Staple breakfast in Dinkytown to the point it's almost touristy. With that SAID, it's not a bad thing. There's a reason why this little diner is so popular. The food here has definitely withstood the test of time - greasy yet the kind of guilty pleasure you just can't resist. You know what'a the worst part? Standing behind other patrons feeding on those amazing bacon and hash browns when you're REALLY REALLY hungry but not knowing how long you have to wait before you get seated. It's a little hard to predict the time when you should show up to avoid standing in line for the food. Either show up very early or very late, and it should be relatively light in queue. I actually wonder why it took me so long to write this piece, but everything there is about this place, you just gotta love it. The retro vibe, the diner tradition, the screaming at the top of your lung across the table between the cooks - ah, just get those blueberry pancakes and stop reading. read more

After living in Minneapolis for a few years and hearing about Al's for so long, we (party of 2 - important) finally gave it a shot. It was the day after Christmas, a Wednesday, at 11 am on the dot when we arrived. Street parking was plentiful and there was no line out the door. We almost thought maybe they weren't open. They were, and we joined the line against the back wall of the room. I had heard about Al's being tiny, I've been to Mickeys and Our Kitchen and other notably small restaurants, but you truly cannot do justice to the size of this place through words alone. Maybe not even a picture. You stand single-file along the left wall, inches away from those who stood in line before you and are currently on a stool at the counter. I believe there's 14 seats. Despite the...intimacy of the space, the staff was incredibly welcoming, friendly and perfectly conversational. It truly felt like being in their home; you become part of their banter and yelling orders from across the counter. They move quickly as to turn over the seats as fast as they can. The line moves quicker than you'd expect. The food was great, everything's fried in butter. The pancakes, good. Wouldn't go as far as saying they're the best ever, but certainly worth getting. I LOVE that you can really customize the size of your order (1-many pancakes, 2 or 3 eggs, etc). I got the 2-egg Spike which was delectable, savory and garlicky. This smaller portion was even too much to finish with a pancake on the side. If it's just you and a friend or date or uber driver, get in the line! If you've got 3-4 people, prepare to wait a bit. Any more than that, I implore you to reconsider or split yourselves up. read more

My son is a senior at the U and I have wanted to try this place since his freshman year. We've gotten in line a few times but he didn't want to wait, so we'd go to some mediocre place nearby. This time I booked a flight home on a weekday and DH and I went on a Monday while my son was in class. I confess I was sorta hoping to hate the place but the food and service were great. I had the summer special scramble and it was so pretty it was a shame to eat it (but I did!) I gave my husband a hard time for ordering a side of 2 blueberry walnut pancakes with his breakfast since they are huge and I thought we'd never eat it all... I was wrong. So delish we ate every bite. If I had any complaints, it's that the barstools were a bit wobbly and the place is small, but you know that before you sit, so no surprises. We left happy. Stopped out front to take a selfie in front of the sign to let my son know that he missed it. Life is good. :) read more

A literal hole in the wall. 10/10 would recommend! I got the New Orleans omelet, mom got the Wally Blacks, husband got the frenchies and dad got the Leo! All so good zero complaints. Perfectly unique and cute! read more

People at this place are freaking rude. Specially Mary. I can't stand the fact they think it's cute to be rude to paying customers. Food is not all that. Attitude sucks read more

It's so cute, and small! If you are claustrophobic I would not recommend going to Al's it is so unique and brings you back in time, food is so good and everyone is always sooo friendly. The seats could be updated but others an incredible experience. (They do not have a bathroom so go before hand and you can only pay with cash!) read more

On a college visit with my daughter and we checked this place out for breakfast on a weekday. So glad we did. This is truly a breakfast place I like. Great service and all seating at the bar. It's small and when we walked in there wasn't enough seating for both of us... but two people people slid down from their spot to give us seating. The food was homemade, and the people were super nice, patrons and staff alike. If you're stuck up, don't go here and try one of the big chains. read more

This is my all time favorite breakfast locations. Only fourteen stools so you might wait if you're late. Best to arrive at opening (6 AM) during the week. I've had most every menu item but my first choice is the whole wheat, walnut and blueberry pancakes. Short stack (2) is plenty for most. Try the real maple syrup. My second favorite is the Smokey omelet with hash browns. read more

