I find myself in Midtown for doctors appointments often, and when they are at 7:00 am on a Saturday, I cheer myself up by going down the road to Egg and I. I love the menu, which includes standard options, plus many healthy a la carte options. I'm enjoying cottage cheese, fresh fruit and an English muffin with peanut butter. Having said that, their Commadore, Eggs Benny, and Kamakazi Cakes are amazing. Fun staff that are very attentive. Sit at the bar for nice convo!
(4)
Jonathan T.
Saturday mornings. It's the only consistent day and time of the week that my girlfriend and I can spend quality time with one another. And as of late, after grubbing our way through many of Minneapolis' breakfast joints, we've settled on this The Egg and I location as our "go to." Like every breakfast/ brunch joint on the weekend, it gets packed. That's why we around 11:30, so we can miss the morning rush. And what gets our grumpy asses out of our beds, despite the brutal wind and beds of snow, is our addiction to their egg dishes (with a name like this, of course), mainly the Benedict and Commodore. *Eggs Benedict (Canadian bacon served on an English muffin topped with Hollandaise sauce): I can't believe I'm saying this, but I prefer The Egg and I's hollandaise sauce over... Fat Nats! And I've been going there for years! (Don't tell them.) Their savory ham is hearty; The English muffin is perfectly toasted; and the poached eggs make my mouth drool onto the trackpad of my laptop. (Oops.) If a potato heaven exists, then God designated these hash browns as the pillowy clouds. ($10.95) *Eggs Commodore: Same as the eggs Benedict, but with a sausage patty (which is pretty standard). Love this dish, too, but I'm going to choose the Benedict 9/10 times. (Also $10.95) *Coffee: The coffee could be stronger. Maybe I have some sort of addiction, since two cups a day (without any sugar or cream and piping hot) ain't no thang for me, but the joe there just doesn't do it for me. The eggs are amazing, but, ugh, I would kill for a stronger cup. Really, though, it's probably my fault. ($2.65) *Service: Sometimes, when it's busy, I see servers just chatting or playing on their phones and wait for a long time (I usually don't mind). The speed could be better. The friendliness is always top notch, though. I have some friends coming to town in February, and I'll be sure to bring my crew of ten to fifteen deep to The Egg and I for some morning grub. Until then, though, I'll see you this Saturday.
(4)
Carly C.
I hate to do this because I love their food and the establishment, but I have to. On July 26th, I went in for a breakfast with a few of my friends and my boyfriend. Food was great, service was great. I paid with my debt card. Then on July 29th, three days after I ate there, I get an overdraft alert from my bank. I log into my bank account and see the I was charged THREE times from my visit on July 26th. Very upset, I call them immediately and they explain it was not their fault, but their car processing. Understanding now, I explain to the manager that my account was over drafted and he offered to pay for the overdraft fee. I never had a chance to go in to get my refund for my overdraft because of my work schedule, but I was refunded two days later. Then early morning on August 28th, I get ANOTHER alert from my bank saying my account was over drafted again. I look and see that Egg and I charged me AGAIN two times for my initial visit on July 26th. Unfortunately due to my work schedule I could not call them until September 2nd. I speak with another manager who apologizes to me. I explain to her how much this has hurt me financially especially since they both happened around the first of the month to pay rent. I continue to explain that I had just got caught back up after the first overdraft charges. She continues to apologize, but does not offer to cover for my overdraft fees. She says I'll be refunded. Then I wait. Today (September 11) I log into my bank account to see if I've been refunded yet. I knew with the holiday weekend it could take awhile but I still hadn't been refunded. I call Egg and I and speak with another manager. She takes my name down and gives me a number to call to take care of the situation. She goes on to tell me that the owner had paid other customers out of his own business account, (and at this point I am confused and even more upset that the owner would not do this for me and she just gave me a number instead), and apologizes once again. Conversation over. I am going to go into my bank today and claim fraudulent activity, shut down my bank account and get a new debit card. I do understand this is not the establishment's fault, but I felt they handled my situation very poorly. As a broke college student wanting to have a nice Sunday brunch with my friends and boyfriend, I have had a lot of finical and emotional hardship from this one trip. This entire situation has been appalling.
(1)
Sarah T.
I had credit card fraud from this merchant! There were numerous credit card purchases on my account after I ate here. Take caution.
(1)
Kev H.
Standard greasyish breakfast place that manages to excite. The place has a parking lot with a decent amount of space, and an area that is an enclosed patio type seating. The core of the restaurant is your classic diner style booths and tables. The menu selection contains a variety of your standard pancakes, omelettes, scrambles. Kamikaze cakes. ... I dunno why they are named as such although maybe it is a warning to not chronically eat these for health reasons. There are different types, including buttermilk, sourdough, multigrain. Corned beef hash was crispy but nothing too special. But, slathering on the bottles of cholula sauce makes everything explosive.
(3)
Avneet S.
Egg and I rarely comes up as a suggestion for friendbrunch. Granted, my particular group of friendbrunchers are all pretty dangerous in the kitchen (in a good way) but it never seems like anything I couldn't make myself. I can totally get behind super basic brunch as long as it's done reasonably well (I'm looking at you, Lowbrow - oh, your pancakes! But I've already sung those praises in another review..). Everything I've had at Egg and I has always been mediocre. It's pretty frequently packed, which is fine, but it's hard when you're waiting for food that doesn't make you glad you decided to go out for brunch. If you're in a bind, you will get a giant portion for a very reasonable price. Head over in that case. I haven't found a reason to in a long long time.
(3)
Lila C.
Saturday morning breakfast stop. I had the breakfast burrito, it was scrumptious - eggs, onions, green peppers and your choice of meat. Plus the side of hash browns and a side of bacon. I also asked for salsa and sour cream, turns out it's extra for those two. I think when you're ordering a burrito or any Mexican style dish those should be standard sides. The total came to $14. It was all good but not good enough to merit $14 plus tax and tip. Park lot was a terrible mess after only an inch of snow.
(3)
Denise H.
This is one of the few places in the Twin Cities where I will order eggs. Seriously. Most people do not know how to do eggs, but generally speaking, Egg and I hits the spot. They get all the basics right for eggs over easy, sunny side up, and eggs benedict. That is the trifecta as far as I am concerned. They also do a decent eggs ranchero. I generally stay away from the fruity things (artificial) and coffee (weak). The hash browns are good, but as the name implies, always go for the eggs. The atmosphere here is kind of awkward (it is in an office building after all) but I appreciate having an unpretentious place around the corner to get my breakfast and brunch on.
(4)
Tracy A.
Sunday morning I roll out of bed at 7:00 am and wonder what is possibly open this early. I phoned a friend and twist his arm into putting on some pants and a jacket and we head on over to the Egg and I. This diner is old school, nothing fancy about the place but it reminds me of the old corner cafe in the small town I grew up in. I expected a full restaurant with the blue hairs playing bridge and I got a completely different vibe. It really caters to all ages, all types. While it is a traditional grease and spoon breakfast joint, I had ordered a "Healthier" omelette which was very indicative of our Minnesota culture. I had a Turkey and Wild Rice Omelette with egg whites only and forwent the hollindaise sauce. I don't know that I really like hollindaise, so that is a personal preference. I love my Chula and I drench my eggs with it so I wasn't sure the two would mix. It was fantastic and inexpensive. The portion sizes again, were on the large side. I ate less than half of my omelette. It was about the size of a Chipotle burrito, just to give you a reference and I would have eaten the entire thing if I had no plans the rest of the day, I could have eaten it all, gone back home with my food baby, laid in bed all day and been perfectly content... however, it's the holiday's and I had a checklist of things that needed to get done, so I reached way down and found a little self control and stopped when I was only sort of stuffed. I have to say I was really impressed with how fast they were at everything. For how busy they were, and trust me this place was hopping... our food came out really fast and the service was great! they were attentive and kept up with the steady flow of breakfasters while we were there. OK I had to update from 4 stars to 5. The owner messaged me to thank you for my review. I was bordering on 5 stars anyway, but that sealed the deal. How great is this place? Thank you for keeping that small town feel!
(5)
stuart w.
Reliable and tasty. Sundays are cozy and busy. Wait staff is hit and miss.
(4)
Wayne S.
Great no frills breakfast joint! I would be lying if I said I had high hopes walking into this place. The room is a bit haphazard and doesn't look like the trendiest place. The moral of the sort though, was who cares? I'm a NJ guy so I know a diner and this is diner food done right. My omelet was delicious. The coffee was constantly full and the bread was thick cut. Overall the food was delicious. I can't wait to be back!
(4)
Ellen C.
This will probably become our Sunday go-to diner. It's simple, it's easy, it's convenient (can walk or there is free parking). It's not a unique experience, so if you're looking for a place with phenomenal food or unique dishes, this isn't the place to go. But if you're looking for simple, straightforward comfort diner food, this is a good place to visit. Food: We got the eggs commodore (eggs benedict but with sausage patty). There wasn't much taste to the hollandaise sauce, but the egg was perfectly cooked, the sausage had a great bite to it, and the hash browns were dense and crispy. It was $10.85 which isn't bad considering that most diners for some reason upcharge on egg benedicts! We also got the eggs + corned beef hash. This was pretty much expected for about $8. The corned beef hash is the traditional kind and not using real chunks of corned beef but rather the kind you find out of a can, although still tasty. Atmosphere: It's got an old school diner feel. You've got the choice of sitting inside, semi-outside (on an enclosed patio with open windows during good weather) or at the few tables (3) outside. They didn't hesitate to refill our waters or give us the service we needed even though we were a little further out. All in all definitely a fan and we will be back - still trying to find "our" diner, but this is for sure in the running.
(4)
Scott E.
For decades this place has been the place for a great breakfast in an old school setting with friendly staff. The food is always excellent diner fare. Prices are more than reasonable and the amount of people in this place tells the real story. There is no large signage and it is kind of tucked back off of Lyndale, so you may pass by it. The parking lot is large and in front of the door. There is both outdoor and a sun patio besides the counter and the large dining area. The booths are old school but comfy. The waitresses are always friendly and your food arrives fast no matter how busy the place is. I love the pancakes. Its nice to have a restaurant with so many great memories to visit from time to time. I feel like the Egg and I are old friends.
(4)
Jimmy W.
Seriously 5 minutes to be recognized at the bar no less and 25 minutes for 2 eggs 1 pancake and 2 slices of bacon in the defense of my server she has been here for 20 yrs and it was kinda busy-- I have seen it WAY busier in there then the bill was 13 bucks! Anyway there are many more diners to go to in the neighborhood...
(2)
Andrew A.
Great atmosphere. Old school diner but not gross. Friendly server. Quiet and quick at 6am! Loved seeing the regular super early in the morning, clearly a neighborhood joint. The price is decent, not denny's cheap but not expensive either. I got the veggie omlet and wished I went for something more traditional diner, the mushrooms were clearly canned, but it was still tasty and hit the 6am spot. Now the question is why in god's name was I up so early.
