Family-owned Tavial Grill serves tacos, quesadillas, tamales, and hefty burritos stuffed with everything from shredded birria beef to cabeza (tender cheek meat). Don’t overlook the dishes that come sizzling off the grill, though, like gooey quesohongo or choriqueso served with corn tortillas.

Skinner's, a quintessential West Seventh neighborhood bar, has been under the same ownership for more than 20 years. It’s a great spot to gather with friends for happy hour Hamm's and square-cut pizza loaded with sausage, pepperoni, and Canadian bacon.

Spot Bar is a proper Hamm’s bar — it serves Minnesota’s favorite golden elixir on tap. (Or a Pig’s Eye pilsner, if you prefer.) As far as old-time dives go, it’s hard to compete with Spot Bar. It’s been a neighborhood staple since 1885. Come for the meat raffles, the pull tabs, and the hotdish cookoffs.

West Seventh is home to some excellent Thai food. Phi Chay’s no-frills environment offers comforting Thai dishes like khao soy, pad kra pao (holy basil stir fry), and khao man gai (a classic chicken and rice dish) that extend from chef Chong Ku’s 30 years of experience.

Pair a habanero margarita with sweet corn esquites and wood-fired octopus at Pajarito. The shaved beef torta, oozying jalapeno cheese, is sliced in half and served standing up in a dish of salsa roja. Pajarito has a great happy hour, too.

Old-school steakhouse Mancini’s opened on West Seventh more than 70 years ago. True to its name, charbroiled beef is the focus of the menu, accompanied by lobster tails, baked potatoes, and relish trays. Check the website for the live music schedule.

Besides the traditional breakfast fare (think short stack pancakes, steak and eggs, and steep discounts for diners who arrive before 7 a.m.) it’s been serving in the same location since 1980, Day By Day is also known for its sprawling patio complete with a stone-encircled koi pond.

DeGidio’s is the legacy of Joe “Kid Bullets” DeGidio, a prolific bootlegger of the 1920s and ‘30s. DeGidio’s was once a favorite haunt of notable gangsters, though no longer; its website notes that “all mob ties were severed many decades ago.” These days, the restaurant is a go-to for Italian fare like stromboli, blackened shrimp alfredo, and tortellini bolognese. It’s still owned and run by Kid Bullets’ grandchildren. Note that DeGidio’s is briefly closed for repairs, but should reopen in late July.

Parlour serves cocktails, weekend brunch (shakshuka, biscuits and gravy, loaded hashbrowns, etc.) and dinner (chicken and dumplings, kung pao Brussels sprouts, duck meatloaf, etc.) at this St. Paul outpost. Plus the popular Parlour burger, of course.

Grab a slice of New York-style pizza and a vat of mostoccoli at Cosetta’s, a staple of West Seventh for decades. The Italian marketplace section is stocked with imported groceries; or snag tiramisu, cannoli, cream puffs, and homemade gelato at the pasticceria.