The wait is expected and part of the unique experience... great place! One of a kind!
Shaleen Meyer
CASH ONLY Fancy alley with walls and a grill. Be prepared to wait in a single file line that starts inside and extends to the street. Scooch down as seats become available, and to have a line waiting behind you! Truly a don't miss, historic gem of a bygone era, fully rocking the modern era with great food and high energy atmosphere.
Alex Berube
If you only have a few days in Minneapolis, go HERE. Its a tight fit but absolutely worth the close quarters. Order. The. Benedict. They warned me that after I had it, I wouldn't be able to have it anywhere else and boy they were NOT KIDDING. 10/10 Will be back again
Sarah Halby
Cash is king at Al’s so bring some or your checkbook. No CCs allowed. This place is an experience. Be prepared to wait. Outside, in the doorway, standing behind people as they eat. It’s part of the whole shebang. When you sit, be ready to eat. The blueberry corn pancakes are my favorite, along with the eggs Benedict and hash browns extra crispy. My hubby loves this place to death and it is an institution. Love it as it is or pick somewhere else that isn’t here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Eggs Benedict
Jay Sachetti
Classic diner
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Recommended dishes: Bacon and Eggs, Blueberry Walnut Pancakes, Pure Maple Syrup, French Toast
Arbeena Riyaz
The food was really good but the waiter was slightly racist and passive aggressive because he threw out our change instead of politely giving it to us. I was there with a friend, and we both felt uncomfortable being the only internationals in the space. The service was unwelcoming!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Gauri Vaidya
The food and everything was good. However, one of the waiters was really really rude: they threw out change back (instead of handing it over politely) and was slightly racist towards us.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Ciera Harshbarger
No space no seats to sit cook wasn’t wearing gloves they don’t even have soda or take cards. Bad first impression for first meal in town
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Katie Knauer
The atmosphere is cozy and charming, with eclectic decor that adds character. Unfortunately, the food didn’t live up to the hype. The hashbrowns were burnt to a blackened crisp on the outside yet somehow raw in the middle, and excessively greasy in an unappealing way. If a diner can’t get hashbrowns right, can it really call itself a diner?
The eggs benedict, which felt oddly out of place on the menu, was passable but far from enjoyable—the hollandaise sauce was overly tangy with lemon and had started to break.
If the food had been good- even just decent, or at the very least somewhat afordable, I might have overlooked the cramped seating and the experience of other customers breathing down our necks, waiting for our seat. However, the combination of mediocre service, overcrowding, and disappointing food left me regretting the visit entirely
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Jason
Ordered an omelette and Eggs Benedict. Omelette came with whipped cream and strawberries on top - no idea why but it ruined the dish. Also, it was served long before the eggs benedict so essentially you eat separately. Toast came as we were leaving. The owner/cook couldn’t care less if you’re not a regular customer. Cash or check only. I wouldn’t waste your time or money.
If you have the time, Al's is a must! Have practice. Look for parking. Enjoy the atmosphere. Try the walnut WAFFLES! Fresh and amazing "omelet". Loved it all. Great gob staff! Wed. 11/27/24 @ 11:00
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bacon and Eggs, Blueberry Walnut Pancakes, Pure Maple Syrup, Waffles
Bri Onne
First time here and I'll definitely be back. When I arrived [at about 8:30am on a Saturday] there was already no open seats, as the place really is as tiny and narrow as it is advertised with about 10 or so counter barstools [that kind of wiggled which added character] but after less than about a 5 minute wait or so, I was seated. Service was fast and the food was delicious (I got the winter with mushrooms) and something about the atmosphere felt so cozy and "at home" and like I'd been a guest there for years.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Jason Punda
Al's Breakfast is a Dinkytown staple that has been going strong for 70+ years now. The place is tiny - only 14 seats - which creates an interesting setup where folks waiting in line stand behind the folks eating. In order to fit people in, it's not uncommon to pick up your plates and move around when there are gaps in seating.
They stay busy, but week days are going to be easier to get in than weekends. Also, do note that they are cash and check only so make sure to hit an ATM before you get there!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bacon Waffle, Eggs Benedict, Corned Beef Hash with Poached Eggs and Rye Toast, Bacon and Eggs, Sausage, Buttermilk Pancakes, Toast, Waffles, English Muffin, Scrambled Eggs
Mplsbeb B
Exceptionally good eggs! I’ve been a patron since 1981. I met Tom Brokaw in 1990. He was sitting @ the last stool, solooooo.
