An icon returns: Mickey's Diner is open in St. Paul

Mickey's Diner has the hash browns shredded, the pancake batter mixed and the malt powder at the ready. After five long years, the diner that's been a landmark of downtown St. Paul since 1939 is open again.

"I don't know if you can make it greater than it already is. But we are hoping," said co-manager Sam Hashish.

It's in a soft opening phase for now. "We don't want to get slammed until we know that everything is working," he said. "Everything is running fine now."

The menu looks exactly the same, but the laminate is new. America's Favorite All Day Meal ($12.99) is still eggs your way, choice of toast, those hand-shredded hash browns and a choice of meat. What's different is those meaty choices: Mickey's menu now offers beef bacon and other kosher and halal options. There's also a huge tray of baklava and other honey-sweetened treats.

It's all part of the menu expansion that Hashish said he hopes will bring in even more fans and a new generation of Mickey's lovers.

"We have a latte machine and a new coffee menu. We will have a lot more vegetable options, too. We're still working on what that menu will look like and we will have a grand opening soon," he said.

Mickey Crimmons and Bert Mattson opened the art deco-style Mickey's Diner in 1939, inspired by railroad dining cars. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, and has landed cameos in several Hollywood movies, from "Jingle All the Way" to "A Prairie Home Companion." It operated around the clock until the pandemic forced its closure in 2020.

For now, the dining car will open every day at 7 a.m. and serve until 8 or 9 p.m., depending on how things go. And, this is important, the once cash-only diner now takes credit cards.

"We're trying to take it slow," Hashish said, just before he was interrupted by another furtive head poking inside the doorway.

With a look of hope in his eyes, the visitor said: "Are you really open? It's been a long time!"

"Yes," Hashish said with a smile. "Yes, we are."

Mickey's Diner, 36 W. 7th St., St. Paul, 651-222-5633