Located in the Upper Queen St of Auckland’s CBD is this Canadian themed restaurant serving amazing donuts, poutine and Canadian beers! When you first step in this place you will notice the fresh bagels and most importantly the donuts displayed beside the cashier. Flavours vary from this Smores and raspberry white chocolates
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We got totally fried at Al’s Deli.
We nabbed the only balcony seat in the house - good start - and spent the next three minutes debating whether it was Al Brown’s deli. Turns out it isn’t.
We’ve come to sample arguably the best Tuesday special in Auckland on paper to see if it is as good as it reads. It’s called the ‘Duo Down’ and it’s a less offensive KFC Double Down comprised of two deep fried (to perfection might we add) chicken thighs with bacon, cheese and a sort of bechamel sauce. This thing is nectareous! It’s a word, look it up.
The “sandwich” on Tuesdays is a mere $15 and comes with a side of hand cut fries just incase summer means bulking for you. The whole plate can’t really be faulted; the chicken is exactly how we like it with crunch and flavour and bacon is always welcome, at all times, every meal. The bechamel does thicken when cold but that’s just an incentive to dive in rather than waste time taking photos like we do.
The wings were as good as buffalo wings are expected to be but we’ve had better. Just go hard on that blue cheese sauce. It’s a good thing they don’t charge per napkin too cos we use about 19 each.
The balcony seat backfired when we got a face full of smoke at one point from a vent overhead. Maybe just sit inside.
Overall: 4/5
What we had:
Duo Down Tuesday Special
Buffalo Wings Side With Blue Cheese Sauce
$28
Al’s Deli donuts taste just as good as they look, super fresh and delivered by Ubereats!
They are also really massive and can be easily shared among the office, these were definitely a hit!
Me and my partner came here for our anniversary and were treated with outstanding service from very friendly staff along with banter, smiles, jokes, good music and great food and drinks. Love the beer and the chicken with hot sauce. We were given a surprise anniversary donut which was really sweet of them to do and delicious! Would gladly come back for special occasions and casual dining alike. Thank you Al's Deli!
They probably have the best fried chicken in all of Auckland! The location is quite hard to find and very far from work. I would’ve gone very frequently if it was closer.
Great location. Hills a bit steep but great when you wake up from upper queen apartments.
Friendly service and good food. Now also on zomato gold!
Service: 4/5
Environment: 4/5
Presentation: 4/5
Food Quality: 3.5/5
Food Quantity: 3.5/5
Price per person: $10-$15
I visited Al's Deli after a rejected entry at another place and I do not regret this quick decision at all.
I ordered the Buffalo Chicken burger and made it a combo. The buffalo chicken was really nice and crispy. The coating on the chicken was excellent and it remained crispy untill the very end. Poor mistake of changing the bun to a brioche bun because it was very dry and didn't match very well. The fries was extremely bland without even a sprinkle of salt to be seen and I guess tomato sauce or any sauce isn't a thing here😢 The coleslaw was also bland with limited dressing. Hence, rethink your decision of getting a combo. This was quite disappointing but hey the burger was nice.
Overall, I would come back again and try something else from the menu. Their shakes and doughnuts looked amazing!!!
Cute American diner vibes! Great place to eat for that feel!
Ordered the buffalo wings which were delicious to nibble on, they were soft and tender, the skin a little tougher to bring in some wanted texture, and were overall a nice lunch snack.
7.5-10
Came for the injectable donuts! Got a lemon flavored one. Injecting the donut is always fun and satisfying, the donut was soft and easy to chew, not hard or stale at all. Wasn’t too doughy but also did not melt in the mouth. The flavor was not overly sweet but tasty with tang.
8/10
Star of the show was the root bear! Absolutely delicious mix of root beer and vodka, literally tastes like vanilla creaming soda to me, can’t taste the alcohol at all which I love! 10/10 recommend!
Went here last night, the manager was awesome! she was all alone of the front of house and also in charge of making drinks and we were never left waiting. She was super attentive. I have always loved the food here, its a one of a kind treat! I got the ALC and my partner got the bacon and cheese burger - both really filling and yum. Thank you!
LOVE the burgers.
HATE the setup. Yucky floor, yucky walls, yucky chairs, yucky atmosphere.
LOVE the burgers.
Chicken wings have a frozen taste.
LOVE the burgers.
Friendly, lovely staff.
I bought this breakfast special for $10! The bagel texture was softer than I expected. You could taste the garlic and cheese coming through. Good amount of bacon as well. Fast service. There’s a variety of food to choose from including cheeseburger pie!! It has a retro diner vibe with the decor.
Little cafe tucked away in a corner and the ambience was cosy. Loved how the menu was flexible where there are selections to customise the orders for their sandwiches.
I really love the donuts here. Can't resist them every time when I pass by. Next time will grab a burger and try. It looks yum as well. The coffee for me is just alright.
Ordered Ubereats the spicy wings, fried chicken, and Canadian flat donut with Nutella.
This was a very decent pig out meal. We ate really clean during the week so this was gooood.
Wings and chicken were very crunchy!
I really do have to talk about this Canadian flat donut with Nutella though. WHAT IN THE WORLD!? Crispy, savoury, and super sweet. Eat this with a cup of tea. Heaven.
It feels Canadian, but certainly has the North American feel. They've tried to mix the diner vibe with Auckland's restaurant style but I think they should have stayed as authentic as possible.
Food is excellent - I tried the pouline and the pancakes, they can do sweet and sour well!
The staff are a really cool bunch that are happy to help and give good menu advice.
Cost wise - mid range and you get a decent bang for buck.
Courtney @ A Food Awakening
+4
Umm why do we not have more places like Al’s Deli. I believe its the only Canadian joint in Auckland and man I can’t get enough. I must have come back here 4x in the last year or so which is a feat when there are so many new places popping up. This place isn’t for the heart-fainted, think fried chicken burgers, bagels, smoked meats, poutine, doughnuts and more! From my most recent visit for a casual Sunday lunch, it would be rude not to have the poutine with fried chicken alongside a salmon cream cheese Montreal bagel.
The portion size is really massive so you need to be hungry to go here. I really love their danish bread and butter pudding. It adds an inch to my waist line but really yummy. Also alcoholic snickers smoothie is like a guilty pleasure.
The service can be quite slow on evening.
One of the best places I've visited here in Auckland.. we ordered their signature sandwiches.. The plateau and the mount, and both were deliciously satisfying. Coffee was good as well, though I'd have preferred it to be a bit more hot. Service was friendly and hospitable. All in all, very good experience. Will definitely visit again👍
Went here for dinner Friday night and had a great time! The choc banana milkshake is to die for, the onion rings were great and the burgers (Al burger and Buffalo burger) were both very tasty. The atmosphere here is really nice, it has a nice retro feel to it and wasn't too busy. The only thing for me was that my burger was a bit dry and needed some more sauce. Will definitely be going back
Good place for a catch up with friends. Burgers are well flavoured and a good value for money but they are on the salty side (beef patty has too much salt).
Service is excellent. Our table was well attended to and the waitress was cheerful and welcoming.
Food: 3/5
Service: 5/5
Environment: 4/5
Food is great I had the Buffalo Chicken burger and a side of fries , was delicious I loved the sauce on the burger . It was juicy and really great , loved it , fries were excellent too .
Staff are polite and professional
Fun place to try
Been to this place multiple times love it every time never had a bad experience here food is always on point !!! Also I love there hard shakes they taste amazing also the vibe of the place is on point it has the American dinner feeling to it also the staff is super friendly
been there few days ago had a burger,it was just ok nothing fancy.staff were nice and friendly.i will try from time to time and recommended.
Went to Al's last night for dinner. I got The Mount with cream cheese and avo, my partner got the spicy buffalo wings and little man got chips and a chocolate milk shake. Our food was soo good, the spicy wings brought a sweat on! I had to eat my bagel with a knife and fork, it was massive! I'm not sure what our son liked more, the milkshake or the old school plane seats he spent most of the time playing with. Awesome atmosphere, awesome service and awesome food. Definitely coming back here to try other things on the menu.
I came here a long time ago, so this is based on that and my more recent visits to Kingsland before it closed (sad, much closer to home, but always empty)
Firstly, the poutine, it is the best I've had ever. I haven't tried a lot of poutine in my life, but Al's is delicious, good amount of delicious gravy and crunchy chips. My favourite thing to eat here hands down.
Naturally, the poutine burger is great too!
Donuts are okay, depending which one you get. I'm not a huge donut fan anyway, but they look fabulous if you insta your eats ;)
Delicious boozy hard shakes.
I'm actually craving poutine writing this review!
Been told by people that we had to check out Al’s Deli as it does some class A donuts and shakes. We investigated to see what the hype was and were extremely satisfied with what we saw. Not only was the customer service from this bubbly youthful girl amazing, by just wait till you try their Timtam milkshakes- AMAZING. The donuts were all filled with various fillings ranging from Nutella, Oreo, Kitkat and many more. We tried the Oreo and Kitkat and were sent back to HEAVEN! Absolutely going to recommend this place to all - next time we’re going back will be for breakfast. Thanks Al’s!!
Love the staff, love the food, maybe a bit overpriced (Canadians will no doubt be aghast at the thought of paying $9 for a Labatt's Blue--it's Canadian for Ranfurly) but definitely the best poutine in the Southern Hemisphere.
A somewhat odd cross between traditional Jean-Guy Rubberboots Quebecois and what I would think of as NYC-style Jewish delicatessen fare, but it works. If you've never had poutine, you owe it to yourself to treat yourself. If you have had it you will be satisfied, though the portion may be a bit less than experienced Canadian drinkers will have gotten for half the price at 2AM on the streets of Montreal. I kid because I love. Try it!
This was my first ever time seeing a burger like this! I always thought that the more gourmet the burger looked the better tasting it would be but even though that sort of true, the messier the better too! I ordered the 911 burger which is Mac and cheese in a bacon burger and my friend ordered a poutine burger, we were both so shocked on how stacked the burger was and both wondered how we were going to finish it.
Other than the food being delicious,
Service was a bit slow which I wasn’t sure why.
The restaurant itself is a bit small. Especially for food this big it was cramped.
Staff were extremely friendly. Food was good, possibly a little over priced though. I would happily go back to try some different items on the menu if I have a chance.
I'm a massive sucker for fried chicken, and boy does this place deliver. I had their fried chicken bagel, and it was amazing. Their bagels are so so good. Also had their fried pickles which are a MUST have for any pickle lover!
Wow, just wow.
Love the low key, chilled out ambience- the food is reasonably priced and ridiculously beautiful !
Love this place , I just- I just wanna live here !!
Actually really enjoyed this place! The service is quite good and the waiters are pretty chilled. Their buffalo chicken is so delicious and their homemade cherry soda is the bomb. To be honest, their special Apple pie fries were a bit underwhelming and lacked flavour, but their bread and butter pudding was the highlight for my night- SO good.
The atmosphere brings you back to the old school USA/Canada. Milkshakes are great. Tried the pull pork burger. The pull pork is so flavoured and overwhelming. THe buffalo wings are hot and just right. I saw some newly made delicious bagels on my way out. Too bad I'm already full.
Love love love the milkshake range, also am obsessed with poutine I buy it every time! Also great service, some of the best I've had in AKL!
Just popped in for lunch, grabbed the holy tabarnak with a side of poutine. It was brought out in good time, both were very delicious.
I wanted to try and see for myself why the Canadians love poutine but for me I could go without the curds but that's purely a personal preference. Staff are really friendly here and the ambience is pretty cool. I recommend and will be back.
Odd seating arrangements mean you don't really get a restaurant feel here but the food and service is great. We had ribs which were nice and good value for money
Came here for their doughnuts, which I expected there to be a wide selection but there was only 6 doughnuts left in their tray...a bit disappointing.
They didn't have the Snickers one, so I got the Boston Cream, which is really similar but didn't have the nuts topping and caramel syringe. The girl behind the counter was really friendly and included a syringe with it and also put some nuts on it for me.
My mate got the Lemon Meringe one, which came with a syringe with jam in it.
The custard filling wasn't as generous as I remembered it to be.
The good thing is that it wasn't as sweet as it was last time.
Price: 7/10
Food: 7/10
Ambience: 7/10
Service: 9/10
Burgers are great. Hot Dogs are great. chicken bites are great. but most surprisingly the special sodas are the real treat. The service is good, even if the Sunday team is a bit crazy. but like like the good kind of crazy
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Thursday dinner - party of 4
Value: 3/5
Not overly expensive but not cheap either. I bought 1 main 1 dessert and two side dishes for the table and it cost me just over $50. Value for food was ok as the size in dishes was pretty good.
Venue: 4/5
Tonight wasn't as packed as it usually is when I drive past, maybe because it was later in the evening. I love the old vintage diner feel the place gives off. There is paid parking just across the street too.
Service: 4/5
Seated as soon as we got there, were given menus and then given a few minutes to browse through before our waitress came over to take our orders. The sides came out first and then our mains one by one. Dessert took a while to come out but was well worth the wait. The ladies were lovely and accomodating
Food: 3/5
Nothing too special good food, I got the AFC - fried chicken gravy, slaw and a piece of bread and dessert I got the bread and butter pudding which was amazing. I would come here for the desserts alone.
All round a great night out.
Such a good place! Amazing donuts and amazing milkshakes! Not many vegetarian options though, I would have wished for more! Couldn't find it at first as it's on a side street of Queen Street, but it's actually a really nice location!
I first came here about 5 years ago and the food was bland and I ordered a vodka milkshake which came out warm and was hard to finish. I've been back a few times in the last year and everything has improved greatly! I live for the poutine and donuts
Lovely staff, restaurant has a cool, old school 60's/70's feel to it. Nice place to catch up over with a friend over a coffee or shake. Unsure about the food though.
