Hidden Minneapolis: Murals in an alley

[barondave]

Mural off Lake Street in Minneapolis


Mural off Lake Street in Minneapolis, across the alley
Just east of I-35W on Lake, roughly across the street from the McDonald's, is a building with offices and a series of bodega-style shops taken over by the Hispanic population. Not very far away (on the same block) is an Islamic prayer center, and I'm assuming that people from the Middle East own (or owned) the building, which goes over the alley. Dueling demographics coexist!

A wide alley leads from Lake to a parking lot. The back has entrances to both sides of the building, so even people who drive don't necessarily get a good view of these wall paintings. The top picture is facing east on the alley. Behind the wall is a decent Mexican restaurant. The bottom picture is facing west. Both murals decorate the whole wall.

Comments

[aedifica]

Have you been to the Blue Nile? It's a beautiful building, inside and out.

[barondave.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've been in there since they moved to Franklin. The old place at Lake & Lyndale was nice, though the food was mediocre. I miss the Odaa.

[aedifica]

What's an Odaa?

I never went to the Blue Nile's old location (I think they must have moved before I became a Minnesotan) but I do like their food now--so either it has improved, or you and I have different tastes in Ethipian food. Or both!

[barondave.livejournal.com]

Odaa was an Ethiopian Restaurant at Cedar-Riverside that was widely considered the best in the Twin Cities. The Blue Nile never was nearly as good, imrho, though some liked it. There are now several Ethiopan restaurants, mostly within a block or two of Cedar-Riverside. I haven't been to most of them, and I haven't been to the Nile in its new location. Here (http://dinesite.com/search/city-9693/csn-2/?&t=5108157) is an old list. I've eaten at the Blue Nile, which is mostly a bar, and the New Chili Time is now something else (Casablanca?) that is more into the ethnic food.

KFAI-FM is right at that corner, and I usually eat off the Malaysian menu at K-Wok.

[asimovberlioz.livejournal.com]

Is The Java still in business?

[barondave.livejournal.com]

Yup, the Java is still going strong at 28th and Nicollet. Haven't raised their prices in a while, too.