Ethan Brooks
Al's Breakfast co-owner Doug Grina retired in 2019 after a 42-year run. Grina, who turned 70 that year, had presided over the Dinkytown restaurant since the late 1970s. Grina's retirement marked the end of an era for the Minneapolis institution, reportedly the city's narrowest restaurant at a width of 3 metres.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Doug Grina |
| Profession | Co-owner of Al's Breakfast |
| Retirement | 2019 |
| Age at retirement | 70 |
| Worked at Al's Breakfast since | Late 1970s |
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What You'll Learn
Doug Grina, co-owner of Al's Breakfast, retired in 2019
Doug Grina, the co-owner of Al's Breakfast, retired in 2019. Grina had a long history with the restaurant, dating back to the late 1970s. He started working at Al's Breakfast in 1977 as a part-time job, and just two months later, he had already made changes to the way they cooked their omelets and presented their scrambled eggs. A year later, he bought out the previous owner, Al Bergstrom's nephew, Phil Bergstrom, and became the new co-owner alongside his business partner, Jim Brandes.
Al's Breakfast is a tiny restaurant located in the Dinkytown neighborhood of Minneapolis, reportedly the narrowest in the city at just ten feet wide. The restaurant has just 14 seats at its counter and is known for its intimate experience and unique dining experience. Grina, with his gravel-etched bark, was a familiar and beloved presence, bellowing orders for dishes like "Eggs Bennie and a short Wally Blues," their trademark blueberry-walnut pancakes, and other dishes like the bacon waffle and the "Jose."
Over his 42-year tenure, Grina helped establish Al's Breakfast as an iconic dining destination, attracting notable figures such as writer James Lileks and humorist Garrison Keillor. The restaurant has also received recognition, appearing on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives multiple times and winning a James Beard Foundation award in 2006.
In 2016, there was a change in ownership as Grina's business partner, Jim Brandes, retired and sold his ownership stake to Alison Kirwin, a 20-year veteran of the restaurant. Grina expressed his happiness with the new partnership, citing a closer alignment in their understanding of the restaurant business and the role of food. Despite reaching his self-proclaimed retirement age of 70, Grina planned to continue working at the restaurant, albeit with reduced responsibilities.
And so, in 2019, after four decades of dedication and hard work, Grina passed the spatula to the next generation of Al's leadership, leaving behind a culinary legacy and a thriving, beloved restaurant.
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Al's Breakfast is a 14-seat restaurant in Minneapolis
Initially, Bergstrom served three meals a day, seven days a week, but he soon scaled back operations to focus solely on breakfast. After running the restaurant for a few years, Bergstrom passed it on to his nephew, Phil Bergstrom, in 1973 or 1974. Doug Grina and Jim Brandes took over around 1980. Grina, a former performance artist, worked at the restaurant for 42 years before retiring in 2019. In 2016, Brandes sold his ownership stake to Alison Kirwin, the "Queen of the Weekend". Al Bergstrom died in 2003 at the age of 97, but his recipes and short-order cooking style are still used at the restaurant that bears his name.
Al's Breakfast is a beloved fixture in Minneapolis, having served generations of local students and notable figures such as writer James Lileks and humorist Garrison Keillor. The restaurant has been featured on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives three times and won a James Beard Foundation Award in the "America's Classics Restaurants" category in 2004. The award medal now hangs proudly behind the counter. Due to its tiny space, customers must often stand in line along the building's back wall while waiting for others to finish their meals. It is common for diners to be instructed to move down the counter to make room for newly seated customers, and frequent customers can purchase "meal books" to pre-pay for their food.
The menu at Al's Breakfast features specialties such as buttermilk pancakes, bacon waffles, hash browns, and eggs prepared in various styles, including omelettes. There are also seasonal items and weekend specials. The restaurant's intimate atmosphere and unique charm have made it a significant icon of the state, with many customers considering it part of their family.
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Doug Grina worked at Al's Breakfast for over 40 years
Grina's early ambitions were in experimental theater and horticulture, but he turned to the restaurant business when he realized he couldn't make a living from his theatrical pursuits. He brought his theatrical flair to Al's, where he was known for his animated presence behind the counter. Grina's impact on the restaurant was significant, with him claiming that just two months after starting, he had changed the way Al cooked his omelets and presented his scrambled eggs. A year later, Al asked Grina to buy him out, and he became a co-owner alongside Brandes.
