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.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Dave Youngberg
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.
Bring cash! There's a nearby bank if you need it
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sturla Sigurðarson
Stumbling into Al's Breakfast in Dinkytown I was greeted with a cardbox cutout sign informing me that this diner is cash only. My kind of place. I stood there for a while, waiting for a seat to free up. I didn't mind that at all, I just stood there a while looking around this tiny place. In the end I got seated and immediately got poured an honest cup of hot coffee. Black as midnight. I ordered up an omelette with toast, which I thoroughly enjoyed and got many refills on my coffee and chatted a bit with a stranger on my right hand side. Great no-nonsense atmosphere of a place that knows where it stands and does what it does and does it good. I quickly realised this ain't a place I could sit and daydream for too long, so I finished up and payed with a rustling bill. I'll be back one day, Al
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
banana swirl
Went for breakfast Monday morning, was extremely disappointed. Got told to move down a couple seats super rudely at the start due to regulars arriving, we had no issue moving down but did not appreciate the approach. I got the spike and sausage on the side. Went with a friend and her food was given to her 5-10 minutes before I got mine so she was practically finished when I got mine so her food wasn’t cold. When my food arrived I got the wrong toast, and never got my side of sausage. Felt super unwelcome and will not be coming back. Incredibly disappointed and will be telling others the same, very toxic environment.
Visiting food was cooked right in front of me hot fresh and good! Good atmosphere too you can see the work being put in I love it I’ll be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yashodharma Bhat
Al's Breakfast is a tiny, cozy diner with seating for about 14 people in a single row. But do not let the small space fool you—the food is incredible. Some of my favorites include The Jose, Wally Waffle, Pancakes, and Huevos a la Minnesota. The staff are lively, friendly, and make you feel genuinely welcome. It is a true gem with a warm, inviting atmosphere.
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
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
Stumbling into Al's Breakfast in Dinkytown I was greeted with a cardbox cutout sign informing me that this diner is cash only. My kind of place. I stood there for a while, waiting for a seat to free up. I didn't mind that at all, I just stood there a while looking around this tiny place. In the end I got seated and immediately got poured an honest cup of hot coffee. Black as midnight. I ordered up an omelette with toast, which I thoroughly enjoyed and got many refills on my coffee and chatted a bit with a stranger on my right hand side. Great no-nonsense atmosphere of a place that knows where it stands and does what it does and does it good. I quickly realised this ain't a place I could sit and daydream for too long, so I finished up and payed with a rustling bill. I'll be back one day, Al
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went for breakfast Monday morning, was extremely disappointed. Got told to move down a couple seats super rudely at the start due to regulars arriving, we had no issue moving down but did not appreciate the approach. I got the spike and sausage on the side. Went with a friend and her food was given to her 5-10 minutes before I got mine so she was practically finished when I got mine so her food wasn’t cold. When my food arrived I got the wrong toast, and never got my side of sausage. Felt super unwelcome and will not be coming back. Incredibly disappointed and will be telling others the same, very toxic environment.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Have to go at least once in your life
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Eggs benedict and bacon waffle was good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Visiting food was cooked right in front of me hot fresh and good! Good atmosphere too you can see the work being put in I love it I’ll be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Al's Breakfast is a tiny, cozy diner with seating for about 14 people in a single row. But do not let the small space fool you—the food is incredible. Some of my favorites include The Jose, Wally Waffle, Pancakes, and Huevos a la Minnesota. The staff are lively, friendly, and make you feel genuinely welcome. It is a true gem with a warm, inviting atmosphere.
P.S. They accept only cash or checks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Friendly guys, cool vibe
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
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