(4)
Michael K.
Steak and eggs.... I would pass on this item. Steak had zero flavor. Hash browns were ordered extra crispy and they failed on the extra crispy. Poached eggs were cooked to perfection. The service was beyond strange. There appeared to be three different families that were all in someway working and or just hanging out here. I don't know what happened to this place but this will be the last time I'll be here.
(2)
Kim L.
Strong coffee, friendly service and perfectly poached eggs make for a lovely Sunday breakfast. Kicked back atmosphere makes this a relaxing and inviting bistro. Outdoor and porch seating available to compliment a sunny day. My daughter ordered the breakfast sandwich with hash browns which turned out to be more food than she could finish. I had the eggs Florentine with american fries. As mentioned before, the eggs were perfect and complimented by a light, handmade Hollandaise sauce. The veggies were fresh and flavorful. Add two cups of coffee, a cup of tea and our entire bill was less than $25!! Going back next time to sample their colossal pancakes-fresh berries, bananas and strawberries baked in. Looked yummy!!
(5)
Tai T.
A simple diner menu, but suffice. No complaints here. My belly full and I feel good about it. Outdoor seating is always worth a star for me. With our dog on travels with us, outdoor seating is a must.
(3)
Elena T.
B-FAST. Solid brunch spot with delicious food, free parking, average service, crowded/busy atmosphere and hipsters! Welcome to breakfast in uptown it's a real treat! Highlights: Brunch (Skillets #1 & #2) Egg and I The Restaurant = Give me all the eggs and bacon you have.
(4)
Ken P.
About the most basic breakfast place you could find. If you are starving and need something, anything, to fill the void, this will do but it isn't a destination you'd go out of your way for. If not dying of starvation, pass on by.
(1)
Zoe D.
My obsession with diners is probably becoming pretty clear, and this is one of my favorites. I've come here twice for a before-work breakfast, and it is worth coming early in the morning for their early bird special! For $5 you get tons of hash browns; dense, delicious wheat toast; eggs; and bacon. Even I - and I can eat more than just about anyone I know - can't finish it. Their coffee is also the best diner coffee I've had, and is served in glass cups with real cream on the side.
(4)
Catrina M.
First visit today, the sourdough pancakes with pecans were delicious! I had two cakes, only made it through half. They were plate-sized and nice and thick. Great consistency, pecans baked into the cakes and on top. Atmosphere was noisy and fun. Wait staff was attentive but not breathing down our necks. The place was busy but it didn't feel chaotic. Definitely want to go back and try more! Cinnamon roles looked delicious.
(4)
Ali M.
You ain't truly "Uptown" if you don't appreciate the Egg & I. I'm sorry, you can own all the distressed denim and Rhymesayers vinyl you want, but if you don't understand what the Egg & I represents to this neighborhood - you're always just gonna be a tourist. * Parking. It's a restaurant on Lyndale with free parking. Do you get that? That's worth a star. And it's real parking, not like that bullshit the French Meadow and Herkimer have going on. Or worse yet, the clusterfuck pay to park lot that Muddy Waters, Lyndale Tap House, it's Greek to Me, and Fujiya share. This parking lot is so awesome that other restaurants rent it out when the Egg & I is closed. * The service. The same 4 or 5 waitresses have been working at this restaurant since I moved to Minneapolis. That was almost 15 years ago. They're serving up diner snark with a side of fresh brewed coffee. I. Fucking. Love. It. * The food. This isn't gourmet food porn from Gavin Kaysen or Doug Flicker. It's soak up the booze from last night, grease on the side, want a pancake the size of your ugly, misshapen head?, eggs come with everything, over sized portions on every plate, how about another refill?, all American diner food. And the bacon is awesome. * Price. I trust any breakfast place where over half of the regular patrons are over 60, because old people know a good deal when they see one. You're never gonna catch your grandpa paying $10 for a mediocre omelet and some shitty toast. Not gonna happen. There's weird art on the walls and all the tables are kinda sticky. But they have real booths! Not those table/booth hybrids I bitched about in another review. Nothing on the menu is gonna compel you to write a romantic haiku about the Egg & I, but who cares? This place is one of the few remaining that just oozes everything good about a neighborhood that's changed SO dramatically in the last decade. ...and, the bacon is awesome.
(4)
Jeremy B.
perfect! The servers are pro! busy busy busy on weekends just like every great breakfast place!
(5)
Jeff G.
It's just "meh". There's always at least one good thing that I have, today it was the eggs Benedict. Very tasty. Whatever meat they use is fantastic, and their hollandaise sauce is great. The hash browns, on the other hand, are not good at all. The ones that came with my Benedict were cold, mushy, and had no seasoning (not even S&P!) so I asked for some fresh crispy hash browns. What I got the second time was the same batch of hash browns thrown in oil and warmed up. Still no seasoning, and as an added bonus, they were covered in oil. Yuck, I actually spit the bite out and didn't touch them.
(3)
Erica E.
Laid back diner-- that describes the atmosphere and the food. Family friendly and lots of menu options. Food was okay. Nothing too fancy, hence laid-back diner.
(3)
Kurt M.
I've eaten here many times over the years and have always found it a reliable location to get a hearty, decently prepared breakfast. The place is a bit ramshackle in spots. Some of the tables wobble and the floor is uneven. But the staff is friendly, the coffee hot and the food is satisfying. Most recently I had two buckwheat, blueberry pancakes with a slice of ham. The dense, yeasty cakes could easily have fed two people and included an abundance of berries. You may miss the note stating that for the berries they charge an extra $1.25 per cake. Hence $2.50 for two. I think the sheer amount of fruit inside and out more than justifies the added cost but just so ya know. Anyway they soaked up the ersatz (but homey) maple syrup from the plastic bottle like sponges. I'm glad I was able to box up my uneaten portion to be enjoyed the next day for breakfast. The ham was a nice thick, well grilled but still moist smoky slab. Eggs over easy with bacon is a solid choice. The omelets are large and usually chock full of whatever ingredients you may have chosen. Hashbrowns or American Fries are both ample, tasty sides. A stack of plastics cups was accidently overturned onto the floor loudly scattering in all directions including one that skittered under my table. I retrieved it and my seen it all, no worries server swooped by and cheerfully collected it together with the others as though performing in an impromptu breakfast ballet. People were greeted by name as they came in the door. A family had gathered at the counter. One of the children was handed a fly swatter. In a playfully serious tone she was knighted and given the task of ridding the establishment of three pesky flies that had eluded all previous efforts to end their noxious reign. She accepted her charge with eager determination. All in all, the Egg & I is a funky, family oriented, ultra-casual neighborhood institution well deserving of your consideration. BTW, it's been a while but I've also enjoyed dining at the much larger, much newer and spiffier St. Paul location.
(3)
D H.
My experience with the The Little Egg has until now has been on the weekends for breakfast with family. Food is fast, affordable and delicious, and service is attentive and friendly. Until today I would have given a 4 star rating. I'd been out for a leisurely morning bike ride and wanted breakfast. I could have gone anywhere, but I knew the Egg & I would treat me right. Unfortunately, this morning I experienced the single woman dining alone syndrome. You know, where none of the waitstaff make eye contact or approach your table for twenty minutes, and when they do, it's only because someone pointed out you were still there. Waiting. I get that women dining alone have a reputation, deserved or or not, for measly tips and so no wait person wants to spend time on them. And yet we still need to eat. Eventually I did get service. The food was good, as always, as was the coffee. And I left a $5 tip on a $10 ticket, not because my waitress was just that awesome, but to push back on the stereotype of bad female tippers. No doubt my family will continue to meet at the Egg & I on Sundays. But I'll never go back alone.
(3)
Andrew R.
This would be my brunch everyday if I could. Food is good. Its pretty affordable for what you get. Standard breakfast / brunch hotspot. If you've never been your missing out.
(4)
Diane P.
Have been here many times and always liked the food. Last Sunday we stopped and I had lunch instead of breakfast, I ordered lunch. I ordered the Reuben and found it to be the best Reuben I've ever had!
(4)
Shane M.
Great food and fun atmosphere. I have only had breakfast but the portions were plenty and the flavor was good. Definitely worth. Heckling out if you are in the area.
(3)
Katherine B.
Definitely a diner, and a true uptown gem. I like that they aren't trying to be hip or healthy. Decent french toast, pancakes, eggs, typical breakfast meats. But they can't poach eggs. You'd think I'd learn, but I just love a good poached egg and I've never learned to cook them at home so I keep ordering them when I go out. Almost hard boiled. Boo. Still, the service is great. There's a free parking lot. Its a little more expensive that it feels like it should be, but still lower than most uptown joints. If your kids get the chocolate chip pancakes, ask for about half the chips. Trust me.
(3)
Ali A.
Great service, only okay food though. I got the cheese omelet with spinach which wasn't that good, but I really liked the toast!
(3)
Aaron H.
True diner vibe. Nothing fancy, no frills. You just have to assume that there will be terrible artwork on the walls (I mean terrible as in magazine tribute collages to The Beatles, painting of dogs...paintings of ducks...etc.), also, in true diner fashion, you seat yourself you wait your turn and if you're lucky and it's not packed you might get fairly decent service. Actually, I can't complain, I've never had awful service, just slow sometimes on busy mornings. The food is breakfast basics. This isn't a place for snobby foodies. You get eggs, just eggs...not eggs poached in duck fat with a sprinkling of iclandic sea salt...and bacon...regular everyday bacon..and black coffee....AND YOU'LL LIKE IT! That being said, they have a breakfast sandwhich, AND IT IS AMAZING! I get mine with canadian bacon. yum yum yum. Prices are awesome and they always have breakfast and lunch specials at great price. The only thing that would make this place better is if they were open late-night and if they served bloody marys.
(5)
Katy R.
The Egg & I always comes through like a true friend in times of need. Like those mornings you feel like your insides might turn you inside out & all they call out for is breakfast diner food. I recommend the special of the day - usually some sort of omelet concoction. Hemingway faithfully stands by the specials, and I'd have to agree. Always solid. I on the other hand, usually go with the Huevos. I like a little Mexicano in the belly what can I say. It's good, it's not your typical Huevos with everything heaped atop each other, it's a little more sophisticated - items separated out so you can prepare each bite as you wish. I like things on the side (like Sally - When Harry Met Sally reference...). The standard breakfast items are present. Nothing fancy. Service is excellent. We've come to the conclusion that the Egg & I must treat their employees well as you don't see much turnover. We like that. The only thing this joint is missing is a liquor license. A good bloody or mimosa would be nice to wash things down, but coffee and orange juice suffice. The location on University is also solid. Maybe even a step up from the Lyndale location. My review is based predominantly on the Lyndale location.
(5)
Anne H.