Under Grina's stewardship, Al's Breakfast became a beloved fixture in the community, known for its intimate atmosphere and unique dining experience. The restaurant has appeared on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives multiple times and won a James Beard Foundation award in 2004. Grina's dedication to the restaurant and his craft is evident, with him stating that he always knew he would retire around the age of 70. In 2019, after a remarkable 42-year run, Grina decided to pass the spatula to the next generation of Al's leadership, retiring from his role as co-owner.
Grina's legacy at Al's Breakfast is undeniable, and he left an indelible mark on the restaurant and its patrons. His influence extended beyond the kitchen, as he shared his passion for performance art with his staff, fostering a fun and vibrant environment. Grina's retirement marked the end of an era, but his impact on the restaurant and its customers will forever be remembered.
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Al's Breakfast was opened in 1950 by Al Bergstrom
Al's Breakfast, reportedly the narrowest restaurant in the city of Minneapolis, was opened in 1950 by Al Bergstrom. Bergstrom had previously worked at the Dutch Treat restaurant in Dinkytown, serving cafeteria-style meals. After the owner went back on an agreement that Bergstrom would become a partner if he doubled the business's volume, he decided to strike out on his own. He purchased a building in an alleyway in the Dinkytown neighbourhood, which had previously been a hamburger stand and, before that, a shed used to store sheet metal and plumbing parts.
Bergstrom named his new restaurant Al's Café and initially served three meals a day, seven days a week. However, he soon scaled back the operation to focus solely on breakfast, served from 6 am to 1 pm. The restaurant became a popular spot for local students and notable figures such as writer James Lileks and humorist Garrison Keillor.
Bergstrom retired and sold the restaurant to his nephew, Phil Bergstrom, in 1973. Doug Grina and Jim Brandes took over around 1980. Grina, with his "gravel-etched bark," became a well-known presence at the restaurant, bellowing orders and presiding over the diner with stamina and a unique blend of vaudevillian and Shakespearean flair. In 2016, Brandes sold his ownership stake to Alison Kirwin. After a 42-year run, Grina retired in 2019, passing the spatula to the next generation of Al's leadership.
Al's Breakfast has received numerous accolades over the years. In 2004, it won a James Beard Foundation Award in the "America's Classics Restaurants" category. The award medal now hangs behind the counter. The restaurant has also appeared three times on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
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Al's Breakfast has been featured on TV and won awards
Al's Breakfast in Minneapolis is reportedly the narrowest restaurant in the city, at a width of just 3 metres. The tiny diner, with its 14 stools, has become an iconic feature of the state, seating generations of local students and notable figures such as writer James Lileks and humorist Garrison Keillor.
The restaurant has been recognised for its contribution to the culture and cuisine of the area, winning a James Beard Foundation Award in 2004 in the "America's Classics Restaurants" category. The award now hangs proudly behind the counter. Al's Breakfast has also appeared on television, featuring on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2007, 2010, and 2014.
The restaurant's fame has also inspired references in literature. In 2007, Minneapolis author Laurie Lindeen published a book, Petal Pusher, in which she chronicles her experience working at a "famous fourteen-stool breakfast joint" near the University of Minnesota campus. The description matches that of Al's Breakfast, with its narrow walls "covered in grease-preserved foreign money."
Al's Breakfast has become a beloved institution in the community, with its history, unique character, and delicious food attracting locals and notable figures alike. The restaurant's legacy is a testament to its enduring appeal and impact on the cultural landscape of Minneapolis.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Doug Grina, the co-owner of Al's Breakfast, retired in 2019 after a 42-year run.
Doug Grina retired at 70, wanting to pass on his responsibilities and work less.
Al's Breakfast is reportedly the narrowest restaurant in the city of Minneapolis, with only 14 seats. It was opened in 1950 by Al Bergstrom, who sold it in 1973.
Al's Breakfast is famous for its blueberry/walnut pancakes, bacon waffle, and the "Jose". The restaurant has also appeared on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives three times.
Doug Grina had vocational ambitions in experimental theater and horticulture. He took up a part-time job at Al's Breakfast in 1977 on his friend's suggestion.
