Waffle House aspires to be be Dan's place. Unassuming hometown diner where everyone knows everyone and you get what you ordered and it's spot on every time. Cash only. Beat the lines and fights for street parking and get you an omelette made by Tommy with fresh eggs right in front of you while you wait. 10/10 read more

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I'm a sucker for family owned/run businesses. This is a brother/sister running/cooking and daughter waitress. It's small and and intimate. Everyone at the counter seem to know each other or if they don't are friendly enough to be all talking together. Food is made to order. They are very willing to work with dietary needs. There's no short cuts going on I just love it. The feeling here is very retro and brings me back to my youth and great times. I will come back when I'm in the area. Food is very good and pipping hot! read more

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This place is awesome. Family owned and operated for 47 years 37 at this location 3rd generation operated. The food is very good. This is the perfect little diner. Cash only which is key. Never had a bad experience at a cash only joint. Hungry and on the run this is your spot. read more

Dan's Place Two - Original diner kitchen. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Albany, New York

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Local local place. Cash only. Street parking, everyone knows each other. Family operated, good coffee, tasty generous portions. Basically right up my alley. Had the beat the house with hash brown (big enough for two or a typical Albanian, IMHO) and sausage platter. Cool place. Good foods, will be back when in area. Real food for real people. read more

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Garbage "food" if you can call it food at all. More like gambling with salmonella and e. coli. Garbage people on staff and as regulars. Glad this place is closing, good riddance. read more

If you are looking for hot delicious food and a friendly atmosphere with that old time mom and pop diner feel look no further. In business for 47 years, great customer service is a priority. They make a point to get to know their customers, so be prepared to feel right at home. Come on in pull up a chair or have a seat at the counter you will be telling your friends about this awesome place. read more

Dan's Place Two - Menu - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Albany, New York

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The food was AMAZING! The service was equally as amazing and I loved the ambiance. Perfect spot for true diner food. Just note it's cash only! read more

Dan's Place Two - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Albany, New York

Service & Quality of Food was just Fabulous Cozy & Very Comfortable Hospitality is Warming & Palatable My Partner & I Simply Love Dan's Place read more

My son and I came here early on 01.18.25 as we were attending a Robotics competition nearby.. Diner looks like an old train car...not very big...perfect size for a nice breakfast. I had corned beef hash and eggs with home fries and toast. Huge portion of hash with 3 eggs. My son had double stack pancakes and a side of fries. Everything tasted great and coffee was fresh. I lived in Bru hall down the block about 30 years and never knew this place was here. Glad I came. Felt welcome. If you are looking for a good breakfast place, come here. Forgot to add...friendly and attentive staff. read more

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If you want a good meal this is your spot. If you want a breakfast to last until dinner time this is your spot. If you want a breakfast that will last past dinner time try the BEAT THE HOUSE BREAKFAST. If you want friendly service this is your spot. If you're into everyday good food this is your spot. Daily lunch specials good burgers and more. An old style small diner with good food family run. If you need fancy... go somewhere else but you'll be missing out on what an old school local diner was and is. Try it you'll like it read more

The food is soooo good, small, but a great breakfast and friendly service. It a very neighborhood like atmosphere.

First time patron, such a positive experience, I thought I was on another planet. The people are so friendly, it was incredible. BTW, the food is also fantastic, piping hot and delicious. Not much to look at so if that's your priority, go somewhere else but if you're into great food and service, feeling like you are a valued customer, you will be absolutely thrilled. We will be regulars, I can tell you that!!! USA USA USA read more

What a fascinating place. From the outside you would never know it is here and could likely drive by it. When you are inside, it is so small that any sudden movement could end you back outside. But, run to this place if you want a great breakfast. Feeling down, my wife brought me here for breakfast. It has been on my bucket list for ages. I knew I wanted pancakes but after a week of barely eating anything I ordered home fries, eggs, toast, bacon, and juice too. What a little piggy! The waitress (Donna) and her brother (Tom) run the place now. They are quite the team. Within a few minutes the food came up and the plates took up most of the table. The pancakes were awesome: light, fluffy, huge, and lots of small air bubbles on the bottom that created crispy bits. The bacon was extra thick and crispy and if you like flabby bacon (shame on you!) you have no business coming here. The scrambled eggs were perfect- not too dry, not too wet. The toast was toast. The home fries were another matter. The phrase "ridden hard and put away wet" comes to mind. They are cooked without onions (yay) and had lots of small crispy bits on them. But, they weren't seasoned. And, the potatoes were very toothsome. And wet on the outside, but white and not yellow. I suspect they were canned potatoes, as when I cook with them I get the same results. They weren't bad with some salt, but I will pass on them in the future. I wish I had sat at the bar and watched Tom cook. How he got everything off the griddle at the right time and at the right temperature was nothing short of magical. And he had other customers in too. Some ordered lunch, like their corned beef dinner. He knew the regulars. They had ethics posted on signs that I agree with such as "we like old fashioned" and "no swearing." And they make excellent food. It won't win any beauty contests. I am not sure I would call it a diner. A dive paints the wrong picture too. But, it was the best breakfast I have had in years (apologies to my wife) in years and if I want perfect pancakes in the future there is only one place to go. HERE! read more

