Al's Breakfast in Minneapolis' Dinkytown is almost certainly probably the narrowest restaurant in town. Squeeze in, wait your turn for a seat at the counter, and you'd better eat quick - there's a line behind you. Good thing the breakfasts are worth it.
Psycho Suzy's Motor Lounge. The Northeast Minneapolis tiki bar just moved to a new location on the river in Northeast. Because drinking a cocktail surrounded by tropical kitsch is the perfect antidote to a snowstorm.
The Nook in St. Paul is barely wider than Al's Breakfast and would be the place to go if you want lunch or dinner in a very narrow space. It's a regular, non-remarkable dive bar but they make great food - lines form outside for their fabulous burgers and fries. The Nook has its own version of the Juicy/Jucy Lucy and they give Minneapolis' Juicy/Jucy Lucy places a real run for their money.
Town Talk Diner on Lake Street in Midtown Minneapolis had a pretty, sparkly sign, and enjoyed a great reputation and loyal clientele for many years. The Town Talk Diner closed for business in early 2011.
The Wienery in Minneapolis' Cedar Riverside is a long-standing neighborhood favorite for hotdogs Chicago style, Manhattan style, and about 20 other styles too. They even do vegan hot dogs. Now that's an oxymoron if I ever heard one. Breakfasts served too, and also a breakfast hot dog if you really can't decide which one you wanted.
Bryant Lake Bowl is where the hipsters go to bowl. They have a restaurant along with the lanes, and you can also see live music, comedians, burlesque and other shows in their theater, and the annual Big Lebowski Halloween party is something everyone should do at least once. The Bryant Lake Bowl abides.
Victors 1959 Cafe on Grand Avenue in Minneapolis cooks up great Cuban food, diner style. They do breakfast, lunch and dinner, and it's likely you'll be waiting for a table. I'm writing this at just about brunch time and I'm jonesing for Cuban-style scrambler with creole sauce. Back soon...
Donatelli's is in White Bear Lake is a great, classic family-owned Italian restaurant serving serve big portions of glorious pasta and comfort food.
Modern Cafe in Northeast Minneapolis is a modern American diner. Good old fashioned food, old favorites served in a new style, and great, filling breakfasts.
Emily's Lebanese Deli. For almost 40 years this family-owned deli has served Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food, made from scratch on the premises.
Kramarczuk's has been in operation for over 50 years. They are most well known for Polish sausages but their restaurant has a variety of Eastern European food, their bakery is fantastic, and their market sells a vast selection of European food. Attempt to resist the European candy display.
The Blue Door Pub Only recently opened, but still worthy of a visit from Guy Fieri. The Blue Door in St. Paul serves great beers, and fabulous burgers. The Nook used to be hands down the best burger place in St. Paul, but it's hard to pick a favorite now that the Blue Door has opened. The Blue Door's burgers are fancier than the Nook's and true to their name, their Juicy Lucy is made with blue cheese.
The Colossal Cafe is a tiny lunch and breakfast place in south Minneapolis, serving up made-from-scratch American meals, often with a European flavor.
QFanatic BBQ and Grill Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives went all the way out to the suburb of Champlin to visit QFanatic, for their ribs, sandwiches, pulled pork, and other grilled carnivorous goodness. Yes, it's worth the drive.
