Al's is a treat every time. It's always fun to sit in and joke around with the staff. The food tastes home cooked and authentic. Can be a wait outside and remember your cash! read more

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

See all

Love is not too strong of a word to describe the full mind and body feeling that I get when I think of my meal at Al's Breakfast. I had the Jose, which is a heap of crispy hash brown topped with poached eggs, salsa, and cheese. It was bonkers good, but the real star was the pile of steamy hot blackberry pancakes. I could eat my weight in those things. Actually a part of me wished that I ate food through my chest and belly so I could reasonably rub those pancakes all over my body. The coffee at this place is also delicious, which came as a slight surprise given the unpretentious diner that Al's is. I love Al's Breakfast, and I think that it, in and of itself, is worth a trip to Minneapolis. read more

If I wanted to pay for someone to openly be a dick to me I would have dined at dicks last resort, super upsetting.. Food was good though and the restaurant was cute. But mabye tell the blonde girl with the bangs not to have such an attitude problem.. read more

Als is pretty much the best breakfast you can get . Sometimes there's a wait. I drove my scooter so I parked on the sidewalk. I always get the smoky omelette with a blueberry walnut, pancake, and some orange juice. It is always delicious read more

This is an icon spot in Dinkytown. If you haven't been, I recommend going. The experience is unlike any other. It's tiny. A single counter with something like 10 seats. In my experience, arriving 10 minutes before they open or after 11am are the best times to avoid waiting in line. Al's food is good. Classic breakfast fare with an "Al's" twist. In my opinion, the highlights are their hasbrowns(particularly with cheese), their pancakes(any kind), and their summer egg dish with fresh basil. My personal order is "The Jose" with rye bread. The ambiance created by such a small space is what really makes this place special. The chef and staff are right across the counter from you and are always a pleasure to interact with, friendly, engaging, and funny. Today the chef threw a plate full of pancakes to one of the waiters who was standing 7 feet away. Being a part of that diner chemistry is something you just have to experience first hand. They also only take cash or check, so plan ahead! read more

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

Thank you Isabel/Isabella & staff for making a great 1st impression! We're putting Al's into our regular brunch rotation. Bring cash because no cc but ATM nearby. I come from the hospitality industry & was impressed how fast they get customers thru with their from-scratch menu & such limited seating! The food was great: a homemade diner breakfast! Ask about some of the nostalgic decorations - Al's been slinging breakfast since 1950! Many are regulars & spoke w/one waiting in line so started coming here decades ago as a UofM student and now brings his wife & kids here! Highly recommend! read more

I guess it's sad that I only write reviews when I really love something or really hate it. It's been a while since I wrote a review. People always complain about having to wait in line for a place to eat. My philosophy is, if people are waiting in line, it's got to be really good. Be prepared to wait in line for this place. There are only 14 seats at a counter. I thought it would be uncomfortable with somebody in back of me literally looking over my shoulder waiting for my seat, but it really wasn't bad. It gives you the opportunity to look over the menu and figure out what you want. Al's breakfast is terrific. Seriously, the hollandaise sauce on the eggs Benedict was the best I've ever had. read more

Al's never disappoints. The wait in line makes the experience even more rewarding when you are finally seated and greeted with a warm smile. Best pancakes in the city (maybe the country? The world?). read more

Al's Breakfast - Blackberry buttermilk short stack - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

See all

This pains me to do this review. Al's Breakfast is such an iconic part of Dinkytown. Be that what it may, I went there a week ago on Saturday morning. It has been about a year since my last visit and I always slept in just a little too late to beat the rush. This time I was up at 6;30 and ready to go! I Made it there at around 7 am and was able to get a seat right away. Staff is nice and pleasant. I order one of the signature, if not THE signature items on the menu...Eggs Benedict. Along with hash browns and coffee I'm set. The chef/owner says they are out of English muffins, but I could substituted toast or have the eggs over my hash browns. I consider changing my order to pancakes, but decide to go with the eggs over the hash browns. It was ok. The sauce is nice with more lemon than a typical hollandaise sauce. I left thinking, how could they be out of English muffins? Couldn't someone run to Cub Foods and get some? It's a popular menu item and they just opened. When I worked in a cafe, we would sometimes have to run out for milk at the closest grocery store if we were out. I'm just saying the eggs Benedict would have been a whole lot better with it. Other than that, GREAT coffee and the staff is nice. I will try their blueberry pancakes next time. I'm just not in a hurry to go back. read more

As always great loads of fun and great breakfast as well Have been coming for 50 year never disappointed I've been known to stand out side waiting in line in. Blowing snow storm read more