A group of six of us visited Al's Deli on Saturday night. The atmosphere is authentically American from the 50s or 60s and the menu is exactly what you'd expect.
The food is well priced for the amount of food you get. I doubt many would walk out of here hungry.
The also serve Canadian poutine which was almost as good as I had in Canada last year.
Overall, a really good experience and I'll certainly be back.
Been here once before this and HAD to come back for the wings!! We had the hot wings with Blue Cheese sauce, Onion Rings, The Big Bill and the Chicken Burger.
The food was incredible, the staff were lovely and welcoming, the ambience was awesome and I'll be coming back again!
Best fresh bagels in Auckland!!! Super delicious with a ride range of options to choose from.
Definitely recommend their milkshakes also.
Pricing wise is mid range, but you're also paying for quality!
If you are looking for buffalo wings and milk shakes, i would highly recommend this place. One plate of wings is enough to share amongst a couple or if your really hungry just by yourself.
Place is great, doesnt seem to open to late though and when busy customer service does slip. However worth a go if you are looking for affordable Americanized food!! (its technically Canadian)
If comfort food had a name it would be Al's deli! Your staff staff are amazing and bring their own personality to the table which makes dining here such a comfortable friendly experience. The food, huge servings delicious buttermilk fried chicken with melt in the mouth tasting gravy, Shakes delicious and price is absolutely fair for what you get! Guarantee you I will be back again and again. Keep it up guys love your work!
Had the Poutine Burger which was AMAZING! Best things I've tried in a while. My mate had a salad which again looked awesome. Love the atmosphere and the service was great. Had no issue. GF and V options are available which were great
Worst Uber Eats order. Ordered pork ribs with chips and coleslaw salad. Chips were soggy, ribs were greasy and coleslaw salad was missing! Contacted the place but get no respond or apology, finally, after the week and more messages uber refunded me $5. hah.
For $30 I've spent, I could have a beautiful eye fillet steak. Will never order anything again from this place.
Fried pickles are pretty delicious. If you fancy yourself as a chicken aficionado i would very much suggest purchasing anything from a chicken and you will be nothing short of totally satisfied.
Yeah bro i'll prob go back and spend all my money again haha lmfao
We were looking for a place to have breakfast and we landed here cuz of zomato. At first glance, not such a fancy place but it has very delicious food. I really recomend it!
Had their ribs which had a nice sauce but were slightly over cooked. I had this delivered which turned up about 10mins earlier than expected which is a plus. Not too expensive either, spent no more than $25 on dinner. Service was really nice too! They gave me a complimentary bag of bagels as well as it was the Christmas holiday period.
The donuts at this place are crazy. I bought a snickers donut and a cronut and just arrived in chocolate heaven. I though it was a funky small restaurant and exciting fresh food such as freshly made bagels and donuts. I really enjoyed there poutine as well. Who doesn't love cheese, chips and gravy
10/10 this place! One of my favourites to keep going back to! The snickers milkshake blows my mind, it tastes like a melted snickers bar! Food is also great, I've had burgers, bagels, injectable donuts and more from here (obviously not all at once though...hehe) and everything always tastes good for me. Service is friendly each time I've been. Would recommended to anyone who loves American classic food and having a cheat day from their diet!
Have you ever been to a Canadian diner? Many of us have been to American diners with their pancakes, slices of pie and hotdogs but now replace those notions with poutine, bagels and moose ears. Owner of Al’s deli, Aleks Lazic is a Montreal native who brought his hometown food to Auckland in 2013. Bagels are made on site as well as the brioche buns for the burgers – they even have their own onsite smokehouse so all meats are smoked in house. With the opening of their new brewhouse on O’Connell Street they are even now making their own beers, ciders and spirits!
Good atmosphere and good pricing- meals came out fast and were enjoyed. Only let down was that the icecream donut was not available, but will come back to try another time
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Have you ever been to a Canadian diner? Many of us have been to American diners with their pancakes, slices of pie and hotdogs but now replace those notions with poutine, bagels and moose ears.
Owner of Al’s deli, Aleks Lazic is a Montreal native who brought his hometown food to Auckland in 2013. Bagels are made on site as well as the brioche buns for the burgers – they even have their own onsite smokehouse so all meats are smoked in house. With the opening of their new brewhouse on O’Connell Street they are even now making their own beers, ciders and spirits!
Now onto the food! We started with the quintessential Canadian dish of poutine. Freshly made French Fries topped with homemade cheese curds and poutine gravy. We opted for the addition of the smoked brisket and we would definitely recommend doing this.
Thick, flavoursome gravy topped with melting cheese curds was comfort food at its best. We’re sorry to our friends at The Fed but this poutine just nudged you into second place! You can even have poutine on a burger if you so wish.
One of the specials on offer was the Mac and Cheese Burger. A burger with mac and cheese slathered on top of the patty? Surely this should be a permanent fixture on the menu! The brioche bun had a lovely chewy texture and the mac and cheese was creamy and oozed down the sides of the burger.
We also thought we’d sample one of the Deli Sandwiches. Note that you can choose to have the sandwiches on a home made or gluten free bagel, a brioche bun or sourdough rye. The Main contained smoked brisket with Kosher pickle and French’s mustard. Only go for this if you have an appetite!
Also ordered were the Plateau Bites – Boneless Chicken coated in secret spices. We didn’t rate these at all unfortunately, they were dry and had maybe been left in the fryer just a little too long. The ranch dipping sauce they came with was very nice though.
The Saint Bagel comprised of home-cured maple smoked salmon, piled on top of Philly and garnished with onion, capers and black pepper. Al’s certainly aren’t stingy on the toppings! This had a generous amount of both salmon and cream cheese.
As we walked in we couldn’t help but notice the donut display and promised ourselves we wouldn’t leave without one.
Naturally we chose the decadent Snickers donut with it’s own syringe filled with salted caramel. Heaven! Earmarked for next time are the Moose Ears which are hot, wholemeal Canadian flat donuts with a variety of toppings to choose from.
And what meal is complete without an alcoholic Nutella Irish Cream Milkshake?
So next time you fancy a diner meal, why not go Canadian?
Came here a while ago, I remember dying to try the milkshakes and the caramel sauce they had! I ordered the milkshakes and they were soooo good! To die for! My friends and I ordered the burgers and they're expensive for the portion size... (They didn't even come with fries or at least some salad!) But very delicious otherwise. Pair that with the milkshake and hopefully it'll fill you up. The area is hard to get to but the atmosphere and staff are lovely and very American diner like. Would come back for the milkshakes if I am in the area 🍔🍦
Came here for a birthday dinner and it was impeccable. We had ordered the spicy buffalo burgers, buffalo wings, poutine chips, apple pie fries, bread and butter pudding and some more i cant remember. The flavours were so delicious and the bread and butter pudding was just the perfect ending to the night. Highly highly recommend.
Canadians love their donuts and Al's Deli bakes them on premises.The burgers are big and juicy. They also serve homemade craft beer with your meal. It's really a Montreal style deli-think Montreal smoked meat, poutine and Montreal bagels. Never thought I'd find a place like this in Auckland NZ.
The place has a cool retro vibe. And friendly staff too.
This place was full when we arrived! We were seated at a table for two. As meat lovers, ordered the mixed grill and the Snickers milkshake which was awesome. The steak was perfectly cooked, wish you guys had some lamb on the menu though. So full - but always room for a dessert, so we ordered the cheesecake, which absolutely melt in my mouth. The service was really welcoming and friendly. First time in Auckland, definitely coming back. Thanks.
The wings special on a Wednesday is well worth it! Also had there chicken burger special was amazing!! Donuts are also good love this place and will definitely be back again
Order The Saint and White Russian. Both awesome :) I have to admit, I love all of their alcoholic milkshakes. Definitely keen to go back soon!
Definitely loved the food but the service was so slow and to think there werent that much people. We had to wait 20mins to get our food which was weird seeing that the place wasnt that crowded. There were just 3 tables when we ordered. I feel like the cook can move faster especially since we arrived at 7pm and the place is closing at 8pm. But aside from that, everything was good.
This is an amazing rustic place, to eat, to sit and have coffee or to come for desserts. I have been there heaps of times for lunch. First time ever for breakfast, and it wasnt a mistake. These guys feed you well. The portion size are big. Famous for their bagels. Sesame, poppy, onion or plain. All of them yumm equally. The cheesecake is to die for. In the pics, eggs Benedict with bacon. I have tried their Sundae, 4 people could not finish it together. Just to give an idea of portion size. The staff is ever amazing. Smiling friendly helpful and fuzzy.
Price wise: a little high on prices, considering it's a casual eatery. $25 per person for breakfast. $14 for a bagel sandwich. They do have specials for weekdays.
Will I return: Goes without saying
PS: they do baileys nutella shakes, yet to try. Will keep you posted.
Was meaning to come here for a long time! Came in with a friend and the staff were so welcoming and really friendly. One of the staff came to us and told us their special deals of the day. So, I ordered the Bill Furlonger Burger and Fries, apple pie fries ans my friend ordered The Saint on a bagel. The food did take a while to arrive, about 15 minutes. The portion sizes were huge, from what I expected. The fries were a bit burnt/dark brown, but it was still okay. The burger itself was great, typical North American food. The apple pie fries with maple sauce was definitely the highlight of today's meal. It tastes so good when it's freshly baked! Pleased with today's service and food. Will come back to try their awesome donuts!
To eat: minty choc donut, Ferrero No-Share donut and popcorn shrimp.
To drink: peanut butter cup, margheritas and a Nutella shake.
Everything came out fairly quickly. The venue was clean and has a really cool retro feel. The staff were friendly and fun. The prices seem steep but I was watching the other meals come out and the portions are very generous. And that's coming from a pacific islander who LOVES to eat. I'd definitely go back again.
My partner and I had been craving some poutine since our last visit last year! And for our first cheat day in a while decided to just do and it was the best decision ever! I got the chicken salad and my partner got the confit duck burger which I had to steal a bite of & it was ridiculously amazing! My salad was also fantastic and my partner finished it off for me so it had his approval too and he is not a salad man. The poutine was great & we left stoked we came! Money well spent!!
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I've only been to Al's Deli once and I am counting down the days until I can go again because there is far too much on that menu that hasn't been in my mouth yet.
I had the Plateau Chicken on Sourdough rye, the Buffalo Wings with Bloody Mary sauce, and a bowl of fries. I had no drink - I regret that decision. The sandwich was divine and worth every penny. Generously sized and satisfying. The buffalo chicken was a little hit and miss, our batch wasn't amaze-balls but still very enjoyable. It's hard to describe the Bloody Mary Sauce, but it is tangy! The chicken batter/coating just seemed stale. The fries were okay. But my friends enjoyed their Burgers. I also must sample their Iced Coffee and moose ear and the coveted apple pie fries.
The Atmosphere isn't overwhelmingly inviting but I love the retro vibe and the old style diner theme. At times, the decor is confused. I was reprimanded for describing it as a USA style diner when in fact it is Canadian - Elvis and Monroe on the walls were perhaps misleading. The pilot chairs are novel and awesome. The Donut display is killer and a work of art. The donuts themselves are famous works of art in their own right. You'll have an Instagram field day. The Handmade Bagel display is also a nice touch. However the room, in general, can feel cold and stark, but I'm sure that's just the awkward location. Auckland at times is cold and stark.
Room for Improvement: Al's Deli needs warmth. I love the theme but spruce it up and give it some love. The food is awesome but needs some TLC indicative of its hype.
Al's Deli is Auckland's other retro style diner, but in a less prime location. However, they are remedying that with new locations popping up everywhere. Which is awesome! Perfect for friends, snacks, lunches, salads, burger, bagels and desserts. It's worth the experience and it's also fun.
I really like the ambience of this place. It had been hyped up by my friends so I'm glad I got to experience it. I had the donuts with the jam filled syringe. It was delicious!
My friend and I was hunting for a brunch spot last weekend, and pick this famous and bright place.
Once I entered, I like their interior, so cozy. Not really a fan of theirs Buffalo and poutine. But, I'm so in love with their apple fries and hot chocolate. Sooo delicious. I'm sure will come again for the apple fries.
Have been here a couple of times and every time I end up ordering way too much food! Love the poutine, bagels, and especially the donuts!! The hard shakes are pretty good too! Price wise i think it is a bit over priced but the food is good.
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Finally got to try this place!
Love the vibe of the place, like a classic American diner, except it is Canadian 😛 Burger sizes are HUGE and definitely worth every penny. Both my sister and partner enjoyed their Al's burger and poutine burger. The beef patties with nice and thick. Though my partner did comment that the gravy was a bit too salty. Also love that they have a vegan falafel burger. Served with hummus it was really delicious with a Middle Eastern flavour.
The peanut butter & chocolate, and snickers milkshakes were good too, though quite generic and possibly not worth $8.
It was a pity we were so full that we did not have the room to order dessert each 😛 We shared a ferrero rocher donut. It was okay, the texture was more dense and bagel like, though husband really liked it. I personally prefer my donuts more soft and chewy. The flavour was good though, love that it had hazelnut and an actual ferrero rocher in it. My recommendations are their homemade root beer and apple fries. The pastry and the caramel sauce were just gorgeous.
All in all service was fast and super friendly. The perfect place for a nice lunch break and catch up with friends.
Vegetarian poutine is always a 👌👌👌 in my books. I've also had the haloumi salad when I've come here, and that was also really good. The staff & service is always super friendly.
The only complaint I'd have would be the prices, but I guess the food is worth it.
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I love this place! Great American styled food. Their made-to-order menu is drool-worthy and their cafe items are worth trying too.
