Central Avenue NE carries the Ecuadorian claim to this corridor, and it runs straight through Colombian, Mexican, and homegrown burger and pizza counters on either side. This is Northeast Minneapolis eating by strip mall and storefront, not by hype, and the strip rewards anyone who works it end to end.
2851 Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418 · +16127881328
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Caldo de bolas, the plantain dumpling soup that gives the corridor its Ecuadorian anchor, is the order regulars build return trips around. Chimborazo has held its stretch of Central Avenue NE long enough to become a fixture for Northeast Minneapolis families, and the kitchen keeps a real vegetarian roster instead of a token substitution. Visiting friends get steered here first.
What to ordercaldo de bolas, pupusa, empanada
№ 02
El Taco Riendo
$
2412 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 · +16127813000
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Sopes built on thick, fried masa discs and topped to order are the reason this Central Avenue NE storefront has a following well past Northeast Minneapolis. The counter runs no-frills, cash-conscious, and fast, with tacos and enchiladas rounding out a menu that does not need forty options to earn loyalty. Front-of-house friction gets mentioned, but the plates keep people coming back.
What to ordersopes, tacos, enchiladas
№ 03
Maya Cuisine
$$
1840 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 · +16127890775
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A carne asada burrito seasoned all the way through anchors this Northeast Minneapolis storefront's reputation on Central Avenue. Chips and guacamole start most tables, and the salsa bar gives the counter service real range beyond the standard combo plate. Daily specials keep the regulars rotating through a menu built for repeat visits, not one-off curiosity.
What to ordercarne asada burrito, guacamole, salsa
№ 04
Francis Burger Joint
$$
2422 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 · +16122086870
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A vegan Juicy Lucy, the cheese sealed inside a plant-based patty, is the improbable centerpiece at this Northeast Minneapolis burger counter, and it draws vegan and non-vegan tables to the same order. Fries and house sauces round out a menu built to work for mixed groups without anyone compromising. Staff walk newcomers through the plant-based builds with evident pride in the format.
What to ordervegan juicy Lucy, burger, fries
№ 05
Football Pizza
$
2339 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 · +16127820169
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The spicy green sauce, more vinegar tang than heat despite the name, is the reason regulars return to this Northeast Minneapolis pizza counter on Central Avenue. The house special loads on beef and toppings for a Friday-night order built for groups. Consistency across locations is not guaranteed. The Central Avenue room draws its own following distinct from the chain's suburban outposts.
What to orderhouse special pizza, spicy green sauce pizza, cheese pizza
№ 06
La Colonia Restaurant
$$
2205 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 · +16127064146
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Bandeja paisa, the loaded Colombian platter of beans, rice, and meats, anchors both the breakfast and lunch trade at this Northeast Minneapolis room. Chorizo and arepas round out a menu built for families and groups, with servers keeping tables checked in and portions sized to match. It gives Central Avenue NE a Colombian counterpoint to the corridor's Ecuadorian and Mexican rooms.
What to orderbandeja paisa, chorizo, arepas
Frequently asked
What is the best restaurant near me on the Central Avenue NE corridor?
It depends which end of Central Avenue NE is close by. This guide ranks by Insider Score, a measure built from the public review record, not by who paid to be listed. No restaurant here paid for placement; check each entry's score and cuisine against your own cross street.
Is Central Avenue NE the same as Little Ecuador?
Central Avenue NE carries the Ecuadorian corridor framing locally, distinct from the Somali corridor on Lake Street or the Hmong and Karen corridors in St. Paul. Chimborazo's presence on the strip reflects that identity, though the avenue also holds Mexican, Colombian, burger, and pizza rooms side by side.
Are these restaurants ranked by paid placement?
No restaurant pays to appear in this guide or to rank higher in it. Every entry is ordered by its Insider Score, which is drawn from the public review record for that room, not from advertising or sponsorship.
Does Central Avenue NE have vegetarian and vegan options?
Yes. Chimborazo keeps a standing vegetarian menu rather than a single substitution, and Francis Burger Joint runs a vegan Juicy Lucy built to sit on the same table as its standard burgers. Both are built for mixed groups, not single-diet crowds.
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The data first, then the verdict
We start with the review record, not a press release. Every room here is a real kitchen with a strong rating across a meaningful number of reviews, ranked on our 10-point Insider Score. We weight consistency over time and the rooms locals return to, not the ones tourists pass through once. The list updates as the data does. How we work →
Kou Thao
Staff Writer · Top of Minneapolis
Kou Thao is the St. Paul & Corridors Editor at Top of Minneapolis. Born in St. Paul and raised in Frogtown, he grew up working the family egg-roll stand at Hmongtown Marketplace. He covers the marketplaces, University Avenue, the East Side and West Side, and every corridor counter worth the trip across the river.
