"Pancakes arrive with a large globe of good Minnesota butter melting on top."
Michael Stern
"Instead of having small bits of the meat, this bacon waffle contains long strips."
Cliff Strutz
"There is no shortage of blueberries in the blueberry pancakes."
Michael Stern
"Al's pancakes, like these blueberry buttermilk examples, are hearty, with a rugged texture. Quite filling. "
Cliff Strutz
"Not for the nutritionally timid, Al's corned beef hash fairly glistens with grease and is much heavier on potatoes than corned beef."
Michael Stern
"The entire interior of Al's is pictured here. Note the waiting customers hovering above those who are eating."
Michael Stern
"Many regulars use coupon books in lieu of cash when they are short on funds. There are hundreds of them scattered over the lower three shelves."
Cliff Strutz
"This sign replaced the old one that used to say "Tipping is not a city in China." Note the foreign currency hanging beneath the lights."
Cliff Strutz
"Stools towards the front of the diner offer a view of the extremely well-seasoned griddle where piles of hash browns sizzle."
Michael Stern
"Al's wall is a good illustration for the term 'eclectic decor.'"
Michael Stern
"Originally the Hunky Dory Lunch, formed from an alleyway between two buildings, Al's continues to build a huge reputation, but remains a 14-seat hash house."
Michael Stern
"Green peppers, banana peppers, fried onions are folded into scrambled eggs to make Al's huevos rancheros. The salsa on top is tongue-tickling hot."
Michael Stern
"Al's is as small a restaurant as you can imagine. Note right behind the coats hanging against the back wall are customers lined up to get one of the precious seats."
Cliff Strutz
"5:55am in Dinkytown. I was the 11th person in line, assuring me of a seat at the counter as soon as the door opened."
Michael Stern