Some of my friends think this place is a dive, and that maybe slightly true, but this place has character. Not only character but good food! Highly recommend it!
(4)
Jon L.
We thought we would give this a try on a Sunday morning and arrived here a little before noon. Drove by it before I realized where it was. The place is nestled off the street on the side of a parking lot. It looked interesting as we walked up to it. A small outside patio, a 4 season porch like dining area, a small counter eating area and the main dining room. We got seated almost immediately in the main dining room. The place was packed with not much room between tables. The menu items looked inviting. I was with my wife and two daughters and we quickly decided what we wanted. The waitress didn't show up right away, so we figured it better be now or another long wait would be in order. Three of us got omelets, and my other daughter got the 2 cakes and scrambled eggs. As we were waiting for our meal to arrive, we noticed the decor. It was a little odd. The carpet looked like it was pulled out of a Bakers Square and the chairs and tables, from some hotel. A little kitschy. Not cozy at all. The food finally arrived and, what? Wheat toast? Did I order that? Oh yea, she didn't ask. We all got wheat toast. She was gone before we could say anything. Speaking of the waitress, she was pretty bad. We said our please and thank you's with nary a grunt for a reply. She finally came back to fill my wife's coffee, "Thank you", my wife said. The waitress turned around and left. Nice. The food? It was pretty good. My country omelet was very good. Everything was done just fine. The extra dark wheat toast was just OK, The omelets that my wife and daughter had were pretty good as well. The cakes that daughter #2 had were huge. They took up the whole plate. The consensus was that the food was about a high 3 to a 4. Overall, it was a little to crowded with very little elbow room and poor service. The food was OK, nothing special. Do I think we will be back? I doubt it.
(3)
Tracy D.
This restaurant serves a classic diner breakfast, but with some of the best pancakes I've ever had - plus it's incredibly fast. If you don't care about the lack of ambience, just the food - this is the place!
(4)
Allison M.
It's typical diner food, but the servers are always so sweet. The ladies always call me "honey" and refills are quickly given. It's a nice place to go before work in the morning :)
(3)
kyle t.
OK, a place with "egg" in the name and I go in and order a Ruben! Can't say I regretted it but now I really want to try something with EGG! This seems like a nice solid, local neighborhood, city dwelling diner. The place that I crave and always enjoy stopping by. Should have gone with the eggs but still can't say I was disappointed. The Ruben was very good, didn't make my knees weak or anything but was good none the less. I loved the atmosphere of the place, sat at the counter and had a relaxing lunch. The service was fantastic from a very sweet smiling waitress. I'll be back and this time I'll try the eggs! KT
(3)
Kent L.
A good place for breakfast in the Lyndale Avenue neighborhood that also serves Mexican dishes. It used to have some great French Toast coated with crushed cereal but it seems to no longer be on the menu (sigh).
(4)
Ken R.
Reading some of the negative reviews left me scratching my head...you dock a DINER points because of the silverware, or because the decor doesn't fit your tastes? It's a DINER! Bland pancakes? Really? That one left me with a gaping pie hole. Look, people, it's a diner. Will it be the fine dining meal extravaganza of your lifetimes experience? Nope, probably not even close. You get gargantuan portions of HOT food cooked to order, bottomless coffee, fast-n-friendly wait staff, prices that don't break your wallet. Pancakes too bland? Order em with any of the fruits or nuts the staff will be only too happy to get for you...I've heard that syrup and butter really spice them up. The decor and artwork not stimulating enough for your palate? Maybe the MAI has a cafeteria, or go to some trendy, suburban place and overpay for some artistically rendered saucer of "food". Cutlery not up to your standards? Really? Seriously? Go forth and acquire a life. Do it now, before your carcass discovers that it is bereft of a life force. The rest of you all, go. Eat. Enjoy. Have money left in your wallet and no space in your belly.
(4)
Kelly S.
This place is sort of a dive and outdated, but I've become a regular for breakfast on Sundays due to the food. I don't like sitting in the main dining room as it feels dark and congested...I always go for the porch or the patio where it's quieter. Service is fast and no nonsense. Get the Eggs Commodore with hashbrowns. The. Best.
(4)
k h.
This is by the far the best palce to get breakfast in Minneapolis! The veggies omlete is to die for - especailly if you get it with cream cheese! I also love the breakfast sandwhich. omg. yummmyyyyyyy
(5)
Lea S.
Lately I have been undergoing a serious investigation trying to discover delicious breakfast in the Twin Cities. Unfortunately this place led me to another dead end. The Egg and I is a fine place if you are looking for generic breakfast that comes out quick and is not over priced, but don't expect to be blown over. The service is usually friendly and timely. The menu is extensive but not very diverse. You see all your normal diner staples and they are prepared like any other diner. I felt a little bamboozled by the appearance of the restaurant. I saw that wonderfully designed sign out front, and expected to walk into a uniquely decorated throw back restaurant. In actuality the place looks like the diner that Roseanne Barr worked at in her show from the early 90's. It is kind of dark, very out dated, and poorly decorated. I think it is awesome when places put up local artwork (especially on consignment) but have some discretion or at the very least try to pair the work with the rest of the room. I could see how this would be problematic, ugly room ugly work. Over all I will probably go back for the same reason I would go back to a Denny's or McDonald's. It is consistent, it is cheap, and the food comes out relatively quickly.
(2)
Todd P.
My family and I have been here twice. Both times the staff was friendly and cheerful. It has a relaxed charm. Good food and reasonably priced. However, we will not be going back because on both occasions one or more of us ended up with stomach problems. I'm assuming it's because the food is merely too rich/spicy for us and not because there is anything wrong with the food per se. Also, there is a dip in the floor as you walk in which caused my 11 year old to fall. There was no sign or marking on the floor to warn people. The lady behind the counter said, "Don't worry, you're not the first person to do that." You'd think they'd get it fixed or mark it somehow if that were the case!
(2)
Rachelle T.
When I need a simple American breakfast, I go to Egg & I. But each time I visit, I am faced with a perilous decision: Kamikaze Cakes or Omelets? The solution usually involves me badgering the other people at the table to order my second decision so we can swap food. I know its tacky, but I can't help it!! The portions are huge, especially if you order two or more of the pancakes. So, you'll have breakfast and a pretty nice snack for later in the day. I wish the coffee was a bit better quality, but it isn't a deal breaker for me. The decor is pretty typical and a bit worn out. The use shows it must be good, right?
(4)
Jasmine L.
I go to the Egg and I quite a bit because I live very close to it but I really don't feel that the food is all that much better than other breakfast places around. The food is good though and they also have a lot of sandwich options and other stuff aside from just breakfast foods. I like the hashbrowns here better than quite a few other places. What really stands out here is the waitstaff, who always provide supreme service. I also like the atmosphere of this place (especially so compared to some other nearby similar breakfast/diner type places - uu, uu, um *clears throat* I'm looking at you Uptown Diner); although if you haven't ever been here you may wonder why I say this when you first enter but once you stay for awhile or come again you'll start to see why. Especially that waitress who always sings, love that. There is a diverse group of customers and it can get pretty busy but usually not so packed that you can't bear it as some other breakfast/diner places around these parts. As someone else wrote, if you get here a bit earlier though it is usually pretty quiet, with a lot less customers. Lots of parking available and outdoor seating when the weather is nice. They also have a nice indoor heated patio type area as well. Vegans should avoid this place, as one would probably expect.
(4)
Rowan J.
After seeing the weekend crowd outside this place, finally decided to check it out yesterday. The food is good, but by the time my poached eggs made it to the table they were almost cold. The Kamikaze cakes are good & the coffee OK. I wouldn't mind trying them again on a Saturday to see if the service is any better. Parking is definitely plentiful compared to others in the area, but was almost full around noon on a sunday, so grab that spot that you saw on the street before you pull in. I'd recommend the other Egg themed place up the street, but for a change of pace, this is a decent alternative.
(3)
Matt W.
The Little Egg, that's my haunt for hangovers. I always get the #1 skillet, and a bowl of fruit, and I'm good to go. I don't even need to look at the menu. I've been a Egg and I frequenter for nearly 8 years now, I've found out that if you show up earlier, say 9 or so (if you drag yourself out of a beer coma that early) they really aren't that busy, and you can just sit down. This place rocks. The WAITSTAFF ROCKS! 5 stars to them for coming in early. I always tip the cooks, you should too...they deserve it. There is a tip jar by the register. You usually don't have to wait very long for your food, it's super quick and speedy at this place. I have had probably everything on the menu over the years, so you need read no other reviews. I have now settled on the #1 skillet. Ham, tomatoes, american fries, onions, with egg on top. Served with toast. Now I need to go ;)
(5)
Ks K.
Good black coffee, good eggs over easy & medium (& you know that's the sign of a good breakfast place). Perfectly done hashbrowns, not too greasy nor burnt. Friendly, efficient staff. Cool art for sale on walls. Groovy tunes today.
(5)
Kyle B.
I've been slowly eating all the french toast in the city and Egg and I has a case for best french toast. It's crispy on the outside and creamy inside, just the way french toast should be. Other than that thee isn't anything outstanding about the Egg and I. It's always busy but has quick service and you won't wait too long. There are places nearby with as good or better breakfast so we don't come here often but we're never disappointed with our meal when we do.
(3)
Greg A.
After hearing how great this place is , I figured i'd give it a try. At first glance, the long lines usually sing the tell tale story of a great breakfast joint which people wait, and are happy to wait for the great food. My friend I went with ranted and raved of the breakfasts here. We started off with cinn,rolls. They came to the table presented nicely, but once i tried to cut into it, the texture of the roll was quite rubbery. Upon tasting it, the roll was clearly microwaved (and over microwaved at that) My omit was less that desireable. The vegetables in it were barely cooked. (it tasted like they threw the vegetables on the grill, squirted some water on them and put a lid over them to quick cook them) A trurly well put together omlit should have the contests cooked until tender, preferably with some flavor besides water. ) The toast was good, egg in the omlet prepared well. Coffee was good also. I don't think i'd really go back again on a busy weekend day when it appears rushing the food out to the customer so they can cram more people in is a goal over quality food. Try Fat Nat"s in New Hope instead. the food is worth the wait.
(3)
Serena R.
I went at 10:00 on a Saturday and they were busy but no wait. I had the eggs Benedict which seemed popular and I could see why...it was tasty! They could have offered a half portion and I would've paid for it because it was too much food. Would love to see these guys source some local products!?!? Great server.
(4)
Peter C.
