Update: Still the best breakfast in the valley! Just remember cash only. Al's Family Diner is breakfast perfection in a town full of poor fast food chain breakfast sandwiches. I am so glad I discovered Al's. My lovely significant other lives in town and we had to drive to Salem NH to find a decent breakfast before discovering Al's. I had the fried bologna special. I know that not everyone favorite breakfast - unless you where raised poor and white like me and have a fondness for this ethnic dish. I will say the fried bologna was perfect, but also the over easy eggs where perfect. It came with a side of yummy homemade home fried potatoes. I also tried a side of there New England style baked beans and they were good. My girlfriend had me order her a stack of pancakes and bacon to bring home to her. The order was huge - HUGE - with bacon cook right She found it delicious. I found the service quick and friendly. I noticed other diners had a huge breakfast sub looking sandwich on Italian bread that was layered with breakfast fare. I need to try this next time And, they have a big selection of speciality omelets needing trying. My food arrived HOT and they timed the pancakes to take home for her perfectly for when I finished. (I let her sleep in on a Saturday- because if you love someone you let them sleep) Al's has been there for 22 years according to the sign on the wall. The place is a little dated but furnished with sturdy oak tables and a huge oak bar that make a perfect breakfast table. It is kind of hidden in a sports/golf center. You will find the door on the left side if the sports center. But don't let the little entrance fool you. It is not a typical hole in the wall joint. it is fairly roomy inside. I will recommend upgrading the toast that comes with most meals to their super-sized english muffin. It is big and came grilled to buttery perfection. It was the best part of a near perfect breakfast. Well worth the extra fifty-cents. And be aware they are cash only, but with the reasonable prices this wasn't a big issue. read more

Al's Family Diner - Hungry Man Special #2. Splitting it with my Sweetheart! A Meal for two! - Diners Near Me - Methuen, Massachusetts

Al's for breakfast is a must if you haven't already been. It is a clean, charming neighborhood spot serving the best breakfast in Mingya Valley. My standard order is two scrambled eggs with two Italian sweet sausages, home fries , white toast and coffee. Believe me : try it, you will like it! The service is also out of this world with smiling waitresses. read more

My brother and I go every Sunday morning. We absolutely love it there. The staff couldn't be friendlier. The food is excellent comes out quick. We really enjoyed it there a lot. read more

This is my first time here and I will be a new regular. Had the eggs Benedict and it was perfect home fries perfectly seasoned bacon cook perfect and the service was great. Friendly and huddled. Incredible value highly recommend. read more

Great breakfast place and friendly personalized service. Unassuming atmosphere, clean and nice

The best breakfast place around hands down. I have tried a lot of others in the area (when Al's is closed) and have yet to find another place that is as good. The food is great, they definitely try to seat people quickly and get food out fast. The prices are completely reasonable. You should know that it is CASH ONLY, and I did not see an ATM in the building, although I could have missed it. Home fries are awesome if you get them well done. Only issue I have is that I think they switched their bacon supplier and the bacon is now as thin as a piece of paper. It's still good, but really thin. Highly recommend, and the owner Kelly is really friendly and nice. read more

Open for breakfast only, and closes at noon, Al's Family Diner is a busy place on a Sunday morning. The menu is small and limited, yet standard American breakfast fare. I had a very good BLT on toasted Italian bread. Dennis had a omelette. Good coffee here. AL's is a real community place, all locals, many all know each other and were socializing. I am not sure if I would go back. It was good, but I don't like to stand in line for 20 minutes on a cold Sunday morning. read more

Al's Family Diner - a sign for a golf course - Diners Near Me - Methuen, Massachusetts

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Not bad place, the personnel is kind and do their best. Be clear on your oder. Raccomended.

Al's Family Diner is hands down the best breakfast place in the Merrimack Valley area. This is supported by the awards for the "Best Breakfast Place in the Lawrence/Methuen for at least 12 years running (not sure if it is longer than this, I think they ran out of spots to hang the award plaques) The current location @ Whirlaway Golf Center, where they've been for the last 3-4 years, is much bigger than the original establishment on Conduit Street Methuen. The specials are awesome, they've always got something like a Italian Sausage, Kielbasa, or Linguica and egg special. You can get a real steak for steak an eggs. Steak and Cheese omelettes are great. Then there are special omelettes too like Taco Supreme, Cheeseburger, etc. Egg sandwiches on Italian Toast are a serious sandwich, and more like a sub. Pancakes are awesome, plain, blueberry, butterscotch (an idea he got from me after I brought in butterscotch muffins for Al to grill for me and his wife Kelly) or with strawberries on top. They use a premium coffee, for both hot and iced you can't go wrong either way. This place is always packed, and if you plan on going on the weekends you need to get there before 9:00 if you plan on getting a table without a wait. There is usually a spot at the bar for one or two. Try the grilled blueberry cornbread, it's AWESOME! Oh yeah, THEY DO NOT TAKE CARDS, SO BRING CASH !!!! read more

