenge at Broder's is putting together your own meal from the many items on display. If you'd rather order from the menu, Broders has opened a sit-down restaurant with waiters across 50th Street, however, in my experience much of the character and flavor is lost in this location and the deli is so much more reminiscent and faithful to immigrant salumeria and artisan grocers in large cities around the world.
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