Al's Breakfast - This is the Huevos Rancheros with salsa, wheat toast, hash browns, coffee with cream and orange juice. So good! - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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So I've used the phrase "hole in the wall" to describe many a place before but Al's would be the best to truly fit that description over any other. Great service, great breakfast, got the corned beef hash and my son had the eggs Benedict and we split the bacon waffle. He gave the Benedict 5 stars all the way and the bacon waffle was the perfect savory salty blend of goodness (especially after mistaking the sugar for the syrup and pouring that on the waffle, which I may have to do intentionally moving forward). Corned beef hash was ok, would get something else next time and look forward to trying it again and bumping this review up another star which wouldn't be hard to do, very close. Great place to stop when near U. read more

Had the best breakfast with the coolest crew!!! Laid back atmosphere that has been around forever; they even have tabs from present day to over 30 years ago. Will definitely be back. Thanks guys read more

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I have finally found the "Dinkytown" district, which is only walking distance away from the beautiful University of Minnesota main campus. This little breakfast joint was also featured on Triple D. I say "little", because this popular little café only holds twelve patrons. And many of you thought Art's Café on Irving Street was small. As small and popular as this café is, there is obviously a little wait. While you wait to be seated, you get to see owner and chef: Al entertains his crowd. His character is what makes this café stay in tact. Al: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/als-breakfast-minneapolis?select=bfzNgGkttQ_TT4OrFJ4SDQ#4yt9FOATkVTmbUoYHzz6Jw After a 15-minute wait, which is not bad for a Friday morning, I "squeezed" in between a couple of linemen from the University. From the menu, I ordered a plate of Bacon Waffle and side of hash browns. For $8.50, my plate of waffle had crispy bacon bits mixed in with the waffle batter. Unique item made by Al. And I like the waffle. Bacon Waffle: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/als-breakfast-minneapolis?select=bfzNgGkttQ_TT4OrFJ4SDQ#HDj6NH6E0qqRqVjtTWe2oA The $3.50 hash browns had fresh shredded Russet Potatoes all fried up. The dish had a nice starchy taste, but a little on the soggy side. Al did not cook the hashed browns and it shows. One out of two dishes were okay and bad. My hash browns: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/als-breakfast-minneapolis?select=bfzNgGkttQ_TT4OrFJ4SDQ#pw7k1nEIK0SpfpLnLToYeQ As I was enjoying my meal, I was watching more of Al cooking, yelling, and screaming to his colleagues and patrons. His entertainment is a show itself. Dinkytown is the cool part of Minneapolis. When you come to this part, make sure you drop by Al's for some good breakfast and his shindig. read more

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Overrated. I came here because it seemed like a MUST TRY place and I am glad I came for the experience. I had the full experience, where I had to wait about 10 minutes standing along the wall before there was a spot to sit. It was about 9:15 on a Thursday morning. I am a HUGE breakfast fanatic and am pretty hardcore about it. The service was great, the guy was patient while I made up my own omelette combunation. I wanted peanut butter with my toast but then found out they don't have pb. SAY WHAAAAT? How can they not have pb? Sigh. So I opted for a blackberry pancake instead. My pancake came out at least 5 minutes before my omelette. Super annoying, because I was hungry and I wanted to do the sweet and savory thing, but I was so hungry I just ate most the the pancake before the omelette came. Food should come out together, period. The omelette was nothing special. It was good, but not great. Then it ended up being like $15 for the whole thing, which was annoying for a 2 egg omelette and one pancake, that didn't even come out together. So, I am glad I went. I made friends with they guy sitting next to me. Cute place, fun little experience. Mediocre food. read more

Al's Breakfast - Omelette with sriracha, blackberry pancake - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

It's a quirky place. It's long and narrow seating only 14 at a time at the counter seating. You stand in line behind the counter. The line moves quickly. Once you are seated the experience gets even quirkier. The chef makes the food right in front of you. Every once in while he stops his conversation with the clients to scream (at an amazing volume) for more ingredients. The food is quick and amazing. The pancakes are delicious and tangy; the hash browns are crispy and creamy; and the English muffins are divine. It's all butter and flavor. Go once. Go twice. Keep going. read more

