Trendy? No, although they should be, because these restaurants been making diners happy for a half-century or more, an extraordinary track record.
Al's Breakfast (1950), 413 14th Av. SE., Mpls., alsbreakfastmpls.com. Dinkytown's 14-seat wake-up call.
Band Box Diner (1929), 729 E. 10th St., Mpls. Architecturally distinctive diner, awesome burgers.
Black Forest Inn (1965), 1 E. 26th St., blackforestinnmpls.com. German fare, lots of beer, a beloved patio.
Boca Chica Restaurante (1964), 11 Cesar Chavez St., St. Paul, bocachicarestaurant.com. Lively Mexican-American cooking.
Cecil's Deli (1949), 651 S. Cleveland Av., St. Paul, cecilsdeli.com. The Twin Cities' oldest Jewish deli.
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (1968), 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen, chanhassendt.com. Dinner (Chicken Chan!) and a show.
Convention Grill (1934), 3912 Sunnyside Road, Edina, conventiongrillmn.com. Burgers, malts and fries, for all ages.