Al’s Breakfast

Ordered 2 Eggs Benedict, the taste of vinegar was strong, but overall it tasted great. Oh, cash only.

Eggs benedict lovers beware! Their hollandaise sauce is sour sour sour. I really couldnt even choke it down. After telling my waitress, she informed me they make it with lots of citrus and people «either love it or they hate it». I feel like if you put a spin on a traditional dish that some people hate, you should label it on the menu. Just put «with citrus hollandaise sauce» or something.
That being said, everything else was great. Service was wonderful and they made me an egg and toast no charge. Atmosphere was fun, but i agree-​dont try to go there with a big group. I would definitely go again but would never order the eggs benedict again.

So, I know good food when I have it and I had it at Al’s. Timing is everything and Memorial Day weekend was the perfect time to try Al’s. Yes, the place is a hole in the wall and yes, you will have to be patient while you wait along the narrow passage way watching people eat their delicious food while you salivate but good things comes to those who wait!
An establishment like Al’s does not stay in business for as long as it has without having the chops to be a staple! The hype is not overrated in my opinion! You have to appreciate the novelty of Al’s to truly understand what makes it special: The old school pots, the diner counter top, the Christmas lights, the international dollar bills and the vinyl floors just to name a few all come together and make it an experience that is like no other.
I ate Al’s food like it was my last meal… I loved every bite of my buttermilk pancakes, scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, my corn beef hash and wheat toast! I was so full I had to take some to go. They don’t have to go bins but instead wrapped up my food in good old fashion foil paper ! Gotta love that!
FYI, cash only!

Overall it’s a good experience… But maybe my expectation is too high.
I waited for like an hour on Saturday from 9:30am. Since it may be the only time that I’ll get a chance to eat in Minneapolis (I’m a visitor), my boyfriend and I tried to order as much as we could. We had the plain yogurt as a start, and then two eggs on corn beef hash, two walnut blueberry buttermilk pancakes, and a New Orleans omelette. I like the yogurt, it’s huge. And the CBH with poached eggs is great on whole wheat toast. However, neither of us like the buttermilk pancakes that much, as we didn’t expect it to be kinda salty, and it wasn’t that fluffy. But it’s huge with tons of blueberry and walnuts. The New Orleans omelette is special (I’ve never had this style before), my boyfriend loves it. We had black rye toast with it, but the black rye toast is very greasy…
Maybe different people are into different things, I found almost everybody ordered pancakes, and I’m assuming it should be good.
The experience is good overall. The staff are friendly! It’s worth a try!

Best place I’ve ever eaten breakfast hands down– been coming since 1970’s
I travel a lot and Al’s has spoiled me
love the waffles, pancakes, eggs-​you name it-​I will admit the hollendaise sauce can be inconsistent and the hashbrowns a little greasy.
I haven’t looked at their menu in a while and hope they still serve the west bank omelete-​it sounds weird but is great-​onions and strawberries

I heard a lot of hype revolving this unique breakfast diner, so I came in excited to give it a shot.
Beyond what grandeur the idea of a slim alleyway of a restaurant has, you’re left with a cramped, under prepared restaurant. Partner and I ordered waffles, pancakes, and two things of eggs. Food took nearly 30 minutes to arrive, probably due to the fact that there’s one small grill to accommodate the whole line of people. On a side note, I can’t imagine what hell would break loose if there was a fire, it can’t possibly meet building fire safety code.
Despite that, the staff was entertaining to say the least. Very much enjoyed their company, the restaurant as a whole seems to have a cozy, friendly atmosphere to it even though it is unarguably cramped. The food was nothing spectacular, that being said I did enjoy the meal and don’t regret a penny spent! Overall I see the appeal but the poor line construction resulting in high ticket times will more than likely me cause me to look elsewhere for breakfast next time.

If you lack patience and a sense of humor this isn’t the place for you.
We waited about 45 minutes to get into our seats, all the while making small talk with others in line about their experiences with and expectations of Al’s. We looked at the menu while waiting in line so we knew exactly what we wanted when we were approached by the guy taking our order.
The coffee was nice and hot, the food (Hawaiian Pancakes with toast and a side of corned beef hash) was VERY good, although I have never had CBH made the way they make it, it had a nice flavor and the portion was huge. The help was friendly and interactive and the prices were quite reasonable. I would definitely frequent this place if I were a local, however I am proud to say «I did Al’s, and I liked it.»

Amazing food! But one cannot have problems being in close proximity. I did not know that waiting customers would be standing behind my stool! But once I surrendered to the ambience and the food arrived, I forgot all about the line shadow. It’s an experience that you should go through at least once but the great food will probably squeeze a few more visits out of you.

Like everyone else, I waited 2 hours to be seated and eat. I’m pretty disappointed in my Hawaiian omelet though! It had few slices of sausage and cheese, topped with canned pineapples and a ton of sour cream — and no flavors at all. They didn’t even use real, actual eggs! I’m a girl who can eat and I couldn’t finish my omelet so I’m pretty disappointed.
Do not go there with kids! It’s a small restaurant with only a few stools (ppl waiting have to stand right behind the folks sitting on the stool and there is barely any space for anyone to get through). CASH ONLY. Overall, imo, it was just «okay». Nothing fancy or to die for. Although on a positive note, atmosphere and staff were very energetic, friendly, and fun!