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Go wait, be creepy, eat, and enjoy! If there's a line, stand against the walls and BE CREEPY! Al's Breakfast is awesome. In the heart of Dinkytown, Al's food will make your heart skip a beat begging for more! I personally love, LOVE, love the eggs benedict. I know it's 'fatteningly' delicious, but there's something about the hollandaise with the perfect amount of fat and lemon zest that goes with the perfectly toasted biscuit. Major Tip: CASH ONLY read more

Al's Breakfast - AMAZING eggs benedict - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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New to Minneapolis? Just visiting? Well, you have to go here. Don't ask questions, you have no choice. If you want a unique experience that you can't get anywhere else, you're eating breakfast at Al's. And that line? Shut the fuck up about it! It's part of the deal. But if you HAVE to ask yourself "is it really worth it?" ... just move along, you don't get and you never will. Enjoy your Denny's, you corporate shill. read more

It feels cliché to rave about how awesome this place is when The City Pages, Star Tribune, and Food Network (among others) already do. But this place is seriously as good as the hype. What I Love: The cramped intimate atmosphere that makes you feel special just being able to sit at the counter. The pumpkin pancakes! Yum! The hashbrowns that are crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. Blondie's cover album, particularly Ring of Fire Prune juice! Getting in the door at 12:45 and the waitstaff are just as nice as if we had walked in earlier in the morning. Thanks for the great exp! Come prepared to wait and let that get you even more excited for the food that is to come! Also, bring cash or checks--no cards accepted here! read more

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As we stood inside the 10 ft wide space, barely two feet behind the row of fourteen already seated customers at Al's breakfast, my boyfriend who was clearly there for the first time dared ask me: "Is it really worth waiting for brunch here?" And I'm not gonna lie, I felt a slow burn through my spine as my muscles tighten, but I managed to keep my cool and just mumbled "we are staying." He didn't insist. As we waited in line at the windowless end of the space which was once an alley, and awkwardly breathing over the necks of the fourteen already seated diners, I realized he had a point. No words such as "glorious", or "heavenly" could come even closer to explaining the reasons for my devotion to this place. And I have to admit this was a warm day compared to the cold Minnesotan winter days I have endured in front of Al's to get my dose goodness. You can't describe to someone who hasn't been there why. You just have to convince them to put up with the long waits, the cold and the sui generis customer service. Breakfast at Al's although delicious, is comparable to S'mores at a campfire. One can easily buy the graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows and make S'mores over the gas stove at home, but they will never taste the same without the fresh air, the dirty sticks and even the feeling of burning your face while hanging around the campfire. The best buttermilk blueberry pancakes and eggs Benedict I have ever had in my life have been at Al's. I know however that these would be devoid of their sublime flavor if it wasn't for the atmosphere, the bellowing cooks, the stern and sometimes friendly waiters and waitresses and the strict Al's culture which never forgives the occasional newcomer who unknowingly takes a seat by the entrance before the people waiting at the very back of the room take them. It's the law. This place is one of those wonders of the business world. How could such a tiny, dirty looking, barely legal spot in the middle of a university district survive and mark so many generations of local, national and international visitors? Sometimes I hear foreigners mention Al's alongside the Mall of America when talking about Minneapolis. This tiny hole in the wall is a Minnesotan icon! And has been since my father studied at the U of M 40+ years ago. Gotta try it! read more

Al's Breakfast is a great hole in the wall breakfast joint in Minneapolis' Dinkytown! Thank you Yelpers! Without you guys I would not have heard of Al's Breakfast. I just noticed that they have their own Wiki entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al's_Breakfast Al's was featured in Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2007. Al Bergstrom, the founder, lived until 2003 and passed away at age 97! For my very first meal in Minnesota, earlier this month, my friend & I headed straight to Al's after renting our car at MSP. Even though we arrived at 10am on a Friday, there was a line almost out the door. It moved quickly though, and since it was just two of us, it wasn't a problem to squeeze us in. The wait was probably 20 minutes. I only had to re-feed the meter once during our time there. The decor of Al's is fun with decorated egg shells all over the place. They have large cards with names of customers behind the counter. These are prepaid tabs so that they don't have to bring in cash and can deduct their meals from their tab totals. The eggs here are their specialty and boy are they delicious. My friend and I ordered too much food, even though it didn't seem like a lot upon ordering. The flapjacks (pancakes) come in a short stack (2), regular (3), or long (4). They are deceivingly huge and unbelievably cheap. I ordered a whole wheat SS, and my friend ordered a blueberry and walnut SS (I forget if it was whole wheat or regular), but hers were amazing. The added combination of blueberries and walnuts made them so delicious and quite possibly the best pancakes I have ever had. The eggs are what Al's is known for. They might be just regular eggs, but for some reason they taste extremely good here. My friend just ordered two eggs, which came with toast. I ordered a tasty omelette, which also came with toast. The bill was ridiculously cheap for what we ordered. We ended up ordering twice as much food as we could handle. For the two of us, we should have just stuck with SS flapjacks with blueberries and walnuts, an omelette with toast, and two coffees. Even the coffee here was good, and bottomless too. They were good about continuously refilling our mugs. I forgot to add that they use real maple syrup, and not that imitation Aunt Jemima stuff. Also, I believe remembering it to be cash only here. Al's is a must when you visit Minny! Don't be intimidated by the wait. You'll be well rewarded for your patience. read more

