Al's Breakfast

01/05/09

Food is money!

by SPNdude

For a pair of cities with not a lot of great breakfast places, Al's is a sure thing.

Whatever you order, french toast, omeletes, hasbrowns.....you can't lose.

06/01/08

great food, service, and prices

by foodisyourfriend

A truly unique little place. The staff was all extremely friendly and actually sincere about it. The food was delicious. I had the Eggs Jose (a heap of hashbrowns, poached eggs, chedder cheese,and salsa) and the blueberry pancakes. Everything was great...

The previous two reviewers mentioned the staff was mean. I did not experience this whatsoever. Maybe the staff has changed, or maybe I just followed the rules (check to see if it's ok to sit before you do, don't use your cellphone in the restaurant). Either way, great place...

• Pros: prices, food, ambience
• Cons: small wait (20 mins.) on weekends

04/19/07

Too big for their britches...

by csearch07

I actually created an account on citysearch just to write this... I've been going to Al's regularly since my days as an undergrad at the U of M. I'm 30 now. In the last 12 years I've come to know the difference between typical Al's 'service' and 'meanness.' The service used to be endearing, almost as worth the visit as the food. But it's gotten worse and when we went there recently, it crossed the line. My wife (who is 6 months pregnant) and I went in there for breakfast for a special occasion. We did the standard wait-in-line-for-10+ minutes thing and then went to sit down when it was our turn. Mind you, I know the protocol. The rude man behind the corner- who I've encountered before and always seems mad at the world- yelled at my wife and I not once, but TWICE, for trying to sit down before he said it was okay to do so. Note: there was nobody in front of us and where we ended up sitting is exactly where we attempted to sit in the first place. And it wasn't like he cleaned up the spot before we sat there. He just apparently really wanted the power to tell us when we can and cannot sit. Did I mention my wife was visibly pregnant? It ruined the experience completely. She, not the Al's usual that I fancy myself to be, leaned over during the meal and said "they're kind of mean here." And suddenly I couldn't defend it any more. She was right. I don't plan to go back. The service has gotten sloppy and downright mean and the food can no longer compensate for it. They've ruined what used to be a wonderful thing.

I gave Al's a '2' only because the food there really is phenomenol. I would highly recommend the blackberry pancakes if you're forced to go. I'll miss them.

I would recommend that next time you're looking for a great breakfast place, go to either French Meadow or the Zumbro cafe instead.

• Pros: All the food, especially the pancakes. Good coffee.
• Cons: Service, and they only take cash or check.