As you may know, I spent my first year and a half on campus living in Centennial Hall. Since moving out of Centennial, I have lived in my sorority house which is located near Dinkytown.
What is Dinkytown?
Dinkytown is a collection of shops, coffee houses, entertainment venues, salons, and restaurants located in a four-block area just north of the University’s East Bank. When I first heard about Dinkytown, I wondered how the area got its unique name. According to legend, it was named after the trolleys and rail cars that were commonly seen in the area, nicknamed “dinkys.” The truth is that no one really knows how Dinkytown got its name and many different stories exist as to how the town came to be. In my opinion, this makes Dinkytown even more unique: a place for U of M students to call their own--filled with history, lore, and eclectic neighborhood charm.
Creative cuisine
When most U of M students think of Dinkytown, the first thing that comes to mind is food. In just a four-block area, Dinkytown boasts 36 different restaurants! Of course, it has popular chains like Potbelly’s Sandwiches, Jimmy Johns, Pizza Hut, and McDonald’s. But what makes Dinkytown unique are the one-of-a-kind restaurants that bring the U of M its own local flavor.
There’s Annie’s Parlor, home to the best malts on campus. If you’re looking for Asian cuisine, you can have scrumptious meals at Sueng Cheng or Pagoda. The Loring Pasta Bar is great for a special occasion, sit-down Italian meal. Al’s Breakfast is a Dinkytown legend that seats just 14 people. Though small, I’ve heard they serve the best breakfast in the area, and judging by the lines outside on weekend mornings it’s true! (I haven’t been there yet, but it’s on my list of things to do before I graduate next spring.)
Last, but certainly not least, is Mesa Pizza. Widely known for its macaroni and cheese pizza, Mesa Pizza serves up a wide and unique variety of pizza, including steak and fries, taco, lasagna, chicken teriyaki, chicken quesadilla (my personal favorite), and many more. Many students might say that Mesa is at the top of their list of Dinkytown favorites!
Arts and Entertainment
This historic Varsity Theater is a landmark in Dinkytown and has hosted popular bands like The Fray, the Plain White T’s, Corinne Bailey Rae, the Goo Goo Dolls, Motion City Soundtrack, and much more. Also, throughout Dinkytown there are painted murals. When walking through the streets, they are like small surprises of art. Check out a couple pictures I took of them below:
On my way to work the other day, I noticed something new that I could see from Dinkytown… the TCF Bank Stadium! This made the idea of having a stadium back on campus even more of a reality. I have driven by the stadium many times before, but to see it in the distance from a place I visit on a daily basis during the school year was very exciting. It’s a new addition to the sights of Dinkytown for future generations of U of M students. Check out the view below!
With all the charm of a local neighborhood and an exciting U of M campus feel, Dinkytown is a great place to visit! Stop by on your trip to campus!
~ Trisha