First time at Al's, a dinky town institution! Short wait and we were lucky enough to sit by the grill and see the magic in action! Friendly service and great food! The blueberry pancakes were done to perfection. The eggs Benedict was also perfectly executed. Can't wait go back! read more

See all

For our last breakfast before leaving the city of Minneapolis, my wife and I decided to try to snag a seat at the "ultra-exclusive", JBF award-winning Al's Breakfast. I had read quite a bit about Al's and how you can't leave town without having breakfast here at least once. However, what I really took note of was the fact that they only had 14 seats inside, so I knew coming here was a real risk of wasting time. But, we rolled the dice on a Monday morning at 10am and the diner was packed. Packed as in there were 12 customers inside meaning there were exactly 2 seats just for us. In addition, right after we plopped down, another 10 or so customers strolled in out of the blue. Talk about great timing! We probably should have played the lotto after. The diner was everything we expected it to be - fast service, cramped and straight to the point, but friendly. Every seat in the house was at the counter and each seat was crammed in right next to each other. For anyone having to wait, be prepared to stand against the wall behind the customers eating because it's really the only place to wait inside. And for those who are already seated, also be prepared, not to wait, but for waiting customers to be breathing down your neck as they stand against the wall literally 12 inches behind you. Basically, it's uncomfortable for everyone inside, sitting or standing. When we sat down we had no clue what their menu comprised of and we didn't know what the service was going to be like. On top of that, the menu was confusing to look at because it was all over the place and there were so many items packed into it. There were specials, meat dishes, eggs, pancakes, waffles, more special items and various omelettes. My wife ended up ordering the SPIKE, which was an order of scrambled eggs with cheddar, mushrooms and garlic. Honestly, there were so many directions I could have gone with, but I ended up ordering the 2 poached eggs with corn beef hash. Both orders came with a side of toast as well. On top of it all, we put in an order of 2 blueberry pancakes, just because we read it was a must-order here. We waited for about 10 minutes only and, viola, our breakfasts arrived. To sum it up, everything was good and as advertised, but nothing was over the top amazing, especially the SPIKE and 2 poached eggs order. The food tasted like it was from any other diner and that's OK. As for the blueberry pancakes, they were really good, but what made them even better was the house-made syrup, which was sitting on the counter in a large jug. In fact, that was one of the best syrups I had ever tasted. I guess we expected more because of the JBF America's Classic award it received many years ago and also because of the multiple "Best of..." lists I had seen it on. However, the food was what it was, which were simple breakfast items. Don't set your expectations too high when coming here, but do bring a load of patience because chances are there will be a long wait, unless it happens to be your lucky day like ours. In addition, do bring cash because they are cash only! read more

See all

Short wait. Friendly staff and fellow customers. Best meal of the day. Extensive and varied breakfast menu. Difficult to make a decision so we shared items. read more

This is the best breakfast in America. Even though there's limited seating, the food makes up for it. The eggs were delicious. The bacon was crispy. The ham was juicy. Everything was cooked perfectly. The service was great. Our server was very kind and loved to sneak in a few jokes. Overall this was the best breakfast experience in America. read more

I ordered a standard breakfast combo: scrambled eggs, bacon, and hash browns. The eggs were well seasoned and buttery with a pleasantly dense mouthfeel. The bacon was just crispy enough. The hash browns were a bit more oily than I prefer but had a nice crisp exterior with fluffy starch interior. read more

Al's Breakfast - Bacon Hash - browned Potatoes and eggs - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Tiny 50-60 yr old diner with 15 or so counter seats; no tables. Cash only, so come prepared as well. And I suggest arriving before 9am or you will be at the end of a line out the door. And YES, it's that good of a place. Best pancakes anywhere! read more

When life gives you lemons... make a garlic sauce and pour it over a seafood omelette with slivered almonds... That's something ya probably haven't eaten before. But it's amazing, I promise. Delicious enough to leave you in a hollan-daze;) - The New Orleans Omelette, with Shrimp, Almonds, and Capers, topped with Garlic-Lemon Hollandaise - Plus a Classic & Chocolate Chip Pancake served with Pure Minnesota Maple Syrup Today's meal comes from (likely) the smallest breakfast place in MN, featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives years ago--Al's in Minneapolis. I kid you not; it is like 20 feet wide, with 13 stools. But if we're talking relative distance, that's about 20 of Al's flapjacks. They ain't silva dolla cakes hehe! The omelet was unique; Creamy is not the typical texture for this breakfast dish. But somehow, the subtle crunch of the almonds combined with the garlic and lemon cooperated with the shrimp's seafood flavor. But even so, with eggs? It kinda cracked me up at first, but after a few bites, I was convinced. Al's is known for their pancakes, and boy do I now know why. I'm not sure what they mix in the buttermilk batter, but they're sweet, soft, and darn special The legit maple syrup doesn't come in an elegant carafe, but fancy isn't Al's fancy. It's small, cozy, and authentic with a scarce seating capacity, made special by its distinct vibe. Check their website or Instagram page for the most recent hours. Whenever you go, get there early... 13 seats means 13 seats. But you betcha, it's worth the wait! read more