Ordered:
Root beer float
Poutine
Fried chicken with slaw and mashed potato & gravy
Apple fries with caramel sauce
We were stoaked to see the "large" poutine was more than enough for the two of us to share. Fried chicken maybe was a little dry - usually I would have fixed this by dunking it in gravy, but the potato & gravy was verging on way too salty. Apple pie fries are a great concept; I wanted to like these. The caramel that it's served with is delicious but can get sickly pretty quickly. The sweetness of the dip overshadows any flavour that the pie crust might have. Personally, I didn't like the texture of the crust that much. Maybe because I was expecting something more like a puff pastry or shortbread, who knows, but I'm glad I tried them.
Notable desserts: the syringe doughnuts which are also available at some night markets around Auckland. I don't know how I feel about the disposable syringes - they're not really necessary - but the doughnuts themselves are a treat. Try the lemon meringue or jelly doughnuts. Yum!
Was feeling a bit home sick for Canada and luckily Al's was there to sort me out. The fried chicken kicks the Colonel ass and the bloody caesar cured me right up. Worth a trip from Wellington! Even got some onion bagels to take home with me.
Leave your diet at the door for it has no place here. Throw caution to the wind and try one of the many burgers on offer. If you still manage to be hungry afterwards, have one of their injected doughnuts. Then roll yourself home.
so happy to find a cafe that serves authentic canadian food, I've finally got the taste of home that I've been missing! highly recommended!!
This is a rather special place. I've been here a few times and staff's always been super friendly and welcoming. The food is delicious, I tried a couple of their burgers, their whole range of bagels (best I've had here in Auckland) and today I had pancakes, which were just perfection.
Portions are generous, which makes this place also a good value for money.
Menu is varied, vegetarian friendly and gluten intolerant friendly.
One of my favorite places in town for sure.
Al's Deli is a special eatery. One whose service is so incredibly warm and friendly that it can compete with the food, something that should not be taken lightly. The menu is varied and allows for the indulgence of all the tastes; from poutine to a smashed avocado sandwich this place does it right. Their burgers are a menu item that should not be overlooked, they certainly reflect their price by bringing big taste and style to little cost. While the grill gives a little more to the glutton in all of us. The "sweet treats" and variety of shakes are an authentic way to settle your sweet tooth, until the craving for more begins. Overall the easy, well priced and delicious food is matched by the service; remembering regulars like family and inducting the new with a smile. A truly authentic and friendly take on the deli experience.
Had a very underwhelming experience. There was only one other customer but the service was really slow. Had a cream cheese bagel to go which was worth it though.
Best poutine in Auckland by far. The beef brisket poutine is a must try! My partner and I are regulars here, the staff are always amazing and give great customer service. Their coleslaw is well portioned but quiet average. The ribs are very well done; succlent and juicy but a little bit on the messy side. The crispy chicken salad is great and good ratio of chicken to spinach left and goats cheese, size wise it is quiet large so generally goes well as a main. Love this place and definitely worth a visit!
The food is huge. Like massive. Definitely can't complain about value for money. My friend and I got the steak and haloumi salad with poutine with the extra brisket. We had enough food to feed another person, not complaining 😂
Steak was good, nothing special though. The salad was delicious with a generous portion of haloumi though it was a bit bitter (maybe too much rocket?)
Couldn't fit any dessert in but the service was very good and food came out fast. Would totally go back again!
Came by a few times and the latest was with a voucher for a meal platter. Platter came with 4 sliders, wings and fried pickles and we also ordered a half rack of ribs to share since there was three of us.
Sliders were bigger than normal but was ok. The chicken slider was a bit dry and the beef one tasted better. The fried pickles were nice. Portions were alright with mounds of fries and coleslaw.
The shakes are always nice as was the root beer float. Service was great, food was ok. The doughnuts up front always look good though but usually end up ordering too much.
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■ Awesome staff
■ Big variety in menu
■ Good atmosphere
■ Service a little slow
I like their range in their menu! Some of their stuff is a little overrated coz it hasn't always tasted as exciting as it had looked in front of me..but thats just my taste. Some dishes are real good tho, especially their poutine and the lunch menu. Once me and my friends were in the mood to have dessert for breakfast and it was at like 8am and we ended up trying the "moose ears" + the "croissant bread and butter pudding" and maaan that was like a party in my mouth! I felt sorta sick a few hours later but the plate was well worth. Also we were sitting in their little balcony area which gives you a cute peek of the citylife below.
It's themed around an old school American diner and you feel very comfortable and cosy when you walk in. Everytime I come here, its always the same guy in the glasses serving us and he's so chatty and interactive, makes the experience fun! I always ask him if he remembers me but he just plays along and says yeah when he surely doesn't since he serves so many customers everyday hahaha. Overall, a nice spot to come in during the daytime and their poutine n desserts are defs worth a try!
I really like the decor in this place. It had a retro kinda feel. They have excellent customer service. The buffalo wings I ordered were not too bad. It was overcooked but I definetly loved the spicy kick it had. The fries were nice and crunchy. My partner seemed to enjoy his poutine burger. I think the only down side from my experience is that this place was pretty hot and stuffy.
I have always enjoyed the experience of visiting Al's Deli a bit more than I've enjoyed the food itself. But the food isn't bad by any measure, and it's a good visit. It's just not somewhere I want to eat a lot, and ultimately it feels like I'm coming back for the novelty of being able to order Canadian food than because I really love the food itself. Still, there are far worse ways to spend your time eating in Auckland than eating at Al's Deli and it's definitely worth going once - there are folks who are MUCH more enthusiastic about it than I am.
Amazing fooood, the theme of the place is really nice too! There seemed to be a lot of flies around buut I guess it's summer, theres nothing much they can do about it!
Crispy chicken salad Ina huge size, and also a huge size of handmade sausage for free tasting dish. Reasonable price and nice service. But ... some pieces of bread was brunt.
Been to this place several times. I've had numerous things off the menu from the poutine fries to the donuts. Overall the food is good, I'm always let down by the donuts to be honest. Great service from the young Canadian man, he is always energetic and welcoming. The other staff not so much. The place does look like it needs a bit more time being cleaned.
Amazing comfort food at a very reasonable price. The fried chicken box is excellent and the poutine is both authentic and delicious. My personal recommendation is the chicken wings with Franks hot sauce. If it's a real cheat meal, the doughnuts are unbelievably tasty. We normally order the takeaway delivery which is fairly prompt and always has a personalised message. A great success all round!
Great work guys!
Perfect every time. Probably need a medium size poutine on the menu as the small is miniature and the large is far to big. A cheap eat if split between two on a student budget! Handy location for parking which is available across the road.
Dined here early before a show. The service was quick, the food was good and was reasonable value for money. It was really warm in the restaurant which meant dining wasn't as enjoyable as it could have been.
Amazing bagels although the poutine fries were way too soggy and soaked with oil! The service is great and the atmosphere is brilliant!
This place is just full of unique treats!
Their poutine is top notch, best in AKL I'd say.
Lovely staff and a foreign sort of atmosphere.
Located in a corner so can be hard to find
They have the most exciting menu during winter - poutine burger and fried caramel pie sticks?! I'll keep updated to see what they come up with this winter
Must try! Highly recommend eating healthy before coming here as this place is for one to indulge
Also reasonable prices :)
This place lives up to it's reputation! The staff are friendly, the food is quick to the table and boy-oh-boy is it delicious!
The fried chicken bites were probably my favourite.. A perfect balance of crispy coating and tender, juicy chicken. The bagels were also great and I loved all the selections on the menu. Everyone raved about their meals (eggs Benedict, salmon bagel, poutine fries and the main sandwich) which is a rare thing. The only thing that wasn't exceptional was the decor and the location. It is quite isolated and parking is a mission. In saying that, it is very much worth the hassle!
Got to love the novelty of having to inject my own raspberry jelly into the lemon meringue donut and see it oozing out. Good flavour combination but wished the donut was itself a little more fluffy.
Also had the buffalo chicken burger. I'm not sure the brioche bun works well as it is a bit sweet and detracts from the buffalo chicken taste plus the bun was a bit stale. The buffalo chicken itself taste good though.
Otherwise it's a cute American diner like place with good service.
Probably the best donuts I've had. Snickers donuts balances out the chocolate, caramel and cream. One is more than enough to get you full, totally worth the driveOnly downfall was trying to fan off the flies that were hovering over.
I've been here multiple times and every time is always wonderful. Everything about this place is wonderful. The most beautiful souls work here and craft the most soulful food! Everything feels so homely. Every bite tastes so authentic. Al's Deli ALWAYS delivers!! I have no words, other than a huge thank you!!!
Always a hit or miss with this place, but to be fair I've only been here during lunch. The prices are a little exorbitant for the amount of food that you actually get, but nevertheless the food tastes great! They've got some really unique things on their menu, such as caramel apple fries, and that really sets them apart from any other American diner here in Auckland. Unfortunately the food takes a while to come out, so be prepared to wait.
This was so yummy! Much cheaper than Fed St but same style food, if not better. Lots of options and it all looks scrumptious. Thanks for a good hangover day with your yummy Poutine!
Don't remember what the staff was like but the place definitely left an impression! Alcoholic shakes and a cronut where you inject the stuffing inside. Cute idea :)
Cute wee place with lovely staff! Great to see a vegan meal on the menu. Falafel bagel was so nice just needed a little more seasoning or possibly a stronger tasting hummus 💚 tad on the bland side but still good! All the non-Vegan food sounded incredible too. My friend had the chicken bites and proper Canadian style Poutine 👌🏼
Great food , nice ambience ! Seating for two people can be a little tight but is not a biggie ;). Love the milkshake and the plateau. Have tried their apple pie fries but think it's overrated. It gets very busy during lunch hours and the wait time could be around 20 mins. Overall very friendly staff and good service !
My first and second time here were great! The first time here I got The Saint (salmon, cream cheese and capers) on a bagel and it was delicious! Their bagels are so nice especially as they're handmade! The Crunchie injectable donut had a custard filling and tasted like a Boston Kreme from Dunkin Donuts but with pieces of crunchie on top. The second time here I also got The Saint but on a brioche bread and a green smoothie which tasted more like kale than anything else. The Snickers donut however was so yum! A gooey caramel nut filling could be injected and there was also a snickers custard type cream on the inside of the donut already as well as a topping of chocolate and peanuts! I love the idea of injectable donuts and would get this again! I would also love to try their prepacked meals that they sell and their Nutella shake with a donut on top!
It may look like a typical American diner... except that Al's Deli isn't American at all - it's Canadian. And that's a good thing.
For one, their bagels and sandwiches are famous. And I can only imagine how delicious they are because I have yet to try them. I always get sidetracked by their burgers which are perhaps the best in Auckland.
These are simple burgers - 4-5 ingredients in a small bun. But these ingredients are quality. You can taste it.
Also the staff is jovial and friendly - in that typical Canadian way. I'm definitely coming back here to try their bagels. Or another burger. Again.
I almost cannot fault them! The perfect meeting of American diner and upscale cafe.
I used to work in the same street, and would pop down at lunch time. Their service is speedy - even during the lunch rush - and the restaurant is clean, well decorated and the food is delicious. They're not Scrooges with their fillings and toppings!
I've eaten 'TheMain' - a brisket sandwich sent straight from heaven, and 'The Original' - a juicy, flavoursome burger. Both were brilliant, and great value for money! (The Main was so big that I took half of it home with me!).
One thing I could critique is the amount of chips you get for a 'small' portion of fries. I think it could be slightly cheaper than it is now ($6 I think).
Other than that they are perfect - catering to our gluten free friends, stock lots of international goodies and have an amazing array of doughnuts on their counter!
Relaxed atmosphere. Had the salmon and cream cheese bagel which was scrummy and the polished it off with their well known donuts. Yummmm!!!!
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Been wanting to try this place for years, finally tried it the other day! Pretty happy that I did because this place is awesome 😎 The layout of the restaurant reminds me of 'Mel's diner' in the states but with a less retro vibe. The staff are out of this world friendly!! Heaps of places to sit and we managed to grab the balcony seating, love being able to look down on upper queen street while we ate. The menu is pretty compact with a medium sized amount of options. Ordered the poutine (small size), the 'main' (pastrami style), the caramel banana milkshake, iced coffee, the 'al dog', the moose ear doughnut and 'als' cheesecake. We did our best to try a range of what was on the menu 😋 The savory dishes were all lovely and great portion sizes for what you paid. My only critique on these is that the poutine was incredibly small, even for a small size (considering it was 8.95....) but totally worth it because now I am obsessed with poutine mmmm 😝 The sweet treats (and drinks) were amazing! Not too sugary, the ingredients were clearly natural and I didn't feel tooooo bad about the calories 🙈 All in all Al's Deli is a great place to grab some American/Canadian style food in the city
You get the best bagels out here. Super friendly staff and an interesting environment. You feel like you are at a friends place for a quick meal!
The plateau chicken bagel is tasty but they have a wide variety of options. A bit pricey if you compare them to some cheaper joints out there - but the location and the fast service kind of balances everything out.
Will I come back here - Easy yes!
We arrived for Friday lunch last week and were very impressed with the menu offerings. The restaurant filled up quickly and we noticed that other groups had reserved tables and pre ordered their food so that it would be ready when they arrived.
While the service was very friendly, our burgers took about 40 minutes to arrive and I wish we knew about the pre ordering option. The burger buns were soft and had a light crunch while the salads and sauces were delightful. My chicken in my burger was very juicy and the fish and chip burger looked fantastic.
We split the lemon meringue donut and salted caramel cronut which looked really appealing but were quite heavy for me. A quarter was a good portion size for me.
After hearing amazing things Al's Deli we decided to go and try this place.The service and food were great!If i had to describe it in 1 word, it would be amazing.A Lot of variety.Very good dining experience.
Keeping it simple, this place is awesome, good food, good vibes, good dudes and good value.
