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

Good solid diner food in center square! Awesome! Attentive friendly staff and the food comes out quick! Recommend

Just want to add an update. While having brunch here my significant other, she got a Emmy Burger, mumbled to herself that she should have asked for onions on the burger... we were very surprised when the cook said something like "I can bring you some onions" (we were sitting at the counter, I didn't think he could hear us). and he did, he brought over freshly sliced onion on a small plate for her. How is that for service! At many other places I guess I am just used to be ignored... but this guy has really great hearing. Good thing that we like this place and we were complimenting on how much we like this place. Friendly folks here. read more

Dan's Place Two is not the sprawling Greek style diner with an enormous menu. It is an old school diner car style diner complete with the curved metal ceiling and a fridge from the 1950's. Seating involves some well worn stools lining a long counter separating you from the griddle. It's the type of place that Johnny Rockets is based off of. Unlike Johnny Rockets there is nothing shiny or fake about Dan's Place Two. This is a no nonsense cash only working man's diner that serves up eggs, bacon, sausage, and black coffee with real conversation. Shooting the breeze with the owners and the other patrons is optional but always entertaining. Going there on a weekday morning is honestly like being in an episode of Cheers. The claim to fame is the Emmy Bull Burger which is just an awesome burger topped with bacon and a fried egg. The fries are simply perfect. This dish gets my strongest recommendation for any burger lover. Bottom Line: The Incredible Emmy Bull Burger eaten at the counter is a memorable experience not to be missed. read more

*greasy spoon (plural greasy spoons) 1. (idiomatic) An inexpensive diner or other informal restaurant, especially one specializing in frying or grilling. See also: - hash slinger - Dan's Place Two Yes, Dan's is the very definition of the greasy spoon, but in all the best ways possible. You've got one big guy, who I assume is Dan, frying up a storm over the griddle, throwing pound after pound of potatoes, sausage, and bacon on without stopping. I was trying to quickly tabulate the calories of my meal in my head, but decided to stop at 1000 and just enjoy. The menu covers all the basics. Nothing fancy. Sure, you've got some burgers with fried eggs on top. Otherwise, no surprises. It's the kind of place where you feel like everybody there is a regular, including yourself, even if it's your first time. I don't know if my arteries or waistline could take a daily visit, but I could see coming here every week and enjoying some breakfast ala Dan. (*Wiktionary.com) read more

I have literally been coming to dan's place two since I was sitting on a table in a car seat. Time and again I bring people there because it is the best breakfast food in Albany. You won't find seafood Florentine omelette or Belgian waffles. However, everything you get will be amazing. Go for the food. Not the scene. read more

One of my favorite diners anywhere. I travel the country a lot. Found this place when I was spending a lot of time in Albany. Breakfast is outstanding. Especially the hash. Nice and crispy. Their lunch specials are always delicious. If you are lucky and you catch them having corned beef am cabbage, don't hesitate. Donna remembers everyone and really takes pride in her cooking. read more

Fine place for breakfast. I had one of the specials, which means I got three eggs, a mess of Hash (canned corned beef variety) and a mass of home fried potatoes. I ordered the eggs medium and expected the yolks to be partially liquid & that is what I got. I requested that the hash be given a good crust on the griddle & got that. The weakest part of the meal was the home fries- the potatoes were well cooked (underdone homefries are an abomination) and had a good griddle crust but there was little if any onion and no other seasoning- a dose of Paprika could have helped. Another matter- since there are already potatoes in the hash that makes for a LOT of potatoes on the plate. Still, not bad for just under ten bucks. A HEADS UP though... .My table companion had a cup of coffee which the waitress offered to warm up. When the bill came he found he'd been charged for that second cup. That is NOT good practice- traditionally diner coffee is a loss leader- what you loose on free refills you gain on the food. I had a cup of tea for .75 since $1.45 is pretty steep for a glass of milk (diners are known for having low prices on the entrees but jacking prices on the extras) read more