See all

It is crazy that it took me almost 4 years after my undergraduate days at the U to finally experience an Al's Breakfast. First off, this place is historic and a must if you love breakfast and want a blast in the past experience. Al's is situated in the heart of Dinkytown and is a true gem on campus and in town. There are 12 seats so come quick before it fills up. We came in at 713 AM and found two seats right away. It was probably 15 minutes later that all the seats filled up and people would have to stand behind us. The space is really small so be prepared for that. Ordered - Blueberry Flapjacks (4/5) - Eggs and Ham (4/5) Both dishes were good, super cheap, and big on portions. It is homey and made with lots of love and care which I like. So what you're waiting for? Wake up early for gameday Saturday's and try this great establishment. Go Gophers. p.s. - it's cash only :) read more

Food was amazing. Service was personal with two waitresses serving only 12 stools. Ambiance was 50's quirky. Great experience waiting in line out in the awning covered rain for our opportunity to be selected next to fill a stool. Once Sue and I were inside we experienced something that only a visit there could explain. Go there and see for yourself! read more

See all

Go for the food and come for the atmosphere. Amazing place that includes a cash tab. They have cash tabs going back to the 1960s. You can say that you were a Minnesota Gopher without eating at Al's breakfast. I enjoy the eggs Benedict and the omelettes. read more

See all

I was both excited and nervous to try this place on a quick vacation to the Twin Cities. Excited because the photos and reviews looked amazing. Nervous because I was worried the wait and the hype wouldn't be met. Oh. My. Goodness. Hype was exceeded. A hall of fame level breakfast from the experience to the food itself. Yes you have to wait. But it will be worth it. Cozy and charming interior. Insanely fun and friendly staff. Watching Alison work the griddle is magic. And the food??? WOW. I don't even like waffles but I had the bacon waffle and it was the best I've ever had. The eggs and hash browns covered in cheese and salsa were fantastic. This is a must if you're in the Twin Cities. read more

See all

Iconic breakfast joint which is well worth the wait. Best bacon anywhere. Breakfast done right. Out of towners flock to eat here, you should, too. Great staff and menu. read more

Great food! There is commonly a line, but the the food always makes up for the wait. And sometimes, you never know who you'll end up eating with! read more

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

This place is one of my favorite spots in the USA for breakfast. Pancakes, Pancakes, Pancakes! Great s In town for one night & of course had to go to Al's. Guess what I ordered? read more

See all

It's breakfast and a show! The guys behind the counter work really hard but seem to have fun doing it! Delicious food, a la carte, and deep, rich coffee. It's a little unnerving eating with hungry people waiting right behind you, but screw it! It's worth the wait and I was here first! read more

I am very fond of "old school" diners. A this place is genuine. Simple menus, don't expect kale to be served. Wobbly bar stool at a narrow counter. And quick service by staff that appear to be interested in something else, but still manage to be attentive to you. read more

Great breakfast, New Orleans, with shrimp, capers and hollandaise. Yum yummy yum. Interesting place, nice folks read more

Al's Breakfast - NOLA omelette. - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

The legends are real, walked right in around 9:30am last Monday and had some of the finest blueberry wheat pancakes and bacon I've ever had....been thinking about it ever since, some darn fine coffee too! Cash only read more

Worth the wait. Food was so good. My favorite was the corn pancake . The crew working were delightful too! Also the sugar container has a hole on side for pouring read more

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

Wow! We stood outside for about 30 minutes but it was worth every second. The food was excellent! The service was very good and our food came out quickly. I would def come again!Flapjacks are amazing! read more

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

The service is rude and the food is terrible. I get how Al's works. You come in and wait in line in the tiny space behind the people who are already eating, and wait your turn. Then, you can place your order, and it's pretty basic diner food. But, can you tell the difference between the omelet and the toast in the photo below? Blegh. Not only did it take a very long time to come, but the omelet was very overcooked! Luckily, I ordered a side of hash browns, and they were actually pretty good. I'm very willing to cut some slack for new employees, but they just kept using that as an excuse. Yes, the grill cook is new, but he's just making the toast? It wasn't even close the the problem. The server barely spoke to us and when she did, it was rudely. But I don't take it personally, because I had to sit and listen to her talk to everyone rudely. There was another server who was very nice, and actually came to talk to us briefly, and that was pleasant. So that helped a little. But I won't be back. There are plenty of places that can serve up better breakfast food without the attitude. read more

