Eliot - Saint Louis Park, MN

St. Louis Park was incorporated in 1886, and industrial jobs here focused primarily upon agriculture implement manufacturing. In 1899, St. Louis Park introduced the world's first concrete, tubular grain elevator, a significant improvement upon the existing highly-combustible wooden elevators. Still standing, this former grain elevator is now on the Historic Landmark Register.

The city's redevelopment plan emphasizes creation of livable communities, which combine entertainment, housing, jobs and shopping within a comfortable walking or bicycling distance, thus minimizing the use of automobiles and fossil fuels.

While Eliot lacks museums within its boundaries, there are several within only a few miles in every direction. The closest one, just to the east, focuses upon presentation and preservation of the history of broadcasting, especially as it relates to Minnesota.

On the north side of the neighborhood, along the expressway, you’ll find the usual chain restaurants, making for somewhat of a central restaurant location.

Head over to Taste of India, where the fresh and savory authentic cuisine comes from the traditional clay tandoor oven, which creates a special flavor that can be duplicated in no other way. Curry and vegetarian dishes dominate the menu, all made from scratch to order. The restaurant has daily specials and offers catering, and there is an ample banquet hall available to rent when you need to host a large gathering. Start off with an appetizer of fish pakora, which is fish with chickpea batter, marinated in secret spices and deep-fried. Follow that with the Shrimp Tandoori, which are baked jumbo shrimp that have been marinated in Tandoor sauce. Top off your meal with mango ice cream and a strawberry lassi yogurt drink.

If you enjoy authentic Afghan and Mediterranean dishes, Ariana Kabob and Gyro Bistro on the south side of the neighborhood provides catering and takeout, in addition to serving as a terrific event venue. From a fantasy draft party or video game tournament, to special occasions such as birthday or wedding celebrations, this friendly place has been steadily pleasing area residents with great food and fun activities since the day it opened. Feast on the restaurant's celebrated falafel gyro popper balls. Served with cucumber sauce, locals can't get enough of these goodies loaded with cream cheese, gyro meat, jalapenos, and exotic spices.

JJ's Clubhouse has been a local favorite for over two decades. As cozy as your own home, this is the sort of place to hang out and watch the game on the HDTVs while you chow down on some great food. The bar prides itself on carrying local brews on tap, in addition to wine and cocktails. JJ's posts weekly specials, and in addition to scheduled events, the restaurant even offers happy hour reservations for groups. The Walleye Dijonaise, a specialty of the house, consists of a walleye filet dipped in secret recipe Dijon sauce, then breaded and deep-fried. If you're more in the mood for a wrap, try the Hawaiian grilled Teriyaki chicken with shredded lettuce, pineapple and Swiss cheese.

While the neighborhood itself may be rather sedate, due to its largely residential makeup, you will find yourself surrounded by nightlife options. One of these, the Cooper Pub & Restaurant, sports a "wee lunch" with a set menu, as well as two happy hours, seven days a week, including one in the early evening as well as a late night happy hour at midnight. Named for the barrel makers who make the pub’s mainstay of whiskey possible, the establishment also pays homage to the defunct Cooper Theater, which stood nearby for almost three decades. The decor will transport you to old Ireland with its carved wood and exquisite hand-etched glass. Free parking in the underground garage downstairs from the pub makes it convenient to visit regardless of weather. Eliot does not contain any music venues, but the surrounding region does, particularly on the east side toward Minneapolis.

Easily accessible from the north via I-394, Metro Transit serves this area, although the neighborhood may be easily traversed on foot or bicycle. Public parking is free and plentiful wherever you need to go, although Uber is fully operational here. Both City Taxi and Airport Taxi operate in the region, and while it may not be possible to hail a cab, they are only a phone call away.

Of Eliot’s two neighborhood parks, Hampshire Park consists of primarily open space for ball games, while Jersey Park contains basketball and horseshoe courts, as well as a children's playground. Both are free to enter and use, although Jersey Park attracts more children due to its playground.

The average rent for a one-bedroom residence in the Eliot/St. Louis Park area runs pretty close to the same price you will find in Minneapolis, starting around $974.

Fares for Uber start at around $11 to go into the city, and gas prices here run about 1 percent below the national average price.

The average price for a beer in the area stands around $4 to $6 per bottle, although happy hours may provide some specials that go even lower than that.

The bulk of shopping choices may be found clustered along the expressway on the neighborhood’s north side and includes a wide variety of stores to choose from. One of the most unique stores in the area, Max's carries the very best candies, gifts and jewelry for any occasion. Items include everything from truffles to tiaras, and even exquisite hand-blown glass decor items, all lovingly hand-selected by the owner.

For nearly half a century now, Frontiersman Sports has remained committed to providing guns and gun-related accessories. The store's unparalleled expertise in firearms ranks them at the top of the game in Minnesota. With ammo, gun cases and storage, holsters, clip magazines, guns of all types, silencers, scopes, targets and more, Frontiersman will help you choose exactly what you need for your hunting trips.

Eliot has no grocery stores or farmers markets within its borders, but Cub Foods is located just to the northeast, and Market in the Valley, Golden Valley's Sunday Farmer's Market, lies a few miles to the north.