Best diner in Albany, serves great coffee! They are cash only, but this is okay because their prices are good. I only wish they were open in the evenings for supper time. read more

Cash only. Delicious food, nice people and an old school diner. Highly recommend if you ever come to Albany. read more

Dan's Place Two - the front of the restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Albany, New York

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The quintessential diner experience. Friendly staff, excellent diner-style food and stellar service. The beautifully browned homemade potatoes and ultra-crisp bacon (requested) made my morning. read more

You won't find high cuisine at Dan's, but let's face it - this is Albany. For what it is - an old time diner with low ceilings in a dodgy part of a dodgier town - Dan's was awesome. Super friendly folks and basic, standard fare at a really good price. Dan's is the kind of place you might make eyes with the pretty waitress in the coffee-stained apron wondering if maybe you had lived a different life and made different decisions you could have been happy together. Dan's is the kind of place where the coffee is never good, but it's never bad. Dan's is the kind of place where the America you remember from your childhood still feels alive, even if a little greasy. I felt good having stepped in, and better when I left. If you haven't been to Dan's, give it a try. It's the real deal. read more

Small place, definition of an old fashioned luncheonette style diner. Friendly staff, good prices, really good food. I mean seriously. Get. The. Emmy. Burger. Anyone can do a burger but they do it very well. If I'm ever back in the Capital District I would come back in a second. read more

Consider me a fan of Dan's I haven't been that often, but I really liked what I saw when I was there. A regular customer came in and asked for "the usual" to which the big guy working the griddle pulled out a gallon can of corned beef hash from the fridge. The hash got the griddle treatment which seems to produce a miraculous crust on anything it touches. Even this stuff that came out of a can looked amazing once it was cooked. So did the potatoes. But sitting at the counter and watching things get cooked, it was the sausage that stole my heart. It will be the sausage that brings me back in here. That, and the integrity of the place. Let me explain. Another fellow asked for two eggs over easy. While the cook was clearly an expert, occasionally errors are made. One of the yolks broke when the eggs were flipped. So a perfect third egg was quickly cooked, and brought to the table to make up for the damaged one, along with an apology. This is one of our real deal diners. I love it. And we are lucky to have it. If I lived closer to Dan's, I would go more often. But I'm really looking forward to getting back. Maybe when it gets colder and I need to pack on some winter weight. read more

stumbled in today and this is the cutest family-run diner in Albany! they cook the food right in front of you and make you feel right at home. I can't wait to make it a regular spot read more

Amazing food And very quick wait for the food Hospitality 100 never disappointed with anything read more

Probably the best service and food I have had at a diner in a long time. Great prices and friendly wait staff and cook (Tom). Cook behind the counter historic diner. The omelette were both amazing and had flavorful ingredients like the bacon and sausage. Coffee was priced right. Whole link sausage included in the omelette. They do not skimp. read more

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A small hall in the wall with quality comfort food cooked by a family. This has been family owned and operated for years. Their food is delicious. The service is also very good no matter who your server is. Most of them are family members of each other and they all give you the same quality of service. Their gravy fries are SO delicious read more

Food was cooked to perfection. Very clean establishment very friendly highly recommend AAA plus.

My wife and I were looking for a simple breakfast place while visiting Albany, and this place fit the bill perfectly. Very friendly staff, good coffee and great food at very reasonable prices. Would def recommend and will stop in again if I return to Albany read more

Classic old dIner. It is small with a few tables and counter space. Have been a couple of times. Reasonable price prices. Have tried omelet and breakfast sandwich. Both were very good. My friend raves about the bacon. I think my favorite part was the waitress - friendly old school type. Gave my friend's son a quarter to go get a gum ball and then we had a total red dye mess and a few laughs. She was back and forth with friendly anecdotes. I hope to make this a monthly Only criticism was from my daughter who likes thick French toast.Sunday tradition. read more

lovely family business, great service, coffee and food were incredible, nice atmosphere, prices are great as well, the only thing that really frustrates me is that it isn't in my home town, let alone 1200 miles away. best breakfast imaginable read more

Four stars are more so for the NY style restaurant hospitality. The homefries are pretty good not what I'm use to missing the onions & seasoning; but surely better than VA homefries, I mean VA chunky fried potatoes. Ambiance is very old fashion, which I do adore. read more

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Amazingly friendly and welcoming. Ordered breakfast and enjoyed watching owner/cook prep the meals. Friendly patrons.