I really enjoyed coming here. It is great so because it is so close to my home. The atmosphere was wonderful. People were very friendly and it seemed as if everyone knew each other. Often calling one another by their first name. It is a small cozy space. It is a greasy spoon. The food was very affordable and had large portions. The regulars were what really made this place stand out an out of the ordinary. I liked how comfortable the customers were as if they had all knew one another for years. I over heard conversations that were very open and at times a bit wild. There was a discussion between two tables, back and forth they were discussing that a local woman had just bought a strip bar in the area. They spoke as they were reading about it in the Times Union. It was really fun watching people interact with one another. Although it was my first time there, people were very friendly and I felt extremely welcome there. read more

absolutely incredible BEC's, makes you want to go back and buy another once you're done eating

As first timers in Albany we had no idea where to have breakfast so we turned to Yelp. Dan's had 19 reviews, nearly all of them positive, so we decided to check it out. The space is old school diner bordering on dive, but it was charmingly funky and the waitress and cook were both as friendly as they could be. My boyfriend ordered the buttermilk pancakes which were cooked to order right in front if us, as was the rest of the meal. He commented that the pancakes were top notch, light and fluffy with a delicious flavor. My "over medium" eggs were a tiny bit more than medium, and the home fries could have stood a but more seasoning, but they were delightfully crispy. So for a fun breakfast, definitely check out this tiny treasure. read more

Dont judge a book by its cover. Best diner in Albany hands down. Best bacon around Food is not expensive at all! Everything is cooked right in front if you. Great food. You may even catch one or two funny jokes from the old timers that hang around and make everyone laugh. read more

ah dirty dan's...how i miss thee located on washington avenue in the heart of the UAlbany student ghetto, dan's place (known affectionately around town as dirty dan's) is the quintessential greasy spoon diner...known for their infamous "emmy bull burger" (even though i think the 'beat the house' breakfast special is the best thing on the menu) you'll find the gamut of diner fare here...whatever your pleasure, do not miss donna's home fries - simpy delicious...having been a UAlbany student from 1997-2001, I spent many a night here after being out at the bars, and the food was always incredible...having been back to visit numerous times since, i'm glad to say not much has changed just watch your mouth ;) read more

You wouldn't think so from the destroyed sign out front, but this is a great place to eat. The prices are good and so is the food. If anything they should cut back the portion sizes by 20% because everybody had food on their plate and we came hungry. read more

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Small diner. Had the "Beat the House Breakfast". Small place, Good food, very filling! read more

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

10/10 small little diner that is just amazing! sat right at the counter, there is no reason to not go here! the chef makes a mean pancake and bacon and the lady is just the darn sweetest! I'll be back and so should everyone else read more

Awesome food. The Emmy burger or the Emmy Bull are great! My family has been coming here for years!

My husband asked for an old classic diner and I found this. We both loved it. The staff, the owners, were very nice and helped us with suggestions on other places to check out since we are from the west coast. Best outing for us. read more

Dan's Place Two - Just after their lunch rush. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Albany, New York

Classic old time diner. A favorite for local regulars and a nice surprise for newcomers. Very reasonable prices for a lot of food. Remember to bring cash because they don't take credit cards. read more

3 of us ate for 22 dollars. It was delicious. Very friendly people and the right kind of diner atmosphere we were looking for. I can imagine being a regular at this place. Pancakes weren't the best is what my friend says. Although, he still encouraged me to give four stars. I don't have an issue with the no profanity signs. Sometimes obnoxious cursing people in a small place like this can be a little annoying. So i'm glad Dan's will take care of it for me. I got all my cussin' out before we ate, and it was just fine. The cook did say "bastard" a couple times, but they were technically closed. read more

Probably the best diner and late night food spot in the capital district. Epic greasy spoon features. Get the grilled and buttered corn muffin to start and then just have them pile shiz together. I've loved this joint when I was a kid with my father- college with my drunks, and I. Adulthood with my kids and wife. Can't say enough good things aboot the food and service. Thank you Dan read more

Straight forward traditional breakfast and lunch counter. The food is fresh. The prices are fair. The conversation is what you make it. Mostly locals, and those who appreciate it. The corned beef hash is awesome Portions are ample. Coffee is hot. read more

