You could tell they were down a couple people and still made it work.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Katie Dee
Probably the best pancakes I've ever had (and each pancake is the size of the plate!) We had a short stack of blackberry pancakes, poached egg with corned beef hash, and eggs Benedict. All were delicious. Coffee was good and free refills, but you feel like you shouldn't sit and linger. It's a little pricey for the portions but what isn't these days? Glad to support a local institution. The staff were super friendly, and I thought it was charming how when a couple came in, the people who were seated were asked to scooch down a seat to make room for them to sit together. Al's is upfront about what it is, and most of the negative reviews are just mad that it's not something else.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andy Shieh
We are from out of state and wanted to bring my son this unique place before a Gopher's game, but learned that they still ONLY accepts cash!? We would’ve loved to support this small business and they easily could’ve earned at least $100 from our visit. It’s about to be 2026 people! Less and less people carry and use cash anymore! I am also a small business owner and I know why the owners prefers to not offer the usage of credit or debit cards. But if the owners would spend a day researching on Credit Card processing companies, then they would learn that many do offer $0 processing fees and pass that fee onto the customers. As a customer, I have also been to MANY businesses that pass the 3% CC fee onto us and we’re OK with that! You want your business to grow or more profit in your pockets, then update yourselves to 2026 and accept debit and credit cards! You may have great food, but you are lacking in technology and opportunity to service.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
T
What a staple. Always a pleasure 🫶🫶
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
melted eyes
Excellent tiny little dive. Will be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ubah Malin
I wish I could give this place zero stars, but the system won’t allow it. I’ve visited this restaurant twice, and while I generally felt welcomed during both visits, today’s experience left me disappointed. My friend clearly requested that our food be fully segregated from any pans or cooking surfaces used for pork products, and we confirmed this again at the counter. We strictly do not eat pork for religious reasons, so this request was very important to us.
I watched the cooking process, and unfortunately, there was no effort made to honor what we asked for. Although the eggs were cooked separately, the rye, pancake, and hashbrowns were prepared on the same surfaces used for pork and placed on the same plate. When we brought this up, the older gentleman taking the order simply said, “It got wiped,” which is not proper sanitization when dealing with pork residue. Since our original order was not remade or adjusted, we decided to order a waffle instead, as it is prepared in a separate pan in the back.
In the end, we could only eat the eggs and the waffle and left feeling disappointed and disregarded. Again, we did feel generally welcome as customers—but not when it came to how our order and our dietary needs were handled.
I truly hope management takes this feedback seriously. No customer should have to struggle to have their dietary and religious needs respected, especially when they communicate them clearly.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 1
Amie Kirby
Best breakfast in MN (seriously). Old fashioned and traditional with fun and different food options. The line is always long and out the door, but worth the wait. Staff is extremely attentive and friendly. We visit Al's every chance we get.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scrambled Eggs, Toast, Chocolate Chip Pancakes, Bacon and Eggs, Bacon Eggs \u0026 Hash w Toast
Bob Ammen
A tiny diner with just a few counter seats, but the food feels iconic. My blueberry pancakes were fluffy, sweet, and buttery, while the hash browns were perfectly crisp. It’s cramped and there’s always a line, yet the atmosphere is friendly and full of character.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Eggs Benedict
John Trans
The pancakes were fluffy and tasty, though the bacon leaned a bit greasy. Staff were quick and friendly, and the tiny, counter-only space created a quirky, authentic diner experience.
Loved it! Food was excellent! 2nd time there. Will be back for sure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tracy Molm
Great food, great service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chelsey N
My partner and I are from out of town and went to Al's because a local friend of ours loves it. We stood outside for about half an hour before space opened up inside, but as there were no benches outside, my partner's chronic back pain started acting up. When we were ushered inside I was surprised and worried to see the restaurant also didn't have space for sitting while you wait. Instead, you're told to cram in and stand behind the patrons already eating. An elderly gentleman was near us in line and at one point staff asked if he was alright standing and he said he was fine, and no further accomodations were offered so we don't know what else could have been an option. Being packed like sardines while we waited, I realized this place is a tragic fire incident waiting to happen as there's no way everyone would make it out safely or without crushing each other exiting that tiny doorway. When people leave, they awkwardly shuffle between the people still seated and the people standing behind them. Another 20 minute wait inside and we were seated for our order, but by this point my partner was miserable in pain. The staff was polite and the food was fine. My French toast mostly just tasted like some kind of extract, like almond flavor overload, so I didn't finish it, but you can't beat the portions and price.
Overall, I regret coming here. The blame lies in a few places: the city for not having benches along the sidewalk, the diner for being a handicap inaccessible and chronic pain unfriendly environment, my friend for not considering my partner's back pain, my partner for not wanting to ruin breakfast for his friend who loved the place, and me for not looking at google reviews to see what it looked like inside.
Overall, don't come here if you're immunocompromised due to the close proximity, or have any issues standing for more than an hour, or if you're in a wheelchair because they literally won't be able to fit you.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
Garry Thompson
Went to Al’s breakfast dinkytown branch for the first time this week. The food was pretty good. The tall male waiter seemed like a waste of space and smelt of alcohol, however, the young beautiful waitress definitely made up for it! She was singing and dancing to 80’s classics, it brought me back. Boy, if I was a few years younger I would’ve definitely left my number for her. 08/27/2025
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Calvin (karmi)
Great food, great vibes, is a little small but it was there before everyone got fat.
