Tori is drawing ramen fans down to St. Paul’s West 7th neighborhood with its newly opened train car location and expanded menu. The restaurant began as a small neighborhood shop up the hill on Victoria, near Selby Avenue. The original location was small enough that there wasn’t need for a host stand. Diners could just step inside the door, greet the friendly staff behind the counter and plop down. The success of the location could make getting in the door a challenge during busy times.

Soon chef/owner Jason Dorweiler found expansion opportunity in the Victory neighborhood of Minneapolis and opened Tori 44. The considerably larger room offered the chance to make even more food, serve more customers, and start selling Tori’s ramen noodles.

In the summer of 2019 he decided it was time to leave the original home, but assured fans, Tori would return to St. Paul. That time came last week, with Tori on West 7th quietly opened.

The restaurant takes the place of the former Chris & Rob’s Taste Authority. A small train car (that still holds remnants of the previous tenants decor on the outside) transformed into the instantly exciting ramen spot.

Dropping “ramen” from the name, allows Tori to explore cuisine and move beyond the bowls. However, the brothy goods are still there. Tori is open for lunch and dinner, with a break to reset in between, Wednesday through Sunday.