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| Twin Cities Breakfast Diner |
Colossal Cafe
Location:
1839 42nd St E
Minneapolis, MN 55407
612-729-2377
Breakfast Hours:
W-Su: 6am-3pm
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Large Map |
TCB Review:
Occupying a tiny little spot (four tables, a counter and fourteen chairs) but carrying the name “Colossal Café,” the place just begs for a review chock-full of cheeky puns. I’ll skip that and instead focus on the food, which is easy to do as we’re talking the real deal here.
Opening late 2005, the cafe represents what might be the start of a minor trend in Minneapolis: formally trained chefs and cooks taking on small, classic diners, making them their own and churning out delicious diner food. The Colossal joins The Band Box and, on the fancier end, Town Talk in this respect.
Now, I don’t know for certain that the artist behind the counter, Bess Giannakakis, is formally trained, but I do know she understands how to offer excellent from-scratch breakfast fare using fresh, premium ingredients. To start, the scones ($2.10) and cinnamon rolls ($2.29) are wonderful concoctions that match up nicely with the rich dark roast coffee ($1.49 with refills). Last visit I had a flaky, buttery scone with large chunks of apple that ranked right up there as one of the best scones I’ve ever had. You’ll find other variations depending on the day, including buttermilk, pear, spinach-feta and raspberry.
The main menu is fairly short, but what comes to the table is done right: breakfast sandwiches ($4.29) on a homemade biscuit or wrapped in a pancake (!), a couple omelet variations ($7.49), frittatas ($7.99) and some of the best pancakes – yeast-based “flappers” – in town. Large and tasty daily specials – offerings such as huevos rancheros and salmon hash – add variation to the menu. The fresh squeezed orange juice ($1.25 for a small) perfectly compliments any of these plates. They also have sides of a few breakfast standards: hashbrowns, oatmeal and meats, including homemade breakfast sausage.
It’s counter service – order and pay up at the register – at this spot, but the folks at the Colossal are so welcoming and cordial that you’ll never notice (and the counter is only three feet from your chair anyway). It’s only open until 3:00 pm, but here’s the words we always love to hear: breakfast is served all day. No credit cards; take out is available.
Posted: 12/31/06 by Peter Kastler
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Submit your own customer review!
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From: Terri
12/06/2009 | 
5 of 5 Huevos | Everything is good at Colossal, if it's busy be patient and check out the cute shop across the street. Be sure to support local businesses, they need our support and keep the neighborhood bustling. I love Colossal especially the decadent pot pie and the unique clothing and gifts @ Diva Rags. These business owners have great customer service. I'll have to stop through this neighborhood more often!
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From: Anonymous
03/19/2009 |
5 of 5 Huevos | Excellent food with a great view. When you have a seat inside this quaint little restaurant I'm able to look at the beautiful boutique across the street. It's called Diva Rags and it surrounds hand painted, one of kind products. I love the neighborhood. Colossal has excellent food!
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From: KatieK
03/19/2009 |
5 of 5 Huevos | Hands down my favorite breakfast place. I love the tomato feta breakfast sandwich and the spinach fritata most. I have yet to try one of those amazing looking cinnamon rolls but really want to. I go early or on a weekday morning off to avoid the crowds.
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From: John T
11/20/2008 |
5 of 5 Huevos | OMGD! This is the best breakfast food I have ever had. I have been to Colossal at least 50 times and plan on many more.
Egg sandwiches are fluffy and excellent.For the price and size why go any where else. I do not have a problem with the size, but if you do, try going early afternoon or late morning.
Thank you Bess!
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From: Nancy
09/09/2008 | 
4 of 5 Huevos | Colossally delicious breakfast for my belly. I have no complaints about the small space...completely worth it in my opinion. With peach cobbler type french toast, thick cut bacon all the way to breakfast sandwiches on homemade HUGE biscuits...I'm a fan. The chef delivered our food himself and we all had a nice time waxing on and on about breakfast and all it's glory. Long life breakfast.
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From: Northstop
07/13/2008 |
3 of 5 Huevos | Great Food But Exhausting:
Rarely does great food fail to carry the day but the Colossal Cafe has the distinction of such a quandry. While the food is high-quality, innovative and unique, the non-food issues make this a place to go when one has banked away sufficient patience and a block of free time.
The site, while small and cute, suffers from an incredible lack of thought when dealing with customer traffic flow and the basic ebbs/flows of breakfast customers. A small order counter renders the already-small inside eating area into a claustrophobic and cramped space which fails to work for either purpose. Coffee and water refills back up which adds even more congestion to the brave few hunkered down eating their order. There are smaller venues, Our Kitchen and Al's, that overcome their small footprint to deliver a consistent but challenging experience but the Colossal frays at all known nerves to get anything accomplished.
The food? Great. The experience: Tiring.
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From: Cassandra
12/07/2006 |
5 of 5 Huevos | The Colossal Cafe occupies a teeny, tiny space in the physical universe, but a huge place in the culinary universe. The chef is a master of creating perfect, flaky, tender pastries. The omelets and daily breakfast specials are also excellent. Look for take out items for dinner in the case at the counter - if there is a chicken pot pie, you must purchase one to take home, or your life will not be complete. Serves breakfast and lunch only.
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