413 14th Ave. SE
(at 14th & 4th Ave. in Dinkytown)


Average Overall Rating:

(5 out of 5)

Average Coffee Refill Rating:

(4 out of 5)

(2 out of 5)

Review by: djd7073 on 6/15/2010

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This place surpassed all expectations I had. The food was simple, nothing fancy but nonetheless well executed. The atmosphere and attitude however challenges that of classic New Jersey diners.

It was wicked fun!
Plan on a wait, get there early.
People are cool.
Be patient, you will get food, don't worry.

They have an accounting system that I cant figure out (strange origami like envelopes behind counter) it works for them what can I say.
Their diner lingo is endemic to Minneapolis, plus the cutest kids pancakes ever.
They don't hold back on the hardcore breakfast staples; butter, eggs, fat, carbohydrates. But ... they will make whatever you like apparently... topped with enough fruit to kill a diabetic, if not one yet, make you one. Oh its so good.

I agree many other reviewers regarding the atmosphere;
IF servers = robots THEN GOTO "McDonalds"
IF your_state = "enjoy human interaction" THEN "eat here"



Award Nomination: Best Bargin Breakfast

Review #20319Review by: DianaJo89 on 4/25/2010

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Excellent pancakes. Wait time can be crazy long sometimes. Breakfast is always good though.

Review #19896Review by: BizzNessMPLS on 2/19/2010

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The servers pretend like they don't care but it's all an act. They are having fun and if you are not a jerk, go ahead and give it back to them. The breakfast is amazing. A must see for any out of town visitors.

Award Nomination: Best Breakfast Ever

Review #19340Review by: tastyeatin07 on 8/28/2007

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The first time I ate at Al's I was alittle skeptical because of the small space & the long line but once I was inside & seated I loved the enviroment & loved the food even more!!

The bacon waffles, three cheese scrambled eggs, perfectly browned pancakes Mmmm...
Also I love how you have the ability to create your own signature dish (pick your own ingredients)& they keep it on file for your next visit which gives Al's that "Cheers, Where everybody knows your name" feel!!

Plus the staff are great, they're just down to earth people mostly college students just trying to make ends meet.
I've brought at least five people there & they all loved it & have went back on their own or with others...

Award Nomination: Best Bargin Breakfast

Review #11227Review by: mrobert3467 on 4/21/2007

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I find it peculiar that people write about Al's as if they had just eaten the breakfast equivalent of La Belle Vie.

I know it has been around for decades and has become iconic for breakfast in MN.

As expected, we waited an hour before we could sit. My expectations were elevated and what I experienced was nothing more than a good breakfast. It was somewhat underwhelming.

The breakfast was no better than you get at the Sunnyside Up Cafe and it was not as good as Moose and Sadies.

Was it good? Yes, it was fine. It certainly was not an orgasmic experience as some folks here would have you believe.

Review #10217Review by: bkreptonite on 2/2/2007

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This is the best breakfast ever!!! Whole wheat Wally Blues and hash browns- it's like eating candy for breakfast! The spring special is awesome- eggs scrambled with asparagus and hollondaise....mmmmm.

Award Nomination: Best Breakfast Ever

Review #9513Review by: severinarson on 4/2/2006

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I concur with the people who advise taking bad reviews of Al's with a grain of salt. I've been around the workd and I love breakfast, and Al's is easily one of the greatest breakfast joints of all time, period. Everything about this place is conducive to enjoying your morning, but really when it comes down to it the food is primary in assesing the quality of a restaurant, and what you eat off your plate at Al's is going to be fabulous, guaranteed. Super delicious, superlatives in every culinary category. Al's rocks, and that is the simple truth, it is not debatable. You will love it!!!!!

Award Nomination: Best Breakfast Ever

Review #7173Review by: BizzNess on 1/19/2006

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Any bad review for Al's should be taken with a grain of salt. I admit I have not been going to Al's since the early days, but it's going on 10 years. The food is the best, and the staff is all aces. I know many of the staff members personally, so if someone writes a review about bad service, its because they are a jerk and don't belong in a place like Al's. Absolutely no cell phones when ordering. It may end up in your coffee. Be patient because this an experience that you will tell over and over again. Just ask my dad about the pancakes.