Al's Breakfast - Omelet, hash browns, wheat toast - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

A small trip in the twin cities calls for trying out new restaurants! My partner and I found Al's Breakfast via Yelp and I remember seeing this restaurant on TV! So we NEEDED to stop by. It was lightly sprinkling, and although there is no waitlist, we only waited about 5 minutes to be seated. When we walked in, we saw how absolutely cozy and old fashioned the establishment is! There are no tables, only stools at the bar! You sit rather closely together and we had a wonderful time sparking up conversation with strangers we'd never come across again. The customer service was amazing! We felt as though we were being served by old friends. The prices are absolutely affordable, and I'm glad they are as they're in the University area! I ordered the winter special and my goodness, I felt so warm and fuzzy inside! Al's really offers a bang for your buck while knowing how to incorporate comfort into their food! Al's is a one of a kind experience, and I truly recommend it for anybody that is looking to have a cheap yet delicious meal in a vintage atmosphere where you can wind down and have delicious pancakes! read more

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

See all

This place is my absolute favorite breakfast place. If you're looking for a cozy, greasy spoon type restaurant, you won't be disappointed. The food is deliciously prepared, and thoughtfully made. My absolutely favorite is the corn-beef hash, and their blueberry buttermilk pancakes are my ideal. If you like big, fluffy pancakes, these aren't for you. But I like the way they prepare their food. If you want to enjoy figuring out what your order is in Al-ese, a unique language spoken by the wait-staff and the cooks, listen in as your order is called out. Try to decipher other people's orders. This isn't a good place to bring a group of friends, because of the limited seating. It's a place to come alone, or with one other person. read more

We will come to this restaurant at dawn. The meals we ordered were very ordinary, and they felt similar to cooking at home. I don't like this kind of seasoning very much. There are few seats in the store, only a row of chairs. If there are many people, you need to wait. The environment is a little crowded, but it is warmer. The service is good, they are friendly. read more

See all

Totally lives up to its reputation. Tiny cafe in Dinky Town. Friendly, casual, welcoming. Walk in, grab a seat...if you are lucky and you get an immediate greeting. There are only 12 seats! Behind me a group of 3 came in and they just moved people around! A family feel. Food was good, not fantastic. Prices are city type. Vibe is outstanding. Oh, and I got parking right out in front! read more

See all

Extraordinary experience. We loved this place. The food is solid. Only to be outdone by the eclectic atmosphere. Don't forget the hash browns. read more

What a great place! It is an incredibly rustic hole in the wall. It was the best breakfast I have had in 10 years. Just go there!

First time coming here & I completely loved it! It is definitely an experience when you come here. Major tip would be to come here early! The place it self is small but it's perfect. Expect to be sliding down with your food as more people come in and fill in spots. I ended up ordering some pancakes with strawberries & sour cream. They were delicious and you could add on different topping and there are other delicious flavors to pick from. The other dish was a style of hash browns with sausage, salsa, cheese and eggs. Wow this was off the charts ! Never had something like that but it was worth having! I can't wait to come here again! read more

After years of talking about getting up early to avoid the line and get here we finally did it! Opens at 6am and we arrived right before 7am & sat right down at the counter that has 14 stools! I ordered the Spike which consisted of 2 scrambled eggs with cheese, mushrooms and garlic along with an English muffin. Hubby got the New Orleans omelette with a pancake and some hash browns. I think my favorite thing was the pancake. And the coffee, of course! Everything was prepared perfectly and looked amazing. The staff was super hospitable and it was definitely an experience! Explanation for 4 stars vs 5 = I was expecting to be blown out of my seat by over the top flavors and in my opinion I don't think that was there. read more

See all

Whenever I'm feeling panicky, instead of listening to recordings of river sounds and meditating in the lotus pose I just sprawl out on my bed and pretend I'm at Al's eating a phat delicious bacon waffle. Bacon waffles. Who'da guessed? Everything about this place is perfect in my mind. If I could give Al's twelve bazillion Yelp stars I would, and even then it wouldn't be enough. Honestly, their food is probably just good because it's covered in butter and cheese, but I don't care. I love everyone who works here, I love the food and I've never had a bad experience at Al's. It's my go-to when I'm in the cities (and when there's no pandemic to worry about). If I skip my trip to Al's I will not be a happy girl, and we cannot have that. This place is weird, and that's it's charm. You get to lurk behind people and breathe down their necks while they eat until it's your turn to eat. Love it. Absolutely love it. If you're a regular, you can give them a fat stack of cash to store in an envelope behind their counter until you come in again. Anyway, whenever you come here (and you will come here so help me god), get a bacon waffle. I feel bad for my future children because I'll never love them as much as I love Al's Breakfast. read more