Had a bourbon caramel shake, heaps caramel =) and a good dose of bourbon flavour.
The poutine burger was the way to go as I was craving poutine goodness and burger.
Poutine component was awesome crisp salty crunchy chips, tasty as gravy and cheese curd, soooo good.
The burger bun was a bit hard but toasted well, the meat patty (substantial amount of meat) was a bit dry and felt lean. Ooh again heaps flavour and charred goodness.
Wife got a bagel, which came fresh out the oven. Was covered in cream cheese and topped with tomatoes. So fresh.
They even held on to my wife's bag who forgot it on a seat and only remembered it was missing once home.
Will be back.
Was my first time visiting after hearing great reviews and my oh my were they busy! The donuts displayed by the counter caught my eyes as soon as i walked in (hopefully i'll get to try them next time). Interior is pretty funky with the whole U.S vibe - setting an awesome environment to enjoy my food. Must say that the variety of the menu was quite overwhelming for indecisive people like me - which is surely not a bad thing. Quite reasonable pricing and friendly staff too.
Where to start. I've been here a couple times now and it really is a great place to catch up with mates over a good feed.
The Holy Tabarnak is hands down the best tasting thing on the menu. Followed by either the sweet & sour or hot sauce flavoured Buffalo Wings.
The injectable donuts are also good but I believe they are a bit lacklustre when it comes to taste (if you've been to Little & Friday you'll know what I'm talking about) and it's the novelty of 'injecting' the filling into your own donut is what gives this piece of dessert it's moment.
Overall Great Diner-esque vibe! Always a treat eating here and one of my Top 5 Cheat Meal spots. One downside is that it can get a bit smokey in there, but this is usually drowned out with the taste of Poutine Fries & BBQ ribs.
This place seems to always be busy and packed full especially over the weekend. I love their creativity of the presentation of their food.
This time I offered "the royal" bagel (GF), which was quite expensive for like tomatoes and cream cheese on a bagel. I also ordered their "berry - banana" smoothie ($8.50) which wasn't that nice with all those seeds or whatever it was in there. Too grainy. Quite unpleasant to drink. But my friends said they enjoyed their vanilla milkshake. So maybe that will be what I'll get next time instead.
The only thing I adore about this place is their cronuts. LOVE. THEM. They never cease to disappoint. I love their maple and bacon one. And I love how they have the syringes on certain cronuts. Presentation is definitely key for me. Their raspberry and white chocolate cronut was delicious as well.
This place is quite cosy with strong American deli vibe, and was quite busy the night we went in. It's a bit crowded and can get rather loud. My dining companion ordered the Holy Tabarnak which sounded really big on the menu but he actually demolished it off without a problem. I ordered a Chicken salad which was absolutely huge. Don't be fooled into thinking you're being healthy by choosing it though, the chicken is crumbed and fried which made the salad really substantial and gave it a nice crunch/ texture. I was surprised by the amount of chicken in there too, you won't be walking away feeling wholesome and light for sure. However, I did feel the food was on the average end of the scale- while they didn't really do anything wrong, the meals were not something that wowed me or induce extreme desires to try other dishes.
Angela (A Style Collector)
+3.5
Went here the first time on Saturday. I like the decor of this place. It's really funky and it's great to see how the bagels are done.
I've heard good things about this place but I feel like it's been hyped up a lot and I left feeling ok but not amazed. I got the 'best hot chocolate ever' which had whitakers chocolate in it. It was good but for $7 it had to be good. It came with whipped cream and tasted nice but I didn't like how it came in a mason jar. I can understand the smoothie because it comes with a straw but a hot chocolate? It was hard to drink and it should just be in a regular cup.
For food, I opted for the al's buffalo chicken burger and small poutine the fiver was good. The chicken was spicy but bits of it was hard to cut with a knife. Having the paper underneath was annoying too. As for the poutine, I wasn't a fan. I shared with a friend and we found the cheese curds to be too big and it was just doused with gravy. I preferred the poutine from Federal deli since it doesn't have as much gravy. Overall it was an ok experience.
I was about to kill for a burger after long diet and hard week, notice their stall in Parnell French Market. Got their address in the city and I just can't describe in words how much enjoyed the burger;-) Can't wait to get back there on burger week...
Very cute interior and the donuts look stunning. A friend ordered a set of buffalo wings which looked full of flavour. Milkshakes were super yum but wasn't particularly a fan of the moose ear. I think it was just because it wasn't what I had pictured. Very keen to go back and try a meal next time rather than a dessert!
Deli perfect Deliiiiiiii!!!!! Perfect environment with good food.... It's good especially for people who only eat Gluten-Free food which has very high demand. Many restaurants don't really give a damn about that but Deli does. I love it and I will come back again next time!!!!!!
I went for Sunday brunch. As expected it was really busy but definitely worth the wait, I got the Holy Tabarnak with extra avocado and boy was it delicious! After a big night out and hungover AF this burger brought me back to life! The poutine was yum but can be at times a bit too salty. Root beer was alright but the snickers milkshake was BOMB!
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Love the ambience, the deli vibe, the decor... Makes me happy being in here.
Love the concept of how everything is made fresh, from bagels to brioche buns to the smoked meats!
I come here for Poutine (add pulled pork or brisket!) and also buffalo wings with frank's hot sauce. Best in town! I've been searching the whole of Auckland and I think I like this the best! It's crispy chicken but yet coated in the amazing buffalo sauce. I've had the ribs here too and was good! Didn't manage to try the burgers or salads but they looked good! Salad looked like it came with a generous portion of meat :)
The milkshake (with alcohol) on the other hand were slightly disappointing! Was not thick enough and tasted diluted. Also!!! Had the apple fries dessert and was super disappointed. Sounds amazing as it is Apple filled pastry (fries size) with salted caramel dippin sauce. But the pastry was average and there wasn't much Apple at all! Instead it was filled with way too much cinnamon which was too overpowering. Only managed to eat one stick by dipping it completely in the caramel...
However they do a moose ear (flat doughnut) which was yum and their doughnuts look interesting even though have not tried them.
Bagels are freshly baked and I get them plain takeaway sometimes.
Service is good! New staff in training but everyone needs to start somewhere. Friendliness is most important and it was there :)
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We'd just arrived from Sydney the previous night and I could not wait to start trying some Auckland restaurants. What a way to start. The American diner-like interior was great fun and reminded me of the diners I'd visited in New York. When I ordered the Green Smoothie I was sadly informed by the wait staff there was no more almond milk... but they would happily run to the supermarket to get more so I could have what I wanted. What amicable, warm, lovely service!
I ordered "The Mount" (10.0 NZD) Al's Deli's version of the classic BLT. The onion bagel was amply oniony, slightly crusty on the outside and had a great bite and chew. The smoky bacon was super, super crispy, almost chip-like in crunch which I loved. The lettuce was ultra fresh, tomato and mayo was full-on flavoursome. I still think about how delicious this bagel was and now I'm back in Sydney I can't have it so I'll just have to come visit Auckland again SOON!
To accompany The Mount I had a Green Smoothie (8.50 NZD) which was exactly that - smooth. All my favourite tropical fruits like coconut, mango, banana blended together with mint, date, almond milk and just the right amount of kale to make the smoothie green and healthy amounted to a delicious way to start my first day in Auckland.
My wife ordered "The Main" (14.50 NZD) - a brisket hash which featured the fluffiest starchy potato, perfectly poached eggs, crusty poppyseed bagel and the most juicy, moist, tender and flavoursome brisket chunks (apparently cured for 10 days and smoked for another 12 hours). YUM!
Coffee was suitably strong with a nutty bean flavour and the creamy milk had a nice fragrance to it.
I loved every bite of my Al's Bagels experience and next time I'm in Auckland I will definitely be back. Thanks to the staff for really talking care of us. :-)
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One of my favourite restaurants in the city central and have recommended to many of my friends and family to try this place out. I have tried a variety of dishes, sweet treats, cocktails and drinks from here and they all tasted great apart from a few. The staff are all super nice and friendly, recommended a range of their favourites from the restaurant which was very helpful. Even though there were little things that prevented me from giving it a 5/5, I still loved coming here and overall a really great place to eat and hang with friends.
My Favourites:
The haloumi salad, peanut butter cup hard shake and poutine burger is amazing. I'm not a huge salad person and almost never orders a salad but this one just ticks every box. There's texture, great vinegar dressing that wasn't over powering that you can't taste anything else and the ingredients all taste very fresh. Poutine burger was also very very good and the peanut butter hard shake was like a Reece's butter cup in liquid form.
Not so good:
I found this place because of the apple pie chips with caramel sauce, but it was a let down. The dough of the chips were really dry and then when you bite into it, you can hardly taste the apple/cinnamon aspect of it (There were a few chips with just dough and nothing else).... The 'best hot chocolate in the world' was not so great either and just tasted like a regular hot chocolate.
Little complaint:
The first time I went the haloumi salad was missing the bagel chips and then the second time, it was missing avocados... So there seems to be a consistency issue with the salad... I would have been happier if the waitress informed me that they ran out of these ingredients.
A Tale Of Two Tummies
+3.5
Food ordered:
All Dressed Al Dog
Al Burger
Free Range Buffalo Wings
Poutine (small)
Snickers milkshake
Coke
Bill: $59.50
Big tummy: I have been wanting to try this place for aaages after hearing so much about it, so I was stoked when we finally got the opportunity to call in. Needless to say, I went with relatively high expectations, but I came out feeling that overall the visit was hit-and-miss. The food, the service, even the restaurant itself - everything had amazing bright spots, but with noticeable disappointments.
Let's start with the food. The milkshake was amazing - like it seriously tasted like an icy liquefied Snickers bar - but for $8, it kinda has to be amazing. The buffalo wings were good, without being amazing (personally I think the wings from Sal's Pizza are better), which was a bit disappointing considering the price. The same can be said about the Al Burger and Al Dog... both tasted great, but you can find better (and bigger) burgers and dogs elsewhere for cheaper. The poutine was delicious (they had actually ran out of cheese curds when we went and used haloumi as a substitute, but it still worked). I hadn't tried it before and had heard mixed reviews, so we opted for the small dish - it actually turned out to be the highlight of the meal for me. All-in-all the food ranged from above average to amazing, but the prices kinda suggest that they should all be ticking the amazing box.
The service again was a bit 50/50. We got to deal with two waiters/waitresses. The waiter was incredibly helpful and friendly - with a really nice vibe that made it seem like he enjoyed his job. He was quick to clean our table, incredibly helpful with the menu and also checked in to make sure we were okay/needed anything. In contrast, the waitress just gave off this cold vibe (a below review uses the word "surly" and I'll borrow that cause I can't think of a better word to describe her). She stalked around unsmiling and didn't approach our table once, except to give us the water at the start. One of the glasses she gave us was unclean (it had crusted food on it), but we were a bit put off by her to even ask for a clean replacement, so just shared the glass.
Unfortunately I ended up feeling sick after we got home as well, so in combination with the dirty glass, it made me question the cleanliness of the restaurant, which is never a good feeling. In all honesty, I'm not sure if I'd come back or not - I'm still curious to try a few other things on the menu as their food was good, but I'd definitely rather visit other places first.
Little tummy: This place is literally around the corner from my place, so it was about time we finally checked it out. My boyfriend was starving, so we ended up ordering a few things to share. His hotdog didn't interest me, so I only tried the poutine, wings and burger, along with the shake.
The buffalo wings were the standout for me. They were cooked to perfection and the sauce (we ordered the bloody mary sauce) complimented them perfectly. The burger was a bit of a letdown. I was tossing up between the steak or the burger, and to be honest I kinda wish I'd gone with the steak. It wasn't bad, but compared to other burger joints around Auckland, it just didn't hold up. The poutine was a nice start to the meal though. I loved the gravy with the chips. I'd happily eat that again. As for the milkshake, it was another item that just didn't cut it for me. You can get better shakes for cheaper at other places in Auckland. We didn't even bother with dessert, which is a monumental decision from me.
Overall, I felt that Al's Deli is certainly better than your average restaurant in Auckland, but it doesn't quite live up to the hype.
Sweet Jesus, this place is crazy. Where do I start.
The ribs. The burgers. The apple pie fries. The doughnuts. The margaritas. The shakes. All amazingly delicious and obesity inducing.
The food here is on point, definitely next level on the treat scale. The only down point is on occasion the service is pretty surly, I mean really surly.
Been wanting to try this out for so long! I ordered the apple pie fries with caramel sauce and a regular mocha. Their coffee was good although I had really high expectations for the apple pie fries and it didn't exactly meet my expectations. I would give it a 7.5/10. One order was definitely filling, although I reckon they can do better on the apple pie filling. I will probably come back to try out the snickers donut!
We were attracted Al's deli's donut pictures which were all over facebook. Tried the lemon and jelly tip one - both were very satisfying. As it was wednesday, they also specials on the buffalo wings so we ordered that too and I have to say they didn't disappoint! Definitely try the hot sauce if you get the chance. Service was efficient but maybe that's because it was around 3pm.
GideonMarisa MasterchefNz2015
+3.5
Als deli, good take on an American diner but I felt the place lacked energy. I had a brisket dish and I found it rather tough and chewy. I would really like to give this place another go.. #g1
Great snickers milkshake plus a filling and delicious hot dog! Warm and inviting ambience too. The server was super friendly and helpful too :) #zomatostudents
Amazing place to dine out! Went there for a treat night and had the crispy chicken salad and poutine and ribs! And then the cheesecake for desert was so tasty! Love this place
I went to Al's deli with my sister and when we first walked in it was really inviting and looked really cool and funky! All the food we had was delicious and I recommend it to people who want a really nice American style deli
Was delicious couldn't fault only the fact they didn't have the brisket. Got the black forest Forrest doughnut, was ok nothing exciting. Had the afc was delicious everyone should try it. Would go back
Heard great reviews before about Al's Deli. The things we ordered were all so delicious, avocado bagel, poutine fries, brocolli salad and crab meat burger. Also, the staff were very friendly and talkative. Would definitely come back again 😊
First time going to this place and I loved it!! The girl serving us was lovely and the food was amazing! I ordered the vegan falafel salad and it was the best salad I have ever ordered! It can be hard eating at some places being a vegan but this place was very accommodating and I was not disappointed, I will be coming back again!!
