Mesa Pizza

Not your next store neighbor, Betty's ordinary pizza!

Want a nice slice of pizza?

Go to Mesa pizza.

cheap $3-4 pizza by the slice.

Order 1 slice of tortellini pesto , 1 slice of Guacamole Burrito, 1 FMTB, and $1 for a can of root beer.

The place is usually crowded, so order carryout and find a nice park to enjoy your meal!

Hilarious staff!

1323 4th street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 436-3006

http://www.mesapizzamn.com/

Hard Times Cafe

Hippies, hipsters, homeless, academics, drop-outs, anarchists, overalls-sporting-Wobblies, socialists, feminists, old, young, male, female, intersex, gay, lesbian, straight, suits,etc. Hard Times Cafe caters to ? Not sure. The patrons pool is eclectic.

Their menu is a crazy mix too. Great food and great coffee.

Come at breakfast time, when the cafe is at it's emptiest for some alone time. Lunch and Dinner are busy busy busy.

Always look at the chalk board for specials! never say no to their chili.

Order yourself a 1/2 order of the quesadilla ($3.10), 1 bottle ginger beer, a small cafe miel with whip cream,and a vegan cupcake!

Always look at the case of goodies near the cashier. Vegan treats galore! day old only $1!

Sit by the window.

Awesome Baristas, cooks and dishwashers! tip them all well!

Cash only

Stone Arch Bridge

I call this bridge the "puppy bridge to my heart". This is a wonderful place to walk your dogs.

You should also spend some quality time with your human friends as well walking across this bridge.

It connects the St. Anthony Main area to downtown Minneapolis.

Spring, Summer and Fall are wonderful times to venture across this bridge. Views of the Minneapolis Skyline and Mississippi River are breathtaking.

Don't worry the bridge is not very long!

And watch out for sillies on Segways!

The Wienery

Cedar Riverside's hot dog gem.

A great place for breakfast and lunch.

Vegan choices was a smart idea!

I love this place so much.

Hot dogs, sausages, desserts, burgers, hashbrowns,etc.

The people at the Wienery are oh so very nice.

My pick: vegan tofu Chicago Dog $3.50

http://www.wienery.com/

414 Cedar Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55454-1033
(612) 333-5798

Chai's Thai

pad thai. yum

A small charm located in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood. I used to live a minute away from this place. I usually called for takeout on my walk home from class.

Deliciously concentrated, savory, amazing. If you want great thai food, you go to Chai's.

The food not only are a delight to the tastebuds, but also easy on the eyes. Plated really well.

Best to go for dinner. The lights are dimmed at night with tea candles on every table.

Great for dates. since it is a small space, I would recommend a group or four or smaller.

order the tofu pad thai (or garlic shrimp), thai tea, and sticky rice with mangoes.

http://chaisthai.com/

414 Cedar Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55454-1033
(612) 339-9385

Nye's Polonaise

the band
the place

The World's Dangerous Polka Band. A group of senior citizens armed with impressive musical instruments prepared to rock your world every friday and saturday night!

Request a song and put a few dollars in the tip jar.

I suggest requesting "too fat polka" and "L-O-V-E".

Get your reluctant dance partner on to the minimal dance floor.

POLKA the night away.

located in the intimate polka lounge.

The waitresses and bartenders are fantastic.

great selection of beer and mixed drinks.

Eat before you dance. Skip the food, it's way expensive.

21+

http://www.nyespolonaise.com/

112 East Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 379-2021

Crema Cafe

beet sorbet. pluot sorbet.chocolate-bacon ice cream.

If you love frozen sweets, you must come to Crema.

In addition to the ice cream, come for the food and wine. Spectacularly crafted dishes. Ask the barista to help you choose a wine to complement your dish.

When it's cold outside, sit inside. The room is candle-lit and filled with paintings.

When it's spring and love is in the air, sit in the glorious bloom filled-birds chirping piazza.

A great place for dates if you ask me!

If you see a barista named Kelly, say hello for me. And tip her well!

Hours vary. Your best bet is to call Crema first, to see if they are open.

3403 Lyndale Avenue South Minneapolis MN 55408 - 612-824-3868

http://www.cremacafeminneapolis.com/

Al's Breakfast

the entrance
this man makes your food

Al's Breakfast. A great way to start the morning. I hate to say it but this is a place to take your one night stand in the morning. Don't let them do the walk of shame on their own. This is a great place to cure the hangover. This is a great place to fill your stomach. Don't try to bring all your buddies here on a Saturday morning. The place is always packed with limited seating. The service is pretend-grumpy and charming.

The lines are long but well worth it.

I recommend going at 11:00am on the weekdays.

Order yourself 1 wally blues pancake, 1 glass of orange juice and/or cup of coffee,and 1 omelette. Enjoy. Take a long walk home to digest.

Cheap.

Cash only.

located in Dinkytown

413 14th Avenue Southeast Minneapolis, MN 55414-2005

True Thai

pad thai
pineapple fried rice

The cheeriest servers I've ever met. The restaurant is spacious, so it's great for large groups. Also wonderful for couples or singles too. Flowers are on every table. A great thai food experience!!!

favorites: Tofu pad thai, mock duck pineapple fried rice(served in a pineapple half!), deep fried sweet purple yams!, imperial fried wonton,and Crispy Catfish Salad with fresh green mango.

2627 East Franklin Avenue

Minneapolis, MN 55406-1167

http://truethairestaurant.com/

The Cupcake

tea & a scrumptious cupcake

The Cupcake is a cute cupcake cafe. Check out that alliteration!

The baristas are cheerful! The food is delicious! The cupcakes are original and quirky!

This place is great for dates(outdoor patio in the summer is your best bet!).

Wonderful location for studying. Feminist legal theory is much easier to read when you have a Global Warming cupcake in your mouth.

Favorites: Red Velvet cupcake, Smores cupcake, Apple Brie sandwich.

Check their board for quiches and soups!

3338 University Avenue Southeast
Minneapolis, MN 55414-3331

http://www.cup-cake.com/

Minnefesto

spacey snow suit

I am a proud Minnesotan. Come May I will be a proud displaced Minnesotan/Seattlite. Oh boy. I will miss all of this. And all of you.

This blog will be a tribute to my state,my city, and the people that have made my life here unforgettable. I will write about my favorites. Favorite places to eat, favorite places to drink, favorite places to nap, favorite places to admire the greatness that is Minnesota,etc. Since I am a Minneapolis resident, most of the blogs will likely be about my darling city. This is a travel guide for some, but a love letter from me to Minnesota. If you like my ideas, great. If you don't, well that's too bad dear, sorry you didnt like my blog.

Enjoy Minnesota!