Diners and Dives… we all know that they house some of the best cooking we have ever tasted. The meals are distinctive and very tasty.
Subsequently, they are well known and are in high demand.
This post is about tasty diners and dives meals to enjoy while traveling.
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Diners and Dives
Most diners and dives are located in smaller, older buildings.
Usually, you will have a packed crowd waiting in line for their meals.
They don’t mind waiting, no matter how long it will take.
You will have a variety of favorites to choose from.
Don’t forget that diners and dives have very few parking spaces.
I no longer live in St. Paul, Minnesota, but I still have family and friends that live there. So, every time I go back to visit I have to have the 3 P’s (pancakes from Mickey’s Diner – pies from Baker’s Square – pizza from Red’s Savoy). Pancakes for breakfast, pizza for dinner, and a slice of pie for dessert.
All three of these diners are well-known in the Twin Cities.
It’s amazing to hear how some visitors have heard about one of these places and they make their way there to get some of these tasty meals.
Imagine taking a road trip to the Mall of America, but coming across one of these iconic treasured treats.
You can dine in or grab some takeout.
Mickey’s Diner has two locations but at the time of this writing, the location closest to the MSP airport is the only one that is open.
The iconic boxcar location is temporarily closed.
Baker’s Square has multiple locations in the Twin Cities, so you will not have a problem getting to one of those delicious slices of pies.
Red’s Savoy also has several locations to enjoy one of its famous pizzas.
This post is about 3 well-known diners and dives in the Twin Cities
Mickey’s Diners and Dives – Best Pancakes
Mickey’s Diner is a well-known structure located in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The iconic diner is an old boxcar located in downtown St. Paul that has been sitting on the same corner lot since 1939.
It is known to have the best breakfast, plus other foods.
The most popular breakfast items on the menu were the “Two’s and the O’Brien Hashbrowns”.
For the “Two’s”, you would get 2 pancakes, 2 slices of bacon or 2 sausages, and 2 eggs your way.
The “O’Brien Hashbrowns”, were grilled with onions, bell peppers, and ham.
Mickey’s Diner was featured on the Food Network Diners and Dives for having the best pancakes.
They are also known to have some of the friendliest staff and they get to know the regulars by name.
You’ll want to pack your patience with Mickey’s Diner, they will have the longest wait time.
Besides having some of the best food, some music videos have been produced there.
Temporarily, Mickey’s well-known iconic location is closed due to the pandemic.
There is another location close to the MSP airport.
Baker’s Square = Best Pies
Wow… Baker’s Square and their pies. They have the best tasty variety of pies you can ever want.
They are known for their pies, but they do have a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu.
You can come in and buy a slice, or two, or even a whole pie.
Usually, during the holidays, they are bombarded with orders to go.
pecan – cherry – apple – lemon meringue – peach – berry – pumpkin
coconut cream – chocolate french silk – carrot cake – plus more
Of course, my favorite pies are pecan and cherry.
Red’s Savoy – Best Pizza
Savoy’s iconic location was located on the outskirts of downtown St. Paul.
The owner bought the building in 1965 and turned it into the best pizzeria location known in the Twin Cities.
It closed its doors in 2017 after the owner passed away.
Red’s Savoy is also known to have great pasta, salads, and buttered garlic bread.
After going to this restaurant, you will be full and very satisfied.
This diner will have your family coming back for more.
You and your family will want this tasty pizza again, and again.
Fortunately, this iconic location was best known, but it does have other locations.
Instead of the pie slicing technique, they cut theirs into squares.
You have to try my favorite, it’s the supreme. It has a mixture of veggies along with pepperoni, and sausage.
I have been going there since 1978. Even though I no longer live in the state, I continued to go back during every visit.
Most Visited Places in Minnesota’s Twin Cities
Besides these three diners, there are multiple venues to visit.
St. Paul is the home of the state’s Capital.
You must also know that Minnesota’s slogan is “home of 10,000 lakes”.
So, if at all possible, try fishing or going on a boat ride.
There is the Mall of America (known to be the largest mall in the United States) located in the city of Bloomington.
The Mississippi River runs north through the Twin Cities.
You can view the Mississippi River from on top of a bridge, or you can walk along the river’s edge.
Minneapolis is the home to the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins.
It also is the home to the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Wild.
Metro Transit is the local city bus and light rail transportation system that will get you to just about anywhere you want in the Twin Cities.
The city’s Metro Transit system is at almost any location, which will allow you to access it just about anywhere.
All three of these diners are on a busy bus line.
So, you don’t have to drive, just hop on a bus and it will take you right there.
Downtown St. Paul is home to CandyLand, and there is also a Children’s Museum.
Downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul both have the best Farmer’s Markets during the summer weekends.
Hang Onto Your Memories With A Journal
Get travel journals for the entire family.
Writing in a journal helps to stimulate your thoughts, strengthen your memory, reduce stress, and encourage better communication.
So, how about encouraging them to document their journey, and enjoy the memories?
Finally remember, if you are ever in the Twin Cities (the Minneapolis/St. Paul area),
don’t forget to stop and get the 3 P’s (pancakes, pies, and pizza).