This place is everything I love about a big eggy hot breakfast. To be honest, I've always been very unimaginative at the Egg and I. I rarely endulge in anything more than 2 eggs scrambled with hash browns and toast. But it's those hash browns that are just to die for. I don't know what kind of buttery fairy-dust they put on them to taste so delicious (maybe it's just salt and butter), but they are just magic. Crispy golden brown on the outside, and yummy and soft on the inside. And then there's the toast...it seems home made, but again, slathered in butter and tasty. They eggs aren't anything special, it's the whole that works. At times, I've also tried their sourdough pancakes, and a few other things. I've heard good things about the kamikaze pancakes. I have also had a few omelets from time to time, but I've never sampled the lunch menu, so I can't speak to that. The wait can be daunting if you're there anytime after mid-morning on a weekend, so get there on the early side, and chow down! Update on 3 February, 2009 I've recently been back, and I'm afraid I'm going to now downgrade my rating from 5 stars to 4. This is based on two things. First, Egg and I used to be much better value for money. I could eat my 2 eggs, hashbrowns and toast for betweeen $5 and $6. This time it cost me almost $10. That's just too much. Second, I have to say the the food just wasn't up to scratch. So, it pains me, but E&I, you're now a 4 in my book.
(4)
Jerod H.
Egg and I: Simply put: Not bad. No frills place, no frills food. The basic breakfast is straight forward and pretty good. Crowd is a little gritty, as is the help. This isn't a place you take someone to impress. But this a decent hangover breakfast spot on a weekend. I have nothing to complain about here, but nothing to fave about either. Stay away from the ridiculous skillet dishes...stick with basic fare. Only once did I have to wait for a seat.
(3)
Chelsea H.
They do breakfast very well, with the expected dive-y diner ambiance. The prices are a little high, but they are appropriate given the large portion sizes.
(3)
Nathan L.
It was pretty good. Not the best breakfast I've had and certainly not the worst. The service was alright and the coffee was decent. I had the kamakazi pancakes and they were interesting. I'm typically not a fan of pancakes but my girlfriend was getting something I knew I would like (veggie omelet) so I knew if I didn't like mine I could just eat hers... ha. Anywho they are buttermilk pancakes filled with walnuts, blueberries and bananas and then topped with the same combo. I ended up not even having to put syrup or butter on them because they were good just the way they were. The one taste that kept bringing me back to eat more and more until I had a stomach ache was the smell/taste combo of a freshly fried cider mill donut. Strange I know but it was really good, and made me kinda miss Fall. Her veggie omelet was standard, but lacked anything special. We will go back again but won't search out parking like we did to try it this morning. If there is a line or no parking readily available no huge loss...
(3)
Mitzi D.
This is a great causal breakfast place, I had to take away a star for the political debate the wait staff was having with the customers and the overstaffed kitchen with the guy that stared at my friend and I eat breakfast the whole time, not just a casual stare, a stop and lean and stare the WHOLE time, talk about uncomfortable. Our waitress was friendly without being fake and very attentive. BUT, even after all that, the food was yummy, the hash browns crispy, the toast thick, and the hot chocolate was even PRETTY! I do love pretty drinks. The pancakes were fluffy, huge and thick. Its a cheap and good breakfast but don't sit at the counter unless you like being stared at.
(3)
Adrian M.
THE FOOD Awesome, simple and old school THE STAFF Organic, Real and kind THE AMBIANCE Nice, open ..like a caferia We likey
(4)
Nadine Y.
The Egg and I... and some hashbrowns please. But I'm sorry, I don't know what the hype is all about. You taste like any other breakfast joint. Next time (if there is a next time), I will go for the continental breakfast menu... YUM! Cold cereal for a buck-75.
(3)
Valerie H.
The boyfriend and I decided to try this out for breakfast after driving by several times...we should have just passed. It was understandably crowded for a Sunday morning, but luckily we didn't have to wait long for our food. Unfortunately the food was a big plate of disappointment. My pancakes were huge but bland, and the breakfast skillet the boy ordered consisted of old tomatoes and cheap diced ham hastily thrown on top of some scrambled eggs. I've scratched it off my list.
(2)
Kristen O.
I met family here for breakfast, and this place is great. It's what I think of when I think breakfast - so many choices. I'm usually relegated to a waffle, egg, or pancake option, so had a difficult time picking out eggactly (groan - sorry!) what I wanted. The staff was so friendly; if I lived in the area, I'd make it a weekend staple.
(5)
Leah L.
Overall, The Egg and I is decent. The service isn't anything to write home about -- not very friendly and fairly slow. The food is all pretty basic. The prices are fair for the portion sizes. Their claim that they have the biggest pancakes in town is pretty false -- they're really just average size. The pancakes were fluffy, but tough to cut, which is odd for pancakes. I would probably go back, but I'm not in a hurry to.
(3)
Dena S.
The coffee is hot, the toast is fresh and the skillets come on big plates. As a self proclaimed skillet dumper, that last one is particularly vital. I have recently developed the unhealthful habit of the hollandaise sidecar, and you can't pour hollandaise onto an overflowing skillet without looking like an asshole. So go ahead and stare if you must, but that thing is getting emptied out like it's starring Leo and Kate and there ain't nothing you can do about it. Cue buttery, artery hardening early death, rinse, repeat.
(4)
Margaret O.
Gets all the basics right for a good breakfast meal. Atmosphere is nothing special, just your basic diner.
(3)
Orland C.
Just love this restaurant. The variety in breakfast options alone make it a must visit. Don't expect pristine conditions though it's a nice down home feel.
(4)
Kate C.
This is really a 3.5 star review, Yelp should work on making more gray areas for us. Anyway, Egg and I had no problem seating our group of eight (with no reservation) on Sunday morning-afternoon-ish. The food was good, but not outstanding. Which, really, is what I'm looking for after a night of drinking. On those mornings, I'm not too concerned with what farm the sausage in my patties comes from or what the hens that popped out my eggs ate for their own breakfast. The "american fries" were also good, but beware, these bear no resemblance to the long skinny ones you purchase with hamburgers from that red and yellow fast food joint with the vaguely Scottish sounding name. These are just regular breakfast potatoes cut in slices with onions and probably fried in bacon grease. Flavorful, yes. Coffee was decent, caramel roll was decent (but it was no Keys Cafe). Eggs, potatoes, etc were decent. Toast, surprisingly, was awesome. They have thick cut wheat toast, which rocked my world. Much better than the paper thin crap you usually get with breakfasts. No wonder its puched to the side and forgotten like the red-headed stepchild. This toast, though, was thoroughly enjoyed. I ate it all.
(3)
Peter C.
A simply awful breakfast. It has no charm, poor service, and a simple menu. While I realize that their specialty is eggs, even that selection isn't that awe-inspiring. I have had several dishes and all were forgettable. However, stay away from their Mexican scramble. Basically consisted of some potatoes, covered with bad salsa, a little bit of sausage, a little cheese and the funkiest scrambled eggs I have ever seen. Try Victor's 1959 Cafe instead for a good breakfast.
(1)
Matt P.
One of two of my favorite places to have breakfast on my way to work. Pancakes are overrated, but the hollandaise at this place is where it is at, pitch perfect classic hollandaise. The best is the Eggs Commador (Sausage patty benedict) with a perfectly cooked egg and perfectly cooked hash browns. Not everything here would be considered my favorite, but if you have read other reviews, hollandaise is where I go first whenever I try a new place. The service is good for the most part, but hasen't been good on all occasions. And the coffee is very good.
(4)
Joe P.
Don't get me wrong, the food is fine--totally what you'd expect from a greasy spoon breakfast place. But can anyone truly be satisfied eating with cheap, flimsy, school-lunch-cafeteria-style silverware. C'mon now.
(3)
erin d.
Love this place for Sunday brunch. All the servers are pros and the food comes out FAST. Anyone who can make cheesy, crispy hashbrowns in a jiffy is high on my list. Try the breakfast sandwich or one of their famous pancakes. Yummmm.
(4)
Nico G.
A decent breakfast/brunch spot - just today I went and the staff were funny and friendly and willing to split check for a group of 7 uppity women. The coffee is a bit on the weak side, and although I've always left full, nothing really stands out about the food. Passable, but nothing to write home about.
(3)
Emily G.
I was pleasantly surprised by this place! Would not have gone in at all but a friend suggested it as a place for a quick brunch... I don't like greasy brunch food but I was won over by the quick service and food arrival, plus it was all tasty. I definitely suggest getting the fruit and nut pancakes (either alone or to share with a friend). The eggs were decent also.
(3)
Kevin M.
Great place for a simple quick breakfast. Always had some great scrambler on special.
(4)
Meghan W.
You can't go wrong with breakfast at The Egg & I. I'm a huge fan of their egg sandwich (a hangover favorite in my 20s) but have never ordered a single thing I've regretted. Pancakes, omelettes, hashbrowns...you'll love anything you get. The service is speedy and friendly, and while it can get pretty crowded on the weekends they do a good job of moving people through without making you feel like cattle.
(5)
Raja V.
Very good service and it has a nice neighborhood diner feel. I expect my hash browns to be great at a diner, and they were quite bland - tasted like they just defrosted it in a microwave. Also I expect a lot of Eggs Florentine - how can something not taste great when its submerged in hollandaise sauce? But again was disappointed - it was just ok.
(2)
Jillian C.
I went to the Lyndale Avenue Egg and I for the first time this morning and had a really great breakfast - they have an egg white omelette on the menu, which is something that I love and prefer but would feel like a high maintenance idiot ever actually ordering as a special substitution most places in the city, so I got it and it was delicious. We shared a caramel roll as well, which the waitress only charged us $1 for as a day old pastry - and I never would have known the difference, it was fantastic! The waitress was really friendly, seemed to know almost everyone else there, and we were taken care of really well. As a regular of other local breakfast spots like the Sunny Side Up and French Meadow, which I hardly stray from, I can say that I was won over and will be back.
(4)
Jon W.
Hard to believe this mainstay of the 'Wedge,' one of Minneapolis' hippest, friendly neighborhoods, has never been reviewed! It's a classic coffee shop with fine traditional breakfasts, the kind Tom Waits might have summoned up in his earlier work. While in the Twin Cities last week, I dropped in after a three-year hiatus for back-to-back early morning meetings, and was not surprised to see a number of regulars arriving in a steady stream. Our waitress Alyssa, expecting later this year--and we'll keep a good thought for the health of the mother and baby, and for a smooth delivery-- was helpful and friendly, and gladly indulged our two-hour tenure at one of the many tables in their spacious dining area. I went with the breakfast sandwich with hash browns and tea. Alyssa brought extra hot water and teabags not once but twice. The Egg and I serves basic fare, so foodies might well clamor for more adventurous dishes, but I can't imagine a better place to meet and eat in the a.m., and will be back anytime I visit the area.
(5)
Victor M.
the food is great.good portions and they still have that home made taste to it. not as good as keys cafe downtown saint paul
(3)
Ann G.
i've loved breakfast at the egg and i for years. the food is good, the coffee is black. its a great place for saturday morning brunch & conversation. or, a quiet weekday breakfast-themed lunch!
(4)
Yvette W.
