Restaurant Review: Mill City Café
The Mill City Café is an off-the-beaten path neighborhood spot in Northeast Minneapolis. What attracted me here was their free wi-fi network and good word of mouth.
The first impression one gets when entering turns out to be an accurate assessment of the place: it’s a quirky, cozy, friendly neighborhood place offering a little bit of everything. It’s part coffeehouse, part breakfast joint, part bar, part restaurant.
One of the quirks that surprised me on my first visit one Saturday at 1pm was that they were still serving breakfast - and only breakfast. No lunch menu available until 3pm. Not to worry. There are several breakfast items which make fine lunch choices. I’m particularly fond of their Mexican Baked Eggs; a dish of eggs, authentic Mexican cheese and sour cream, served over a bed of black beans with a side of fresh mango salsa. It also comes with thyme- roasted potatoes, fresh-made soft tortillas, and a side of fruit. Hearty and delicious.
The dinner menu is small and fairly simple, but offers fare to please a wide variety of culinary preferences from sandwiches to full entrees; including vegetarian dishes interesting enough to attract meat-eaters. On my visits the quality of the food has always been fresh, well prepared, and in generous portions.
The prices aren't fast-food cheap. But they are very reasonable. It's not a spendy place. You can easily dine there for under ten dollars, including drinks if budget is your concern. There are some pricier items, but nothing on the menu is over twenty dollars, and the average price is quite a bit lower.
They have a full-service coffee menu, as well as full bar, wines by the glass, assorted teas, and fresh squeezed juices. The friendly staff can accommodate virtually any beverage which strikes your fancy.
One downside of the place in the summer months: no air conditioning. The upside? Small but very attractive outdoor patio seating.
Incidentally, this is a decidedly casual place. No need to worry about showing up in flip-flops and a t-shirt (or nose piercings and tatoos for that matter). You’ll fit right in.
The first impression one gets when entering turns out to be an accurate assessment of the place: it’s a quirky, cozy, friendly neighborhood place offering a little bit of everything. It’s part coffeehouse, part breakfast joint, part bar, part restaurant.
One of the quirks that surprised me on my first visit one Saturday at 1pm was that they were still serving breakfast - and only breakfast. No lunch menu available until 3pm. Not to worry. There are several breakfast items which make fine lunch choices. I’m particularly fond of their Mexican Baked Eggs; a dish of eggs, authentic Mexican cheese and sour cream, served over a bed of black beans with a side of fresh mango salsa. It also comes with thyme- roasted potatoes, fresh-made soft tortillas, and a side of fruit. Hearty and delicious.
The dinner menu is small and fairly simple, but offers fare to please a wide variety of culinary preferences from sandwiches to full entrees; including vegetarian dishes interesting enough to attract meat-eaters. On my visits the quality of the food has always been fresh, well prepared, and in generous portions.
The prices aren't fast-food cheap. But they are very reasonable. It's not a spendy place. You can easily dine there for under ten dollars, including drinks if budget is your concern. There are some pricier items, but nothing on the menu is over twenty dollars, and the average price is quite a bit lower.
They have a full-service coffee menu, as well as full bar, wines by the glass, assorted teas, and fresh squeezed juices. The friendly staff can accommodate virtually any beverage which strikes your fancy.
One downside of the place in the summer months: no air conditioning. The upside? Small but very attractive outdoor patio seating.
Incidentally, this is a decidedly casual place. No need to worry about showing up in flip-flops and a t-shirt (or nose piercings and tatoos for that matter). You’ll fit right in.
Posted by Doug on
Saturday July 23, 2005 at 4:48pm
