Eat at Banning and Fifth — Restaurant in White Bear Lake

I'm so confused by the reviews for this place. It is just terrible. They use the lowest quality ingredients, portions are small, and it just doesn't taste good. I've tried it a couple times because it is one of the highest rated places in WBL....and I have no idea why. The last sandwich I ordered was composed of stuff I feel like I could've purchased at a gas station. Literally the cheapest, wimpiest bread (think Wonderbread, but thinner and lighter), sliced turkey that reminded me of gross Buddig, cheese that seemed processed, and barely any mayo added. I didn't eat half and brought it home (literally, for my dog), and my husband laughed at it and asked if I went to rural North Dakota to have a trucker make me a sandwich...that was verbatim.

I don't review places often, but I was just taken aback by how poor the food is here, yet how highly rated it is. I just don't get it.

I will give them one thing...it IS cheap, but given the quality, it is...

Hidden Treasure in downtown White Bear. Great place for a nice sandwich and a hearty bowl or cup of soup. Quaint atmosphere with quality food actually served in real bowls and on plates. Kind of a country kitchen feel, with counter service and a dozen or so booths and tables. A large bowl of soup or a sandwich will run you about $7 but we each had a bowl of soup and split a sandwich and were very full. I ordered the Black bean soup and it was rich and hearty. My girlfriend had the sweet and spicy Thai chicken, which was tangy with a touch of heat and loaded with chicken. We split a turkey sandwich which was served on fresh pumpernickel with veggies, sprouts and a spiced mayo. Very good.

This restaurant is a great place to go if you are looking for a quick lunch and are tired of typical fast food. The service was prompt and they bring the food to your table. They also have a nice kitchen-ware store that carries a wide variety...

I went there for my first and only time on 6-27-25. I got a BLT.

As I left, I talked to a female staff person and told her that the food was good and the service was good. I asked her to pass on my recommendation to use paper containers rather than styrofoam, because styrofoam is an environmental disaster. She said “We can’t do that.” I said “You can’t use paper?” She said “It’s not styrofoam.” That’s true, it’s technically Expanded Polystyrene (#6), but still much worse for the environment than paper. I explained that only #1 and #2 were typically recycled. She said “Well our recycling company picks its up. Nobody really knows what they do with it.”

Rather than accept and pass on my feedback, She was argumentative and rude. I would never go back...