I am not exaggerating when I say that this was THE BEST breakfast I have ever had at a restaurant. My family and I waited in line for two hours to eat but it was worth it.
The place is tincy-​tiny. You stand outside to wait for as many people as you came with to walk out before heading in but the line continues once inside. It is worth it though! It is not a place you bring the whole family because you would have a hard time finding a seat at the ten bar stools. It is basically a narrow room with a bar tabletop running down the center, ten or so bar stools on one side with a line of people waiting behind to sit, and the chefs on the other side. The workers are super fun, nice, and very fair with seating everyone. They make sure no one cuts in line and you get your turn to eat.
I normally am just an «ok» fan of breakfast food because the pancakes are too bready/​sugary or the eggs are too greasy/​not cooked enough. However, this place gives me hope for breakfast restaurants. I ordered two poached eggs over wheat toast and one Wheat Blueberry Walnut Pancake. The poached eggs were delicious and the bread with the jelly on the table is freaking amazing. The one caution is to BE CAREFUL with the salt– it comes out quickly– while the pepper is harder to shake out. The Wheat Blueberry Walnut pancake was PERFECT! I have finally found a place where I can buy a pancake that is not too bready or thick or rich or nasty from mass production.
All in all, I wish I lived next door to Al’s. I would definitely return and wait two hours to eat it all again. Make sure you bring someone who is patient and loves to talk to wait with you!

Great service, great prices and even better food. I was skeptical at first with such a long crowded line, but worth every minute of the wait. Id wait in this line again to eat here. My girlfriend has been wanting to go here for awhile and we finally had an opportunity to go. I had the eggs Benedict and beef hash. She had blueberry pancakes with eggs/​bacon. The bacon was cooked perfectly, and the pancakes where more than what we could both eat. Not to mention the tons of fresh blueberries that where put into them .this place does not cut corners with their breakfast in any way. So if you don’t mind a little time spent in line to grab a seat. I would recommend going here in a heart beat.
Thanks hun, for recommending this place for breakfast!

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 Unilocaler 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.

So small but so good. Went here for a hung over breakfast and it was just greasy enough to cure it. The hash browns, eggs, waffles, and the basics are very well done. It reminds me of the spot, Our Kitchen which was near where I grew up and had the same type of seating style where you’re facing the cooking action and can see everything being done in front of you.
Friendly, personable staff also makes it into a more fun experience since you are facing them the whole time and may be interested in the history of the place.
Cool place!

Al’s Breakfast is proof that good things come in small packages. It’s not uncommon to wait 45 minutes in order to get a seat at the single counter… but it’s worth the wait. The food is made to order, while you watch, and the woman working the grill does an amazing job poaching eggs, tossing pancakes, and slinging hash.
Eggs are poached perfectly here, and are the perfect addition to any order of hash browns or corned-​beef hash. Both are home made. This means that the corned beef hash in more of a meat-​infested order of hash browns than the pasty equivalent that other breakfast locations serve. This is just one of the reasons why Al’s is often listed on Twin Cities ‘top places to dine’ lists.
The biggest reason? The blackberry pancakes.
Since I prefer the savory side of breakfast to the sweet, I’m not someone who ordinarily orders pancakes. Al’s is my only exception. When I experienced by first bite of Blackberry pancakes at Al’s, I was an immediate convert. They are the best berry pancakes… the best pancakes… I’ve ever eaten.
The restaurant seats less than 20. My wife describes it as «cramped,» «unclean» and «cluttered.» I describe it as «cozy,» «quirky» and «comfortable.» You’ll need to decide for yourself.

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.

I love Al’s! Everything is good here! My favs are the Spike eggs, and the Wally Blues. The Wally Blues has black walnuts in them (i think) and tiny blue berries. So good!
The staff banters back and forth, and they yell orders at each other and it is a wonderful experience. Sure, they only have 14 stools and a line of people that spills out the door, but it is totally worth it. Go alone or take a friend, a group is hard to seat for obvious reasons, and enjoy a wonderful breakfast.
I wish they would sell the t-​shirts again. They were so cute with a line of stools and picture of the chef logo.

3 stars for the food — unexceptional but 2.5 stars for the charm!
I actually went here with my Über 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!

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 café next door.
Great little neighborhood to walk around, bike, book shops, bars, CVS…
Can’t wait to come back and try the Hawaiian (?)!

5 stars for the experience. 3 stars for the food.
Al’s should be part of every U of M students graduation bucket list. It’s basically a cornerstone of the institution. The expectation when you go to Al’s is that you’re going to have to wait in line outside and then cramped inside. If you don’t get that experience, it’s just not as satisfying.
Besides that, it’s just your typical diner. The pancakes are really good, but mostly because they taste like the grill that they make everything else on. They REALLY like to make poached eggs which is great news. I’m always charmed by the young men who work behind the counter, but they’re too busy to notice what a catch I am. Ugh.

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.