I come here all the time, great pancakes, chicken bull sandwich is out of this world. Also in my opinion, the breakfast sausage is unparalleled read more

A steal. Classic dinner food but very good. The place is tiny but its old school so it has a great flare. The ceiling was a little low when you walk in so be careful. Oh and cash only. It looks gross but the foods banging! There is a huge sign that says: NO CURSING. I had a problem with this little rule. Tee-hee. read more

I always have good food here! Went to have breakfast with my father after a long morning. Eggs and home fries were delicious. It was my father's first time but he had scrambled eggs. sausage and pancakes. It was so much food but he managed to get half of it down before asking for a take home box! He has a new found respect for this lil gem! Service is great as usual and even bumped into an old friend there! Will be back there next time I am in the area. read more

An old standard in Albany ... has been a regular stop for me since 1996 ... absolutely worth the trip ... awesome food prepared from scratch with emphasis placed on the ingredients... my standard is the "Emmy Bull" burger ... the burgers are fresh ... they take great pride in sourcing the beef as well as the other ingredients.... baked goods are usually home baked and delicious... read more

It was cheap...definitely a hole in the wall. We ended up there after three other breakfast places were overflowing with people. I was in town for a trip. The waitress was nice and I generally love to give these sort of places 5 stars. However, the french toast was HORRIBLE. It tasted like eggs and was completely mushy. We were worried about getting salmonella afterwards. The waitress didn't come back to check if we were alright and just came back to give us our check. Seemed like it was totally rushed and the place only had 2 other people in it. I literately felt so sick afterwards that I'm not sure I'd try it again if I was back in town. Disappointing because places "like this" are generally awesome finds! read more

My wife and I had a very enjoyable breakfast experience here this morning and were fortunate to meet family members Emily and Donna! read more

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What a wild card! If you want good food fast and cheap with a taste of love added to it, come to Dan's Place II. I had been eyeing this place for awhile with it's large coffee cup sign and oddball-like welcoming atmosphere. A hungover Sunday afternoon was the perfect time to come! I got eggs over easy and home fries, but I regretted getting the corned beef hash so much after my friend received his order. I tasted a bit of it and it was divine, crisp to perfection. The spot is like something out of a movie. It's antique and there are custom cartoons displayed inside. "We like old-fashioned," they've displayed on everything. Even the bathrooms are old-fashioned! They have a bar of soap propped behind the sink and everything. It reminded me of going to my grandma's house. The service here is amazing. They're always on top of things and moving things through quickly. Watch out, though! It's cash only. It says so on the door, thankfully, so you know what you're getting into. read more

Great little diner in town. Found this spot on our way up to lake placid and was not disappointed. Awesome egg sandwich and the pancakes were really good. Old school American sports, gotta love it. read more

Dan's is the epitome of a mom-n-pop diner, and in my personal opinion, is the best diner in the city. The ambiance is that of a renovated trailer, in a good way, how an old-fashioned diner should be. The food is prepared right in front of you, and the portion sizes are very large in comparison to the extremely low prices. The hours also accommodate people from all walks of life. Just make sure you know these three things before entering: It is cash only, you are not allowed to swear or you will be asked to leave, and NEVER call it "dirty dans". read more

Golly, I was afraid my wife might curse. Didn't want to get thrown out. "We came all this way for this?" The wife wasn't happy. Dan's didn't have the incredible menu of Miss Albany Diner. You wouldn't know it was a classic railroad car diner from the outside as it is tucked in between buildings. Dan didn't have a lot of things for breakfast some diners have. What it did have was decent food and lots of it for a cheap price. Not so bad. Even the wife later concurred. She can be hard to deal with before breakfast. Best, Terry read more

No-frills quality diner food and experience, minus excessive grease. Less is more and simpler is best. Look at their menu. If not-too-greasy spoon food appeals to you as it does to me (aka typical diner food), then you won't find more tender yet crispy bacon, fluffy eggs, tastier home fries, or yummier corned beef hash. The staff are friendly and attentive, even when busy. The place isn't much to look at, but it's clean. The expectations are set by the exterior. The food and service are amazing. read more

