Dinkytown, USA - Definition

Dinkytown, USA (also known as just Dinkytown) is a neighborhood in the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The neighborhood is adjacent to the north side of the University of Minnesota campus in that city. It is split between commercial businesses (mostly restaurants and small shops) and low-rise apartment buildings that largely house students.

In Dinkytown are some particularly interesting landmarks, including the Dinky Dome (a former theological seminary converted to a large food court), the Loring Pasta Bar (former drugstore converted to a restaurant, and also the building where Bob Dylan lived in Minneapolis) and Al's Breakfast (possibly Minneapolis's smallest restaurant).

The name Dinkytown is of uncertain origin, although it was in definite use by 1948, when the Dinkytown Business Association formed.

Stories regarding the origin of the name include

• The trollies, called Dinkys, that used to provide transit throughout the area.
• Similarly, the tenders at the nearby railyard were called Dinkys
• The theatre in Dinkytown had only four rows of seats, and for years was known as "The Dinky"
• It's a small town-like area, with everything within walking distance.