Maria's Cafe
Maria Hoyos, the owner and spirit behind Maria's Cafe on East Franklin Avenue came to Minneapolis in 1980 from her native Columbia. Fortunately she brought along a taste of her culture as well. Maria's Cafe is a charming place with brick walls and, in the summer, sidewalk patio dining.
There are a number of traditional breakfast choices, but people come here on weekends for the Columbian specials. On Saturdays it's sauteed sweet plantains with black beans, sausage patties, an arepa--South American corn cake--and scrambled eggs. On Sundays, the plantains are replaced by sauteed yucca. There is usually live music on weekend mornings as well.
Maria's Cafe
1113 E. Franklin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 870-9842
mariascafe.com
Hell's Kitchen
For something else a little different, try Hell's Kitchen where your server might be sporting curlers and P.J's. Try the Mahnomin Porridge made with wild rice from the Native American Leech Lake Band of Ojibway. The porridge is sweetened with nuts, berries, heavy cream and maple syrup. There are more common menu items as well but we're in the heartland so it should not be surprising that bison has made it to the menu. Anyone with a sweet tooth should try the bread pudding with black currants and creme Anglaise.
Hell's Kitchen
80 S 9th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 332-4700
hellskitcheninc.com
Al's Breakfast
For some people, it's not breakfast out unless it's a true old-time breakfast joint. In Minneapolis, that's tiny Al's Breakfast in Dinkyville near the University of Minnesota campus. The restaurant is only 10 feet wide and seats just 14 people, so the lines can be long--especially late in the morning. They're lining up for the blueberry and walnut waffles to be sure, but there's also a shrimp and caper omelet. Sometimes a joint is not just a joint.
Al's Breakfast
413 14th Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
612-331-9991
Article Written By Lois Lawrence
Lois Lawrence is an attorney and freelance writer living and working in Stonington, Conn. She has written on many subjects including travel, food, consumerism, relationships, insurance and law. Lawrence earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1976, and a Juris Doctor degree from Boston University School of Law in 1979.
