Walkin’ Around Checkin’ Stuff Out. #9

Dec 10, 2023

Iconic places. The places you have to visit to get the real vibe of a city and what it’s all about.

Restaurants are that for me as much as anything else. They give you the vibe of the culture and people that make up a city…they may even give you a sense of history.

Visiting those iconic restaurants are the closest thing we have to actual time travel.

Those are the places that need to be saved and supported.

Speaking of…

Kramarczuk Deli.

Northeast Minneapolis, MN

Northeast Minneapolis has always been known as the Polish neighborhood.

My ancestors came over from Poland and started a new life in Northeast. They built a small house off University that every one of our family members lived in at some point in their life. I remember my Great Grandmother never speaking a word of English. The immigrant vibes were strong.

I remember Kramarczuk’s from when I was a kid. I’m sure my Great Aunt rolled her eyes and proclaimed their cabbage rolls weren’t nearly as good as her homemade cabbage rolls. (She might be right…hers were damn good.)

Kramarczuk’s is exactly the kind of place the tells you so much about a city and its history and needs to be supported. So get in line (no matter how long it is) and get yourself a sausage or pierogi and take in the vibes.

People.

I’ll be the first to say I like dogs better than people…but I do enjoy some good people watching.

The good, the bad, the ugly…I love it all. The weirder the better. Thank god the world isn’t full of finance managers in golf shirts.

I’m all for people letting the freak-flag fly and just being who they are. Let’s see more of that.

I found myself waiting at The Walgreens pharmacy and had a couple good sightings. It was the yellow hair that caught my attention with this guy…but the pink/red tanning bed face is pretty amazing as well. This dude was all about a party.

Right behind him was Jesus Hair. And Jesus Christ, this guy would not stop playing with his mane of hair. The whole time he just stood there and ran his fingers through his hair. (I will say he could have a career as a romance novel cover model should he choose.)

Old people with style are the best.

Check this lady out. Just owning the room with that look.

Here we are in a 20-something hipster coffeeshop where everyone looks the same and this lady shows up. The pink glasses, the hair…she had it all goin’ on. Love it.

“I hate the fucking government!”

Sometimes the freak-flag flies a little strong. In this case it was at the DMV and this guy announces to the whole room how he feels about the government. I don’t know if he thought that would get him better service, or what, but I moved to a seat closer to the exit and kept one eye on that guy.

Chill dude.

This guy took a different approach to being in public. He went the quiet/refective route. I like that route.

Another oldster out lookin’ good with the style (kind of a Paris meets Minneapolis vibe) just leaning back, taking in the scene down at Lake Harriet.

FRGMNT Coffee.

Minneapolis, MN

FRGMNT took over the long empty lobby space of the old Riverplace and it’s pretty cool. Since it’s close to the UofM it’s kind of like one giant study hall, but that’s cool.

The best part of this place is they allow dogs so we bring Davis here on the weekends. Can’t beat that.

Speaking of Davis…

Davis is 10 months old this week and always by my side.

He’s got a little bed next to my desk he likes to crash in. Bulldog snores and all, but make no mistake, if I make the slightest move one eye pops open to see what I’m doing.

He doesn’t want to miss any pets, treats or chances to play.

Coastal Seafoods.

Coastal Seafoods. Minneapolis, MN

Coastal is best known as a fish market and has been for years, but with their new space they opened a cafe…it’s easy to overlook, but the food is great.

Pam is all about fried oysters so we had to try an order. You know it’s good when the person taking your order lights up with enthusiasm when they hear what you are ordering.

I’m not a fried oyster guy…I like them raw, but Pam loves them and she gave them 2 thumbs-up, so we’ll go with that. I thought they were good, I just wished they were still raw.

(Still More) Dive Bars of Northeast Minneapolis.

Elsie’s Bar. Northeast Minneapolis, MN

What’s not to like about a dive bar with a bowling alley attached?

There is definitely some good league-bowler people watching to had on the lanes at Elsie’s…and cheap beer…and mozz-sticks.

Otter’s Saloon. Northeast Minneapolis, MN

Otter’s is definitely a party bar. Well, I guess all Northeast bars are party bars…but Otter’s maybe even more so.

I think they’re known for karaoke, but I will always know them as the place that had a killer name and the new owners changed it. It used to be called “The You Otter Stop Inn.” Why the hell would you change that name?