The Lowry Avenue Bridge has reopened, providing an excellent reason to get out and dine.
At the very neighborly Lowry Cafe, the watchwords are affordable, all-American and made from scratch. The kitchen specializes in all-day breakfasts, served daily. Lunch is a seven-days-a-week program, too, and dinner is served Wednesday through Saturday. On Wednesdays, children ages 10 and under eat free (one kid per adult, 5 to 8 p.m. only) from the kids' menu.
2207 Lowry Av. N., Mpls., 612-677-2233, www.thelowrycafemn.com
The menu at Marina Grill & Deli is half Mediterranean (gyros, grape leaves, baba ghanoush, lamb kebabs and more) and American (burgers, chicken club sandwiches), and the staff is 100 percent Minnesota Nice. The enormous family-style platters are a particularly good deal; ditto the daily $11 lunch and dinner buffets.
2424 University Av. NE., Mpls., 612-788-0461
A model of the neighborhood hangout anchors the busy corner of University and Lowry NE. It's called Stanley's Northeast Bar Room, and the place pushes all the right buttons: an impressive beer list, an inventive and affordable range of breakfast, lunch and dinner options and a fun-loving setting. The kitchen cooks until midnight, and every day features a different bargain-priced daily special (some restrictions apply), from Monday's half-price burgers to the weekend brunch's $2 bloody Marys and mimosas.
2500 University Av. NE., Mpls., 612-788-2529, www.stanleysbarroom.com