The wait is expected and part of the unique experience... great place! One of a kind!
CASH ONLY Fancy alley with walls and a grill. Be prepared to wait in a single file line that starts inside and extends to the street. Scooch down as seats become available, and to have a line waiting behind you! Truly a don't miss, historic gem of a bygone era, fully rocking the modern era with great food and high energy atmosphere.
If you only have a few days in Minneapolis, go HERE. Its a tight fit but absolutely worth the close quarters. Order. The. Benedict. They warned me that after I had it, I wouldn't be able to have it anywhere else and boy they were NOT KIDDING. 10/10 Will be back again
Cash is king at Al’s so bring some or your checkbook. No CCs allowed. This place is an experience. Be prepared to wait. Outside, in the doorway, standing behind people as they eat. It’s part of the whole shebang. When you sit, be ready to eat. The blueberry corn pancakes are my favorite, along with the eggs Benedict and hash browns extra crispy. My hubby loves this place to death and it is an institution. Love it as it is or pick somewhere else that isn’t here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Eggs Benedict
Classic diner
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Recommended dishes: Bacon and Eggs, Blueberry Walnut Pancakes, Pure Maple Syrup, French Toast
The food was really good but the waiter was slightly racist and passive aggressive because he threw out our change instead of politely giving it to us. I was there with a friend, and we both felt uncomfortable being the only internationals in the space. The service was unwelcoming!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
The food and everything was good. However, one of the waiters was really really rude: they threw out change back (instead of handing it over politely) and was slightly racist towards us.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
No space no seats to sit cook wasn’t wearing gloves they don’t even have soda or take cards. Bad first impression for first meal in town
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
The atmosphere is cozy and charming, with eclectic decor that adds character. Unfortunately, the food didn’t live up to the hype. The hashbrowns were burnt to a blackened crisp on the outside yet somehow raw in the middle, and excessively greasy in an unappealing way. If a diner can’t get hashbrowns right, can it really call itself a diner?
The eggs benedict, which felt oddly out of place on the menu, was passable but far from enjoyable—the hollandaise sauce was overly tangy with lemon and had started to break.
If the food had been good- even just decent, or at the very least somewhat afordable, I might have overlooked the cramped seating and the experience of other customers breathing down our necks, waiting for our seat. However, the combination of mediocre service, overcrowding, and disappointing food left me regretting the visit entirely
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Ordered an omelette and Eggs Benedict. Omelette came with whipped cream and strawberries on top - no idea why but it ruined the dish. Also, it was served long before the eggs benedict so essentially you eat separately. Toast came as we were leaving. The owner/cook couldn’t care less if you’re not a regular customer. Cash or check only. I wouldn’t waste your time or money.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Great breakfast and excellent service
If you have the time, Al's is a must! Have practice. Look for parking. Enjoy the atmosphere. Try the walnut WAFFLES! Fresh and amazing "omelet". Loved it all. Great gob staff!
Wed. 11/27/24 @ 11:00
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bacon and Eggs, Blueberry Walnut Pancakes, Pure Maple Syrup, Waffles
First time here and I'll definitely be back. When I arrived [at about 8:30am on a Saturday] there was already no open seats, as the place really is as tiny and narrow as it is advertised with about 10 or so counter barstools [that kind of wiggled which added character] but after less than about a 5 minute wait or so, I was seated. Service was fast and the food was delicious (I got the winter with mushrooms) and something about the atmosphere felt so cozy and "at home" and like I'd been a guest there for years.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Al's Breakfast is a Dinkytown staple that has been going strong for 70+ years now. The place is tiny - only 14 seats - which creates an interesting setup where folks waiting in line stand behind the folks eating. In order to fit people in, it's not uncommon to pick up your plates and move around when there are gaps in seating.
They stay busy, but week days are going to be easier to get in than weekends. Also, do note that they are cash and check only so make sure to hit an ATM before you get there!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bacon Waffle, Eggs Benedict, Corned Beef Hash with Poached Eggs and Rye Toast, Bacon and Eggs, Sausage, Buttermilk Pancakes, Toast, Waffles, English Muffin, Scrambled Eggs
Exceptionally good eggs!
I’ve been a patron since 1981.
I met Tom Brokaw in 1990.
He was sitting @ the last stool, solooooo.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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