Diner's Journal: 3 Twin Cities spots to get comfort foods

Comfort yourself with comfort food.

You've seen them on CNBC's "Restaurant Startup." Now get a firsthand glimpse of the team behind Copper Hen Cakery & Kitchen. Go for the daily soup (and don't forget to order the consume-every-crumb bread basket), stay for chef Stephanie Miller's fantastic chicken pot pie. Bonus: free parking across the street.

2515 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls., 612-872-2221, copperhenkitchen.com

At Sun Street Breads, baker/owner Solveig Tofte splits tender biscuits and fills them with all kinds of goodies (hello, fried chicken), but it's also hard to overlook her flair for golden, tender and tangy pancakes, which are fueled by the kitchen's sourdough starter and are brimming with butter and real maple syrup. Good morning, indeed.

4600 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls., 612-354-3414, sunstreetbreads.com

When it comes to bologna, Oscar Mayer could pick up a few pointers from Saint Dinette chef Adam Eaton, who fries thick slices of seasoned pork shoulder until the edges achieve a tantalizing crispiness and stacks it high on buns that get the buttered-and-toasted treatment. A Gruyère/sharp Cheddar combo is the perfect finishing touch.

261 E. 5th St., St. Paul, 651-800-1415, saintdinette.com