You go for the experience. Seriously folks.This place is smaller than small, like a dozen seats at best. That means that more than likely you will be standing outside or awkwardly inside on the wall to wait for seats to open up. If that doesn't sound fun for you then don't come here, you will not like it at all. If you can manage to get around that little snafu, you will find a great breakfast joint that has fought hard to not change a thing on what they do well. Breakfast is good, nothing with bells and whistles, just down to earth good. Some of their menu items are unique but most of the choices are your basic breakfast fare. It feels like someone plucked a small town breakfast diner and plopped it right in the middle of Dinkytown. And it hasn't changed one bit from its roots. I don't come here often but when I do I come for the experience. That and my wife started having contractions for our first baby in this place. Ah memories... read more

A fantastic hole in the wall breakfast joint in Dinkytown. Could not recommend Al's more! There are only 12 stools and it is cash only so be prepared! I alway get their spring special (scrambled eggs, hollandaise, and asparagus) and a short stack of blueberry pancakes. I'm not much of a sweet breakfast person but I LOVE their pancakes. Friendly staff and a fun environment! read more

Waited two hours in line and it was worth it! The walnut blueberry pancakes were the best part but, the atmosphere alone is so unique and a great experience. read more

Al's Breakfast - Eggs, hash browns, blueberry walnut pancakes - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

On a college visit with my daughter and we checked this place out for breakfast on a weekday. So glad we did. This is truly a breakfast place I like. Great service and all seating at the bar. It's small and when we walked in there wasn't enough seating for both of us... but two people people slid down from their spot to give us seating. The food was homemade, and the people were super nice, patrons and staff alike. If you're stuck up, don't go here and try one of the big chains. read more

This is a good ma and pa spot. I had the dinkytown omelet and was very pleased with my meal. They added the toast and unfortunately thanks to COVID-19 they had to close the dining area . They did however walk the food to my truck. And I gave them a tip because it was starting to snow read more

Really good diner in Minneapolis that is super popular with the locals. If you're in the area, please make sure you stop by. This place is super tiny, maybe 15 seats so make sure to come before you are hungry and still expect a wait. It's very narrow so you should leave any large bags or extra stuff at home or in the car. Once you get seated, the food comes out very fast and it's all hot and delicious. I got one of the breakfast specials and was very satisfied with my meal. Bring cash and enjoy! read more

I absolutely love Al's Breakfst, it's one of the best breakfast joints I've ever been to!! The problem is it's size, It's a basically a large walk in closet that happens to have the most amazing fair priced breakfast of all time. Every time that I've gone I've had to wait outside for a seat to open because they just don't have the space to support people waiting inside. But the moral of the story is Al's is awesome, but prepare to wait a few to get in. 5 stars even though it's small and you have to wait, that's how delicious it is!!! read more

After landing in MN at 5AM, me and the bf needed food and our gracious hosts knew just the place to take us. None of us had been there, but we got their just as they opened so we luckily got a seat. This is a no-joke hole in the wall, about 10 seats at the counter and that's it. I had read the review and saw that the smoked cheddar was something to get, so I had the omelet with smoked cheddar and tomatoes with some toast, which was very good. The menu, while big, seems to focus on the basics so this definitely isn't a gourmet type of place. But the food was good and hit the spot. read more

Al's has excellent service and a unique atmosphere. The staff are cool and friendly and make sure your needs are met. I've had varying success with wait times. If you hit during peak hours, expect a decent wait since seating is in a single row of stools. You'll be standing while waiting too. They'll make sure you get seated as soon as they can. Food is affordable. I would call it a step-up from standard greasy spoon fare: crispy hash browns, unique cheeses for omelettes and more. The food is fresh, and the coffee is bottomless. What more could you ask for? Two visits in: 1. waited for 20 minutes with a friend 2. Seated immediately alone read more

Al's Breakfast - The Smokey omelette with smoked cheese, ham and tomato. Also a ton of hash browns and toast. - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

If you are from out of town, you need to make time to stop for a bite. The wheat toast alone with bumbbleberry jam, WOW!!! The blueberry flap jack, delicious and big. Try The Jose .. Poached eggs with homemade salsa and cheese on it. Retro vibe and staff keeps you entertained! A must visit! read more

Al's Breakfast - The Jose!! - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Excellent as always! Staff is brilliant and the food is always top notch! The experience is so unique that you must go, sit, and eat to understand. It is fun,fun,fun and delicious, delicious, and delicious! You will be treated like a family member. read more

Al's Breakfast - The Jose, YUM - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

ALWAYS love this place!! So cheap and fast. Not a whole lot of seating so it's best to go at off times. Classic, staple of Minneapolis!