Love it! It's cheap and no frills. Good food, bad carpet.
(4)
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Address :2828 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis, MN, 55408
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Angela E.
I find myself in Midtown for doctors appointments often, and when they are at 7:00 am on a Saturday, I cheer myself up by going down the road to Egg and I. I love the menu, which includes standard options, plus many healthy a la carte options. I'm enjoying cottage cheese, fresh fruit and an English muffin with peanut butter. Having said that, their Commadore, Eggs Benny, and Kamakazi Cakes are amazing. Fun staff that are very attentive. Sit at the bar for nice convo!
(4)Jonathan T.
Saturday mornings. It's the only consistent day and time of the week that my girlfriend and I can spend quality time with one another. And as of late, after grubbing our way through many of Minneapolis' breakfast joints, we've settled on this The Egg and I location as our "go to." Like every breakfast/ brunch joint on the weekend, it gets packed. That's why we around 11:30, so we can miss the morning rush. And what gets our grumpy asses out of our beds, despite the brutal wind and beds of snow, is our addiction to their egg dishes (with a name like this, of course), mainly the Benedict and Commodore. *Eggs Benedict (Canadian bacon served on an English muffin topped with Hollandaise sauce): I can't believe I'm saying this, but I prefer The Egg and I's hollandaise sauce over... Fat Nats! And I've been going there for years! (Don't tell them.) Their savory ham is hearty; The English muffin is perfectly toasted; and the poached eggs make my mouth drool onto the trackpad of my laptop. (Oops.) If a potato heaven exists, then God designated these hash browns as the pillowy clouds. ($10.95) *Eggs Commodore: Same as the eggs Benedict, but with a sausage patty (which is pretty standard). Love this dish, too, but I'm going to choose the Benedict 9/10 times. (Also $10.95) *Coffee: The coffee could be stronger. Maybe I have some sort of addiction, since two cups a day (without any sugar or cream and piping hot) ain't no thang for me, but the joe there just doesn't do it for me. The eggs are amazing, but, ugh, I would kill for a stronger cup. Really, though, it's probably my fault. ($2.65) *Service: Sometimes, when it's busy, I see servers just chatting or playing on their phones and wait for a long time (I usually don't mind). The speed could be better. The friendliness is always top notch, though. I have some friends coming to town in February, and I'll be sure to bring my crew of ten to fifteen deep to The Egg and I for some morning grub. Until then, though, I'll see you this Saturday.
(4)Carly C.
I hate to do this because I love their food and the establishment, but I have to. On July 26th, I went in for a breakfast with a few of my friends and my boyfriend. Food was great, service was great. I paid with my debt card. Then on July 29th, three days after I ate there, I get an overdraft alert from my bank. I log into my bank account and see the I was charged THREE times from my visit on July 26th. Very upset, I call them immediately and they explain it was not their fault, but their car processing. Understanding now, I explain to the manager that my account was over drafted and he offered to pay for the overdraft fee. I never had a chance to go in to get my refund for my overdraft because of my work schedule, but I was refunded two days later. Then early morning on August 28th, I get ANOTHER alert from my bank saying my account was over drafted again. I look and see that Egg and I charged me AGAIN two times for my initial visit on July 26th. Unfortunately due to my work schedule I could not call them until September 2nd. I speak with another manager who apologizes to me. I explain to her how much this has hurt me financially especially since they both happened around the first of the month to pay rent. I continue to explain that I had just got caught back up after the first overdraft charges. She continues to apologize, but does not offer to cover for my overdraft fees. She says I'll be refunded. Then I wait. Today (September 11) I log into my bank account to see if I've been refunded yet. I knew with the holiday weekend it could take awhile but I still hadn't been refunded. I call Egg and I and speak with another manager. She takes my name down and gives me a number to call to take care of the situation. She goes on to tell me that the owner had paid other customers out of his own business account, (and at this point I am confused and even more upset that the owner would not do this for me and she just gave me a number instead), and apologizes once again. Conversation over. I am going to go into my bank today and claim fraudulent activity, shut down my bank account and get a new debit card. I do understand this is not the establishment's fault, but I felt they handled my situation very poorly. As a broke college student wanting to have a nice Sunday brunch with my friends and boyfriend, I have had a lot of finical and emotional hardship from this one trip. This entire situation has been appalling.
(1)Sarah T.
I had credit card fraud from this merchant! There were numerous credit card purchases on my account after I ate here. Take caution.
(1)Kev H.
Standard greasyish breakfast place that manages to excite. The place has a parking lot with a decent amount of space, and an area that is an enclosed patio type seating. The core of the restaurant is your classic diner style booths and tables. The menu selection contains a variety of your standard pancakes, omelettes, scrambles. Kamikaze cakes. ... I dunno why they are named as such although maybe it is a warning to not chronically eat these for health reasons. There are different types, including buttermilk, sourdough, multigrain. Corned beef hash was crispy but nothing too special. But, slathering on the bottles of cholula sauce makes everything explosive.
(3)Avneet S.
Egg and I rarely comes up as a suggestion for friendbrunch. Granted, my particular group of friendbrunchers are all pretty dangerous in the kitchen (in a good way) but it never seems like anything I couldn't make myself. I can totally get behind super basic brunch as long as it's done reasonably well (I'm looking at you, Lowbrow - oh, your pancakes! But I've already sung those praises in another review..). Everything I've had at Egg and I has always been mediocre. It's pretty frequently packed, which is fine, but it's hard when you're waiting for food that doesn't make you glad you decided to go out for brunch. If you're in a bind, you will get a giant portion for a very reasonable price. Head over in that case. I haven't found a reason to in a long long time.
(3)Lila C.
Saturday morning breakfast stop. I had the breakfast burrito, it was scrumptious - eggs, onions, green peppers and your choice of meat. Plus the side of hash browns and a side of bacon. I also asked for salsa and sour cream, turns out it's extra for those two. I think when you're ordering a burrito or any Mexican style dish those should be standard sides. The total came to $14. It was all good but not good enough to merit $14 plus tax and tip. Park lot was a terrible mess after only an inch of snow.
(3)Denise H.
This is one of the few places in the Twin Cities where I will order eggs. Seriously. Most people do not know how to do eggs, but generally speaking, Egg and I hits the spot. They get all the basics right for eggs over easy, sunny side up, and eggs benedict. That is the trifecta as far as I am concerned. They also do a decent eggs ranchero. I generally stay away from the fruity things (artificial) and coffee (weak). The hash browns are good, but as the name implies, always go for the eggs. The atmosphere here is kind of awkward (it is in an office building after all) but I appreciate having an unpretentious place around the corner to get my breakfast and brunch on.
(4)Tracy A.
Sunday morning I roll out of bed at 7:00 am and wonder what is possibly open this early. I phoned a friend and twist his arm into putting on some pants and a jacket and we head on over to the Egg and I. This diner is old school, nothing fancy about the place but it reminds me of the old corner cafe in the small town I grew up in. I expected a full restaurant with the blue hairs playing bridge and I got a completely different vibe. It really caters to all ages, all types. While it is a traditional grease and spoon breakfast joint, I had ordered a "Healthier" omelette which was very indicative of our Minnesota culture. I had a Turkey and Wild Rice Omelette with egg whites only and forwent the hollindaise sauce. I don't know that I really like hollindaise, so that is a personal preference. I love my Chula and I drench my eggs with it so I wasn't sure the two would mix. It was fantastic and inexpensive. The portion sizes again, were on the large side. I ate less than half of my omelette. It was about the size of a Chipotle burrito, just to give you a reference and I would have eaten the entire thing if I had no plans the rest of the day, I could have eaten it all, gone back home with my food baby, laid in bed all day and been perfectly content... however, it's the holiday's and I had a checklist of things that needed to get done, so I reached way down and found a little self control and stopped when I was only sort of stuffed. I have to say I was really impressed with how fast they were at everything. For how busy they were, and trust me this place was hopping... our food came out really fast and the service was great! they were attentive and kept up with the steady flow of breakfasters while we were there. OK I had to update from 4 stars to 5. The owner messaged me to thank you for my review. I was bordering on 5 stars anyway, but that sealed the deal. How great is this place? Thank you for keeping that small town feel!
(5)stuart w.
Reliable and tasty. Sundays are cozy and busy. Wait staff is hit and miss.
(4)Wayne S.
Great no frills breakfast joint! I would be lying if I said I had high hopes walking into this place. The room is a bit haphazard and doesn't look like the trendiest place. The moral of the sort though, was who cares? I'm a NJ guy so I know a diner and this is diner food done right. My omelet was delicious. The coffee was constantly full and the bread was thick cut. Overall the food was delicious. I can't wait to be back!
(4)Ellen C.
This will probably become our Sunday go-to diner. It's simple, it's easy, it's convenient (can walk or there is free parking). It's not a unique experience, so if you're looking for a place with phenomenal food or unique dishes, this isn't the place to go. But if you're looking for simple, straightforward comfort diner food, this is a good place to visit. Food: We got the eggs commodore (eggs benedict but with sausage patty). There wasn't much taste to the hollandaise sauce, but the egg was perfectly cooked, the sausage had a great bite to it, and the hash browns were dense and crispy. It was $10.85 which isn't bad considering that most diners for some reason upcharge on egg benedicts! We also got the eggs + corned beef hash. This was pretty much expected for about $8. The corned beef hash is the traditional kind and not using real chunks of corned beef but rather the kind you find out of a can, although still tasty. Atmosphere: It's got an old school diner feel. You've got the choice of sitting inside, semi-outside (on an enclosed patio with open windows during good weather) or at the few tables (3) outside. They didn't hesitate to refill our waters or give us the service we needed even though we were a little further out. All in all definitely a fan and we will be back - still trying to find "our" diner, but this is for sure in the running.
(4)Scott E.
For decades this place has been the place for a great breakfast in an old school setting with friendly staff. The food is always excellent diner fare. Prices are more than reasonable and the amount of people in this place tells the real story. There is no large signage and it is kind of tucked back off of Lyndale, so you may pass by it. The parking lot is large and in front of the door. There is both outdoor and a sun patio besides the counter and the large dining area. The booths are old school but comfy. The waitresses are always friendly and your food arrives fast no matter how busy the place is. I love the pancakes. Its nice to have a restaurant with so many great memories to visit from time to time. I feel like the Egg and I are old friends.
(4)Jimmy W.
Seriously 5 minutes to be recognized at the bar no less and 25 minutes for 2 eggs 1 pancake and 2 slices of bacon in the defense of my server she has been here for 20 yrs and it was kinda busy-- I have seen it WAY busier in there then the bill was 13 bucks! Anyway there are many more diners to go to in the neighborhood...
(2)Andrew A.