It was our daughter's 13th birthday and she was adamant she wanted to try something new on her special day.
The wait staff were friendly and accommodating.
Luckily, it wasn't packed when we were there. It did fill up quite quickly.
We loved the burgers served in a brioche bun. Tasty and juicy burgers, not greasy. The birthday girl and the wife had the Poutine Burger and the Al's Burger.
I had the Buffalo wings - they're so far the best ones I've had in Auckland. I asked for Frank's Hot Sauce to be used. The kids lapped up the aioli and my boy had the last 2 wings after going through half a rack of ribs.
The ribs and milkshakes were 50-50.
I liked the sauce of the ribs. But the ribs were dry and stringy.
As for the milkshakes, they weren't as thick as the milkshakes I'm used to - disappointing for $8 a pop. Flavours were good - sonhad the Snickers one and the birthday girl had the special Nutella-Filled donut on top of a Nutella milkshake.
Been anticipating going to this quant deli for a while now, and it definitely lived up to its expectations. I ordered the "Nutella Irish Cream" handshake to start, which is honestly the only shake I will ever want in my life ever again. For dinner I got the famous "911 Burger" which is essentially a normal burger but it's normal condiments replaced my Mac 'n' Cheese instead. Yes. It is as delicious as it sounds. Patty was cooked to perfection too! Atmosphere had a chill vibe and our server was an amazingly eccentric and positive woman who made our experience all the more enjoyable. Highly recommend this place and will definitely be coming back!
great burgers and i also loved the atmosphere of this place! It was a big shame that the place was full and i had to take my order away. But still- i wasn't disappointed! My burger was just great, juicy meat with fresh veggies and great sauce. I also think that it was the biggest burger in my life (well, serving size in Europe differs from the Australian and NZ but i could really get used to it ;) )
I have mixed feelings for this place. I enjoy the very chilled vibe this retro diner has but the service can feel a bit borderline unprofessional at times.
I like staff with personality who jokes around abit but I can see how it may not appeal to some. Overall everything was just abit too slow, our food came before our drinks which was unusual. The wait time was very long considering that we came at a very un-busy time.
The food was delicious, I ordered the al dog which was absolutely amazing and my partner had the mixed grill with a few different meats that were very well executed. The poutine was delicious but the overly battered fried pickles were abit of a disappointment.
The hot chocolate deserves a special mention, it really is the bestest hot chocolate in the world! :D MUST TRY!
We got dinner delivered this weekend for free because we live super close! Woo! Can't beat free delivery. our sandwiches were yum but they were pretty small in size so didn't fill us up. We shared a poutine which was delicious :) I would recommend definitely dining in because I think if the food was hotter/fresher we may have enjoyed it more.
Can't get enough of this place! I always go for the Al's burger - it has the tastiest sauce! I love the pouring here too! The donuts are also winners! Had a cheesecake the other day but I wasn't quite sold. Still one of the best eateries in Auckland, no doubt! They are also my go-to for a lazy night in (thank goodness for delivery!)
The food was delicious! Service was quick and the staff were very nice. I loved the milkshakes! I'm definitely coming back next time 👍🏻👌🏻
Zara Alexzandra Young
+3.5
I really want to give this place another try because the food it great! The customer service on the other hand has never impressed me or my friends. Its confusing because no one explains that you need to order at the counter- so you grab menus and sit down and you wait for someone to walk past but it just doesn't happen. The wait staff aren't the best at checking on their customers either. The last time I was here my partner and I waited 25 mins for one main, the other showed up 10 mins after that and they completely forgot about our fries as they had given them to the table that sat down a good 15 mins after we had arrived. When I asked about our fries the waitress flat out lied and said that they were on their way out- which took another 10 mins. We were given a cronut to take with us as an apology but it seemed weak considering it was later in the evening and it was probably being thrown out anyway.
I love the food here but the service is such a let down and it's the only reason I give the place such a low score- good customer service is such a basic for cafes and restaurants so I can't understand why it's so hard for Als deli to step up their game
On the way to work, I stopped by Al's Deli to get my morning coffee. Ended up getting a cronut as well, because.. they were staring at me. Maple bacon. I had to get one. . I know Al's Deli is a bagel place. A friend asked me for a good brunch place in Auckland CBD and I ended up sending her a list of a few places. Al's Deli was included in that list. I wonder which one she will end up going to.
Today I had an amazing opportunity to go in to my favourite eatery ‘Al’s Deli’ to help with some of the food preparation. I turned up at 6.30 am and began rolling some of the most delicious smelling bagels I have had the pleasure of sniffing. You may not realise but Bagel dough is rather tough and almost rubbery feeling… as Al mentioned “You could shoot it and the bullet would bounce right back”. It was really exciting getting to know how to roll and cook them to get that perfected finish I have so often ordered when visiting. I began on the plain bagels and then worked my way through to some mouth watering onion flavoured bagels.
Honestly, if it weren't for my chicken burger I'd be a lot more satisfied with my meal. A couple mates and I came here a while back and we were excited and hungry, lol. I usually get chicken burgers wherever I go so I went for the Al's Buffalo Chicken Burger. My lips did not appreciate how tangy and sour the sauce was. It wasn't spicy hot it was just sour and tangy. Left me envying my friends choice of beef burger XD but the buffalo wings made up for it.
BUT... I really did like the service and the worker that served us was very friendly and talkative. I'd definitely come back. Perhaps, next time I'd go with a beef burger or something.
Definately worth the walk up that stupid hill! We came to try this place out for a special occasion, the staff are super friendly, we got yummy bagels!! Will be back!
Came here with a few friends to try out american cuisine and we weren't disappointed. The Poutine was the star of our night as it tasted amazing and can't wait to have more of it. The staff really amazing, friendly, attentive and quirky. The setting was quite vintage like an old cafe in the States. Overall, would go back here again to try other dishes and of course to have the Poutine again.
Seating abit uncomfy,chairs are small, had poutine burger,friend had pulled pork hotdog and bacon pancakes...food was standout yum, although the milkshake wasn't cold..and the floor was abit messy and dusty..service ok.had snickers doughnut when left..that was awesome..good price,will go back
Always a good time when I visit Al's Deli! Ordered the tried and true Plateau on a poppy seed bagel and it was great. Only thing that stopped it from being amazing was that there wasn't a good sauce to meat ratio, but it wasn't dry either. Great bagel and good prices too. I was a bit sad that they didn't have the s'mores donut but I guess that just means I have to come back another time!
Tried Al's Deli for the first time a few weeks ago and since then I can't stay away! Highly recommend their burgers,their creative alcoholic beverages and their new and addictive donuts. Additionally, if you're after some pretty top customer service then look no further! A special mention to the young guy with glasses and brunette hair; I've come in various times of the day & your service and enthusiasm is never a let down. Keep it up Al's :)
The buffalo wings and ribs were disappointing (maybe over hyped?) But the blue cheese sauce was good. The bagels are displayed unhygienically. Good deals and amazing 'hard shakes' and the brioche bun was amazing (better than the bagel imo)
Heard a lot of good things about this place and experienced the same. I ordered the bacon bagel which was filling and yum but I've had better bagels. He nutella irish cream milkshake was the highlight of the meal! If you come here, you MUST get this! Its delicious beyond words! Overall, an enjoyable experience :)
Ordered the mint and avo on onion bagel, Nutella hard shake, BLT bagel and apple pie fries. It was really filling and totaled to $47. Wished the bagel was a little warm though but ah well.
I have to say that Al's Deli is in my books, better than its cousin Fed Deli. The interior decor might not be as posh, but the service and food is more youthful and fun than its counterpart. The Nutella milkshake and apple pie fries are an extremely popular choice, and this location is great for meeting up with friends a la old school (yet affordable) American (Canadian?) diner style.
Had been meaning to drop in here to try the food for ages. Finally got here. Must have chosen a good time as no wait at all. Quickly asked where we wanted to sit. Staff very friendly and helpful. I really wanted the dog but sadly sold out 😯 opted for the onion bagel. Looked very rustic. Slightly disappointing as not enough onion taste for my liking in fact couldn't taste the onion at all but the rest of the bagel and presentation was great. Best to order with the combo so you get the fries,slaw and pickle...oh the pickle. Yum.. daughter rated tge burger as very tasty and loved her shake. Price wise expensive fir a burger meal but worth a try. You can tell everything is home made.
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After reading the reviews I was apprehensive whether I was gonna have a good meal or not. Buttttt...... I had a fantastic time. Me and my foodie partner got the $20 ribs. I loved every bite!! another review said it was the ribs were tough, in which yeah sure it wasn't falling off the bone but I think it's really personal preference cause I liked it that way. There was a heap of fries and the ribs were smokey and saucy, bloody excellent. For desert we got the Nutella milkshake with a donut on top and it was such a groovy treat, 10/10 recommend, worth the price. There was however a few things that the place could improve on, the poor waitress was the only one on the floor and had so much to do a one time. For gods sake hire more staff. Also the extra donuts were left on the counter for us to see and it would be better with a cover of placed under the counter. And MOST IMPORTANTLY PLEEEASEE als deli management please include rib bowls when serving ribs it was a mess, the customers would really appreciate it.
Great Canadian-food restaurant on Queen St. Has amazing sweet treats to satisfy that sugar craving. Apple fries w/ caramel sauce should be shared as the sweetness builds up after a few, but donuts are good for just yourself. They used to do wonuts (waffle + donut) which are amazing and sold out fast, not sure if they still do them.
There are also hot dishes to fill you up. The buffalo wings are delicious and can get messy, but that's how it should be. Do try the root beer float or, if feeling adventurous, one of their hard shakes.
Pretty busy when my mates and I went, but still got great service! Will be back to try poutine and some burgers.
The good:
The food is nice; some of the items are pretty basic eg brisket sandwich but all put together well.
Decent price ~$15 for most mains like burgers and things.
Cool drinks eg alcoholic milkshakes and cocktails
The meh:
I wouldnt recommend the donuts; not with dinner anyway. We had ours after dinner and I think it had been out all day so the dough was tough and hard.
Overall its a nice little hangout with food that is not overwhelming and easy on the wallet.
3.5 Yums
Best coffee in the upper City area, and the best service. The milk is never sour and the coffee is never bitter. I've tried the other coffee establishments in the surrounding area but always end up going back to Al's. And I won't forget to mention the food. From the deliciously authentic Canadian goodness the amazingly crafted Donuts and Cronuts, to the ever evolving Paleo selection, you won't ever go wrong dining in with Al and the team. Take a moment, grab a bite, and wash it down with the best Caeser in town.
We visited Al's Deli for dinner a couple of months back. Myself and my friend had the Al Burger, and my partner had the full rack of ribs. We also had buffalo wings to share. The burgers were really good, super hard to eat though! I loved the pickles they came with. The ribs were pretty dry and hard to eat, and weren't finished. The buffalo wings were yummy, however the blue cheese dipping sauce seemed like it was literally just blue cheese blended up which was very overpowering and thick. We had the apple pie fries to finish which were pretty disappointing as they didn't have much filling. When we were leaving we saw that they had a $20 special on for the ribs with a beer - the server never mentioned this so we bought the expensive option when we definitely would have chosen this. Overall a nice dinner, and probably would return.
Food: fantastic! I had full rack ribs this time with plateau bites and a kool-aid. Kool-aid was perfectly mixed and ribs to perfectly cooked.
The plateau bites were amazing except for two black pieces we found, could have been another meat other than chicken but wasn't willing to risk it.
Service was cheerful as usual!
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Best Ugly you might have some competition on your hands.
Offering home-made bagels is just the beginning but not a bad place to start.
First and foremost a bagelry, Al's Deli makes their bagels from scratch to ensure you get the freshest bagel each and every time.
But if you're not in the mood for a bagel Al has you covered there as well. From hickory smoked ribs to buffalo wings and banana splits, the extensive menu at Al's Deli means there's something for everyone.
I personal favourite off the menu for me would have to be Al's Deli's apple pie fries. Like nothing I've has before, the sweetness of the apple and the saltiness of the salted caramel dip melt in your mouth leaving you in awe.
This cafe space is raised from the street level which gives you a view of upper Queen St you might other wise never get to see.
The inside of Al's Deli looks as if its been inspired by the stereotypical American Diner which is a trend Aucklanders love.
Al's Deli is a winner in my books, I recommend taking a friend along and enjoying what's on offer.
Sarah Reynolds #challenge
Love coming here. It can be a little pricey but they make up for it with great food and even better service. Love the vibe here, the staff are all really friendly. The apple pie sticks with the caramel sauce are a great way to end the meal. Have only been here for dinner, looking forward to trying lunch here sometime.
My mate and I came here for lunch on Saturday whilst waiting to check into our hotel. The décor of the place is groovy and retro, I like it. This was the first time we have ever tried Canadian style food before, and in all honesty I expected it to be like Wendys, full of fat and tastes like grease. This was not the case at all. I ordered the Special of that day which was "Pulled Pork on Poutine" which was AMAZING! It's Pulled Pork on Chips with Gravy and some kind of Cheese (which they make), The lady told me the name but I forgot. My mate had a Cheese burger and there were no faults.I would Highly recommend this place not only for the food, atmosphere but also the staff. The staff were so helpful and down to earth. It was awesome sitting and eating in a relaxing environment, looking out to the street and watching the cooks make bagels. Love this place
I absolutely love this place. The Bagels are amazing, fresh and very well priced and the buffalo chicken burger is deeeelicious! The cronuts are ridiculously tasty as well but they are a bit pricy. Staff are usually pretty good as well
Just a review for the deli bagels- delicious, fresh and flavorsome bagels with a hearty range to choose from, they are also willing to modify to cater to your dietary needs if needed. The waitress was very cheerful and friendly which made the ordering process so much easier. Was not intimidated by the ultra-hipster atmosphere, the interior design made it feel like any old school North American pickle joint.
