A selection of baklava and other pastries tempt patrons during a soft opening of the famed Mickey’s Dinning Car in downtown in St. Paul on Thursday, Oct. 3. 2024. The landmark restaurant closed its doors in March 2020 because of the COVID pandemic. Sam Hashish, the manager, said the new menu will be essentially the same except kosher and will add such items as Italian and other coffees along with fresh pastries. “We’ll stay open during the soft open as long as the food lasts,” said Hashish. A formal opening date will be announced at a later date. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Cook Ahmed Ashraf keeps an eye on the counter during a soft opening of the famed Mickey’s Dinning Car in downtown in St. Paul on Thursday, Oct. 3. 2024. The landmark restaurant closed its doors in March 2020 because of the COVID pandemic. Sam Hashish, the manager, said the new menu will be essentially the same except kosher and will add such items as Italian and other coffees along with fresh pastries. “We’ll stay open during the soft open as long as the food lasts,” said Hashish. A formal opening date will be announced at a later date. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Line cook Mohamed Mustafa dishes up a breakfast platter for a customer during a soft open of the famed Mickey’s Dinning Car in downtown in St. Paul on Thursday, Oct., 3. 2024. The landmark restaurant closed its doors in March 2020 because of the COVID pandemic. Sam Hashish, the manager, said the new menu will be essentially the same except kosher and will add such items as Italian and other coffees along with fresh pastries. “We’ll stay open during the soft open as long as the food lasts,” said Hashish. A formal opening date will be announced at a later date. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Brittany Jones, standing, takes care of guests during a soft opening of the famed Mickey’s Dinning Car in downtown in St. Paul on Thursday, Oct., 3. 2024. The landmark restaurant closed its doors in March 2020 because of the COVID pandemic. Sam Hashish, the manager, said the new menu will be essentially the same except kosher and will add such items as Italian and other coffees along with fresh pastries. “We’ll stay open during the soft open as long as the food lasts,” said Hashish. A formal opening date will be announced at a later date. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

The mini jukebox and condiments still decorate the tables the famed Mickey’s Dinning Car in downtown in St. Paul during a soft open on Thursday, Oct. 3. 2024. The landmark restaurant closed its doors in March 2020 because of the COVID pandemic. Sam Hashish, the manager, said the new menu will be essentially the same except kosher and will add such items as Italian and other coffees along with fresh pastries. “We’ll stay open during the soft open as long as the food lasts,” said Hashish. A formal opening date will be announced at a later date. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Manager Sam Hashish mans the cash register during a soft opening of the famed Mickey’s Dinning Car in downtown in St. Paul on Thursday, Oct. 3. 2024. The landmark restaurant closed its doors in March 2020 because of the COVID pandemic. Sam Hashish, the manager, said the new menu will be essentially the same except kosher and will add such items as Italian and other coffees along with fresh pastries. “We’ll stay open during the soft open as long as the food lasts,” said Hashish. A formal opening date will be announced at a later date. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)