Some mornings you want a $15 açaí bowl or a Bloody Mary topped with a burger first thing in. For the rest of the time though, there’s Al’s Breakfast. This tiny restaurant near the University of Minnesota specializes in the kind of simple breakfast food that was good way before brunch became brunch, like pancakes, waffles, scrambles, and omelets. This place only has 14 countertop seats and there’s a good chance you’ll be asked to shift spots mid-meal to accommodate new customers wishing to sit together. You won’t care though because you’ll be too busy wondering when the last time you enjoyed breakfast so much was.