Great atmosphere. Old school diner but not gross. Friendly server. Quiet and quick at 6am! Loved seeing the regular super early in the morning, clearly a neighborhood joint. The price is decent, not denny's cheap but not expensive either. I got the veggie omlet and wished I went for something more traditional diner, the mushrooms were clearly canned, but it was still tasty and hit the 6am spot. Now the question is why in god's name was I up so early.
(4)Michael K.
Steak and eggs.... I would pass on this item. Steak had zero flavor. Hash browns were ordered extra crispy and they failed on the extra crispy. Poached eggs were cooked to perfection. The service was beyond strange. There appeared to be three different families that were all in someway working and or just hanging out here. I don't know what happened to this place but this will be the last time I'll be here.
(2)Kim L.
Strong coffee, friendly service and perfectly poached eggs make for a lovely Sunday breakfast. Kicked back atmosphere makes this a relaxing and inviting bistro. Outdoor and porch seating available to compliment a sunny day. My daughter ordered the breakfast sandwich with hash browns which turned out to be more food than she could finish. I had the eggs Florentine with american fries. As mentioned before, the eggs were perfect and complimented by a light, handmade Hollandaise sauce. The veggies were fresh and flavorful. Add two cups of coffee, a cup of tea and our entire bill was less than $25!! Going back next time to sample their colossal pancakes-fresh berries, bananas and strawberries baked in. Looked yummy!!
(5)Tai T.
A simple diner menu, but suffice. No complaints here. My belly full and I feel good about it. Outdoor seating is always worth a star for me. With our dog on travels with us, outdoor seating is a must.
(3)Elena T.
B-FAST. Solid brunch spot with delicious food, free parking, average service, crowded/busy atmosphere and hipsters! Welcome to breakfast in uptown it's a real treat! Highlights: Brunch (Skillets #1 & #2) Egg and I The Restaurant = Give me all the eggs and bacon you have.
(4)Ken P.
About the most basic breakfast place you could find. If you are starving and need something, anything, to fill the void, this will do but it isn't a destination you'd go out of your way for. If not dying of starvation, pass on by.
(1)Zoe D.
My obsession with diners is probably becoming pretty clear, and this is one of my favorites. I've come here twice for a before-work breakfast, and it is worth coming early in the morning for their early bird special! For $5 you get tons of hash browns; dense, delicious wheat toast; eggs; and bacon. Even I - and I can eat more than just about anyone I know - can't finish it. Their coffee is also the best diner coffee I've had, and is served in glass cups with real cream on the side.
(4)Catrina M.
First visit today, the sourdough pancakes with pecans were delicious! I had two cakes, only made it through half. They were plate-sized and nice and thick. Great consistency, pecans baked into the cakes and on top. Atmosphere was noisy and fun. Wait staff was attentive but not breathing down our necks. The place was busy but it didn't feel chaotic. Definitely want to go back and try more! Cinnamon roles looked delicious.
(4)Ali M.
You ain't truly "Uptown" if you don't appreciate the Egg & I. I'm sorry, you can own all the distressed denim and Rhymesayers vinyl you want, but if you don't understand what the Egg & I represents to this neighborhood - you're always just gonna be a tourist. * Parking. It's a restaurant on Lyndale with free parking. Do you get that? That's worth a star. And it's real parking, not like that bullshit the French Meadow and Herkimer have going on. Or worse yet, the clusterfuck pay to park lot that Muddy Waters, Lyndale Tap House, it's Greek to Me, and Fujiya share. This parking lot is so awesome that other restaurants rent it out when the Egg & I is closed. * The service. The same 4 or 5 waitresses have been working at this restaurant since I moved to Minneapolis. That was almost 15 years ago. They're serving up diner snark with a side of fresh brewed coffee. I. Fucking. Love. It. * The food. This isn't gourmet food porn from Gavin Kaysen or Doug Flicker. It's soak up the booze from last night, grease on the side, want a pancake the size of your ugly, misshapen head?, eggs come with everything, over sized portions on every plate, how about another refill?, all American diner food. And the bacon is awesome. * Price. I trust any breakfast place where over half of the regular patrons are over 60, because old people know a good deal when they see one. You're never gonna catch your grandpa paying $10 for a mediocre omelet and some shitty toast. Not gonna happen. There's weird art on the walls and all the tables are kinda sticky. But they have real booths! Not those table/booth hybrids I bitched about in another review. Nothing on the menu is gonna compel you to write a romantic haiku about the Egg & I, but who cares? This place is one of the few remaining that just oozes everything good about a neighborhood that's changed SO dramatically in the last decade. ...and, the bacon is awesome.
(4)Jeremy B.
perfect! The servers are pro! busy busy busy on weekends just like every great breakfast place!
(5)Jeff G.
It's just "meh". There's always at least one good thing that I have, today it was the eggs Benedict. Very tasty. Whatever meat they use is fantastic, and their hollandaise sauce is great. The hash browns, on the other hand, are not good at all. The ones that came with my Benedict were cold, mushy, and had no seasoning (not even S&P!) so I asked for some fresh crispy hash browns. What I got the second time was the same batch of hash browns thrown in oil and warmed up. Still no seasoning, and as an added bonus, they were covered in oil. Yuck, I actually spit the bite out and didn't touch them.
(3)Erica E.
Laid back diner-- that describes the atmosphere and the food. Family friendly and lots of menu options. Food was okay. Nothing too fancy, hence laid-back diner.
(3)Kurt M.
I've eaten here many times over the years and have always found it a reliable location to get a hearty, decently prepared breakfast. The place is a bit ramshackle in spots. Some of the tables wobble and the floor is uneven. But the staff is friendly, the coffee hot and the food is satisfying. Most recently I had two buckwheat, blueberry pancakes with a slice of ham. The dense, yeasty cakes could easily have fed two people and included an abundance of berries. You may miss the note stating that for the berries they charge an extra $1.25 per cake. Hence $2.50 for two. I think the sheer amount of fruit inside and out more than justifies the added cost but just so ya know. Anyway they soaked up the ersatz (but homey) maple syrup from the plastic bottle like sponges. I'm glad I was able to box up my uneaten portion to be enjoyed the next day for breakfast. The ham was a nice thick, well grilled but still moist smoky slab. Eggs over easy with bacon is a solid choice. The omelets are large and usually chock full of whatever ingredients you may have chosen. Hashbrowns or American Fries are both ample, tasty sides. A stack of plastics cups was accidently overturned onto the floor loudly scattering in all directions including one that skittered under my table. I retrieved it and my seen it all, no worries server swooped by and cheerfully collected it together with the others as though performing in an impromptu breakfast ballet. People were greeted by name as they came in the door. A family had gathered at the counter. One of the children was handed a fly swatter. In a playfully serious tone she was knighted and given the task of ridding the establishment of three pesky flies that had eluded all previous efforts to end their noxious reign. She accepted her charge with eager determination. All in all, the Egg & I is a funky, family oriented, ultra-casual neighborhood institution well deserving of your consideration. BTW, it's been a while but I've also enjoyed dining at the much larger, much newer and spiffier St. Paul location.
(3)D H.
My experience with the The Little Egg has until now has been on the weekends for breakfast with family. Food is fast, affordable and delicious, and service is attentive and friendly. Until today I would have given a 4 star rating. I'd been out for a leisurely morning bike ride and wanted breakfast. I could have gone anywhere, but I knew the Egg & I would treat me right. Unfortunately, this morning I experienced the single woman dining alone syndrome. You know, where none of the waitstaff make eye contact or approach your table for twenty minutes, and when they do, it's only because someone pointed out you were still there. Waiting. I get that women dining alone have a reputation, deserved or or not, for measly tips and so no wait person wants to spend time on them. And yet we still need to eat. Eventually I did get service. The food was good, as always, as was the coffee. And I left a $5 tip on a $10 ticket, not because my waitress was just that awesome, but to push back on the stereotype of bad female tippers. No doubt my family will continue to meet at the Egg & I on Sundays. But I'll never go back alone.
(3)Andrew R.
This would be my brunch everyday if I could. Food is good. Its pretty affordable for what you get. Standard breakfast / brunch hotspot. If you've never been your missing out.
(4)Diane P.
Have been here many times and always liked the food. Last Sunday we stopped and I had lunch instead of breakfast, I ordered lunch. I ordered the Reuben and found it to be the best Reuben I've ever had!
(4)Shane M.
Great food and fun atmosphere. I have only had breakfast but the portions were plenty and the flavor was good. Definitely worth. Heckling out if you are in the area.
(3)Katherine B.
Definitely a diner, and a true uptown gem. I like that they aren't trying to be hip or healthy. Decent french toast, pancakes, eggs, typical breakfast meats. But they can't poach eggs. You'd think I'd learn, but I just love a good poached egg and I've never learned to cook them at home so I keep ordering them when I go out. Almost hard boiled. Boo. Still, the service is great. There's a free parking lot. Its a little more expensive that it feels like it should be, but still lower than most uptown joints. If your kids get the chocolate chip pancakes, ask for about half the chips. Trust me.
(3)Ali A.
Great service, only okay food though. I got the cheese omelet with spinach which wasn't that good, but I really liked the toast!
(3)Aaron H.
True diner vibe. Nothing fancy, no frills. You just have to assume that there will be terrible artwork on the walls (I mean terrible as in magazine tribute collages to The Beatles, painting of dogs...paintings of ducks...etc.), also, in true diner fashion, you seat yourself you wait your turn and if you're lucky and it's not packed you might get fairly decent service. Actually, I can't complain, I've never had awful service, just slow sometimes on busy mornings. The food is breakfast basics. This isn't a place for snobby foodies. You get eggs, just eggs...not eggs poached in duck fat with a sprinkling of iclandic sea salt...and bacon...regular everyday bacon..and black coffee....AND YOU'LL LIKE IT! That being said, they have a breakfast sandwhich, AND IT IS AMAZING! I get mine with canadian bacon. yum yum yum. Prices are awesome and they always have breakfast and lunch specials at great price. The only thing that would make this place better is if they were open late-night and if they served bloody marys.
(5)Katy R.
The Egg & I always comes through like a true friend in times of need. Like those mornings you feel like your insides might turn you inside out & all they call out for is breakfast diner food. I recommend the special of the day - usually some sort of omelet concoction. Hemingway faithfully stands by the specials, and I'd have to agree. Always solid. I on the other hand, usually go with the Huevos. I like a little Mexicano in the belly what can I say. It's good, it's not your typical Huevos with everything heaped atop each other, it's a little more sophisticated - items separated out so you can prepare each bite as you wish. I like things on the side (like Sally - When Harry Met Sally reference...). The standard breakfast items are present. Nothing fancy. Service is excellent. We've come to the conclusion that the Egg & I must treat their employees well as you don't see much turnover. We like that. The only thing this joint is missing is a liquor license. A good bloody or mimosa would be nice to wash things down, but coffee and orange juice suffice. The location on University is also solid. Maybe even a step up from the Lyndale location. My review is based predominantly on the Lyndale location.
