The rustic wooden booths, scribble-filled walls, and tabletop napkins holders are just some of the reasons why this Cuban-themed greasy spoon is a long-standing South Minneapolis favorite. The plethora of fried-foods, from croquettes to sweet plantains to yuca (a potato-like vegetable), is another. Not to mention the variety of succulent pig options that are available. In particular, try the Cuban sandwich, which includes sweet ham, pork loin, sweet cheese, mustard, and pickles.

What at first glance appears to be your average corner diner is actually a modern, vegetarian, vegan, and carnivore-friendly spot with worldly influences from Mexico and France. Take the popular breakfast item, polenta rancheros, as an example, which comes with organic homemade polenta, black beans, eggs or tofu, ranchero sauce, poblano sour cream, and cabbage salsa. With endless cups of French-pressed coffee, a D.J. spinning tunes on the weekend, and a punk-tattooed staff, this unconventional greasy spoon is well worth a visit to South Minneapolis.

This Venture Village diner serves home-cooked greasy spoon goodness that will transport you to Colombia and back in one sitting. A house favorite is Maria’s Cachapas Venezolanas or corn pancakes with Cotija cheese, but the weekend specials are really where it's at. Stop by on a Saturday morning to indulge in a of plate of sweet sautéed plantains, black beans, scrambled eggs, sausage links, and an arepa (white corn biscuit).

Sure, the food is entirely vegan and vegetarian, but that doesn’t stop this hippie-punk cafe from attaining Greasy Spoon status with its huge plates of sticky buns, biscuits and gravy, hash browns, and apple pancakes, served for 22 hours of the day (they are open from 6 a.m. to 4 a.m.).

This family-run Lebanese deli has been serving Northeast Minneapolis for the past 38 years. With menu items like lamb kabobs, meat pies, and stuffed zucchini, this unconventional greasy spoon doesn’t skimp on the spices. The stripped down decor will make you feel right at home.

If you have ever wanted to eat spaghetti and meatballs in your car than Dari-ette is where you should be. Opened in the 1950s, this unconventional greasy spoon merges classic American style drive-in service with hearty Italian favorites liked deep fried meatball and sausage sandwiches. And for fun, why not pick up a gallon of their homemade tomato sauce while you are there.

Minne’s Diner seems as American as their now-famous deep-fried Minneapple pie, but this diner in the Northwestern suburbs has a Greek twist. Owned by Andy Atsidakos, the menu is littered with influences from his native Greece like the gyro omelet, Greek salad, souvlaki (marinated pork tenderloin) pita sandwich, and homemade baklava.