I use that barbershop a lot when I have time to kill (and need a haircut). They have all the tools.

It's probably a bit to girlie for most, but I love the spa at DTW. Ora Oxygen. They take reservations in advance too, so fitting in a massage or some oxygen therapy on a layover is always a great way to spend some time.
http://www.ora-oxygen.com/

DTW's actually got a decent Japanese restaurant: it's called Sora, and it's one moving walkway from the center of the A concourse, heading toward the lower-numbered end. They've got some great soup dishes and katsudon, decent sushi, and they're only slightly overpriced compared to Japanese places outside an airport.

For in-airport dining options at MSP, I would recommend either French Meadow Bakery or Ike's Food & Cocktails, both located at the north end of the "Northstar Crossing" shopping area, kind of at the beginning of the E Concourse. French Meadow Bakery is a local Minneapolis restaurant/bakery, just like Ike's is at its downtown location (these are both "one-offs" only for the airport). Ike's can run a bit pricey if you order a big meal, but their burgers/sandwiches are reasonably priced, and the atmosphere is nicer than most airport restaurants I've visited.

Just around the corner from these two (going towards the D gates/start of the C Concourse) is a Rock Bottom Brewery for more traditional fare.

http://www.flowbee.com/

I often get a haircut at MSP. It's fast and fairly reasonable, they have you in and out in 20minutes with a professional job. If I have more time I'll get a massage at the same place or down the c concourse where there are a few more massage chairs.

Favorites at MSP:

* Pinball. There are machines in the middle of the F concourse and the beginning of the C concourse in the video arcades there.

* Eats: Maui Taco in the C concourse - - I usually get a beef enchilado and fish taco combo that comes with a drink and the all-you-can-salsa bar for about $10. Cheaper still is Pizza Famiglia in the food court in Northstar Crossing; depending on what pizzas they have out, you can get a specialty slice just loaded with yummies for about $4. Sure beats the $10 California Pizza Kitchen in the F concourse where the dough is sweet like candy.

* If you are not going to the WorldClub and need a place to hang, there is the "secret" lounge that overlooks Northstar crossing; you go up the stairs or take the elevator next to the Worldclub, go through the double doors, and there are very comfortable chairs, plugs for the laptop, and usually virtually nobody there.

I'll 2nd PB&J and the C&C frozen drink at Einstein Bros in the C concourse (much better than the MSP Einstein Bros version)

Suggest you check the board and see if you can get out earlier --- sometimes a previous flight will be delayed and you can get on stand by.

One warning, you're likely to be the only person on the plane who is happy.

Bob H

Hmmm...I'm looking for a barber here in MSP. I might just have to use the airport barber as my new one...

Thanks for sharing the secret.

Don't forget to check out the MSP bathrooms.

Always entertaining at MSP: watching the smokers outside on the curb freeze their rears off.

In MSP you can try to find some of the old Northwest Orient signage. (I have seen some myself.) Just think, a few years from now there will be scavenger hunts to find old NWA signs in MSP.

DL still has some of the Western signage up on their jetways at least...haven't seen any NW Orient signage yet though.