Breakfast is usually a budget-friendly affair, but with the onset of fine-dining brunch mania (every hip new restaurant opening adds a weekend menu) the prices have been creeping ever higher. Whether you're hankering eggs Benedict, a proper green chili sauce, farm-fresh, locally-sourced ingredients or a massive sweet roll, these places deliver without emptying your pockets.
The bread is heavenly, cookies delightful and the downtowner buns curl up on the plate like a cat on a radiator in January: there is much to love straight out of the oven at Sun Street Breads. However, the first meal of the day is packed with gorgeous plates of foods made from the best ingredients possible and served - almost entirely - for under $10.
If you want to dig into the cocktails and the lemon ricotta pancakes, you could work up to a decent bill at Hell's Kitchen. However, a cornmeal pancake will run you just $3.95, the mahnomin porridge is a paltry $6.75 for a cup of sustaining goodness and the sausage bread is a heart, bizarrely satisfying meal in itself for $6.95. Make liberal use of that house-made, addictive peanut butter. It might sound weird, but we are telling you, it's devilishly good.
The speedy side of Lucia's restaurant string uses the same locally-sourced ingredients as the fine dining end, but served so much more quickly and easy to grab and go. A couple of bucks goes a long way when picking through the bakery case, but full breakfast is available to eat-in as well.
As much love as there is for the downtown diner car, we love a cheap meal at the other Mickey's just a little bit more. (It's further down West 7th, past 35E). The booths are plentiful and hash browns are every bit as crispy. Plus, if you want to order one of those killer milkshakes for breakfast, we promise not to judge. Open 24-7.
One egg and piece of toast is just $3.25 inside this cozy South Minneapolis restaurant. Prepare to wait for a seat on the weekends. The neighborhood knows and loves this little kitchen.
Branches of this family-owned local chain can be found in neighborhoods all over the Twin Cities, but inside each location feels like a bit of home. The comforting food comes in serious portions and the cinnamon roll is the stuff of breakfast legend.
If you leave hungry, you're doing it wrong. Believe what they say about the green chili. You would be wise to spend the extra buck and make liberal use of it.
Hi-Lo is a new spot that has stolen our hearts by combining the traditional diner feel with refined, innovative twists to classics dishes. If lavender-crème brulee French toast isn’t enough magic already, try any of the sweet/savory fried dough creations called HI-TOPS. Limit the damage by splitting it with a pal – there’s more than enough!
-Sarai Pak
Not many would expect this little Mediterranean café to have such a great breakfast menu, but the Macalester and St. Thomas students in the neighborhood know this joint well. From simple crepes and decadent omelets to chaksuka (eggs cooked in a spicy tomato sauce), everything is under $9.
- Sarai Pak
The bread is heavenly, cookies delightful and the downtowner buns curl up on the plate like a cat on a radiator in January: there is much to love straight out of the oven at Sun Street Breads. However, the first meal of the day is packed with gorgeous plates of foods made from the best ingredients possible and served - almost entirely - for under $10.
If you want to dig into the cocktails and the lemon ricotta pancakes, you could work up to a decent bill at Hell's Kitchen. However, a cornmeal pancake will run you just $3.95, the mahnomin porridge is a paltry $6.75 for a cup of sustaining goodness and the sausage bread is a heart, bizarrely satisfying meal in itself for $6.95. Make liberal use of that house-made, addictive peanut butter. It might sound weird, but we are telling you, it's devilishly good.
The speedy side of Lucia's restaurant string uses the same locally-sourced ingredients as the fine dining end, but served so much more quickly and easy to grab and go. A couple of bucks goes a long way when picking through the bakery case, but full breakfast is available to eat-in as well.
As much love as there is for the downtown diner car, we love a cheap meal at the other Mickey's just a little bit more. (It's further down West 7th, past 35E). The booths are plentiful and hash browns are every bit as crispy. Plus, if you want to order one of those killer milkshakes for breakfast, we promise not to judge. Open 24-7.
One egg and piece of toast is just $3.25 inside this cozy South Minneapolis restaurant. Prepare to wait for a seat on the weekends. The neighborhood knows and loves this little kitchen.
Branches of this family-owned local chain can be found in neighborhoods all over the Twin Cities, but inside each location feels like a bit of home. The comforting food comes in serious portions and the cinnamon roll is the stuff of breakfast legend.
If you leave hungry, you're doing it wrong. Believe what they say about the green chili. You would be wise to spend the extra buck and make liberal use of it.
Hi-Lo is a new spot that has stolen our hearts by combining the traditional diner feel with refined, innovative twists to classics dishes. If lavender-crème brulee French toast isn’t enough magic already, try any of the sweet/savory fried dough creations called HI-TOPS. Limit the damage by splitting it with a pal – there’s more than enough!
-Sarai Pak
Not many would expect this little Mediterranean café to have such a great breakfast menu, but the Macalester and St. Thomas students in the neighborhood know this joint well. From simple crepes and decadent omelets to chaksuka (eggs cooked in a spicy tomato sauce), everything is under $9.
- Sarai Pak
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