Al's Breakfast - Hanging decorated eggs at Al's Breakfast. - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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A unique experience. Good food and very good service. An old TINY tired little kitchen with history. I think there might be 20 counter seats so depending on when you come you might be waiting and potentially sliding down the counter to accommodate new arrivals. The blueberry walnut pancakes were great. The only thing I didn't like was the syrup was not thick, very watery which made for eating soggy cakes. I would recommend this place for the experience, service and I would try the Eggs Benedict next time they looked great. read more

Al's Breakfast - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

"Isn't it really sad that we don't have good cheap diners anymore." said the man driving into a McDonalds. Diners are dying, so the ones that do survive often end up representing nostalgia to some and novelty to younger others. Al's is a decades old diner and has been a staple of Dinkytown for generations of UMN students. You know its small, the waits are long, people stand behind you when you do get to sit down and eat. And still, people keep showing up don't they? So it must be good. We waited an hour and a half on a cloudy summer day (ideal for waiting) and were ushered in luckily just before it started to rain. In a place this small, a man has to choose between himself and his umbrella, so this ain't the most ideal place to show up with anything but a healthy appetite, plenty of patience and cash. The vibe is eclectic, the service efficient and yet not as rushed as you'd expect. The menu is standard breakfast fare and offers very little for those who have to eat healthy all the time. Leave those people at home, if you know any. Come here with the expectation of robust American breakfast foods the kind which Ron Swanson would approve of. Cooked and served in quantities of fat, salt and cheese which every self-respecting grandmother would approve of. We had the heuvos rancheros, strips of bacon, the breakfast sandwich: with egg, chorizo, cheese, beans and coleslaw, hashbrowns and a short stack of blueberry walnut pancakes. Smothered in butter, each of these items were great, with the sandwich doing much better than the pseudo-Mexican fare. The bacon here saves the bacon always I've heard with strips thick enough to please most people. The cakes were good, with fewer berries than I had hoped for but heavy enough to make the most unexcitable of arteries hard. The coffee, served in surprisingly small cups, smelt better than it tasted but was amply decent. This meal would set us back about 35 bucks which is not as reasonable as things have been in the past I guess but much more so than the places Uptown which leave you and your wallet both feeling very light. A visit to this place should be planned with you leaving your time keeping devices at home, for impatience will brew discontent. Would I recommend you drive long distances to get here and wait in line? Well that depends if you know how to cook eggs and how much butter you use doesn't it? read more

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The cutest place to eat breakfast by far. Staff is super friendly. Prices are great and the food is amazing!

If Minneapolis has a breakfast version of Seinfeld's "Soup Kitchen International" (inspiration for the "Soup Nazi" character), this is it. Part of the charm is shuffling into this tiny dive at oh-dark-whatever in the morning while temps are in the negatives to the toasty warm right-next-to-the-griddle-stools. Sure, sometimes you have to queue up like a chess board pawn but that is actually part of the experience. If it's particularly busy, you will be assigned your stool. Then get ready for diner style coffee, eggs cooked to order and the best blueberry walnut pancakes you will ever eat. It's all served up with local charm. There is a bathroom, but it's super top secret (and kind of embarrassing to get to) so make preparations in advance if you can. read more