Award Nomination: Best Breakfast Ever

Review #6621Review by: jimimac on 6/13/2005

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Al's is a greasy spoon. I love greasy spoons. When I traveled, I would ask cops to point me to a place to eat. They were usually greasy spoons. Greasy spoons offer an ambiance that can't be simulated. It is either real or non existent. If you are looking for clean and pompous, go to a French cafe.. My grandfather used to say that hot grease kills any germs. Greasy spoons then, are germ free.

In the Twin Cities, we are fortunate to have two greasy spoons. Al's and the downtown Mickey's Diner. I take first dates to both. If she doesn't like them, I probably won't like her. Al's is everything a person could want in a breakfast. The best pancakes in the world, bar none. If I was on death row, I would ask for them to be my last meal. They know how to make hash and eggs and they remember you. What else does one need? I have waited in line before, but Al's is the ONLY place I would wait in line to sit at the counter. What a treat. The atmospheres is like Nick's Last Resort of Chicago, without booze. The food is better though. The Twin Cities should count themselves blessed. My only regret is I can usually only go on Saturdays.

Award Nomination: Best Breakfast Ever

Review #5246Review by: welshguy on 4/13/2005

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What do you mean - a mystery in origin! Al was my student, Matt's, Grandpa. He was a real person who cared about feeding students well. I remember him from the 60's when I was a U student. What a great breakfast we had at Al's every morning!
Matt's teacher

Award Nomination: Best Breakfast Ever

Review #4824Review by: Diana on 1/26/2005

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I signed up on this site just to rave about Al's. I've been going there for 20 years and just absolutely love Al's. Best pancakes anywhere, hands down. Lovely fluffy scrambled eggs. Wonderful atmosphere. Kids love it because the staff lets them play with the dinosaurs and gives them Mickey pancakes. Started taking my son when he was 2 and he still raves about Al's as a senior in high school. You see everyone in there, from local musicians to campus profs. Just go!

Award Nomination: Best Breakfast Ever

Review #4417Review by: jjohnson1120 on 12/29/2004

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As others have said, Al's is unique. It may rank as the smallest, most tightly-packed restaurant but it also offers an amazing atmosphere and excellent food. My favorite is Eggs Benedict with a side of bacon, toast and hash browns.

They have a variety of buttermilk and wheat pancakes - all are good, as are other egg dishes.

Coffee flows freely and gets refilled often.

Conversation with the friendly staff is encouraged. There are storied to be shared.

Looking at the wall behind the counter (really the only place to look other than at the person sitting to your left or right) reminds you of a cross between a museum and personal repository of trivia. It's like going back in time.

I love this place and go there every time I'm in the Twin Cities.

Plan on a wait if you go - but it will be worth it.

Award Nomination: Best Breakfast Ever

Review #4247Review by: kaszeta on 7/3/2002

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Al's Breakfast is not just a greasy spoon, it's a state of mind.

First of all, like the other reviews mention, the physical space is the most distinctive feature of Al's. Like one cartoon on the wall states, "The only reason this place is a restaurant is that is was too small to be an alley." It really is a roofed-over alley between an espresso shop and a hardware store. Blink and you miss it, or you would except for the line waiting outside for one of the precious 14 seats at the counter. No saving places allowed.

Next, the service is a sight to behold. It's not often that a person can successfully combine "surly" and "friendly", but the fine folks at Al's pull this off flawlessly. Antics are common, especially since the servers have at times included former drama majors, Indian dancers, and all sorts of other colorful people. The grill is usually staffed by a colorful cook. Most times I went it was Doug Grina.

Award Nomination: Best Breakfast Ever

Review #149


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Reviews submitted here are meant to pertain to breakfast only. While Mr Breakfast cannot vouch for the validity of each restaurant review, he feels pretty good vouching for the excellent character of the residents of Minneapolis, Minnesota - who are primarily responsible for the review(s) you see above for Al's Breakfast.