It is the Taj Mahal of breakfast.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
You could tell they were down a couple people and still made it work.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Probably the best pancakes I've ever had (and each pancake is the size of the plate!) We had a short stack of blackberry pancakes, poached egg with corned beef hash, and eggs Benedict. All were delicious. Coffee was good and free refills, but you feel like you shouldn't sit and linger. It's a little pricey for the portions but what isn't these days? Glad to support a local institution. The staff were super friendly, and I thought it was charming how when a couple came in, the people who were seated were asked to scooch down a seat to make room for them to sit together. Al's is upfront about what it is, and most of the negative reviews are just mad that it's not something else.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
We are from out of state and wanted to bring my son this unique place before a Gopher's game, but learned that they still ONLY accepts cash!? We would’ve loved to support this small business and they easily could’ve earned at least $100 from our visit. It’s about to be 2026 people! Less and less people carry and use cash anymore! I am also a small business owner and I know why the owners prefers to not offer the usage of credit or debit cards. But if the owners would spend a day researching on Credit Card processing companies, then they would learn that many do offer $0 processing fees and pass that fee onto the customers. As a customer, I have also been to MANY businesses that pass the 3% CC fee onto us and we’re OK with that! You want your business to grow or more profit in your pockets, then update yourselves to 2026 and accept debit and credit cards! You may have great food, but you are lacking in technology and opportunity to service.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
What a staple. Always a pleasure 🫶🫶
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent tiny little dive. Will be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I wish I could give this place zero stars, but the system won’t allow it. I’ve visited this restaurant twice, and while I generally felt welcomed during both visits, today’s experience left me disappointed. My friend clearly requested that our food be fully segregated from any pans or cooking surfaces used for pork products, and we confirmed this again at the counter. We strictly do not eat pork for religious reasons, so this request was very important to us.
I watched the cooking process, and unfortunately, there was no effort made to honor what we asked for. Although the eggs were cooked separately, the rye, pancake, and hashbrowns were prepared on the same surfaces used for pork and placed on the same plate. When we brought this up, the older gentleman taking the order simply said, “It got wiped,” which is not proper sanitization when dealing with pork residue. Since our original order was not remade or adjusted, we decided to order a waffle instead, as it is prepared in a separate pan in the back.
In the end, we could only eat the eggs and the waffle and left feeling disappointed and disregarded. Again, we did feel generally welcome as customers—but not when it came to how our order and our dietary needs were handled.
I truly hope management takes this feedback seriously. No customer should have to struggle to have their dietary and religious needs respected, especially when they communicate them clearly.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 1
Best breakfast in MN (seriously). Old fashioned and traditional with fun and different food options. The line is always long and out the door, but worth the wait. Staff is extremely attentive and friendly. We visit Al's every chance we get.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scrambled Eggs, Toast, Chocolate Chip Pancakes, Bacon and Eggs, Bacon Eggs \u0026 Hash w Toast
A tiny diner with just a few counter seats, but the food feels iconic. My blueberry pancakes were fluffy, sweet, and buttery, while the hash browns were perfectly crisp. It’s cramped and there’s always a line, yet the atmosphere is friendly and full of character.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Eggs Benedict
The pancakes were fluffy and tasty, though the bacon leaned a bit greasy. Staff were quick and friendly, and the tiny, counter-only space created a quirky, authentic diner experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Loved it! Food was excellent! 2nd time there. Will be back for sure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food, great service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My partner and I are from out of town and went to Al's because a local friend of ours loves it. We stood outside for about half an hour before space opened up inside, but as there were no benches outside, my partner's chronic back pain started acting up. When we were ushered inside I was surprised and worried to see the restaurant also didn't have space for sitting while you wait. Instead, you're told to cram in and stand behind the patrons already eating. An elderly gentleman was near us in line and at one point staff asked if he was alright standing and he said he was fine, and no further accomodations were offered so we don't know what else could have been an option. Being packed like sardines while we waited, I realized this place is a tragic fire incident waiting to happen as there's no way everyone would make it out safely or without crushing each other exiting that tiny doorway. When people leave, they awkwardly shuffle between the people still seated and the people standing behind them. Another 20 minute wait inside and we were seated for our order, but by this point my partner was miserable in pain. The staff was polite and the food was fine. My French toast mostly just tasted like some kind of extract, like almond flavor overload, so I didn't finish it, but you can't beat the portions and price.
Overall, I regret coming here. The blame lies in a few places: the city for not having benches along the sidewalk, the diner for being a handicap inaccessible and chronic pain unfriendly environment, my friend for not considering my partner's back pain, my partner for not wanting to ruin breakfast for his friend who loved the place, and me for not looking at google reviews to see what it looked like inside.
Overall, don't come here if you're immunocompromised due to the close proximity, or have any issues standing for more than an hour, or if you're in a wheelchair because they literally won't be able to fit you.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
Went to Al’s breakfast dinkytown branch for the first time this week. The food was pretty good. The tall male waiter seemed like a waste of space and smelt of alcohol, however, the young beautiful waitress definitely made up for it! She was singing and dancing to 80’s classics, it brought me back. Boy, if I was a few years younger I would’ve definitely left my number for her.
08/27/2025
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Great food, great vibes, is a little small but it was there before everyone got fat.
Bring cash! There's a nearby bank if you need it
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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