What a Hole in the Wall Diner! Literally...they only have stools and a bar facing the drill and griddle. No tables and no reservations. We were here on a Weds Morning and it was packed! Lines out the door. Not a place for the shy and claustrophobic. The spaces are tight and you are bound to accidentally rub up on someone. The food...amazing! Good ole home cooking Breakfast for less than $10 you will be satisfied. My favorite was definitely the Corned Beef Hash. It looks nothing like the canned Alpo-looking like stuff you normally get. It looked like homemade corn beef hash and it was delicious with over easy eggs. As a traveler I heavily rely on Yelp to show me all the good places. Thank You Yelp for leading me to this place! read more

Al's Breakfast - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I love this place, but full disclosure: THE LINE IS TERRIBLE! Know that going in. This restaurant seats 13 people at a waist high counter with stools. The restaurant is 10' wide, with more than half of that taken up by seated patrons and the kitchen area. It is a tight galley full of delicious food, patrons eating the delicious food and those standing up waiting for their shot at glory. You will be cramped when diners get up to wiggle and writhe their way past the line on their way out of a tiny little air lock. You will probably be bumped during your meal by folks in line shuffling along the wall until their number comes up. Now that has been said, this place is a time capsule. To a time when breakfast was prepared quickly and consumed quickly. If you want a nice relaxing brunch, this is not the place for you. However, if you're looking for phenomenal pancakes (loaded with blueberries and walnuts in my case), delicious bacon and intimate, well worn surroundings, you will love this place. Coffee was okay, service was on point, food was amazing and I'm happy that Al's stays as true to its roots as it can. It's a gem, and i hope for all of our sake that it doesn't change a bit. read more

Al's Breakfast is considered a Minnesota icon/staple and has been around since before my father attended college at the University of Minnesota in the 70's. It's been featured on Diner's Drive In's and Dive's, although I'm unsure how they crammed inside the tiny restaurant to film, and received a James Beard Foundation award. However, it still maintains its "hole in the wall" atmosphere (literally). All of the food is phenomenal to say the least! The buttermilk pancakes were to DIE for, and the Jose with their homemade salsa??? Amazing! So let me give a quick description of the place overall. First of all, if you blinked driving by, you would miss the place! It has a small sign (nothing big or flashy), and the only way you would probably recognize it amidst the new Jimmy Johns, Potbelly Sandwiches, and other new restaurant chains in Dinkytown is the long line of customers out the door. Once you have waited in line for a while (probably a good 20-30 minutes), you walk into the restaurant which is so small, you have to stand against the wall, right behind the people that are eating. You wait in line for another 20-30 minutes, and then, depending on the size of your party, they have the people currently sitting down move up or down a couple seats to make room for your party. Sometimes, only two of the four people in your party will take a seat first when seats open up. Also, once you are seated, you may move up or down seats two to three times during your meal. However, the whole experience is none like any you have ever had. The food is CHEAP (check out their menu at: http://www.urbanspoon.com/u/menu/330049?p=0), but don't let that fool you when it comes to quality! This breakfast food puts all other breakfast food to shame. It smells like mom's home cooking up at the cabin while frying bacon and making homemade buttermilk pancakes. The pancakes are so light and fluffy, and have a little salty flavor from whatever was cooking on the stove griddle before it. I think that's what makes the food so amazing! Once you have received your food (which is very quick), you eat and leave much more quickly than you arrived. The turnaround time is very fast considering the large crowd that waits outside. Excellent food, phenomenal experience; that's Al's Breakfast! If you're in Minneapolis, MN, this place is a MUST. read more

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Did the 2 hour wait, I don't know if it was a good as I expected it to be. I had ordered a short stack of pancakes that came out undercooked-luckily after informing them they quickly made me a new order that was a little better. My mom ordered a bacon waffle with sourcream and strawberries. She really enjoyed them, and also had a side of hash browns-served a little burnt but still tasted good as she said. The prices weren't too bad but weren't the best either, and the atmosphere looked like a mom and Popp place as expected-but because there were 10 bar stools filled-and people lined up against the wall it was a very tight squeeze to get in and out. Overall it wasn't a bad experience, and was worth the wait to everyone but me-I enjoyed it, but it could've been better. read more

Al's Breakfast - Blueberry pancakes - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

