Some of the best meals in Minnesota hide behind plain storefronts you would drive past without a second look. I walked into one expecting a quick bite and a fast exit, and I left an hour later with a full belly and a takeout container of salad I could not stop thinking about.
The secret was a bowl of tabouli so bright and lemony it made me slow down and order more. If you love finding food that feels homemade and honest, this little spot is worth the trip.
A Northeast Minneapolis Corner Worth Finding
Tucked along University Avenue NE at number 641, Emily’s Lebanese Deli sits in a residential stretch of Northeast Minneapolis. From the outside, nothing shouts for attention.
The setup is simple, almost modest, and that is exactly part of its charm.
Inside, the deli serves a focused menu of Lebanese staples. Think tabouli, hummus, grape leaves, kabobs, kibbi, cabbage rolls, and spinach pie.
Nothing fancy, nothing trendy, just dishes that have kept people coming back for years.
Here is where Minnesota pride kicks in. Lebanese food is not easy to find in the Twin Cities, and regulars often say this place fills a gap that bigger cities would envy.
Some visitors who have eaten their way through Philadelphia, New York, and Washington D.C. say this humble deli stands right up there with the best. Not bad for a little corner shop with an easygoing vibe and a steady crowd of loyal fans.
Family Roots and a Name That Stuck
Long before food trends started chasing global flavors, this family kitchen was already serving Lebanese comfort food in Minneapolis. The deli is described as a longtime, family-run standby, and that history shows in every corner.
Some guests have been visiting since they were kids. Now they bring their own families, sometimes for big birthday gatherings.
That kind of loyalty does not happen by accident. It grows from years of familiar recipes and friendly faces behind the counter.
Diners often talk about the legacy of Emily, the name on the sign, and hope the family keeps that spirit alive. Regulars mention being treated like family themselves, which fits the old-school Minnesota way of doing business.
It is the kind of place where the food feels passed down rather than invented, and where a recipe that works simply stays on the menu. That steady sense of tradition is a big reason people keep returning.
The Tabouli That Steals the Show
Ask anyone about this deli, and the first word out of their mouth is usually tabouli. It is by far the most talked-about dish here, and for good reason.
Each morning, the kitchen typically makes a big batch and scoops it fresh from a large container when you order. The result is tangy, herby, and refreshing.
Some first-timers say it tastes more sour than they expected, while others call it the best they have ever eaten. A visitor familiar with food in Lebanon noted it has a bit more bulgur than the version back home, and still loved it.
Fans get a little obsessed. Some people stop by just to grab a big takeout tub and call it lunch for the whole day.
Pair it with warm pita, and suddenly a quick errand becomes a sit-down moment. If you only try one thing, regulars agree, make it the tabouli.
Kabobs Over Garlic Butter Rice
Sizzle meets comfort on the kabob plates. Skewers of chicken, lamb, and kofta show up often in conversations about this deli, and they make a hearty choice when salad alone will not cut it.
One detail regulars point out is the garlic butter. The kabobs are often juicy enough that their flavor soaks into the rice underneath, turning a simple side into something you want to finish.
Shish kabobs and the kofta kebab both have their fans, and some diners call them flat-out mouthwatering.
Not every plate lands the same for everyone. A few guests have found certain skewers a bit chewy or mild.
Still, most people leave happy and full. Entrees usually come with soup or salad, so you get a complete meal without piling on extras.
For anyone raised on Upper Midwest meat-and-potatoes dinners, these plates feel familiar and satisfying, just with a Lebanese twist that keeps things interesting.
Grape Leaves, Cabbage Rolls, and Kibbi
Grandma-style cooking lives in the stuffed and baked dishes. These are the plates that take patience, and you can tell.
Stuffed grape leaves win steady praise. Guests describe a pleasant texture and say they are right on point, even when other items get mixed reviews.
Cabbage rolls earn the word amazing more than once. Baked kibbi, a spiced meat and bulgur dish, often appears on the daily special and gets called really tasty.
Ordering a spread of these makes for a fun lunch. One happy diner went with tabouli and pita, baked kibbi, grape leaves, and cabbage rolls, then wondered aloud why they waited so long to visit.
That says a lot.
Fair warning: some textures may feel new if you have never tried Lebanese food. That is half the adventure.
Share a few plates with friends and find your own favorite.
Saturday Lamb Shank Special
Timing matters for this one. The lamb shank shows up as a special, and regulars say it is usually cooked on Saturdays, though not every Saturday.
That makes landing a plate feel a bit like winning a prize.
Those who catch it describe it as savory and aromatic, delightful from the first smell to the last bite. It is the kind of slow-cooked dish that rewards patience and pairs perfectly with a cold Minnesota afternoon.
Other specials rotate too. The numbered daily plates, like the #1 with baked kibbi, give you a simple way to try something new.