Very impersonal.. Only if you are a regular and male.. Food prices ave gone way up.. Bread is nothing special, since it's from a package.. Service is fast.. Food is fresh, but no change in variety.. Nothing is healthy.. No turkey sausages, that would be a better choice than pork sausages.. Beans are from a can.. Coffee is just fair in taste.. Place needs an update.. Some paint, some something.. Dreary ! read more

Our go-to place! We've been coming here for years. At least twice a week! The food is great, and the servers are efficient and fast; especially Tricia, she also keeps us laughing. A friendly atmosphere with great food and service. What more could a customer ask for! read more

Four in our party waited about 25 minutes on a Sunday late morning about 45 minutes before closing. The line was out the door but diners were leaving. A booth finally freed and we took our seats. Our waitress came immediately and she was lovely. I decided on two scrambled eggs, corned beef hash, home fries and wheat toast, a friend the spinach and mushroom omelette, rye toast, hash browns, my sister the chicken gravy over biscuits, home fries, scrambled eggs and my BIL, the spinach and cheese omelette, english muffins and home fries. Corned beef hash was good but I thought a bit salty, home fries were really nicely seasoned,hot and crispy and not greasy. Eggs...average, hard to mess up scrambled eggs. My sister enjoyed her biscuits and gravy. Overall, a pretty good breakfast but nothing we would all rave about. Very reasonable. read more

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Down home cooking. Small town friendly diner! Highly recommend this place. Everyone knows everyone. Staff is very friendly. Cash only.... but there is a bank with atm nearby. Food made to order. read more

Al's Family Diner - Diners Near Me - Methuen, Massachusetts

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If you're looking for a classic breakfast, look no further. Als serves up a hearty breakfast with a menu similar to millions of breakfast joints. The difference is the flavor of the dishes. Everything is cooked and seasoned to perfection. The cooks out back really know how to take a breakfast meal you could get anywhere and really make the dish explode with flavor. Prices are fair and the waitresses are on point. read more

Al's Family Diner - Diners Near Me - Methuen, Massachusetts

Never in this area but here for work today. My boss took us to breakfast and we came here. I highly recommend it for breakfast.

Awesome breakfast at a fair price! Service was very good and the place was spotless clean.

CASH ONLY! WTF!?! Every business has accepted credit and debit card since near the end of the 20th century. WTF is wrong with this place? Are you guys seriously too cheap to get a credit card machine? How much business have you guys lost out on from people like me that walk in, see the signs, and then realize that they don't have any cash on them and only cards so they walk out and go elsewhere? This is the most ridiculous reason that I have ever had to walk out of a place. Get it together with the 21st century here. It doesn't cost much and it will pay itself off in short time and be way more worthwhile to you in the long run. read more

Have been going here since Al and Kelly started on conduit street. Great quality, consistent food and the friendliest wait staff on the planet. Breakfast sandwich on Italian is a must try. read more

Let me put up front that a diner experience for me doesn't have to include a particular type of architecture (or lack thereof), but instead simply needs to be independently owned, serve good coffee, and do it in a relatively quick fashion. Seat-yourself is always a plus, and when the lines sprawl out the door, I see that as a good omen. Al's is all of the above, though I don't really know why "family" is included in the name since most of the folks that usually habit the diner are local characters, usually men and a dash of ladyfolk thrown in for interest. The menu is simple and standard - the flourishes are few, but all of the items are just what you want them to be. Don't expect gorgonzola, jalapeno jack, walnuts, apples, or guacamole to appear on any of the omelet choices, but do expect to enjoy your egg scramble or pancakes. Simple food, simply prepared, no pretentions. And yes, Al really is in the kitchen. read more

I was pleasantly surprised at this Diner! They KICK ASS in there. The waitresses and hostesses are ON their game. You are never forgotten. Always being asked if you need anything, more coffee, how things are. They are very friendly and I am very happy that I finally checked it out. They don't rush you at all. The coffee is fantastic and I love their over-sized grilled english muffins. I would recommend this to anyone who likes great food and excellent service. They do only except cash so make sure you keep that in mind. read more

