Ten feet wide. Fourteen stools. A line out the door most mornings. Al’s Breakfast in Minneapolis, Minnesota has been doing more with less space than almost any restaurant in America since 1950, and it has the reputation to prove it. It appeared in Season 1, Episode 12 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives — “American Cookin’,” aired July 30, 2007 — and Guy Fieri liked it so much he came back twice more. That’s not a coincidence. That’s a place that delivers.
Tucked into the Dinkytown neighborhood near the University of Minnesota, Al’s is reportedly the narrowest restaurant in the city of Minneapolis. It was built in what used to be an alleyway between two larger buildings, and it hasn’t tried to be anything other than exactly what it is for over 70 years. A breakfast counter. A short-order griddle. And some of the most talked-about morning food in the Twin Cities.
Quick Facts:
Restaurant: Al’s Breakfast
City: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Cuisine: Breakfast
DDD Season: 1
DDD Episode: 12
Episode Title: American Cookin’
Original Air Date: July 30, 2007
Address: 413 14th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: 612-331-9991
Website: https://www.alsbreakfastmpls.com/
Status: Open
About Al’s Breakfast
Al Bergstrom opened the doors on May 15, 1950, after years of short-order experience at Jack Robinson’s Cafeteria during Minnesota State Fair summers. The building itself dates back to 1937, originally built as a shed for a neighboring hardware store to store sheet metal and plumbing parts. It became a hamburger stand before Bergstrom took it over and turned it into something Minneapolis would talk about for generations.
Bergstrom retired in the early 1970s and passed the restaurant to his nephew. It eventually changed hands again around 1980, and ownership has continued to evolve while the spirit of the place has stayed exactly the same. The recipes Bergstrom developed, the short-order cooking style, the 14 stools along the counter — none of it has changed in any meaningful way. That’s the whole point.
Notable regulars over the years have included writer James Lileks and humorist Garrison Keillor, both of whom have called Al’s a genuine Minnesota icon. Guy Fieri returned to feature it again in 2010 and 2014, calling it still packed and still run by the king of the joint. High praise, and accurate.
What to Eat at Al’s Breakfast
Start with The Jose — poached eggs over hash browns with cheddar cheese and salsa, served with toast. It has a cult following for good reason. The portion is massive, the combination works, and it’s the dish most first-timers are told to order before they even sit down.
The Food Network highlighted several other standouts during the Triple D appearances, including Corned Beef Hash, French Toast, a Jelly Omelet, and Pancakes that regulars have been coming back for since the 1950s. The blueberry walnut pancakes in particular have earned their own loyal following. Everything here is made to order, cooked on a griddle that has seen a lot of mornings, and served by a staff that moves fast in a very small space.
Comfort food done right, with zero wasted square footage.
Plan Your Visit
Al’s Breakfast is open Monday through Saturday from 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Get there early. The line forms quickly, and seating is first-come, first-served along the counter. There are no tables, no reservations, and no shortcuts — just the wait, the stool, and the plate.
Address: 413 14th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: 612-331-9991
Website: https://www.alsbreakfastmpls.com/
Status: Open
Al’s Breakfast appeared in Season 1, Episode 12 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “American Cookin’,” originally aired July 30, 2007. It has since been featured on the show two additional times, in 2010 and 2014.