i used to live a couple of blocks from here when i went to SUNY in the mid 90s. one of my favorite places to go after a late night out or a late night studying [when funds permitted]. i'm very pleased to see it is still much the same as i remember it. read more

I've been coming to dans place since 1985 when it was on the corner of Madison and lark in a basement. I love it still. I walked in today with a serious need of chicken soup. as luck would have it some if the best freaking chicken soup ever was served up. of course if you ever darken the doorway of dans don't forget to try the Emmy Burger. I am fully satisfied and I will be back. thank you Tommy and Donna for holding it down for Dan he truly would be proud. read more

Dan's Place Two - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Albany, New York

F-Bomb, F-Bomb, I wanna drop an F-Bomb. Never, Never, Never.... have I ever been to a greasy spoon where there were signs were posted about cursing. I was gonna drop a F-bomb, but two fat Albany cops walked in set next to me and started to read the NY Post. Do I want to still eat here I might add? Yup.....Greasy spoon that's fast, filling, and quick. Hell I wanna come back even if I'm hung over. I'm sold read more

Dan's Place Two - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Albany, New York

Great breakfast with excellent customer service It was a scene out of a movie with people coming into a small diner and the owner knew everyone's name and order. Very satisfied with the corn beef hash and home fries with 2 over easy eggs. Perfection. read more

The food was great the owner was easy to hold a conversation good home town diner! 10 out of 10 recommend!

Classic greasy spoon diner. This place has been on my list for god knows how long and I finally made the trip to Albany to try it. Its small, old fashioned, and takes cash only. We sat at the counter and I watched as they made my sausage and cheese omelet. First they cut open the sausage links and removed the casing, then they let it sear on the grill with a press. At the same time they are cooking the eggs separately. Finally they place the whole sausage links on top of the eggs, add cheese and wrap the eggs around them. A very interesting approach. Also check out the Chicken Bull. The menu is pretty simple but they do a good job and the prices are decent. read more

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Exactly what you want on a Sunday afternoon. Especially before a football game in the fall. They used to be open to catch the after bar crowd. Now it's something else but that's still great. Don't swear and order an Emmy Bull. And tell Tommy not to burn it! Beat the House for me. Hash for my girlfriend. Can't be beat. Don't expect nouveau cuisine and drink in old school Albany life. If Big Howie is there tell him to get back to work!!! read more

What a cute little spot. It's probably the most authentic diner in Albany. Very homey. Many of the patrons at the time we went were regulars so the conversation was light and fun. Imagine if the bar from Cheers was a diner, and you'll get this place. The breakfast was out of this world. Real thick slices of bacon, eggs fried just enough so they were over easy and a huge mound of potatoes. I was full the rest of the day. Make sure you have cash on you because they don't take cards, but I'm kind of glad they don't. This isn't the kind of place that needs to be wasting money on credit card fees. Just make good, down home food. read more

Cafe Madison had a tremendous wait (again), so the boy and I opted for breakfast here instead... with absolutely no regrets. I will be back here again. I have to admit, I was skeptical because of a) the location and b) the building's outward appearance. Once you get over everyone staring at you as you walk in, though, it only gets more delicious from there. We sat at the counter, which was ideal for me; I'm always mesmerized at how fast, efficient and accurate these guys are that work the grill. Service was excellent, our food came quick and piping hot, and everything tasted amazing. It wasn't too bad on our wallet either. Me: two eggs scrambled, corned beef hash, home fries, wheat toast dry with a tea Him: two eggs over hard, bacon, home fries, wheat toast with a coffee Bring cash, cause this place doesn't accept credit cards! read more

I absolutely loved this old style diner. It's not high end, but it feels very comfortable. The staff was incredibly nice and it sounded like there were several regulars there. Breakfast was outstanding. I will be coming back. read more

The boy and I woke up early yesterday (9 a.m. on a Sunday is early for me) and decided to go get breakfast before we continued unpacking all the boxes in my new apartment. Silly me, I thought Cafe Madison wouldn't be packed at that hour. It was, and we weren't feeling MAD that day. So we headed to the place affectionately known as "Dirty Dan's." Everyone there but us seemed like regulars. The three women behind the counter epitomized the diner-waitress stereotype that I absolutely adore - minus the requisite cigarette hanging from their lips. I had an omelet with cheese, mushrooms and sausage. It was greasy and the sausage remained whole. Some of the potatoes were a little undercooked. All in all, it was delicious. Did I suffer a little bit later? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes. Was it cheap? Yes. If you want fine dining, this isn't the place. But if you want a greasy, hearty breakfast, some subpar coffee and a distinct impression of authenticity, this isn't a bad spot. Cash only, and as Lai-Yee pointed out, there are "No Profanity" signs posted inside. I have yet to test out their resolve on that one. read more