Wednesday night, I reconnected with my old buddies, Tim and Brad, at Baker's Ribs in Eden Prairie—a cozy BBQ joint that smells like heaven and tastes like a cardiologist's worst nightmare. It was our monthly gathering for the Twin Cities Clear Lake Club, where we devote a couple of hours to solving the world’s problems, reliving our high school glory days, and seeing who can pull off the best sarcastic jab without spilling BBQ sauce. Nothing like the simple pleasure of swapping stories with old friends over a plate of ribs.
Luke invited us over to his place for Thursday night’s Vikings game, with the shocking promise of homemade lasagna. Turns out he bought the ingredients, but his roommate Jackson was the chef — which was just fine by me. Jackson nailed it; the lasagna was the highlight of the night, hands down. As for our once-undefeated Vikings, now on a two-game losing streak? Let’s just say Kupp and Nacua’s return for the Rams reminded us how good they can be, and Stafford had himself a game. Here’s hoping the Vikings bounce back against the Colts next week and snap this rough patch.
After realizing it had been way too long since we'd seen Karl and Tina Zitzewitz, we set out for a little escape to Minnesota’s own version of Wonderland—Can Can Wonderland. This place has it all: vintage games, quirky mini-golf, and walls covered in art that make you feel like you've fallen down a very eccentric rabbit hole. With Halloween decorations up and waitstaff dressed in costumes, it was a surreal mix of spooky and whimsical—a bit like stepping into Alice's Wonderland if she'd stumbled into a haunted funhouse instead of a tea party.
Can Can Wonderland’s got the kind of history you just don’t make up—housed in an old factory where American Can Company used to churn out cans for brands like Campbell’s and Del Monte. Now, it’s an artsy playground with a twist, blending nostalgia and arcade mania. Picture a vintage carnival: pinball machines dating back to the 1920s, skee-ball, old-school photo booths, and rows of classic arcade games that make you wish quarters were still a currency. It’s basically a paradise for anyone with a competitive streak and a love for all things retro.
There’s something about playing those old arcade games at Can Can Wonderland that took me right back. When I was a kid, my dad would leave me quarters, and I’d swing by his place after school to pick them up. Then it was straight to The Coin Chute in Regency Mall, where I’d dive into Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Centipede, and every pinball machine in sight. Playing those vintage games now, with the sounds, the lights, and that familiar clatter, was a serious blast from the past—only this time, I had a cold beer to keep me company instead of root beer. Some upgrades just come with age!
Can Can Wonderland’s mini golf course is an interactive art exhibit disguised as putt-putt, with each hole crafted by a local artist. We arrived early to avoid the infamously long Saturday night waitlist. From a tornado that swirls around your ball to a hole where you putt through Grandma’s 1970s living room, each twist on the course adds a unique, Minnesotan flavor to the experience. It’s like walking through an art installation where the only rule is: keep your ball moving forward.
Each hole at Can Can Wonderland’s mini-golf course is a unique experience, and trying to sink a pool shot with your putter on this pool table-themed hole definitely kept us on our toes. The whole course is packed with wildly imaginative designs, like the towering “Music Mountain” where old instruments play sound effects as your ball bounces through. And then there’s the “Rube Goldberg” hole, sending your ball through an elaborate series of ramps and loops. Every hole here takes mini-golf into a whole new realm, turning a simple game into a blend of art and adventure.
This robot just speaks to me—standing there, all shiny and welcoming, as if he's already convinced I'll be one of his loyal subjects. There’s something almost comforting about knowing I could end up in servitude to this guy. If AI is coming to rule us all, at least I've found the overlord I wouldn’t mind taking commands from.