Cuisine From Around the Neighborhood: A Young Entrepreneur's Local Business

Spicy Tuna Onigiri served at The Break Room. Photo by Chee Meng Moua.

Bursting with flavor, 21 year old Louis Karlson – a Psychology Major at UMD – recently started a local business, selling food at The Break Room. The food consists of burgers, flat bread, onigiri (rice balls) and curry.

Karlson and his cooking is loved by the regulars in the bar, who appreciate every last bite. “I’ve been around people eating the hamburgers, and they look and smell fantastic,” said Dominik, a regular at The Break Room. “Never seen a plate go back empty.”

The business is based off of the comic strip called “Around the Neighborhood” on The Bark, written by Karlson himself.

“Around the Neighborhood” has inspirations taken from Calvin and Hobbes, and Peanuts. 

“You know, it’s really about just the children in the neighborhood having fun, running around,” Karlson said. “They never drew the adults.”

Karlson’s comic strip enthusiasm and spark began well before the birth of the comic in  August of 2025. During his middle school years, Karlson wrote a strip called “Cody’s Life.” It was inspired off of Big Nate, and contained roughly 30 strips.

During his freshman year, Karlson and his roommate at the time combined their Calvin and Hobbes collection to have the full set. “We bonded over that a bit, and that really resparked that joy for comic strips,” Karlson said. “I started reading Calvin and Hobbes again, and started actually drawing Around the Neighborhood in sophomore year.”

Chicken Curry served at The Break Room. Photo by Chee Meng Moua.

Karlson grew up with his mother’s bentos, always cherishing the onigiris whenever they came along. With deep appreciation for his mother’s cooking and their heritage, he wishes to share it with the world.

Not only does he sell them at The Break Room, he also sells them wholesale. Instead of $5 a piece, it would be $24 for six.

“We’re not there yet, but eventually I’d like to have it so you can find just an onigiri in the Northern Shores Coffee Shop, Studio Cafe or Dovetail,” Karlson said. “I just haven’t been able to make those sales yet.”

The wholesale edition contains a comic strip from Around the Neighborhood, just as the retail counterpart.

One of the things that Karlson appreciates about owning his own business is being able to take charge of the direction. He’s able to alter the recipes and can be his own boss. As Karlson stated, “I’ve worked as a cook for five years, and I’ve enjoyed it, but I always had to cook what other people were telling me to cook, because I had a boss.”

Karlson is new to the business field, and aspires to become the entrepreneur his grandfather was, who started the business “Kiku Enterprises,” which shows Japanese tourists all around the Twin Cities.

With little experience in the business world, Karlson plans on taking business classes next semester to become a better business man. So far, he’s taken measures by giving the onigiri microwave-friendly packaging, and has created social media accounts to promote the business.

“I post on Instagram and TikTok,” explained Karlson. “They have the same content, and right now, I’ve been trying to post everyday since I’ve started the business.”

To try some of the onigiri, visit The Break Room on 501 E 4th St, Duluth, MN, from 5 - 9 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday or Friday. If you’d like them at the comfort of your own home – or dorm – DM any of his social media accounts, or email aroundtheneighborhoodcomics@gmail.com to order.

While taking orders, Karlson makes plans on expanding the menu, with possible additions being taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes) and mochi (rice cake).

“Right now, I would like to try and perfect taiyaki,” Karlson said. “They’re surprisingly difficult from what I learned, but they’re so cute and so good, and I feel once I get it down, they can also be sold wholesale.”

Writer’s Review:

The burgers were just as the regulars had described. The Mushroom and Swiss was a flavorful bite, accompanied with chips on the side.

The curry was served fresh and warm, with flavors that speak of “homemade.” The spice was mild, and like usual, sat perfectly on the tongue. The portion size was also perfect.

The onigiri – specifically the Spicy Tuna – was flavorful. It wasn’t too hot, and was balanced. Accompanied with mayo, it completed the flavor palette. It wasn’t dull, and wasn’t too bright; it was just right.