Would recommend that you ask them to heat the bagels if you feel they are a bit hard to bite, it is best to come here closer to opening times when the bagels are still fresh.
P.S There is no such thing as too much Philly on a bagel and this place sure knows it.
Came here for dinner last night. Neat little diner with mismatched chairs and tables.
The waitress told gave us menus and take a seat. Hard to decide what to eat!
I eventually chose the Bill Furlonger burger. The bun and meat were great, however a little too much mustard (thank goodness I like mustard!). My friend had the Al Burger which she thoroughly enjoyed. As the place was Canadian we had to try the poutine. Was so yummy!
We then chose desserts. I had the moose ear with nuttela. Was good but huge! Couldn't get through it all! My friend chose the apple fries. They were amazing and the caramel sauce was amazing. Will be back!
This rugged diner has an American feel to it and treats to pair: burgers and shakes. Their burgers are quite good. I particularly love their milkshakes!
At lunch time I visited this place with friends. It had a nice vintage feel throughout the store from the furniture to decorative items. I had good service from the staff. While I was waiting for friends, I was greeted by a staff member, who invited me to sit down at a table and I was given their menu to read. I observed that this staff member was friendly towards customers, positive attitude and looked happy to serve them. We ordered The Mount and two of The Saint which is under their ‘Signature Deli Sandwiches’ options. It wasn’t long before the food was served and it looked well-presented. I had The Saint and it was something nice to eat for a brunch. The bagel part was scrumptious and the pleasant taste of each ingredient worked well together. The only thing was I felt there was a bit too much Philly cheese on it for me.
Apple pie fries, all-dress al dog, buffalo wings, poutine fries, crossiant bread & butter pudding and nutella irish cream milkshake.
I could continue but you get the point. The food on offer at this place is pretty mouth watering.
This is another place that I'll take visitors as the food is always on point, the service is friendly and the location is perfect (central but a bit of a hidden spot at the same time).
Cheers Al's Deli for always being awesome!
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Went here with a friend and Rachel for lunch. It wasn't hard to find but you need to know exactly where it is - up a very steep hill. I got some exercise done walking on the way lol. It wasn't fully packed but there was a lot of people there. I love the American feel, vibe and style of the Cafe. I love the retro/vintage theme that it gave, I really felt I was in America! I was given a menu when I came in which shows good customer service already. They give you enough time to choose from their menu. The waiter is really friendly and attentive which makes them more respectable. I had "The Saint" which consists of a sesame bagel (they let you choose which type of bagel) with salmon, onions, cream cheese and capers. The seasoning was well balanced. The food came out really quick maybe 5-10 minutes. I found the presentation, taste, aesthetic and overall flavours to be 5/5. Everything was great except the fact that the bagel was hard to bite/slice into. I don't know if the bagel was warm at all but I don't really mind cause flavour was great. There was also a bit too much cream cheese but I really don't get fussy over the small things. They need to just warm the bagels and take out a bit of cream cheese. I love the simplicity of their food. It was yum as! The service overall was the main thing that really impressed me. The staff were attentive, friendly, efficient, and patient. I'll defo come back! 😊
All my friends rave about Al's Deli and they have a right to!
As soon as you enter the store you feel as though you're in a classic deli shop with their subway tiles and eclectic mix of chairs and tables.
I asked the waitress what her favorite was and ordered the poutine burger and it didn't disappoint. The beef was nice and chunky with salty fries and ladles of gravy. Every bite came with a morsel of cheese curd. My only complaint was that I had a stuffed stom@ach and that the meal may have been a touch too salty. You get great value for money as the portion sizes are HUGE!
The atmosphere is amazing and the staff are so inviting and knowledgeable.
My favourite thing is the Salted Caramel Cronut.
We have seen this restaurant every time we drive up queen street and decided to pop in for a bagel, which i believe is their specialty. I asked what they suggested and their recommendations were superb. We had The Saint which was I might add wonderful, ample amount of salmon and definitely not short-changed on the other fillings. We also tried the Mega Main was is worth every cent and the taste was fantastic. Apart from the great food, fresh home made bagels you are also offered freshly baked Brioche Buns instead of the bagel. The coffee was a hit as well. I know they do sensational pizzas, so we will be back o try them. Well Done to all the crew at Al's
Nice little restaurant that captures what I'd like to think is American style cuisine.
I ordered a dish of perogies with bacon and my friend got a beef burger, It was my first time having perogies and it was delicious! I'd definitely recommend and be back for more if you're a lover of carbs, starch, and good ole cheese you'll definitely be loving the perogies!!
Staff are attentive and friendly, would recommend and be back for more!
Liked the American theme. The service and food was quick. The portion sizes were good as we both couldn't finish our meals but possibly a bit over priced. It may have been our meal choice but my partner said he was disappointed and thought it to be just like any other breakfast you could get. Would be willing to try it again though if I was in the area.
Having never of this place, I was immediately intrigued when asked to join a group of friends who were coming up from Wellington.
I looked at the menu before hand and was left wanting to try anything, but having to make the hard decision on what to get.
I stuck with a Al's special burger $10 on brioche bun. This was recommended by the waitress, when I mentioned I would have this on rye bread.
I followed this up with getting mouse ears with maple bacon on it.. It was awesome! Even to the point you could have this for breakfast.
Another thing I liked was the fries, covered in gravy..
One thing I was guttered to find out was the list of Canadian beers on offer. When asked for a drink, I asked for a beer & was not prompted about their list of beers..
The decor is not flash, the chairs are basic. But this is all part of the charm.
It's a great place to go for say a first date or a cheap night out!
With that.. I would be happy to go back again
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Al's Deli is one of those places that you either know about or are surprised about when you find out about it. It is at the top of Queens Street and on that little hill (City Road) that leads up the back of The Langham Hotel. It is decorated like a diner and has marvellous 1950's tables and your Coke comes in a Coke glass, we all know that makes it taste better? I had the cherry coke in my special glass. I rarely drink Coke or fizzy drinks and really enjoyed the fizzy cherry bubbles.
For my main I had the Poutine Burger, it is a burger bun with a delicious beef patty, fries, gravy and cheese curds. It was satisfying, the stuff of future dreams and I succeeded in eating it from the bun and not using cutlery. I did cut it in half after the photo was taken and would recommend this method.
Others had an assortment of food including chicken wings, fries topped with pulled pork pork, chicken burgers and falafel burger. There were moments of eating silence, which is always a good sign. There were also claims of being very full (including me) but most of us found our dessert stomach.
On my last visit to Auckland I was very curious about the Moose Ears on the Sweet Treats section of the menu. I asked a staff member which version she recommended and the Nutella and banana topped Moose Ear was ordered. Others ordered the Banana Split, Moose Ear with bacon and maple syrup and lucky Wendy Wings got the last Apple Pie Fries. My Moose Ears were delicious and I really enjoyed trying something different, I liked the fried base and would have it again. It would make a good breakfast. I also got to try one of the legendary Apple Pie Fries, they were good too and I would certainly try to get a whole portion at some point.
Al's Deli is certainly somewhere I would go back to and take the family. I really liked the diner style setting and the food. It is one of those places where you have to be prepared to eat fried things and leave very full. I look forward to my next trip and it worth the walk up Queens Street.
Such a lovely evening! Food was delicious and we were well looked after by our waitress. Great relaxed atmosphere :) will defs be returning! Thanks!
The food, price and staff are all great! Also loving the retro decors
Only thing I have to say was that it took awhile for the drinks to come out because they were too busy but they did warn us beforehand. Can't wait to return!
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All of my reviews are through the lens of a low-carb foodie. This place does well in this regard. Their burgers and main options can have the carb portion removed in place of additional salads. This isn't an "off menu" option either, it's right there on the menu to choose. That's always nice to see.
The environment manages to capture the "feel" of a deli pretty well. I've traveled extensively through the US and Canada and it's pretty accurate. It's a nice place to sit and have a meal/drink. The prices are perfect, cheaper than I would have thought for the location. The option to have a burger without fries baked into the cost is nice. You get fries, pickle and coleslaw for an extra $5 but the base cost for their largest burger is $19 and it's a decent meal by itself.
When we went (Friday evening around 8ish) the place was quite full and the service was spotty. The floor staff didn't seem to have sections or any real logistics behind who was taking orders, busing tables and cleaning. It's a minor point but you'd expect a place that's popular to have it's ducks in a row when it comes to ordering and serving. For all that the ambiance screams "North American/Canadian Deli", the service was decidedly Kiwi. It's entirely possible there was meant to be someone else on that let them down. Hence, I'm not lowering the rating of the review.
Going here was worth the walk from the bottom of queen street, but when we found it, we were presently surprised. The menu is simple but traditional. The restaurant design is really cool too. We had All-dressed Al dog, poutine and the plateau chicken. Al dog was good and packed full of flavour, the poutine was good too! Lots of gravy and cheese. But what I loved the most is the plateau, the tiny chicken pieces are just so yummy I couldn't even explain how great they were! Staff are friendly and food is light and fresh! Definitely would recommend this place and would love to come back again.
Al's Deli is infamous and a must try. I loved the burger my first time, however the poutine was overhyped... But coming back a second time with heaps of friends, the staff was absolutely amazing, super friendly and attentive, food was to die for and we all walked away so so full and satisfied!
What an awesome find, can't believe I never knew about this place one of Aucklands well kept secrets. Welcome to Canada, food is amazing have The Saint. Bagel with salmon cream cheese and onions the best bagel I have had in Auckland by far. Very cool surrounding. To my partners delight they even sell Dr Pepper and as a bonus they had a TV screen showing the Stanley cup Playoffs. If you want to try somewhere different try this place. Service is excellent the guys couldn't be more helpful and pleasant.
Dined here sunday morning for a treat. The deli was farely busy when we arrived. The menu has a wide variety to choose from and with treats such as apple pie fingers in caramel sauce, it's difficult to stay on the healthy eating side of the menu. I had the berry banana smoothie which was delicious. I also ordered the brisket on brioche bun with a side of broccoli and kale. The brisket was cooked well so was quite tender, broccoli and kale was excellent! The only downfall was waiting for 45 minutes for our meals, much more than i expected however I can not fault the food.
My husband accidentally discovered this place. The top of queen street (yup you have to walk the hill) is pretty unloved but Al's Deli has a great place on the corner. To be honest I think this places identity is a little confused with the decor and it does feel a little grubby. In saying that these owners put everything into making suburb food. Montreal style food with great specials. Super generous on the cheese curd in the poutine too.
We ordered the crispy chicken special burger on a onion bagel, an Al's burger as a salad a side of Poutine.
It was so nice to have the option to have the burgers on bagel buns (we are bagel horders). All was cooked to perfection. The prices were reasonable but the portions were a bit smaller than expected for the price compared to other similar burger joints.
The salad could have done with more lettuce and vegetables to bulk it up a bit
I would go return but more as a light meal rather than when in a hungry hungry hippo mood
I really love this place. The constantly evolving menu, the specials, the poutine, THE POUTINE, the brisket, the pulled pork. Everything I've tried has been straight-out great, or else spectacular. Now that Federal Deli is a burnt out husk (hopefully not to too long) this is THE go-to place for North American diner food.
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Oh my god, this place is amazing, I love, love, love it!!! Came here for lunch last Friday and I am beyond impressed with the food here. The menu may appear simple, and it is. But, the quality and freshness of the ingredients used and the skillful hands that take those ingredients and turn them into delicious delights are truly outstanding. I am a burger lover and Al's burger is probably the best burger I have ever had, and that is saying a lot! The bun is fresh and soft, the meat is very good quality and rare, rare, rare :) Every thing down to the gherkin is absolutely perfect. The home-made fries are also delicious. My dad had the chicken salad which he said was brilliant, I'm planning to get it the next time I go back. We shared the cheesecake for dessert. Halleluiah! People who actually know how to make cheesecake! It was delicious. It wasn't the most lemony flavor but it was rich and I really like the strawberry component. The staff here are fabulous, very attentive, organized and friendly. I don't care that I have to trample up to the top of Queen St to get you - Al's deli, you are worth every step!
Been wanting to try this place for a while. Its at a rather not eye catching location, being wedged between a Korean BBQ place and a hostel. Sitting precariously on a rather steep hill too. In saying so, parking is definitely a problem if you want to eat here. There are some things we love and some not so worth it. We found sticking to the basics was the best. The more unique varieties in the menu were rather expensive and dissapointing. But things like their bagels, poutine, and hot dogs were amazing. We grabbed a meat platter, and I must say ribs are the best. They do deals on Thursdays for ribs and a drink. Overall we were satisfied with the meal and would return.
Food: 4/5
Service: 5/5
Environment: 3/5 (went on a rainy night, place isn't well ventilated so the big sliding windows were opened and it made the restaurant rather damp and cold)
Value for money: 3/5 (was rather expensive meal even with our entertainment book voucher)
I am not usually say food is so nice but here food is so nice especially buffalo wings, ribs so nice i will come here more lunch or dinner time so good :)
Had dinner here. We had Al's burger and hot dog which were both very good. We also had kale and broccoli, this is must try!
