EPISODE · Dec 31, 2025 · 24 MIN
Ep. 129: Great New Eats at MOA
from So Much More, A Mall of America® Podcast · host Mall of America®
More great food is coming to Mall of America and everyone is excited! From handcrafted New Haven–style pizzas baked in just five minutes to customizable mac and cheese bowls that have gone viral on social media, these restaurants showcase the creativity and energy of the MOA dining scene. Joining us are Chef Joshua Hedquist, the award-winning Food Network personality behind OG ZaZa, and Sam Danna, the Minnesota-based franchise owner bringing Roni’s Mac Bar to Mall of America for its first location in the state. Josh shares his journey from national television to building a pizza brand focused on simplicity, flavor, and second chances, while Sam takes us inside the comfort-food phenomenon that’s winning fans online and off. We talk passion, personality, and what it means to be part of the Mall of America food community, plus what guests can expect when these two crave-worthy concepts open their doors. NOTE: This episode was taped right before Black Friday weekend. Roni’s is expected to open mid-January on Level 3, South. OG ZaZa is currently open on Level 3, North in Culinary on North. 2:10 How Josh created OG ZaZa, New Haven-style pizza concept 4:30 Sam first experienced Roni’s at Texas A+M and was immediately sold on the idea 7:30 Ashley and our leasing team search high and low to bring the best food and stores here 12:00 Bringing new exciting concepts to Mall of America 18:00 Social media has helped spread the word on both of these great food brands 20:00 OG Zaza uses food for good – feeding and providing for those in need Find all the great dining at Mall of America at: https://mallofamerica.com/diningguide Find OG Zaza at https://ogzazamn.com/ and OGZaZa and OGTrailer on social media Find Roni’s at https://ronismacbar.com/ and Roni’s Mac Bar on social media Guests: Chef Joshua Hedquist, owner of OG ZaZa and Sam Danna, Roni’s Mac Bar franchise owner Your host: Daniel Jasper, Ashley Hofmann Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.
What this episode covers
More great food is coming to Mall of America and everyone is excited! From handcrafted New Haven–style pizzas baked in just five minutes to customizable mac and cheese bowls that have gone viral on social media, these restaurants showcase the creativity and energy of the MOA dining scene. Joining us are Chef Joshua Hedquist, the award-winning Food Network personality behind OG ZaZa, and Sam Danna, the Minnesota-based franchise owner bringing Roni’s Mac Bar to Mall of America for its first location in the state. Josh shares his journey from national television to building a pizza brand focused on simplicity, flavor, and second chances, while Sam takes us inside the comfort-food phenomenon that’s winning fans online and off. We talk passion, personality, and what it means to be part of the Mall of America food community, plus what guests can expect when these two crave-worthy concepts open their doors. NOTE: This episode was taped right before Black Friday weekend. Roni’s is expected to open mid-January on Level 3, South. OG ZaZa is currently open on Level 3, North in Culinary on North. 2:10 How Josh created OG ZaZa, New Haven-style pizza concept 4:30 Sam first experienced Roni’s at Texas A+M and was immediately sold on the idea 7:30 Ashley and our leasing team search high and low to bring the best food and stores here 12:00 Bringing new exciting concepts to Mall of America 18:00 Social media has helped spread the word on both of these great food brands 20:00 OG Zaza uses food for good – feeding and providing for those in need Find all the great dining at Mall of America at: https://mallofamerica.com/diningguide Find OG Zaza at https://ogzazamn.com/ and OGZaZa and OGTrailer on social media Find Roni’s at https://ronismacbar.com/ and Roni’s Mac Bar on social media Guests: Chef Joshua Hedquist, owner of OG ZaZa and Sam Danna, Roni’s Mac Bar franchise owner Your host: Daniel Jasper, Ashley Hofmann Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.
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Ep. 129: Great New Eats at MOA
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