A fantastic hole in the wall breakfast joint in Dinkytown. Could not recommend Al's more! There are only 12 stools and it is cash only so be prepared! I alway get their spring special (scrambled eggs, hollandaise, and asparagus) and a short stack of blueberry pancakes. I'm not much of a sweet breakfast person but I LOVE their pancakes. Friendly staff and a fun environment! read more

When you come to this diner, you definitely get the feel that there's something special about this place. After eating here, I googled and looked up a few things about its history. It originally was just an alleyway between two buildings! When you eat in here, you definitely won't be surprised. There's limited seating, but do they a good job of getting people in and out quickly. They'll shuffle you around to optimize the seating. The workers here are easy to talk to and it makes the wait go by quickly. The food, honestly, seemed quite average to me. The experience, however, made it worth it. TIPS: Come early or prepare to wait for a very long time. My restaurant scoring guide (Taken from Jeffery C. in Silicon Valley) 5*: Absolutely love it and would strongly recommend / one of my favorites or new place that I can't wait to go again 4*: Liked it and would probably recommend / place I go consistently without it being spectacular or would like to go back and try something else there 3*: It was decent but wouldn't voluntarily recommend / I may go back to there but wouldn't suggest it 2*: It was not very good but not horrible / I'm averse to going back but wouldn't absolutely reject it 1*: Ugh / Not going back there read more

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Waited two hours in line and it was worth it! The walnut blueberry pancakes were the best part but, the atmosphere alone is so unique and a great experience. read more

Al's Breakfast - Eggs, hash browns, blueberry walnut pancakes - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Love Al's. Eggs pancakes everything is terrific. Standing in line behind current customers is an added experience. Just love the atmosphere and the food is delicious. read more

You go for the experience. Seriously folks.This place is smaller than small, like a dozen seats at best. That means that more than likely you will be standing outside or awkwardly inside on the wall to wait for seats to open up. If that doesn't sound fun for you then don't come here, you will not like it at all. If you can manage to get around that little snafu, you will find a great breakfast joint that has fought hard to not change a thing on what they do well. Breakfast is good, nothing with bells and whistles, just down to earth good. Some of their menu items are unique but most of the choices are your basic breakfast fare. It feels like someone plucked a small town breakfast diner and plopped it right in the middle of Dinkytown. And it hasn't changed one bit from its roots. I don't come here often but when I do I come for the experience. That and my wife started having contractions for our first baby in this place. Ah memories... read more

For my first review of 2016, I'll start with this UMN staple that is amongst the highest rated breakfast diners in the twin cities. This is place is excellent and I would suggest they expand to every university town in the nation. Rent must be cheap because the closet-like eating quarters that seats 13 or so. That savings is passed on to you though because the prices are fantastically low and the portion sizes are pretty incredible for what you pay. Literally the same meal I got here - corned beef hash, two eggs, and rye would have cost more than double in Chicago. Service is friendly and excellent, as is the ambiance. The wait is long. The place is cramped. If you don't like someone breathing behind your back while you eat, this isn't the place for you. As one Yelper commented, it probably violates fire code. Oh well - I'm all about the cheap, greasy, and filling breakfast. The place is cash only. There is a no-fee ATM in Target just down the street. You eat and then you leave because there's a line to the door waiting behind you. read more

Al's Breakfast - Corned beef hash with 2 eggs on rye - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

This is a good ma and pa spot. I had the dinkytown omelet and was very pleased with my meal. They added the toast and unfortunately thanks to COVID-19 they had to close the dining area . They did however walk the food to my truck. And I gave them a tip because it was starting to snow read more

Really good diner in Minneapolis that is super popular with the locals. If you're in the area, please make sure you stop by. This place is super tiny, maybe 15 seats so make sure to come before you are hungry and still expect a wait. It's very narrow so you should leave any large bags or extra stuff at home or in the car. Once you get seated, the food comes out very fast and it's all hot and delicious. I got one of the breakfast specials and was very satisfied with my meal. Bring cash and enjoy! read more

Excellent as always! Staff is brilliant and the food is always top notch! The experience is so unique that you must go, sit, and eat to understand. It is fun,fun,fun and delicious, delicious, and delicious! You will be treated like a family member. read more

Al's Breakfast - The Jose, YUM - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