Best little greasy spoon diner around!! I ordered the bacon Swiss omelet. It came with toast and homefries. The bacon was nice and crispy but not burned. My husband had 2 eggs over easy with hash and it was just delicious!!! Clearly this isn't the place you want to go if you're watching your waistline. But if you're looking for good ol home cooking this is the spot for you. Keep in mind this is a cash only establishment so hit the ATM before getting there and allot yourself time to find parking. We went on a Saturday morning and it was a little tough to find. Happy breakfast my fellow foodies!! read more

Others have said it better than me, but here's my thoughts... This is an old school narrow diner, its like stepping back in time. Everything is well worn but functional. Prices are very reasonable, service is friendly, and the locals all know about this place and frequent it. The food is simple but good and real. All the normal breakfast selections including pancakes and muffins. The sausage and hash are the real standouts as they are left to crisp on the grill. You can order the hash extra crispy, though you will have to wait for time to do its magic. Burgers are good as are the chicken burgers. They have homemade specails and sides, check the whiteboard when you go in. This is a worn and sketchy looking place on a worn block of Western (just East of Quail), on the edge of tee student section. but I have not seen or heard of any problems in the area and feel comfortable going there at all times. Cash only, read more

My favorite breakfast place in Albany. Classic greasy spoon diner. Its affectionately now by the locals as "Dirty Dan's"(but dont say that in the place). Emmy breakfast Burger is something you'll dream about afterwards. Prices are low; quantity and quality of food is high. Most things they serve are made fresh inhouse. No website or info on Google so here you go: Open Tues - Friday 530am-5PM Saturday & Sunday 6am-3pm/4pm. Cash Only. read more

Looks can be very decieving. Dan's Place has great food, good coffee and a little entertainment while you sip on your cup of joe. Great little spot. read more

Awesome place to eat whether or not you have money to spend. Just dont say any curse words lol. The emmy bull burger is phenomenal and their breakfast is pretty solid too. read more

Hands down best bacon egg and cheese in the albany area. I searched long and far to find it, some came close but either the eggs were fake or the rolls were " hamburger bun" type bread. Walk into here they will cook the bacon fresh right there, real eggs and fluffy fresh bread. 5 stars just because of those eggs. Yum!!!!! (You can call ahead) read more

The food at this diner is greasy, but very, very good. I've eaten there three times and what put me off the place was the staff and the feeling of being ripped off on my last visit, not the food. Servers there treat regulars there like family. People who aren't regulars get a "why are you in our diner?" vibe that's very unpleasant. This came from servers only - other staff and other customers were pleasant. I first visited when I was waiting for a city bus. Since all I was having was a soda, I'm not sure this even counts. My second visit was for a late breakfast. Food cooked as promised, good coffee, eggs perfect, potatoes were delicious. I paid for this deliciousness with about two days of digestive upset - I figured it was the oil used in the cooking as I'm sometimes sensitive to that. On my third visit, I had a late lunch. The cook used the Waffle House trick of steaming my potatoes when I requested it and did an excellent job. Roast beef was good. My only qualm was that my diet soda was served in what looked to be a child's plastic glass, very small, but I figured that's what refills are for. On all three visits, the staff was pretty tight lipped towards those of us who weren't "regulars." On my third visit, the waitress and one of the kitchen staff were fighting, using a LOT of profanity. The cook came out, he was nice and actually a bit chatty, but the server pulled him into the ongoing argument. After seeing the "no profanity" signs, this was a bit of a surprise. The meal should have come up to about $10, but I was presented with a check for over $15. Turns out those child cup refills were charged at $1.65 each. "Refills ain't free" is what my server said when I asked about the total check. Staff fighting with each other, unpleasant servers, and deceptive pricing practices. It's a shame because their food is really, really good and the setting - an authentic diner car - is really nice. I may try them again in a few months and if I do and they're better, I'll revise this review to reflect that. read more