We will go back again :)
Have been to Al's four times now and each time I go I like to try something else, the Haloumi salad is really good, brisket sandwich is a little fatty for my liking, poutine and poutine burger was great, Al's burger is not bad, service is ok, atmosphere is a real mix but has a nice relaxed vibe. 2ND March visit had BLT bagel, think this place has lost a little bit of its Shine! No where near as good as the goodness gracious bagel offerings
Tucked away on the corner of upper queen st, this place has such a chilled vibe to it with a menu packed with an intriguing variety of food and drinks! We had the peanut butter chocolate milkshake, Cartier (soft shell crab) bagel and Poutine burger. YUM! So good!!! Would totally go back for more and can't wait to try out some of the desserts.
Last night my friend and I had insane burger cravings so we were tossing up between Al's Deli and Burger Burger. Both of us had already been to burger burger this week and given that I hadn't tried al's deli, it seemed like the smarter option!!
We order two of the burger specials of the week which was 'the 911'; truffled Mac and cheese, a beef pattie, caramelised onion and bacon on a brioche bun, and poutine fries to share. Everything was beautiful. The gravy and the fresh-not-frozen chips and cheese was basically my dream. The actual pattie within the burger was delicious- well seasoned and well cooked- but something was missing..... The bacon. They forgot the bacon!!!
Thumbs up to the lady at the counter (which I do believe was her first day), she was fun, knew the menu well and basically smiled and apologised when I was borderline spazzing at the fact that they had run out of apple pie chips :(
I've been to Als deli twice now after struggling to find authentic poutine!
It was amazing!! I followed it up with the all dressed dog which was also freakin amazing! 5 stars Als deli, I'll be a customer for life!
We came to Al's before a concert. I'd heard amazing things and I was really looking forward to it. I don't like gravy so I tried my friend's poutine but didn't enjoy it and was glad we'd ordered normal fries. I had the all dressed hot dog without french mustard and really enjoyed it. I loved the camping crockery. I would have liked to have my fries on my plate with my hot dog but I really enjoyed everything i ordered. The sausage in the hot dog wasn't too fatty and the toppings made the hot dog amazing. The relish was the best part of the meal. I also had a chocolate banana milkshake with whipped cream that was delicious.
The staff were super friendly and really well presented. I enjoyed my first Al's experience and will definitely be back to try their famous Apple pie fries.
My boyfriend had a burger and loved it. He was impressed with the size and the taste. We were full the whole evening and enjoyed the food. For $42 for two people that's not bad at all.
Definitely recommend a visit.
Been here a few times, and was happy with my food every time.
The soft shelled crab burger is a must try (I probably have an obsession with soft shelled crabs though!) and their buffalo wings are also a must! They are so good that I've had dreams about them.
We have also tried a bagel (the salmon one) which was really fresh and nice (it was not burnt and hard, which some places tend to do).
Last weekend, we went to try the special red velvet pancakes, but they were not actually that special. I would prefer normal pancakes to that....
Overall, the joint is nice and neat and very good for a quick bite or late dinner.
Nice , simple . Bagels super fresh, chicken burger delicious. Coffee good. Salmon bagel could use some zing , but otherwise very nice
Hot choc not hot but delicious !
They have amazing food and their staff are great to talk to. Every time I visit it has been a 10 out of 10. I usually order their steak but I have tried their burgers and such and they are spot on.
Lost count the amount of times I've been to als deli now. Used to work nearby which was dangerous! But even now working a bit further away its definitely worth a trek. The cronuts are amazing, soft shell crab Burger tantalisingly good and brisket bagel outstanding. Love it
Great place to visit with your friends for lunch in between lecture breaks from uni. They had a variety of foods to suit all mouths and showed a good representation of Canada, as even the staff were Canadian. However the bagels were a bit dense and tough to bite in to, so I would recommend it to be either heated or toasted when served. Other than that Al's Deli is an excellent place to drop by to enjoy some Canadian food!
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I am so glad Al’s Deli exists. It’s actually been around since 2013, opening hot on the heels of Al Brown’s Best Ugly Bagels. But this one was started by a Canadian and is the comfort food institution Auckland didn’t know it needed until it opened. Having visited for the first time recently, I feel embarrassed to say I hadn’t been sooner. But I’m never up that steep end of Queen Street.
As a farewell get-together before I moved to the bright lights of Blenheim (no sarcasm intended, it’s a lot sunnier here than it is in Auckland) Sam forewent the calorie counting, and between the two of us we probably ate a week’s worth of naughty foods in one sitting. People say Americans are fat, but if Al’s is any reflection of food in Canada, so too would the Canadians.
Having recently returned from a week in Melbourne, I can confidently say that Al’s decor treads the line between hipster cool and a bit run-down in the same way many of the cafes and bars in Melbourne do, and they’re all pretty cool. It’s not a big place, so come late to meal times at your peril. There’s cabinets full of cured salmon and bacon, sweet pies and puds, and we could see a baker hard at work kneading dough at the counter.
They serve root beer floats here, in ginormous mugs yanked out of the freezer. And they make (practically) everything themselves. Home-made bagels, brioche, home-cured bacon and salmon, desserts, everything. It’s pretty great. Sam waxed lyrical about how Al’s does the best cream cheese and salmon bagel he’s ever had. Their rendition, known as ‘The Saint’ ($12.50) is lush but with just the right amount of schmear so that one doesn’t swim in the stuff; the rich maple cured salmon and Philly is rounded out well by the tangy pickled onions and capers.
I had a hankering for chicken (of the fried variety) on this occasion and so ordered ‘The Plateau’ ($11). The Plateau chicken is Al’s answer to KFC, fried boneless chicken coated in secret spices and sandwiched between brioche buns with aioli, tomato and rocket. Their brioche was thick and pillowy and its tower-like appearance made my jaw feel uneasy but with some strategic hand placement and use of table implements the burger was gone in no time.
I was excited to try the poutine ($8/9.50), made by someone able to claim its Canadian heritage. Home-cut fries doused in richly flavoured gravy (in vege-gravy no less, just to please the pescetarian) and dotted with cheese curds, this was a knife and fork affair not to be missed. As a bit of a fry fiend, I was slightly disappointed that they weren’t particularly crisp, but I guess making them crisp in the first place is all a bit redundant as they’re going to be smothered in gravy anyway.
With what felt like a pint of root beer, poutine and burger in me, I was near to murderously full. Sam had evidently spied a large platter of bread and butter pudding ($8.50) in the cabinet on the way in, although he tried to sell the idea of dessert to me like it just popped into his head. Post-humorously (for the pudding, not ourselves) Sam declared “Thank god we only ordered one.” For what arrived was nothing short of enormous. A wedge-shaped croissant fortress, drizzled in salted caramel sauce with a comparatively minute scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Between the two of us, we ate maybe half. I might have been able to slowly shave a bit more off but I don’t think Sam had the patience to see just how far I could go.
Though I pine for more of that pudding (and poutine.. and everything else they have to offer), I’m secretly glad that I now live on another island separated by a body of water. My waistline wouldn’t be able to handle it otherwise.
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It’s easy to get Al’s Deli confused with Al Brown’s Federal Delicatessen, especially with the association with bagels. But Al’s Deli is a completely different eatery owned by Canadian chef Aleks Lazic. Tucked quietly on City Road just off the slope of Queen Street, Al’s Deli is a perfect hangout spot to grab a bite for breakfast or a catchup in town. It’s a mix between an American style retro diner and a cafe, complete with mismatched retro style chairs and barstools looking out towards the city.
Although famous for their Montreal style bagels, I would still vouch for the Ugly Bagel for the chewier and moist consistency rather than the dense ones here.
There were mainly 3 things I went there to try:
1. Poutine – world famous in Canada, originating in Quebec. French fries topped with gravy and cheese curds.
2. Juicy ribs. That is all.
3. Apple pie fries – the novelty here wins my heart.
You are spoilt for choice from the menu so if you’re a food fattie like me, try the Mixed Grill option – that gives you a taste of the famous ribs, sirloin for the meat lovers and crispy chicken with “secret spice”. Surprisingly it was the sausages and crispy chicken that made me come back for seconds. The sirloin and the ribs are replaceable at home or at other eateries.
The portions we ordered were huge but I was recommended to try the buffalo wings. And boy was I glad! Opting for the Sweet and Sour option, next time I’d be braver to try Franks Hot Sauce or the bloody Mary option. They’re everything you would want in buffalo wings, not overdone in the fryer but soaked in juicy sauce.
Over to the poutine – I was so keen to try it – I’ve never had it before and touted as Canada’s national dish, I had to give it a fair go. The fries were soaked in gravy so much that it was soggy. Some say that’s the authentic way, others say the french fries should be crispy on the outside. I personally didn’t mind it being saturated in gravy, but you can’t go bare hands eating this with hot gravy! While the concept of eating fat-on-fat may seem to put off healthy addicts, you just can’t go to a Canadian restaurant without trying this.
As soon as I went into Al’s Deli, I had to be sure they still had apple pie fries available. Word is that they always sell out before closing. Lucky they made a fresh batch just for us! If the words apple pie fries hadn’t sunk in, it should have now. These are literally fries filled with hot apple pie goodness in the middle. To top the novelty off, you dunk them into salted caramel sauce. So amazing, I would order this again next time I go back, regardless of how full I am.
Al’s Deli is comfortable, the atmosphere buzzing and the staff were very friendly and genuine, always up for a good laugh. Whilst the food is somewhat average compared to the hype, I would come here to try the poutine, buffalo wings and apple pie fries. It is comfort food and you’ll walk out feeling satisfied and laden with good food.
The beef brisket with gravy and the caramel jack Daniels milkshake is delicious. We have ordered takeaways for work from here as well. The beef brisket sandwich and the fries with poutin are sooo good
Food was great, waiter was nice when she saw us, didnt get greeted or seen to at all, I dont know whether that's just how they do things there, but I think customer service is the key!
Great food and friendly service - really like the location. Bagels are really tasty and the cronuts are...well...REALLY REALLY GOOD :) Definitely recommend this place.
Been here a few times and each time me and my partner absolutely love it !! The staff are awesome and helpful , the food is amazing and they are now introducing a healthy food range which I'm totally loving .. A must try ! ????
Very close to my place and I always see many ppl there, so I have it a try one day. I had smth called crispy chicken something.. Which was $13 I thought it could be lunch,,,,,
But when it came, I was very surprised how small the portion was,, I think it was about 7 or 8 pieces of very salty popcorn-size chicken.. Too over priced I think!? Doesn't worth $13 at all! My partner had a burger Al Burger (is that what it called?), it was just normally, nothing special.. I normally get burger from the other shop up hill, they do so much better burgers there.. Cuz I didn't Hv enough food (and I'm a skinny person), I had to grab some bagels on my way out.. Their bagels are very nice.. I very enjoyed them. Rate them for that :-)
Had the Main (150g) and the Mount. The bagels are beautifully baked, and the presentation is simple but concise. The Main had fulsome load of meat, and the pickle it came with was a delight.
Most AMAZING place to grab a snack, have a full on meal, or even grab some delicious dessert. The team have consistently amazing customer service and as me and my boyfriend always say out expectations are always exceeded every time we go there.
Aleks makes the best poutine, cheesecake, maple bacon cronuts, wonuts and watermelon margaritas ever!
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I was quite surprised to find a place like Al's Deli tucked away quietly on a lane off Queen Street. I heard about this place from a friend, and so I was naturally curious as I hadn't noticed it before.We got here on a late Sunday morning, and the place was packed, but not overcrowded.Their menu has quite an extensive range, and we were spoilt for choice. I had been hearing good things about their poutine, so we decided to get a large one. Boy, was it huge! I also got the brisket hash, and it was well worth it. I was stuffed to the brim halfway through the meal! But everything about it was done just right. The bagel was really good, although it was just a plain old one, there was something about it which was really delicious! I also had their peanut butter milkshake, and it was also really good! Some places overload their milkshakes with sugar, but this one had the right amount. The staff are really nice and friendly, and it's run more like a deli, and you can get the feel of its American/Candian-ness. Suffice to say, I will be back here again, probably to try more of their bagel selection, or their buffalo wings as recommended by a friend.
Amanda @ Move Love Eat
+4
A group of us headed to Al's Deli one Sunday morning for a blogger meetup. I must admit I'm not a bagel fan (which they apparently do amazing ones but you'll have to take other peoples words for it) but I am a huge peanut butter fan so as soon as I saw the milkshake with peanut butter I knew I had to have it! I was torn between trying the poutine and mousse ear so ended up trying both! I got the small poutine which was pretty good (I'm a real chip and sauce lover!) and then had a mousse ear at the end with nutella and it was friggen amazing! Definitely recommended!
Tastey food and very friendly staff! Unfortunately for me they had run out of apple pie fries by the time I had got there :(
The only problem is parking as it is in town.
Al's Deli has a nice atmosphere and the staff were pretty cool.
I had 'the main' on sour dough rye which was amazing! Definitely a beauty! The fries and onion rings were pretty good too. The only disappointment was that they do not use ice cream in their shakes. 7 bucks for flavoured milk........ But now I know to skip the shake and just go for the chow. And those moose ears were looking pretty good......
Awesome service....great n delicious food.....best bagels, that u have never eaten before. And the manager named Rachel is just awesome. One of the star of this restaurant
A slice of Canada in New Zealand! After moving back to NZ from Canada I was sooo excited to hear about Al's Diner.
The poutine was absolutely to die for! The chips and gravy were perfect, and there was a good amount of cheese curds. Bagel was delish, and moose ears, though not quite as good as a beaver tail, was very yummy.
If the opportunity ever came to move downtown further, I think Al's diner would do so much better. For me, it takes a spcial trip to go there, instead of places downtown where I might be heading to the Civic or something and want to grab a bite to eat before hand.
I do think Al's should have live streaming of the NHL hockey games however!!!!
Flippin love this place!