This place was miserable. The omelette was burnt. The hash browns were undercooked (they should be golden brown, not chalky white). One waiter yelled rude things when walking by my plate. Another waiter spoke negatively about my appearance, which is just fine. All the waiters seemed miserable because of cramped quarters and, most likely, poor wages. They yelled at another one of their own in the kitchen. He had to go take a math exam. So they yelled in rude voices making fun of math like it was a silly game. Sometimes when the experience is stressful and the food isn't good, I feel pity for the people who have endure these circumstances for their income, and I leave a generous tip. The reason isn't that I have extra income; I budget intensely and wait to eat at a restaurant when I want to celebrate an accomplishment. I felt this way intensely this time and left all the change from the bill I got from the ATM for celebrating an exam well done. I will never make the mistake of spending dear funds for celebrating at this cramped and squalid restaurant. read more

This is the type of place that keeps my Yelp juices flowing. A hole in the wall, authentic dive that I most likely would have never known existed and definitely never would have tried had not so many fellow Yelpers passed through these doors before me. Al's breakfast is on the U of M campus. We were blessed to go on in the morning on Good Friday when I am assuming that most college kids were on their Easter break. We walked right in and there were two empty seats which, from the looks of the pictures, is an anamoly. To be honest, Al's is not much to look at from the outside (or from the inside for that matter). It is a rundown sort of building sandwiched in a more modern, chain heavy retail corridor. There is only counter seating, they only take cash, and they use handwritten checks, called out orders, and a cash register straight out of 1977. However, the food is delicious, prepared right in front of you on a grill that contains the remnants of thousands of breakfasts that came before yours. I got the Jose, which is sort of a signature dish. A comfy bed of creamy hash browns with the right amount of burn on the outside, topped with a real poached egg (one hand cracked into a perpetual pot of simmering water on the 4 eye burner) salsa and enough cheese to cause a roadblock. My friend had the corned beef hash - which is unlike any of that canned, gelatinous excuse for hash that you get in most diners. Don't be scared by appearances - you can't eat at Denny's your whole life! read more

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The bf and I are huge fans of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and anytime we visit a new city, we always try to hit a few spots and Al's Breakfast was our first stop Saturday morning. We got there about 8:30am and every stool was full and there were 8 people in line in front of us. I think we waited 30, 40 minutes at the most before we were seated and our order was taken within a few minutes because we knew what we wanted. My bf ordered the corned beef hash with over 2 over easy eggs and I ordered 1 egg scrambled medium in cream and butter and an order of bacon. Both of our orders also came with toast and was set in front of us in about 15 minutes. Although I only ordered 1 egg, I got 2 and was only charged for 1 so I was pleased with that. We walked out of there paying a little over $20 including the tip so we were both very happy and had a satisfied tummy. From when we got in line until we walked out of the door, I think we were only in there for maybe 1 hour and 15-20 minutes and considering they only have 14 stools, I'd say that's pretty darn good. They had 2 people taking orders, a girl in the grill in the front, a guy in the back also cooking and 2 girls picking up dishes and washing them. Needless to say, they are a well oiled machine and get you in there, fed and then out of the door in a very timely manner. I would highly recommend Al's Breakfast to anyone who is close to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis on the Eastbank side of the Mississippi River. read more

Love Al's. Eggs pancakes everything is terrific. Standing in line behind current customers is an added experience. Just love the atmosphere and the food is delicious. read more

Expect to wait standing behind customers who sit at the counter. Expect staff to yell orders. Expect reasonably priced, tasty, and satisfying diner food in cramped quarters. Expect to enjoy the experience for what it is. Don't forget the chocolate chip pancake. read more

Al's Breakfast - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Woke up on the bus at 12:30pm and found this highly rated breakfast spot that closed at 1pm around the corner from the Varsity. Walked in 10 minutes to close and they were very welcoming. Staff was personable and gave the menu run down for us newbies. Food was great! Pancakes were delicious and the bacon was cooked perfectly. They had a 90s playlist going on too, which is a pretty good vibe in my opinion. 1000% will return to next time in Minneapolis. read more

