Siberia with Family Restaurants (Minneapolis, St. Paul: theatres, schools, university)

[AGuyFromCleveland18]

I have heard the Cohen brothers describe Minnesota as "Siberia with family restaurants." Would you agree with that assessment?

[GBCommenter]

Since I haven't been to Siberia, maybe I'm not the best one to comment...oh, well. I will anyway...

I'll be honest and say I don't follow the Coen Bros. all that much so I did a quick Wiki search. Interesting they were born in St. Louis Park so I suppose claim to speak with authority.

My guess is the comment is meant to be slightly inflammatory and to posture well to all their oh-so-very sophisticated film friends so they don't get pigeon-holed by their clique as "goofy Midwesterners". While admittedly MN winters are brutal and there are plenty of Perkins, let's keep in mind it's 81F today with a bit of humidity in the air. Let's also pick just a few things about Minneapolis and/or MN:

1) no less than 21 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in MN, and at least two of the largest privately held companies (Cargill and Carlson Companies). Plenty more companies with major presence in MN, if not a HQ.
2) More theatres per capita in Minneapolis than any other US city save NYC.
3) Some of the best known and highest quality medical facilities in the world. I mean I know it's just billionaire Saudi sheiks and US Presidents that fly to MN for Mayo and there's just the crappy University of Minnesota hospitals and research facilities, but it must mean something, right?
4) Speaking of which, the world-renowned University of Minnesota and Carlson School of Management - Carlson only known as in the top 30 or so business schools in the country.
4) While I suppose foodies want to say we're no NYC or LA, it's not as though it's just Denny's or Golden Corral. You can get a decent variety on meals in Minneapolis or St. Paul.
5) 4 professional sports teams (they are professional, even if they aren't exactly playing that way right now...)
6) plenty of pleasant nature amenities such as the Mississippi River, North Shore and more.

And this all in spite of some of the highest, most punitive and most dis-incentivizing taxes in the country...there must be something good going on in MN...

So, to answer your question I do not agree with the Coen Bros. seemingly snide assessment of their home. There are many great places all over the world, but perhaps save these winters (and they are brutal...brutal enough I might give up the good here for better weather soon enough) I can think of far worse places to be. However, If it makes the Coen Bros. feel a little more secure around their buddies to make condescending comments, I say let them...

[Minnesota Spring]

Yes, because it stays -20 or colder for 4 months straight

[moving123456]

They probably know very little about Siberia. Different geography and different climates.

The two have little in common other than snow during the winter in my opinion.

[MplsTodd]

Well, there's definitely some truth in the statement.

Back in the '60s and the early '70s, when The Coen Bothers were growing up here, the dining scene in the Twin Cities was very focused on family restaurants. Perkins, Embers, Uncle John Pancake House, Bonanza, Brothers Deli, Bridgeman's--that was the dining scene I grew up with.

It's improved a lot since then!!

Regarding the weather. Winters are cold and long, but I actually like parts of the winter, so its not like its 4.5 months of non-stop hell. Other than Santa Barbara, there are few places with perfect weather, so I just deal with winter and enjoy the summer and fall. There are many positive attributes of the Twin Cities to out weigh our winters.

[Drewcifer]

There is a tendency in life to see things through the prism of your youth. As a result I think the Coen Brother's take on Minnesota is a bit dated.

[Ghengis]

what!? you think Siberia doesn't have family restaurants? I'd say Siberia is Minnesota with way cooler hats.

[mrconfusion87]

Who cares about Hollywood types and their comments? I kinda agree with the assessment of GBCommenter that they did that to not make themselves seem like goofy Midwesterners around their industry friends! Anyway, ya'll don't need to have them around (and their papparazzi stalkers) hanging around to be a "great city"!

[northstar22]

What a ridiculous comment. Minnesota is nothing like Siberia. Canada, yes, but not Siberia!

[uptown_urbanist]

Originally Posted by Drewcifer

There is a tendency in life to see things through the prism of your youth. As a result I think the Coen Brother's take on Minnesota is a bit dated.

I think this is spot-on.

And I don't think they're trying to impress their Hollywood buddies; I think they're just trying to be funny. They've made a good living out of (among other things) embracing Minnesota -- and its stereotypes -- and my impression has always been that they love the city and the state.