(5)Anne H.
Some of my friends think this place is a dive, and that maybe slightly true, but this place has character. Not only character but good food! Highly recommend it!
(4)Jon L.
We thought we would give this a try on a Sunday morning and arrived here a little before noon. Drove by it before I realized where it was. The place is nestled off the street on the side of a parking lot. It looked interesting as we walked up to it. A small outside patio, a 4 season porch like dining area, a small counter eating area and the main dining room. We got seated almost immediately in the main dining room. The place was packed with not much room between tables. The menu items looked inviting. I was with my wife and two daughters and we quickly decided what we wanted. The waitress didn't show up right away, so we figured it better be now or another long wait would be in order. Three of us got omelets, and my other daughter got the 2 cakes and scrambled eggs. As we were waiting for our meal to arrive, we noticed the decor. It was a little odd. The carpet looked like it was pulled out of a Bakers Square and the chairs and tables, from some hotel. A little kitschy. Not cozy at all. The food finally arrived and, what? Wheat toast? Did I order that? Oh yea, she didn't ask. We all got wheat toast. She was gone before we could say anything. Speaking of the waitress, she was pretty bad. We said our please and thank you's with nary a grunt for a reply. She finally came back to fill my wife's coffee, "Thank you", my wife said. The waitress turned around and left. Nice. The food? It was pretty good. My country omelet was very good. Everything was done just fine. The extra dark wheat toast was just OK, The omelets that my wife and daughter had were pretty good as well. The cakes that daughter #2 had were huge. They took up the whole plate. The consensus was that the food was about a high 3 to a 4. Overall, it was a little to crowded with very little elbow room and poor service. The food was OK, nothing special. Do I think we will be back? I doubt it.
(3)Tracy D.
This restaurant serves a classic diner breakfast, but with some of the best pancakes I've ever had - plus it's incredibly fast. If you don't care about the lack of ambience, just the food - this is the place!
(4)Allison M.
It's typical diner food, but the servers are always so sweet. The ladies always call me "honey" and refills are quickly given. It's a nice place to go before work in the morning :)
(3)kyle t.
OK, a place with "egg" in the name and I go in and order a Ruben! Can't say I regretted it but now I really want to try something with EGG! This seems like a nice solid, local neighborhood, city dwelling diner. The place that I crave and always enjoy stopping by. Should have gone with the eggs but still can't say I was disappointed. The Ruben was very good, didn't make my knees weak or anything but was good none the less. I loved the atmosphere of the place, sat at the counter and had a relaxing lunch. The service was fantastic from a very sweet smiling waitress. I'll be back and this time I'll try the eggs! KT
(3)Kent L.
A good place for breakfast in the Lyndale Avenue neighborhood that also serves Mexican dishes. It used to have some great French Toast coated with crushed cereal but it seems to no longer be on the menu (sigh).
(4)Ken R.
Reading some of the negative reviews left me scratching my head...you dock a DINER points because of the silverware, or because the decor doesn't fit your tastes? It's a DINER! Bland pancakes? Really? That one left me with a gaping pie hole. Look, people, it's a diner. Will it be the fine dining meal extravaganza of your lifetimes experience? Nope, probably not even close. You get gargantuan portions of HOT food cooked to order, bottomless coffee, fast-n-friendly wait staff, prices that don't break your wallet. Pancakes too bland? Order em with any of the fruits or nuts the staff will be only too happy to get for you...I've heard that syrup and butter really spice them up. The decor and artwork not stimulating enough for your palate? Maybe the MAI has a cafeteria, or go to some trendy, suburban place and overpay for some artistically rendered saucer of "food". Cutlery not up to your standards? Really? Seriously? Go forth and acquire a life. Do it now, before your carcass discovers that it is bereft of a life force. The rest of you all, go. Eat. Enjoy. Have money left in your wallet and no space in your belly.
(4)Kelly S.
This place is sort of a dive and outdated, but I've become a regular for breakfast on Sundays due to the food. I don't like sitting in the main dining room as it feels dark and congested...I always go for the porch or the patio where it's quieter. Service is fast and no nonsense. Get the Eggs Commodore with hashbrowns. The. Best.
(4)k h.
This is by the far the best palce to get breakfast in Minneapolis! The veggies omlete is to die for - especailly if you get it with cream cheese! I also love the breakfast sandwhich. omg. yummmyyyyyyy
(5)Lea S.
Lately I have been undergoing a serious investigation trying to discover delicious breakfast in the Twin Cities. Unfortunately this place led me to another dead end. The Egg and I is a fine place if you are looking for generic breakfast that comes out quick and is not over priced, but don't expect to be blown over. The service is usually friendly and timely. The menu is extensive but not very diverse. You see all your normal diner staples and they are prepared like any other diner. I felt a little bamboozled by the appearance of the restaurant. I saw that wonderfully designed sign out front, and expected to walk into a uniquely decorated throw back restaurant. In actuality the place looks like the diner that Roseanne Barr worked at in her show from the early 90's. It is kind of dark, very out dated, and poorly decorated. I think it is awesome when places put up local artwork (especially on consignment) but have some discretion or at the very least try to pair the work with the rest of the room. I could see how this would be problematic, ugly room ugly work. Over all I will probably go back for the same reason I would go back to a Denny's or McDonald's. It is consistent, it is cheap, and the food comes out relatively quickly.
(2)Todd P.
My family and I have been here twice. Both times the staff was friendly and cheerful. It has a relaxed charm. Good food and reasonably priced. However, we will not be going back because on both occasions one or more of us ended up with stomach problems. I'm assuming it's because the food is merely too rich/spicy for us and not because there is anything wrong with the food per se. Also, there is a dip in the floor as you walk in which caused my 11 year old to fall. There was no sign or marking on the floor to warn people. The lady behind the counter said, "Don't worry, you're not the first person to do that." You'd think they'd get it fixed or mark it somehow if that were the case!
(2)Rachelle T.
When I need a simple American breakfast, I go to Egg & I. But each time I visit, I am faced with a perilous decision: Kamikaze Cakes or Omelets? The solution usually involves me badgering the other people at the table to order my second decision so we can swap food. I know its tacky, but I can't help it!! The portions are huge, especially if you order two or more of the pancakes. So, you'll have breakfast and a pretty nice snack for later in the day. I wish the coffee was a bit better quality, but it isn't a deal breaker for me. The decor is pretty typical and a bit worn out. The use shows it must be good, right?
(4)Jasmine L.
I go to the Egg and I quite a bit because I live very close to it but I really don't feel that the food is all that much better than other breakfast places around. The food is good though and they also have a lot of sandwich options and other stuff aside from just breakfast foods. I like the hashbrowns here better than quite a few other places. What really stands out here is the waitstaff, who always provide supreme service. I also like the atmosphere of this place (especially so compared to some other nearby similar breakfast/diner type places - uu, uu, um *clears throat* I'm looking at you Uptown Diner); although if you haven't ever been here you may wonder why I say this when you first enter but once you stay for awhile or come again you'll start to see why. Especially that waitress who always sings, love that. There is a diverse group of customers and it can get pretty busy but usually not so packed that you can't bear it as some other breakfast/diner places around these parts. As someone else wrote, if you get here a bit earlier though it is usually pretty quiet, with a lot less customers. Lots of parking available and outdoor seating when the weather is nice. They also have a nice indoor heated patio type area as well. Vegans should avoid this place, as one would probably expect.
(4)Rowan J.
After seeing the weekend crowd outside this place, finally decided to check it out yesterday. The food is good, but by the time my poached eggs made it to the table they were almost cold. The Kamikaze cakes are good & the coffee OK. I wouldn't mind trying them again on a Saturday to see if the service is any better. Parking is definitely plentiful compared to others in the area, but was almost full around noon on a sunday, so grab that spot that you saw on the street before you pull in. I'd recommend the other Egg themed place up the street, but for a change of pace, this is a decent alternative.
(3)Matt W.
The Little Egg, that's my haunt for hangovers. I always get the #1 skillet, and a bowl of fruit, and I'm good to go. I don't even need to look at the menu. I've been a Egg and I frequenter for nearly 8 years now, I've found out that if you show up earlier, say 9 or so (if you drag yourself out of a beer coma that early) they really aren't that busy, and you can just sit down. This place rocks. The WAITSTAFF ROCKS! 5 stars to them for coming in early. I always tip the cooks, you should too...they deserve it. There is a tip jar by the register. You usually don't have to wait very long for your food, it's super quick and speedy at this place. I have had probably everything on the menu over the years, so you need read no other reviews. I have now settled on the #1 skillet. Ham, tomatoes, american fries, onions, with egg on top. Served with toast. Now I need to go ;)
(5)Ks K.
Good black coffee, good eggs over easy & medium (& you know that's the sign of a good breakfast place). Perfectly done hashbrowns, not too greasy nor burnt. Friendly, efficient staff. Cool art for sale on walls. Groovy tunes today.
(5)Kyle B.
I've been slowly eating all the french toast in the city and Egg and I has a case for best french toast. It's crispy on the outside and creamy inside, just the way french toast should be. Other than that thee isn't anything outstanding about the Egg and I. It's always busy but has quick service and you won't wait too long. There are places nearby with as good or better breakfast so we don't come here often but we're never disappointed with our meal when we do.
(3)Greg A.
After hearing how great this place is , I figured i'd give it a try. At first glance, the long lines usually sing the tell tale story of a great breakfast joint which people wait, and are happy to wait for the great food. My friend I went with ranted and raved of the breakfasts here. We started off with cinn,rolls. They came to the table presented nicely, but once i tried to cut into it, the texture of the roll was quite rubbery. Upon tasting it, the roll was clearly microwaved (and over microwaved at that) My omit was less that desireable. The vegetables in it were barely cooked. (it tasted like they threw the vegetables on the grill, squirted some water on them and put a lid over them to quick cook them) A trurly well put together omlit should have the contests cooked until tender, preferably with some flavor besides water. ) The toast was good, egg in the omlet prepared well. Coffee was good also. I don't think i'd really go back again on a busy weekend day when it appears rushing the food out to the customer so they can cram more people in is a goal over quality food. Try Fat Nat"s in New Hope instead. the food is worth the wait.
(3)Serena R.
I went at 10:00 on a Saturday and they were busy but no wait. I had the eggs Benedict which seemed popular and I could see why...it was tasty! They could have offered a half portion and I would've paid for it because it was too much food. Would love to see these guys source some local products!?!? Great server.
(4)Peter C.