There's good attitude, and bad attitude. As anyone who's been here knows, you wait in line for one of the very few coveted seats. When you turn comes up, you sit, you eat. A woman's turn came up, and the seat just vacated was closest to the door, and she demurred, asking the cook if he minded if she wait for the next seat. "I do mind," he replied, with attitude. For you see, she was a party of one, and there was one seat available, so if she didn't take it, it messes up the flow of the valuable seating. This was good attitude. Food was good. read more

Great little hole in the wall place excellent food and great staff love the funkiness and vibe must go place for breakfast! read more

Al's Breakfast - Winter special - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Had the opportunity to check this place out. Note: I did not end up eating here. Showed up on a Saturday at what should have been a busy time for breakfast (930am), the line was only 6-8 people deep. So my mom and I decided to wait. Surprisingly it only took about 15 minutes for us to be at the front of the line. But seeing that those seated were just about to order it was going to take a while to get seated ourselves and order our food. The idea that people are standing behind you is a nuisance and kinda weird. Another problem I have is this being a fire hazard. Even if I had the opportunity to eat here, from the looks of the menu it's nothing special. Just pancakes that have fruit on them. Something I could do at home. I would like to see some wild combinations on their pancakes. read more

Got there earlyish on a Friday and was on my own, so the wait was totally manageable. I was there about an hour from start to finish. My plate was heaped high with goodies, the staff is really friendly and I left full. It was my only meal of the day, so there was strategic carb-loading and it worked. The meal kept me full and happy nearly all day and I got to eat at an institution without standing out in the cold for hours on end. Those cheesy hashbrowns are really all you need to know about, though my eggs and sausage were also so, so good. read more

I went here with a friend for a late breakfast/early lunch. We hardly had any wait time at all, which was surprising. I'm not usually a breakfast person, but WOW. I loved their food! So much. Everything was delicious. I can't wait to go back. :) read more

If you go to the U of M you know where the greatest breakfast in Minneapolis can be found. Al's has been around for 54 years and looks like it. It is small, there is no waiting area, and people stand over you while you eat because they have nowhere else to go. The place is literally 20 ft deep and 4 feet wide and you often find a line out the door, around the corner and halfway to Williams Arena. The place is only open from 6-2ish, but the pancakes are great, the omlets are old school and the eggs benedict are great. Insiders note: see the pay phone on the way - don't answer it! It is the only phone in the place and it belongs to the cook at the other end of the breakfast bar. read more

Al's Breakfast - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Everytime I go here, I love the food. The eggs benedict is out of this world! It's a little different and has a sour kick to it that I really love over a perfectly poached egg. The prices are pretty reasonable. I also love the blueberry pancakes. They have lots of blueberries and are perfectly fluffy. Also love the omelet with poached egg and salsa on top though I can remember the name... Super yummy. =] read more

Al's Breakfast - Egg's Benedict. - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Delicious! And worth the wait! Thanks so much for upholding common sense Covid rules to help us all stay safe as well! Welcome back Al's Breakfast! We missed you! read more

Greasy breakfast, old school diner style. Only sits a few people but it's totally worth the wait (don't go during the weekend) and the fat gain. My favorite dish is The José but lately I've been creating my own dishes and it's awesome. Such a cool vibe and music. One of the owners is grumpy, the other is a sweetheart. They both cook and interact with customers. Their blueberry pancake is the only I've ever tried with blueberries in every bite. Hints: bring cash, come before 1pm, come hungry. read more

Al's Breakfast - This is my own creation: eggs Benny on hashbrowns instead of English muffin. - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Do you like perfectly poached eggs with delicious hollandaise sauce, fluffy blueberry pancakes or just-the-right-amount-of-crisp hash towns? Before you head over, you need to understand what Al's is about. It's a 14-chair counter in a divey diner that's been in Dinkytown forever...and looks that way. You almost always wait in line for awhile so grab a coffee from next door & relax. I'd only recommend going with 1 other person or an even # of people because you take the seats as they open up. A group bigger than 2-3 will not sit together. If all of this sounds like an adventure, make a plan. (And if it sounds annoying, go somewhere else.) They have a sign up that says "try our delicious toast." I think it's meant to be a joke but damn, real butter on their rye toast IS delicious. Who's laughing now? read more