Been here 2 more times since my last review. Now I believe the HYPE! Fantastic pancakes and home fries. Sausage link or patties, ham and bacon were also fantastic. You got to get the italian toast. I believe it is a Piro's Bakery sub roll. Get the breakfast sandwich and is basically a sub with the breakfast items in it. CASH ONLY! read more

Al's Family Diner - Diners Near Me - Methuen, Massachusetts

Been going here since a kid. Food is excellent. Al and his wife run a tight ship. Prices are excellent due to no credit cards and cash only! Coffee is excellent. I've been to IHOP, Cracker-barrel, Friendly's, and on and on . No one can top this place l. Friendly staff, clean , and super fast. This is the only place I'll go to breakfast in the area. Worth the trip within a 20-30 mile radius if you want your meal done right. I been good to ALs since they started in the small trailer near Jackson street in Lawrence. Al and his wife are awesome and this place rocks ! No complaints whatsoever! read more

Al's Family Diner - The best breakfast around! Always exceptional and prices excellent! - Diners Near Me - Methuen, Massachusetts

It was ok.... Service was incredibly slow for breakfast when the diner was not busy at all. My orange juice was served to me in a bottle... not fresh squeezed or at least in a glass like most other diners. Food was fine, but it's hard to screw up breakfast. Worst thing was they only take cash, no cards at all! Very strange experience. read more

My dad and I stopped in for a quick coffee and breakfast. Little did I know I'd have one of the best breakfast meals ever! Coffee was really good, service was a bit slow but acceptable, and the food was amazing. I highly recommend getting the Hungry Man plates, it comes with lots of tasty food and fills you up for the morning. Overall this has become my second favorite diner and I definitely will be returning. read more

Al's Diner is the place where my friends and I gather anytime we want to catch up on eachothers lives. It started out as a high school tradition and has carried on since. The food is ALWAYS fantastic - my standard order is a western Omlet, homefries and wheat toast with a large chocolate milk. -- you know how sometimes you get nervous to order chocolate milk because you don't know if they're going to make it like your mom use to?? Well -- let me tell you. They make a mean chocolate milk. I would also like to note that their pancakes are delish as well - I'll admit, I have a sweet tooth so sometimes I stray from the FAV meal and go for the cakes or french toast. Or I'll do a "surf and turf" brunch with the BF and make him get the pancakes while I get an omlet and we switch plates half way through... Either way you really can't go wrong with ANYTHING you get here. Not to mention you always see the same friendly faces with each visit making you feel like a part of their big breakfast family. As much as I don't want to add to the line of people out the door on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday morning Al's is just tooooo good not to give them the daps they deserve. Way to go AL - Way to do breakfast. read more

My go-to breakfast place for over 20 years. It's your typical neighborhood breakfast spot with zero frills but great food. Try the sausage, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich on a grilled, oversized English muffin or Italian bread; can't go wrong with either! The blueberry pancakes are in a league of their own, massive, fluffy and filling. Oh, don't forget the coffee - it's so good, a nice breakfast blend. On the weekends, you can expect to wait in line for a bit unless you find a seat at the oversized bar area. The cash-only diner is a nice place to stop if you're heading up north on 495. Say hi to owners Al and Kelly when you visit. read more

Gem of the Merrimack Valley! I love my Monday morning breakfast tradition. This place is super busy on the weekends, so if you want a great breakfast then, you may need to wait a minute. But it's worth any wait time. Mondays are my favorite day, but I'll come any day of the week. Al cooks fresh delicious food and the wait staff takes good care of you. My coffee is always hot!! Yum yum!! read more

Al's Family Diner - Bar Banner - Diners Near Me - Methuen, Massachusetts

So good! Butterscotch pancakes are amazing. Perfect amount of sweetness and has amazing crispiness! Their hash is delicious. I also love their option to get beans in place of home fries. Definitely check them out! Get Kayla as your waitress and you won't be disappointed! read more

Excellent breakfast-only diner off I-495. We fortunately pulled in just before closing at noon. Plenty of food prepared very well and friendly wait staff. Had the "steak bomb" omelette special and it was delicious. The wife had the sausage omelette with extra gravy and she thought it was very tasty as well. A little hard to find as it's a bit off the interstate between exits but well worth the trip for if you're looking for a good, hearty breakfast. read more

This is a simple breakfast place that is a staple in the neighborhood. I really enjoy coming here. I always get a side of beans. They now have real syrup! $2 I recently had the homemade delicious cornbread. read more

