Al's Breakfast (Minneapolis) wait times

[chris0731]

From what I've read, Al's Breakfast in Minneapolis is quite the hotspot for breakfast. I want to go there sometime but I'm wondering if there are long waits all the time or just on weekends? I went last Saturday and the wait was longer than I wanted so I decided I'd come back another time. If I went at, say, 8:30-9:00 on a Friday morning, should I expect to wait very long? Or is it just as busy on weekdays and weekends?

[soupkitten]

al's is busier on weekends. i usually tell people not to try going to al's on the weekend, or in groups larger than 3, because it can get dicey with wait times, though it sounds like Kate had good luck. if you are a morning person and can get there before 8 am, that's what i'd do. between 6-7:30 a lot of al's regulars tend to arrive, including some u of m profs, and their banter with the pontificating-on-all-subjects short order breakfast chef entertains me. if you go by yourself or with 1 other person at 8:30 on a friday you'll probably be okay though. bear in mind that if you can time your visit for school breaks, it will be less busy.

[katebauer]

I've only been to Al's once, and it was for lunch on a Friday. We got there at maybe 11:30 and although we had a large group, we only had to wait 5-10 minutes for people to scootch down and make room.

[chris0731]

Thanks for the reply. I don't know for sure since I've never been there, but I take it that at a place like Al's, the wait would peak between 8 and 10 or so since it is a breakfast place. Anyone else no what weekday waits are like at Al's?

[The Dairy Queen]

I think Al's closes "noonish," just for the record, since it's a breakfast place. I'm afraid I can't help answer your question as I've only been on a weekend. If you want to go on a weekend, it's best if you can get there right at, or even before, opening.

~TDQ

[katebauer]

I just walked by there yesterday. I believe they close at 1, but there is some point that they close the door and stop letting people line up for a spot.

[chris0731]

How fast does the line generally move? When I stopped by, the line was up to (but not outside) of the inside door, with people lined all down the counter. If you can picture what I mean, about how long would you say that wait would be?

[MSPD]

Chris, In my experience, party of one, that's about a 10-20 minute wait. By the way, I once tried to read a newspaper while I was waiting. What a dumb idea that was.