Al's Breakfast - Perfectly poached eggs - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

This place made for an excellent birthday breakfast. The staff was awesome; Corey (I hope I spelled her name correctly) treated my wife and I as if we were old friends. I had the Jose, hash browns topped with cheese, salsa and a poached egg (you can get two, but one was enough). Corey introduced me to a new habanero hot sauce that went very well. You can get a lot of food for little money. Their 69th anniversary is coming soon and in its honor, they will have new t-shirts which Corey assured me will be "delightfully crass." read more

Al's Breakfast - The Jose - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Rude service. Horrible food. You couldn't pay me to go back. The corned beef hash tasted spoiled and we couldn't even finish it. One star is rating it far better than it deserves. Over priced for what we are and the staff was very unfriendly. read more

Such a awesome little joint with a powerhouse of breakfast! Loved the banter from the cooks, loved the tradition of the whole joint! Such a belly filling, good coffee, old school joint! read more

Al's Breakfast - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Classic diner in the heart of Dinkytown! I absolutely loved this place...the breakfast, staff, nostalgia...it was all perfect! There are only 14 bar stools and as one guest gets up another is seated. This is not the place to go with a group; however, it is definitely an experience you should not pass up! It is cash only...but there are two ATM machines close by and a Target that give cash back right down the street. read more

Al's Breakfast - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Everything was perfect my father and I both got the same thing Hashbrowns with onion and a blueberry flapjack with a side of sausage or ham The hashbrowns were perfect wonderfully seasoned the onion was mellow and worked well with the hashbrowns and the blueberry flapjack was delicious I cannot recommend this place enough read more

Everything the reviews said it was. Went on a Friday About noon with a group of 4. Only stood in back for about 20 minutes but not bad. Atmosphere was unique with the yelling but thoroughly enjoyed it! Ok, probably the best breakfast I have ever had.. No joke. My family owns a cafe and I told my dad (the chef) straight out.. It was that good. Had the spike with two whole wheat walnut blueberry pancakes... A MUST try read more

Al's Breakfast - Tiny little Al's - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

it has the best omelette and harsh browns. Personally, I like the Smoky omelette. the buttermilk pancake is a must-order for me! when I dont wanna eat omelette, i'd choose spring special, the scramble eggs with a bit sour taste and asparagus taste really good. CASH ONLY there(the good news is there is ATM around) read more

Al's Breakfast - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Their pancakes and anything with their smokey cheddar are a knockout. Do yourself a favor and come at an odd time or when school is not in session. The food here is fantastic and the atmosphere is really cool, but waiting in line for an hour is a bit nuts read more

Reading some comments about how long the wait is we arrived at 6am to be the first 14 customers of the day (yes there are only 14 seats available). It was a full house immediately after we sat down. The food, excellente!! Had blueberry pancakes and egg Benedict. Although par at best on presentation but the food is superb. read more

Incredible, incredible breakfast and food stop. The wait staff were super friendly, made conversation and created a great environment for all, even in my Packers gear. Had two eggs over medium with bacon crispy (perfectly cooked bacon and great quality as well) and topped it off with a buttermilk pancake and a blueberry pancake. The pancakes are truly the star of the show, best in the country no doubt. My preference is a good size pancake, pencil size thickness so that it's not a crepe, airy on the inside yet a crisp outter shell and these guys perfected it. Cash or check for payment. Plenty of street parking. 10-12 seated guests they can accommodate at a time so there is a line unless you get there 10-15 minutes before they open and you will be seated first. A must visit breakfast location read more

I was encouraged to come by work colleagues and I'm glad I did for the experience. The place is very cozy and there's only bar seating while waiting customers line up literally behind you. The staff is friendly and they do their best to sit your party together. I definitely would not recommend this for a large group. My food was barely okay... the cheesy hash browns were a little on the burnt side and my "poached" eggs were more like hard boiled eggs... no runny yolk to embellish my hash browns. Having said this, I got to try a bite of my colleague's blueberry pancakes and it was excellent. Ordering the side of real maple syrup Vs. their home-made one is worth it. I don't think I need to come back to this restaurant, but I can now say that I ate at a 1950's diner. BTW, no plastic, no reservations and NO seating until everyone in your party is present. read more

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Every time someone is visiting in town this is a place to go for an authentic delicious American breakfast experience. Is worth the wait, can't wait to be back. read more