Minnesota's Old Lunch Car Diner Is One Of The Most Unique Places To Eat
By Betsy Rathburn|Published August 03, 2019
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
For as long as there have been towns and cities, there have been restaurants. And for almost as long, there have been lunch rushes full of hungry diners looking to fill their bellies fast. That’s where lunch cars came in. In the United States, lunch cars became popular in the early- to mid-20th century. These little diners were the perfect place to grab a quick, simple meal before getting on with one’s day.
Luckily for Minnesotans, several of these lunch car diners still exist in our state. One in particular is known for its fantastic food, great service, and perfectly retro vibe. To day we want to talk about the history and present-day offerings of one of Minnesota’s newest old lunch car restaurants, the Hi-Lo Diner. Take a look:
The Hi-Lo Diner is a newcomer to the Minnesota dining scene. It opened in 2016 and has quickly become a popular spot on East Lake Street. Address: 4020 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55406.
The Hi-Lo Diner may be new to Minnesota, but the building itself is from another time. As you might guess from its shiny chrome exterior, it dates back to the 1950s. To be exact, it's an original 1957 Fodero dining car.
When you step inside, it's exactly like what you'd imagine from a 1950s dining car. From the aqua seats with chrome details, to the touches of neon lights, Hi-Lo is a step back in time.
If you love to be in the middle of the action, the counter is a great place to sit. You'll have a nice view of the restaurant's inner working. But if you prefer the coziness of a booth, you can get that, too.
At a glance, the food is what you'd expect from an American diner, with burgers and other sandwiches dominating the menu. But most options are elevated examples of classic favorites.
For example, the grilled cheese is served not with your basic American cheese, but with pimento. Other sandwiches include a BLT, a crispy chicken, or a pulled pork sandwich.
Breakfast is also extremely popular at Hi-Lo. You can't go wrong with pancakes or biddy boards, a Hi-Lo invention consisting of lavender crème brûlée French toast topped with butter, syrup, and sugar.
Or if sweets aren't your thing, try one of the many other flavorful options. Huevos rancheros is a popular choice, as are the Tex Mex burrito, biscuits and gravy, or classic eggs Benedict.
Or if you just can't choose between savory and sweet, try both in one! Hi-Lo invented a treat called the hi-top. Handmade glazed donuts are topped with pulled pork, fried chicken, apples, or bananas. Your choice!
Hi-Lo Diner is such a popular spot, we recommend arriving early. They’re open Sunday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday to Saturday 8 a.m. to midnight. For more information on this old lunch car diner, check out their website and Facebook page.
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