A green bean and lamb stew and chicken and rice also earn love. One diner enjoyed potatoes in a spiced red sauce.
Check in when you arrive, because the special board can quietly turn an ordinary weekend lunch into the best meal of your week.
Hummus, Feta, and the Big Appetizer Plate
Starters here can easily become the main event. The large appetizer plate is a crowd-pleaser, loaded with hummus, olives, feta, baba ganoush, and flatbread.
It is ideal for sharing. Groups often order one for the table, then add tabouli and a few skewers.
Before long, nobody is in a hurry to leave. Hummus gets regular mentions as a solid pick, creamy and easy to love even for picky eaters.
Here is a small honesty note. The pita is not made in house, and one guest felt it could have been fresher.
Most diners do not seem bothered, though, especially when it is busy scooping up dips.
A daily soup is also on offer, a welcome bonus on a chilly Minneapolis day. Between the dips, the salty olives, and the tangy cheese, this plate turns a casual stop into a lingering, chatty lunch.
Baklava, Rose Water Crème, and Turkish Coffee
Save room, seriously. The dessert lineup is short, just baklava and a crème brûlée flavored with rose water, but both have fans.
Baklava draws plenty of praise, with some guests calling it incredible and telling others not to leave without a piece. Flaky, sweet, and nutty, it is the classic finish.
If you want something lighter, regulars suggest the rose water crème instead. A few diners find the desserts more traditional than flashy, which suits this old-school spot just fine.
Then there is the coffee. Turkish coffee is available, strong and rich, and one happy guest called it the best they had ever tasted.
Regular coffee gets good marks too.
Fun fact: Turkish-style coffee is brewed with very finely ground beans, so let the grounds settle before your last sip. Pair a cup with baklava, and that quick lunch quietly stretches into a slow afternoon.
Pergola Seating and an Upstairs Room
Summer in Minneapolis deserves outdoor tables, and this deli delivers. A small pergola attached to the building offers a shady spot for a relaxed Sunday lunch, and guests say both indoor and outdoor spaces feel comfortable on warm days.
Inside, the vibe is cozy and clean. Nothing glamorous, but welcoming in that neighborly way Minnesotans appreciate.
When the cold months roll in, the dining room becomes a warm hideout with steaming soup and hearty plates.
Planning a party? An upstairs seating area can be reserved for larger groups.
One family of 18 celebrated a birthday there, and staff stayed friendly even as the evening ran past closing.
That flexibility makes this spot great for many crowds. Solo diners, couples, families with kids, and big gatherings all seem to fit.
It feels like a place you could easily make your regular hangout.
Friendly Service With a Family Touch
Kindness might be the most consistent thing on the menu. Even guests who had quibbles about a dish still describe the staff as polite, attentive, and genuinely friendly.
Workers here are often called knowledgeable, ready to explain dishes to first-timers who have never tried Lebanese food. Service tends to be prompt, and mistakes get handled gracefully.
When one large group had a missing meal, the charge was simply removed. When meat pies ran out, the kitchen offered substitutes that pleased everyone.
That warmth is a big part of why lunch stretches longer than planned. Nobody hurries you out the door.
Regulars say they feel treated like family, which fits a business run by one.
Dine in or take out, people say the team nails it again and again. In a world of rushed counters and screens, this kind of personal touch feels refreshingly Minnesota.
Hours, Prices, and Parking Tips
Good news for planners: this deli keeps generous hours. It typically opens at 9 AM most days, closing at 8 PM Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and at 9 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Tuesday is the day off, so plan around it.
Prices usually land in the $10 to $20 range per person. Some smaller dishes still come in under $10, which feels rare these days.
One couple reported spending about $60 for two with plenty of food, and others mention taking leftovers home. A few longtime fans note portions have shrunk a little over the years, like most places.
Getting there is easy. The deli sits at 641 University Ave NE, with plenty of street parking nearby and extra parking in the rear.
Questions about specials? Call 612-379-4069 or check emilyslebanesedeli.com before you go.
Why the Drive Pays Off
Honest verdict time. Not every dish is perfect, and a few diners have found certain items, like the spinach pie or stuffed zucchini, less fresh than they hoped.
That candor helps you order smart.
Stick with the stars. Tabouli, grape leaves, cabbage rolls, kabobs, baklava, and a Saturday lamb shank if you get lucky.
Those dishes keep loyal fans driving in from all over the metro and beyond.
What really wins is the whole package. Family roots, friendly faces, fair prices, and a menu that has not chased trends.
In a state that loves a hidden gem, this little Northeast Minneapolis deli proves you do not need a big-city address to serve food people remember for years.
So grab a friend, tag your favorite lunch buddy, and plan the trip. Just do not be surprised if your quick bite turns into a whole afternoon.
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