If you are from out of town, you need to make time to stop for a bite. The wheat toast alone with bumbbleberry jam, WOW!!! The blueberry flap jack, delicious and big. Try The Jose .. Poached eggs with homemade salsa and cheese on it. Retro vibe and staff keeps you entertained! A must visit! read more

Al's Breakfast - The Jose!! - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

3 stars for the food - unexceptional but 2.5 stars for the charm! I actually went here with my Uber driver who has been here before. There is definitely a charm in this whole in the wall, easily missable dive place in Dinkytown. However, I wouldn't recommend the food all that much. Standard, greasy-spoon diner food. I ate the blueberry walnut pancakes (which were my favorite) but I would skip the corned beef hash and the eggs next time. They weren't too special. I would just come here for the experience but I knew coming in that the food was not going to be remarkable. Nice staff though and a great place to talk and chat with new people! read more

I was in Minneapolis for a short time and came to this restaurant. Well, wait, its more like a real diner, or the one I was thinking if I weed out Denny's and its mega-chain-yucky cousins. Its literally a small place with great breakfast items and simple ambiance. You'll come up to it and think back to your visits in a 3rd world country where things can get built where you don't expect it. It seems as if it was a alley and they put together the place. I'm not knocking it. I loved this place the first time I saw it... it adds well deserved character. The pancakes were great - we tried both blueberry and the walnut one. I also got their special, the spinach egg dish. It was tasty without being overbearing. It was the right size and made the breakfast balanced with rest of the meal. Keep in mind, it gets busy fast. There are only like 10 stools and you'll have to wait until people leave. You wait behind them. There is barely any room to move from front to back when people are sitting and waiting to be seated. It wasn't a negative to me... I like the cozy atmosphere, but I can see how some might feel a bit claustrophobic there. The waitress was nice and friendly. We got our food pretty fast and scarfed it down, tasting the deliciousness all the way through. One caveat, if you are vegan/vegetarian, keep in mind that the hash browns are grilled on same grill and grease as the meats. But that goes with any diner so I didn't have a problem with it. If you are in the area, go. Like go now, well, go now if its in the morning/early afternoon. Otherwise, wait until tomorrow morning. read more

Al's Breakfast - Toward the front - when packed - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Best. Breakfast. Ever. Though I live in Los Angeles, Al's Breakfast is my favorite restaurant bar none. I discovered it while living down the block at the Theta Chi Fraternity house and attending the University of Minnesota in 1987. Even then, the place seemed frozen in time. I love the cramped quarters. I love that you can nearly touch the grill from your stool as you eat. I love the fact that the staff has to squeeze past each other as they work. I love the holes that have been worn into the plaster exposing the brick in the wall by the butts of the people waiting for a seat. I love the fact that the place has only 14 stools at the counter and that is it. I love the way the place smells and the old grease that seems to cling to everything. I love the alternately crass and grouchy to warm and personable attitude of those who work there. Above all this, I love the food. The blueberry pancakes are second to none and I always order the Leonard with pepper cheese and a short stack. It turns out that the "Leonard" is named after an ex-boyfriend of the wife of the guy that owns the place. What other place has stories like this? When you go you will probably have to wait in line behind those that are eating. Queue up and wait. When someone stands up to leave, the person/group at the head of the line gets the seat. Don't be surprised to be asked to move down to combine empty stools while you are eating. Just move over, smile and introduce yourself to the person next to you. Al's is a must when I'm in the Twin Cities. I even schedule my flights in and out of Minneapolis to maximize the number of times I can dine there. It isn't the cheapest breakfast, it can't be and stay in business with only 14 chairs and limited hours, but for the quality and the ambiance, it is the best deal in town. Two notes of caution, it is not a place for the claustrophobic and it is not the place to go with a large group. I can't begin to imagine how packed it must be in there when people are wearing winter clothes. I bought the Al's shirt that says "50 Years Odd." That sums it up nicely. read more

Awesome old school atmosphere! I had the New Orleans omelette - shrimp, almond slivers, capers and a garlic hollandaise - delicious! Staff is friendly and helpful. Expect a wait (~12 seats?), and bring cash (ATMs are within a block) hang out before/after at the awesome cafe next door. Great little neighborhood to walk around, bike, book shops, bars, CVS... Can't wait to come back and try the Hawaiian(?)! read more

Al's Breakfast - Al's Diner - Diners Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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