City: St. Paul, MN

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (612) 624-7776

Address: 1354 Eckles Ave.

Description: If your timing is right, you can find some of the best ice cream and cheeses in the Twin Cities in this little-known and rarely open outlet on the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul Campus. Open only 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, the store sees customers line up early to get their hands on dairy products produced by university students and researchers. Don’t worry, no failed experiments make it to the sales floor, and if you’re willing to make the effort to find the store, you will be treated to rich (12 percent fat!) and creamy ice cream in a variety of flavors and a range of cheeses, the weekly selection depending on what is available from the university’s work and the time of year. The store may (or may not) have on hand such favorites as Gopher Gold ice cream (French vanilla and raspberry), aged cheddar, and Nuworld, a spreadable variety of blue cheese that is all white. Quantities available for sale are always limited: Arrive early for the best selection.