This place is everything I love about a big eggy hot breakfast. To be honest, I've always been very unimaginative at the Egg and I. I rarely endulge in anything more than 2 eggs scrambled with hash browns and toast. But it's those hash browns that are just to die for. I don't know what kind of buttery fairy-dust they put on them to taste so delicious (maybe it's just salt and butter), but they are just magic. Crispy golden brown on the outside, and yummy and soft on the inside. And then there's the toast...it seems home made, but again, slathered in butter and tasty. They eggs aren't anything special, it's the whole that works. At times, I've also tried their sourdough pancakes, and a few other things. I've heard good things about the kamikaze pancakes. I have also had a few omelets from time to time, but I've never sampled the lunch menu, so I can't speak to that. The wait can be daunting if you're there anytime after mid-morning on a weekend, so get there on the early side, and chow down! Update on 3 February, 2009 I've recently been back, and I'm afraid I'm going to now downgrade my rating from 5 stars to 4. This is based on two things. First, Egg and I used to be much better value for money. I could eat my 2 eggs, hashbrowns and toast for betweeen $5 and $6. This time it cost me almost $10. That's just too much. Second, I have to say the the food just wasn't up to scratch. So, it pains me, but E&I, you're now a 4 in my book.
(4)Jerod H.
Egg and I: Simply put: Not bad. No frills place, no frills food. The basic breakfast is straight forward and pretty good. Crowd is a little gritty, as is the help. This isn't a place you take someone to impress. But this a decent hangover breakfast spot on a weekend. I have nothing to complain about here, but nothing to fave about either. Stay away from the ridiculous skillet dishes...stick with basic fare. Only once did I have to wait for a seat.
(3)Chelsea H.
They do breakfast very well, with the expected dive-y diner ambiance. The prices are a little high, but they are appropriate given the large portion sizes.
(3)Nathan L.
It was pretty good. Not the best breakfast I've had and certainly not the worst. The service was alright and the coffee was decent. I had the kamakazi pancakes and they were interesting. I'm typically not a fan of pancakes but my girlfriend was getting something I knew I would like (veggie omelet) so I knew if I didn't like mine I could just eat hers... ha. Anywho they are buttermilk pancakes filled with walnuts, blueberries and bananas and then topped with the same combo. I ended up not even having to put syrup or butter on them because they were good just the way they were. The one taste that kept bringing me back to eat more and more until I had a stomach ache was the smell/taste combo of a freshly fried cider mill donut. Strange I know but it was really good, and made me kinda miss Fall. Her veggie omelet was standard, but lacked anything special. We will go back again but won't search out parking like we did to try it this morning. If there is a line or no parking readily available no huge loss...
(3)Mitzi D.
This is a great causal breakfast place, I had to take away a star for the political debate the wait staff was having with the customers and the overstaffed kitchen with the guy that stared at my friend and I eat breakfast the whole time, not just a casual stare, a stop and lean and stare the WHOLE time, talk about uncomfortable. Our waitress was friendly without being fake and very attentive. BUT, even after all that, the food was yummy, the hash browns crispy, the toast thick, and the hot chocolate was even PRETTY! I do love pretty drinks. The pancakes were fluffy, huge and thick. Its a cheap and good breakfast but don't sit at the counter unless you like being stared at.
(3)Adrian M.
THE FOOD Awesome, simple and old school THE STAFF Organic, Real and kind THE AMBIANCE Nice, open ..like a caferia We likey
(4)Nadine Y.
The Egg and I... and some hashbrowns please. But I'm sorry, I don't know what the hype is all about. You taste like any other breakfast joint. Next time (if there is a next time), I will go for the continental breakfast menu... YUM! Cold cereal for a buck-75.
(3)Valerie H.
The boyfriend and I decided to try this out for breakfast after driving by several times...we should have just passed. It was understandably crowded for a Sunday morning, but luckily we didn't have to wait long for our food. Unfortunately the food was a big plate of disappointment. My pancakes were huge but bland, and the breakfast skillet the boy ordered consisted of old tomatoes and cheap diced ham hastily thrown on top of some scrambled eggs. I've scratched it off my list.
(2)Kristen O.
I met family here for breakfast, and this place is great. It's what I think of when I think breakfast - so many choices. I'm usually relegated to a waffle, egg, or pancake option, so had a difficult time picking out eggactly (groan - sorry!) what I wanted. The staff was so friendly; if I lived in the area, I'd make it a weekend staple.
(5)Leah L.
Overall, The Egg and I is decent. The service isn't anything to write home about -- not very friendly and fairly slow. The food is all pretty basic. The prices are fair for the portion sizes. Their claim that they have the biggest pancakes in town is pretty false -- they're really just average size. The pancakes were fluffy, but tough to cut, which is odd for pancakes. I would probably go back, but I'm not in a hurry to.
(3)Dena S.
The coffee is hot, the toast is fresh and the skillets come on big plates. As a self proclaimed skillet dumper, that last one is particularly vital. I have recently developed the unhealthful habit of the hollandaise sidecar, and you can't pour hollandaise onto an overflowing skillet without looking like an asshole. So go ahead and stare if you must, but that thing is getting emptied out like it's starring Leo and Kate and there ain't nothing you can do about it. Cue buttery, artery hardening early death, rinse, repeat.
(4)Margaret O.
Gets all the basics right for a good breakfast meal. Atmosphere is nothing special, just your basic diner.
(3)Orland C.
Just love this restaurant. The variety in breakfast options alone make it a must visit. Don't expect pristine conditions though it's a nice down home feel.
(4)Kate C.
This is really a 3.5 star review, Yelp should work on making more gray areas for us. Anyway, Egg and I had no problem seating our group of eight (with no reservation) on Sunday morning-afternoon-ish. The food was good, but not outstanding. Which, really, is what I'm looking for after a night of drinking. On those mornings, I'm not too concerned with what farm the sausage in my patties comes from or what the hens that popped out my eggs ate for their own breakfast. The "american fries" were also good, but beware, these bear no resemblance to the long skinny ones you purchase with hamburgers from that red and yellow fast food joint with the vaguely Scottish sounding name. These are just regular breakfast potatoes cut in slices with onions and probably fried in bacon grease. Flavorful, yes. Coffee was decent, caramel roll was decent (but it was no Keys Cafe). Eggs, potatoes, etc were decent. Toast, surprisingly, was awesome. They have thick cut wheat toast, which rocked my world. Much better than the paper thin crap you usually get with breakfasts. No wonder its puched to the side and forgotten like the red-headed stepchild. This toast, though, was thoroughly enjoyed. I ate it all.
(3)Peter C.
A simply awful breakfast. It has no charm, poor service, and a simple menu. While I realize that their specialty is eggs, even that selection isn't that awe-inspiring. I have had several dishes and all were forgettable. However, stay away from their Mexican scramble. Basically consisted of some potatoes, covered with bad salsa, a little bit of sausage, a little cheese and the funkiest scrambled eggs I have ever seen. Try Victor's 1959 Cafe instead for a good breakfast.
(1)Matt P.
One of two of my favorite places to have breakfast on my way to work. Pancakes are overrated, but the hollandaise at this place is where it is at, pitch perfect classic hollandaise. The best is the Eggs Commador (Sausage patty benedict) with a perfectly cooked egg and perfectly cooked hash browns. Not everything here would be considered my favorite, but if you have read other reviews, hollandaise is where I go first whenever I try a new place. The service is good for the most part, but hasen't been good on all occasions. And the coffee is very good.
(4)Joe P.
Don't get me wrong, the food is fine--totally what you'd expect from a greasy spoon breakfast place. But can anyone truly be satisfied eating with cheap, flimsy, school-lunch-cafeteria-style silverware. C'mon now.
(3)erin d.
Love this place for Sunday brunch. All the servers are pros and the food comes out FAST. Anyone who can make cheesy, crispy hashbrowns in a jiffy is high on my list. Try the breakfast sandwich or one of their famous pancakes. Yummmm.
(4)Nico G.
A decent breakfast/brunch spot - just today I went and the staff were funny and friendly and willing to split check for a group of 7 uppity women. The coffee is a bit on the weak side, and although I've always left full, nothing really stands out about the food. Passable, but nothing to write home about.
(3)Emily G.
I was pleasantly surprised by this place! Would not have gone in at all but a friend suggested it as a place for a quick brunch... I don't like greasy brunch food but I was won over by the quick service and food arrival, plus it was all tasty. I definitely suggest getting the fruit and nut pancakes (either alone or to share with a friend). The eggs were decent also.
(3)Kevin M.
Great place for a simple quick breakfast. Always had some great scrambler on special.
(4)Meghan W.
You can't go wrong with breakfast at The Egg & I. I'm a huge fan of their egg sandwich (a hangover favorite in my 20s) but have never ordered a single thing I've regretted. Pancakes, omelettes, hashbrowns...you'll love anything you get. The service is speedy and friendly, and while it can get pretty crowded on the weekends they do a good job of moving people through without making you feel like cattle.
(5)Raja V.
Very good service and it has a nice neighborhood diner feel. I expect my hash browns to be great at a diner, and they were quite bland - tasted like they just defrosted it in a microwave. Also I expect a lot of Eggs Florentine - how can something not taste great when its submerged in hollandaise sauce? But again was disappointed - it was just ok.
(2)Jillian C.
I went to the Lyndale Avenue Egg and I for the first time this morning and had a really great breakfast - they have an egg white omelette on the menu, which is something that I love and prefer but would feel like a high maintenance idiot ever actually ordering as a special substitution most places in the city, so I got it and it was delicious. We shared a caramel roll as well, which the waitress only charged us $1 for as a day old pastry - and I never would have known the difference, it was fantastic! The waitress was really friendly, seemed to know almost everyone else there, and we were taken care of really well. As a regular of other local breakfast spots like the Sunny Side Up and French Meadow, which I hardly stray from, I can say that I was won over and will be back.
(4)Jon W.
Hard to believe this mainstay of the 'Wedge,' one of Minneapolis' hippest, friendly neighborhoods, has never been reviewed! It's a classic coffee shop with fine traditional breakfasts, the kind Tom Waits might have summoned up in his earlier work. While in the Twin Cities last week, I dropped in after a three-year hiatus for back-to-back early morning meetings, and was not surprised to see a number of regulars arriving in a steady stream. Our waitress Alyssa, expecting later this year--and we'll keep a good thought for the health of the mother and baby, and for a smooth delivery-- was helpful and friendly, and gladly indulged our two-hour tenure at one of the many tables in their spacious dining area. I went with the breakfast sandwich with hash browns and tea. Alyssa brought extra hot water and teabags not once but twice. The Egg and I serves basic fare, so foodies might well clamor for more adventurous dishes, but I can't imagine a better place to meet and eat in the a.m., and will be back anytime I visit the area.
(5)Victor M.
the food is great.good portions and they still have that home made taste to it. not as good as keys cafe downtown saint paul
(3)Ann G.
i've loved breakfast at the egg and i for years. the food is good, the coffee is black. its a great place for saturday morning brunch & conversation. or, a quiet weekday breakfast-themed lunch!
(4)Yvette W.
Love it! It's cheap and no frills. Good food, bad carpet.
(4)