Al's Breakfast

Fast, friendly, and tasty diner breakfast. You could easily miss Al's passing by, and don't expect much room for seating or comfort inside, but do expect a ton of character! There are just 14 seats total, standing room only waiting area (which there tends to be) hovering right behind in some real tight quarters. They're accommodating and run a very efficient ship!For food, The Jose was solid but not quite outstanding. A little heat, but felt like it needed something to balance it out a bit more to really bring it home. Their blueberry walnut pancake was fantastic! Would definitely recommend, a bit sweet, a bit savory - really hits all the buckets!A must try, just don't do so with large groups expecting to get in easily, don't show up without cash or check, and might not be the most kid-friendly stop (due to size/space) if you're looking for that sort of thing!

I've heard a friend talk of this place for years, and he kindly invited me to breakfast here. It was a Monday morning, so not as busy as I hear it can get, so was able to find seating right away. It is a row of about 14 or so stools, and that is it. So, real tiny. Guy behind the counter was friendly and helpful. I ordered the Minnesota huevos rancheros, which were good, but eyeing what my companion got had me in some envy. It is important to know it is a cash-only establishment, been operating for 75 years, and there is a code. Meaning, there is a way things are done, but don't worry, folks will help and its easy to catch onto. It was a unique experience - given that breakfast food is my least favorite food the fact that I would eagerly go back should say something. Recommend.

This little place has made many lists and won many awards, including a James Beard Award. So does it live up to the hype? You betcha. I ended up coming here twice during my last visit to Minneapolis, it was just that good. I normally don't do breakfast but I had to try it and try it again. I was lucky, both times I came here there were seats available about 9:30 and 11:30 on a weekday but filled up quickly afterwards. The staff is wonderful and very welcoming, accommodating, and friendly. But hey this is Minnesota so what would you expect?The first time I was suggested to try the José (Poached eggs on Hashed Browns with Salsa and Cheddar Cheese) and that along with a side of sausage and some solid coffee made for a good breakfast. Add to that some good conversation and getting some local recommendations, especially for a good burger and everything was A-OK. I decided to stop by once more before I left town and got the Jose again (which is great with the large selection of hot sauces that they have) and this time added a short stack of buttermilk flapjacks with blackberries and chocolate chip, OMG soo good!A must visit and worth the wait.

A classic old school hole in the wall spot. its small and cash only. Very old school vibes. you come in and sit where ever there is counter space. Menu is just breakfast basics nothing fancy but what they make here are solid. The prices are super great value. The pancakes and bacon i got were solid and hit the spot. Not the spot id go to all the time due to the size but if youre in the area and hungry its a cute sport to check out.

As much as I wanted to love the food here...I didn't. But maybe that was my mistake for ordering the Hawaiian omelette, which sounded good in theory. There was WAY too much sour cream and the pineapple was so cold. It would have been better with warmed or grilled pineapple and less, way less sour cream. But even then, the eggs were over cooked. The bacon was perfectly cooked, crispy but not burnt. I also got a chocolate chip pancake. The pancakes are thin but really good, and the syrup is good too. The service was decent. It looked like our server was new so I gave him a break for not being more attentive. It's still worth the trip just for the aesthetic of the place. It feels like your eating at home, just choose a wisely, don't make my mistake.

The best breakfast (in this style) hands down! I have been coming to Al's for about 15 years and I have never been disappointed. Be aware it is an adventure breakfast. You will most likely be waiting in line directly behind other diners so you need to be ok with close encounters with humans. Even though the owners have changed the ambiance and food quality remain. Amazing pancakes, and my favorite the 1 egg jose! Have cash, be ready to wait and be patient but it's worth the wait!

Perfect little breakfast spot in Dinkytown... 70 years and counting, so it must be good. Had an amazing crispy (?) omelet and bacon... nice coffee and super great service.There are like 10 seats in this place, so be prepared to wait outside in the MN cold...

Imagine an alleyway, a narrow space between buildings where the cats tread.Then picture the best fry cook in the whole Midwest cleaned that out, put a bar lengthwise - bisecting the already narrow alley - and built a little restaurant around it. A bar, a low roof, and a floor *squeezed* between two buildings, that's Al's Breakfast. You walk inside this intimate, elongated space and immediately to the right, on the other side of the bar, there's a sizzling hot flat top and he's cooking eggs, hash browns, and delicious pancakes! And it smells good!! The seats at the bar are all full, so you stand in line just behind someone as they eat their breakfast. Then you'll take their spot when they're finished and someone fills the spot behind you (well that was 1950s-2020. Now if you're not at one of the bars 14 stools you're lined up outside... regardless of weather!)I know Al's for their distinctive Eggs Benedict, with the real lemony, sour hollandaise. I select precisely this from the menu and the server YELLS IT OUT to the lady at the flap top (nowadays it's a she) , who somehow keeps all the orders straight. I'm served a hot cup of not-great-but-perfect diner-style coffee, and then stare at all the photos, ball caps, and paper currency that spatters the facing wall. Currency... I would suddenly remember to check my wallet, they're CASH ONLY!! Al's is a very analog, human experience. When the food is ready, they'll grab your ketchup,and whichever hot sauce you subscribe to, from behind the counter and you eat your meal with someone at your right and left, with the conversation and banter of strangers in stereo sound. But if you're me, that's just ambiance while I'm devouring the very well-made, classic breakfast. Al's Facts- the pancakes are famous and can be found at the MN State Fair - You can't squeeze an ATM in that space. They're cash only, a small Target has one next block down- I would suspect any UofM grad knows about Al's. - There is something in your Minnesotan heart that has always longed for this place and always will.- They open at 6am! Wake up early and beat the line. Hot coffee will be ready

Could smell the grease from 2 blocks away at around 6:30 AM. I remembered the place from diners drive-ins and dives. Decided to stop in and get my fill of food. I walked in and things were tight,shoulder to shoulder eating their breakfast. I wanted an omelette and some potatoes and it was pretty good and fresh.A little fresh without sal, but nothing a little salt couldn't fix. I like that because you can add salt easily.The servers and cooks all worked behind the tight counter and worked their magic.It was good to try something different.Service was fast and efficient.

I really like this place my mom and I got the hot chocolate and it was really good but they didn't have whip cream. I got the plain waffle, the menu said they charge for syrup but they had so on the counter for free it was really stuffing and good. My mom got the east bank omelette and she said it was really good. My dad got the spike with cheese and mushrooms omelette it was small, but my dad said he liked it. We paid $50 for all this food but it was worth it. They have hooks for your coats. And we went is winter it was 4 degrees out and they had a really warm heater. We got the hot chocolate right away but it took a while for our food to come.