Way to greet the day: Bacon waffles at Al's Breakfast

In a perfect world, every morning would start with a butter-and-maple-syrup-drenched bacon waffle at Al's Breakfast. Co-owners Jim Brandes and Doug Grina craft them on their hard-working stove, using the same formula developed by the late Al Bergstrom. Tender and golden, with smoky bacon inside, they're one of the glories of Dinkytown's Little Diner That Could — vying against the blueberry pancakes and the eggs Benedict.