It's been a busy morning with a couple of doctor appointments (my first appointment at 7:30am) and having had to fast the night before so I was really hungry for a hearty breakfast. This restaurant is surprisingly busy for a week day morning; however, I was able to easily get a seat in a booth. It's seat yourself. The waitress was awesome. Very attentive but not bothersome. Quick with the coffee refills. Delicious coffee. I ordered the Hungry Man (I said was hungry!) It's huge...three eggs (over easy), hash browns, toast, ham, bacon and sausage. The hash browns were tasty and well cooked. A little on the spicy side. Huge slice of ham. Two slices of bacon well done. The sausage is in patty form rather than links. The eggs were cooked perfectly. Not expensive ($11.86 with tax). Cash only. The customers are all local and seem like they are regulars so at first I felt like I was being "evaluated". That feeling quickly passed. I would definitely return. read more

Al's Family Diner - Hungry Man - Diners Near Me - Methuen, Massachusetts

I'm so glad others have commented on the perfect sub breakfast sandwich. I always sit at the bar - Kelly and the rest of the girls are attentive and always make sure my coffee mug is topped off. All-around excellent place, A must visit on the weekends at home. read more

Al's has the best breakfast and service. It needs to be included in the "I love Methuen "song...

The best part about this place is the atmosphere. Most of the people that go there are clearly locals and the workers appear happy! The food is great but they lack options. Great service and awesome family owned place! read more

Giving this place 3 Stars. My sandwich "The Barnyard" was tasty! But the food my guest had wasn't the same story. Potatoes / "home fries" were not fresh. Tasted super stale! We didn't complain we just left it as is. Our waitress was super nice and efficient. Other than the potatoes it wasn't too bad of an experience. Much love! read more

One of the best breakfasts in Methuen. I have noticed I end up spending a bit more than I do at some equally good places in Salem.

Fiancé and I went out to breakfast.. He ordered the hungry man (3 pancakes, and meat) I ordered 2 eggs with meat, home fries and a blueberry pancake. I honestly have to say I'm disgusted. I never even got the home fries but the blueberry pancakes was horrific. They were canned blueberries, I will include pictures. Which destroyed the pancake. I mean Shaw's sells fresh blueberries 99c a carton. There is nothing worse than non fresh food... Really? I couldn't even get fresh blueberries in my pancake. The meat was exceedingly greasy, which tasted as though it had been re heated and more than likely was. I asked the waitress if I could make a request that the cook use fresh ingredients next time and she relied that he likes to stick with frozen and canned.. So if I may make a request to the chef. Al, Your diner is always packed every time we drive by. Today we made the choice to stop in. And I'm very sorry we did.. The only thing decent about what I ate today was the wheat toast, which is pretty hard to fuck up so congrats for not ruining my faith in humanity. The meat was dripping in grease and tasted like it was reheated, some parts were hotter than others. Yall forgot my home fries, and it took me 15 minutes to get more toast. But most important, I am insulted that you couldn't even be bothered to use fresh blueberries in your pancakes of which I got one. I actually feel insulted that as a customer I couldn't have been given the satisfaction of fresh fruit... Not only are they in season, they are 99c a carton at Shaw's and Market Basket and if that's too hard for you to do, than you shouldn't own a business.. This was my first time at your diner and I couldn't even have the pleasure of having real blueberries in my damn pancakes which is actually pretty offensive to your customer base. As a side note, taking credit cards would be benefiting to you, and increase your business. It's 2015.. read more

Al's Family Diner - Dripping with grease - Diners Near Me - Methuen, Massachusetts

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I came to the restaurant based on a recommendation from a friend. Food was pretty good, but I got to say there was no music at all playing in there so you could just hear people talking. There was only one waitress who was engaging with all the customers and I found her to be reasonably pleasant. The only thing that got me feeling off with the place was the fact that she gave me the bill immediately after I ate she did not bother to ask if I would've wanted anything else which I did, but when she slapped that bill right after I finished my meal it felt like I was being silently told to leave. I do not usually write reviews and I did not want to make this a race thing but I was the only person of color in the restaurant at the time, I was also alone. Something to consider if your not white and your visiting this restaurant other than that little factor you should be good... read more

Great service, the food came promptly and was hot and fresh! I will go back there and often

Place is run like true breakfast restaurant....food is always fast and fresh...waitresses are very good as the owners are the head cook and head waitress....I have never been disappointed in 15 years for breakfast at Al's Diner....if your in the Merrimack Valley it is the only breakfast place worth going to. read more