El Burrito Mercado on Cesar Chavez Street has run a Mexican grocery and counter in Saint Paul's West Side since 1979. Carnitas, tamales, the cafeteria-style counter.
Signature dishes: Carnitas, Tamales
Must order: Carnitas plate with rice and beans and a hand-rolled tamale.
Tip: Front grocery sells pan dulce; counter at the back. Sunday brunch buffet runs $14.
Address: 175 Cesar Chavez St, Saint Paul, MN 55107, Minneapolis
Izzy's Ice Cream on Marshall Avenue has run a small-batch ice cream counter in Saint Paul since 2000. The Izzy scoop, a tiny extra flavour on top of any cone.
Signature: Two-scoop Izzy
Order: A two-scoop cone plus an Izzy scoop of salted caramel.
Tip: Summer line wraps around the block by 19:00. Solar-powered scoop shop and the second location in Minnehaha is faster.
Manny's Tortas in the Midtown Global Market has run Mexico City-style sandwiches in Minneapolis since 1999. Telera-bread tortas; the Cubana stacks five meats.
Signature: Cubana torta, Chorizo torta
Order: The Cubana torta layered with ham, sausage, chorizo and queso.
Tip: Inside Midtown Global Market; counter service. Family-run since opening.
Kramarczuk's on East Hennepin has cured Eastern European sausages in Minneapolis since 1954. James Beard America's Classics 2013; pierogi and varenyky to take home.
Signature: Polish sausage, Pierogi
Order: Polish sausage on a bun with sauerkraut and a side of pierogi.
Tip: Cafeteria line moves fast at lunch; the deli counter at the front sells uncooked sausage.
The Broder family's Pasta Bar at 50th and Penn has run a Southwest Minneapolis Italian since 1994. Hand-cut pasta, deli across the street, the city's pasta school.
Signature: Hand-cut pasta, Gnocchi
Order: House-made tagliatelle bolognese and the gnocchi al pesto.
Tip: Walk-ins only; line forms by 17:30. Broders' Cucina deli across the street is the takeaway alternative.
Izzy's Ice Cream on Marshall Avenue has run a small-batch ice cream counter in Saint Paul since 2000. The Izzy scoop, a tiny extra flavour on top of any cone.
Signature: Two-scoop Izzy
Order: A two-scoop cone plus an Izzy scoop of salted caramel.
Tip: Summer line wraps around the block by 19:00. Solar-powered scoop shop and the second location in Minnehaha is faster.
Sea Salt Eatery at Minnehaha Falls has run a seasonal seafood counter in South Minneapolis since 2007. Lobster rolls, po'boys, oysters at the park pavilion.
Signature: Lobster roll, Po'boy
Order: The lobster roll with butter or the shrimp po'boy.
Tip: Seasonal May to October only; weekend line runs an hour. Walk the falls while you wait.
The Anchor Fish and Chips on 13th Avenue NE has run an Irish-pub fryer in Northeast Minneapolis since 2009. Beer-battered cod, hand-cut chips, no reservations.
Signature: Fish and chips, Shepherd's pie
Order: Beer-battered cod, hand-cut chips and a cup of mushy peas.
Tip: Cash and cards both fine; lunch line shorter than dinner. Late kitchen Friday and Saturday.