I lived in Canada for 4 years and I miss the food like crazy. I ordered a bagel with cream cheese and tomato = noms. I had a Caeser (cocktail) and it was the best one I have had since leaving Vancouver. Hands down. Will be back here as often as possible for caesers!
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Popped into Al's Deli on a Saturday arvo with a mate nursing a hangover, whilst I was keen for a beverage! First impressions, really impressed with the size of the establishment, there's heaps of spots to sit and lots of natural light and air filtering through, which again I was very happy with. Great authentic feel to it, and very casual laidback atmosphere. Grabbed a spot by the wall and ordered a Canadian beer (coriander & orange peel flavoured, no less - it was divine!) and a cinnamon/lemon moose ear. Bugger the 'churro', I'm now all about the 'moose ear'! Definitely keen to down another one of those little morsels again, and it was so large my friend and I had half each. Said unwell friend had a side of little chicken balls (apologies, cannot recall their name on the menu now), but it felt like the cone was bottomless and it definitely hit the spot and made her feel alive again, so she was stoked also! Service was quick and friendly - will be back again. Thanks very much Al's Deli!!!
Completely addicted to poutine and bagels now! This place has become my go-to for casual dinners, catch ups over brunch and showing off to out-of-town guests.
I'm yet to find something on the menu I dislike but would highly recommend Brisket Poutine, the Plateau Bagel and Caramel Milkshakes.
As an infrequent city-driver I love that there is a parking building directly across the road with easy txt-to-park options. Everyone is super friendly and the regular specials such as Apple Pie Fries and Piecaken are great fun and satisfy beyond novelty value.
My, my, my. The best and really the only authentic deli in Auckland. The poutine was the best that I had outside of Canada - the fries were crispy, the curds were tasty (and homemade) and they were surrounded by a sea of gravy. They have nailed the basics here (e.g. the bagels and brisket). The prices are fairly reasonable, especially when you compare them to the other 'fashionable' deli/diners in Auckland central. The difference is that is place puts substance before style. The food is tasty, authentic and it's obvious that the owner likes having fun with food. I'd like to see the other Al come up with something as amazing as The Pie Caken - a two layer cake with two types of pie, covered in two types of cake covered in (wait for it) cream cheese frosting. These are the things that dreams are made of!
The food is to die for.
I don't really get excited about a list of things like 'lox, brisket, cheese curds and sourdough" - kind of doesn't appeal when listed like this - BUT in real life and in my tummy, it is AMAZING.
I had brisket poutine which i still dream about now (YUM - licked the plate. really.), the bagels are delicious, and i treated myself and had the apple pie chips - oh my god, the pot of caramel sauce was insanely awesome!
So the food is the winner - mixed with a delicious root beer spider - and i was a happy girl!
Will be going again but will maybe choose lower fat options next time (which they have!).
Big fan.
I have tried a few different items from this deli and every visit has impressed me so much! The bagels are fresh and tasty and the mixed grill I had on my first visit was just mouth watering. The cronuts can't be ignored either, I get at least one every time I visit!! :)
Was meaning to check this place out for a while and was super excited to find combo deal vouchers.
I ordered "The saint" bagel with salmon which was very yummy, and my partner had "The main" with brisket, which he also liked though confessed that enjoyed my bagel more!
The items included in the combo (fries and pickles) were finger-licking.
Overall, very delicious, big portions. The only downside - without a voucher a meal can seem a bit overpriced.
The bagels are delicious. The BLT one is amazing.
We got the combo deal voucher. To be honest I would not want to pay full price because it looked very expensive.
My friend and I both felt very ill after eating here which was weird. I believe it was the fries that did it.
I have considered going back just for the bagels but they are just too expensive.
I'm rating on the food quality because the food is tasty here and of high quality. The bagel ingredients are of a high standard. However, the let down for me is that I feel the price to portion ratio doesn't quite match. Not meaning this in a cheap way but they either need to lower the price for an individual bagel to represent value or offer a nice combo deal. Otherwise it would be just an occasional visit rather than regular.
Genie @ BunnyEatsDesign
+5
We visited Al's Deli for breakfast yesterday. Being mid morning on a weekday, they were quiet and it was nice to have the place to ourselves. The decor is retro vintage industrial chic and warm and sunny in the morning.
The Montreal grill/diner menu is extensive with heaps of dishes I wanted to try. I've been pining for poutine for years, but since we were having breakfast, I ordered the brisket hash from the breakfast menu. I was impressed they have a range of gluten fee bagels to choose from (I picked sesame). My sister had the BLT (The Mount) with added avocado on a regular sesame bagel.
The Mount had plenty of spectacular bacon (home-cured maple and cherry double smoked) and plenty of mayo. My sister was very happy and had enough bacon to share.
My brisket hash was delicious and topped with 2 perfectly poached eggs and smothered in a very thick hollandaise. The watercress as really nice and a great way to cut through the very rich dish. The bagel was probably not required as the brisket hash is enough food on its own so this dish was more food than I could eat. Perhaps next time I'll ask for the bagel to go. The gluten free bagel wasn't quite the right chewy texture of a regular flour bagel but this was expected. The amount of sesame seeds on my bagel was insane! See sesame bagel close up photo. The best breakfast I've had in a long, long time.
The coffee was excellent and service was friendly. With an ET voucher, this came to about $25 for 2. Excellent value.
I love this place. I'm absolutely coming back for poutine, ribs, moose ears, and their caramel bourbon hard shake. Watch this space.
Edit AUGUST 2014: I've been back with the boy and we enjoyed the poutine, a couple of burgers and shakes. The menu still reads like a "to do list" to me. I will be back again and again :)
Edit SEPTEMBER 2015: Been back a few times, had more of their menu. Their BBQ isn't as good as their burgers, though their brisket has a great flavour. Donuts are great. Cartier burger has been taken off the menu :(
Al's Deli is a great place for some Canadian styled food.
The menu offers a lot of options and the price is very reasonable for the quality and taste of the food.
We ordered the Plateau on the poppy seed bagel and the All dressed Al dog.
Bagels at Als are amazing, texture and taste was perfect.
i had trouble finishing my chicken plateau, it was quite big and so good! Chicken was crispy enough and tasty. The hot dog was good as well. the relish was quite spicy and it was a bit tricky eating the hot dog with the slaw on top, but we managed!
On the side we ordered some chips, I'm not a big fan of poutine, but i have tried it from here and is the best one so far.
We also couldn't help but to order a milkshake to share. A definite must in a diner-styled cafe.
Al's Deli is a great lunch spot with such an inviting and cozy atmosphere, you'll fall in love with the miss-matched chairs, hanging light bulbs and the bursts of orange decor.
Loved the flavours in the Hash and Hollandaise! Not to hard to find, very cute atmosphere. Will definitely come again to try this great menu!
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Some friends and I headed to Al’s Deli for a bloggers brunch club meet up early this year, when it was still a fairly new canadian cafe just off Queen Street, in the CBD of Auckland.
First impressions always last with me, and Al’s Deli didn't disappoint, the decor was fabulously rustic but welcoming, and all of the staff members had big smiles on their faces.
After some huge decision making on what to get for brunch – seriously the whole menu looks so good I wanted to try one of everything – I decided on The Plateu ($11) on a onion bagel, which is essentially a crispy chicken sandwich on choice of breads or bagel. Crispy chicken always wins with me.
Lizzy, got the halomui salad and Maddy got a pretty good looking salmon bagel, Sandi got the same as me and combo’d it up adding their famous chips and coleslaw. To drink, I got a long black ($4) to start and a iced coffee ($5.50) to finish, both were delicious but the iced coffee could’ve had a bit more to it for the price – it was good none-the-less.
We finished by sharing some desserts, because, really, who is going to pass those up. We shared Moose Ears with Maple Syrup, a Cronut and Apple Pie Fries. The Apple Pie Fries stole my heart and I will be back for that caramel sauce – oh so yum.
The Service - was friendly. You order and pay at the counter, there was a booboo with my iced coffee initially being missed and some avocado never turned up, but it was all sorted out promptly and efficiently with plenty of communication, smiles and apologies.
The Coffee - was strong. Both the long black and the iced coffee were a strong blend. Like I said above, I felt the Iced Coffee could’ve been something a little more for me for the price.
The Music - and atmosphere was great. Just the right about of background noise for
If I Go Back - I’ll be trying the poutine and getting those apple pie fries again!
Laura | Laura Laura Blog
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The Gods of fortune smiled on me yesterday and I had an appointment at the top of Queen street which finished in perfect time to check out this groovy addition to the Auckland dining scene. As I lunched alone, I can't swear to a comprehensive review but I was very impressed. I happened to have lunched at the other Al's deli last week so it was an interesting exercise in comparison. This one's less slick and because of that it seemed more authentic. I haven't had the pleasure of visiting Canada but it struck me that this was more likely to be authentic than the Federal is NY stylee. I sat at the window and gloried in the sunshine which was almost too hot. It's an order and pay kinda gaff which is all good but having to queue to get another beer was a bit boring. There was only one (brilliant and very charming) floor staff member on which was OK but if they pick up more custom, it'll get tight. I had the Saint and 'combo-ed' it up with fries etc. The lox was delicious and I almost bought some to take home - much better than supermarket rubbish but my fridge is full as it is. I had it on rye which was delicious. The slaw was a bit dry and the half pickle was a quarter, small quibbles. The fries were not that crispy but very dark - high sugar, fresh potatoes; not their fault. All in all a great lunch. Unlike the Asian places I love, which really need a crowd to enjoy; this is great for the lone diner.
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In the midst of all the Asian eateries on upper Queen St, you'll find Al's Deli serving up Canadian food and bagels. We ordered the Plateau on a plain bagel and the Main (smoked brisket on sourdough rye). The chicken in the Plateau was crispy and juicy and the brisket was tender. Both were tasty sandwiches and the bagel was really nice - soft but also a bit chewy. We also had a side of poutine, which I've never had before so didn't know what to expect. The fries were nice and crispy, but we found the dish a bit too salty overall. We also tried a moose ear (a flat wholemeal doughnut). We chose the cinnamon, sugar and lemon one - it reminded us of a churro, without the chocolate, and was delicious. The atmostphere was pretty loud and busy as they were showing the Montreal vs Boston NHL playoff game live, but this just made it a bit more fun and lively. The service was friendly, though a little bit slow (perhaps because of the game) - they forgot our water and then served us the moose ear before we even got our poutine, even though they said they'd bring it out after we'd had our mains. Oh well. Overall, a funky little eatery with some good food; I like how they make a lot of their own products which you can purchase and take home with you. I even took away some bagels to enjoy for breakfast the next day.
Wow! If you are after authentic Montreal style bagels. You definitely need to check out Al's Deli.
There is no expense spared when recreating this retro style diner.
The menu is simple but full of all your favs like classic hot wings and poutine doused in hot gravy.
Al's does miss out on the 1/2 ★ only because the Canadian beers tasted weak and watery.
If you haven't had a moose ear before, it is a must.
Thanks Al
I'm a bit of an Al's Deli fan-girl, and I'm not even ashamed of it - this place has become my new favourite brunch spot in the city, and if I could go there every day I totally would.
Al's Deli makes the most delicious bagels in town (even catering for my gluten free diet!). Canadian chef Aleks Lazic has absolutely nailed the texture of the gluten free bagels, which don't have the same ricey taste that so many other gluten free things have - a blessed relief for those of us who are gluten free! They have a variety of other tasty treats on their menu - I recommend the Eggs Benedict with Maple Smoked Salmon, the poutine and the St Catherine's Street Big Breakfast! The service is speedy and friendly, and coffee is just right. I definitely be back here on a regular basis.
Al's Deli is definitely a new favourite although for a vegetarian there aren't a bucket load of options. Nevertheless, the haloumi salad with roast carrot, pinenuts and crostini was delicious and paired well with the subtle lemon vinaigrette. The bagels looked amazing however the twice cooked fries weren't crispy enough for my liking. Lets move on to my favourite part...the deserts! First of all moose ears which are a Canadian pastry kind of like a cross between a pancake and a doughnut. Delicious especially with the cinnamon and lemon. The cronuts are famous throughout Auckland for being delicious and the perfect partner to one of their delectably strong coffees. The highlight on their desert menu for me was the apple fries with homemade caramel sauce. These were simply to die for. Definitely give this new, trendy place a go as there is sure to be something to please everyone.
I am quite a fan of Cronuts. So when I saw that Al’s Deli, a new Deli/cafe had opened near work and they did their own homemade Cronuts I was pretty excited!
Al’s Deli is run by Aleks, a Canadian chef who wanted to bring a little bit of Canada and his favourite delicacies to New Zealand. They do Atomic coffee as well as handmade bagels (regular and gluten free), cherry and maple smoked bacon, home made cheese, poutine, hot smoked brisket, smoked salmon, sourdough rye bread and of course my favourite, Cronuts.
For the rest of my review check out my blog http://www.pocketfullofdreams.com/als-deli/
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Al's Deli is my new favourite restaurant. I went there for an early dinner and was blown away by The Saint (home cured maple smoked salmon with with cream cheese, onion and capers) on an onion bagel. I'm not a bagel connoisseur by any means but this was the best bagel I have ever had, nice and soft in the middle, not too hard and chewy. The home cured salmon was also fabulous. We also ordered the poutine with brisket which was very tasty. I couldn't decide if it was better than Fed Deli's so I think I will have to try them both at the same time.The beef brisket was really good though. My friend ordered the The Plateau (crispy coated chicken with aioli, roquette and tomato) on sourdough and she said it was just OK, not amazing. the sour dough was a bit thin for her liking. We shared the apple pie fries for dessert and were initially disappointed when they were brought out but they were fantastic. Hot pastry with apple filling inside and a yummy butterscotch/caramel sauce. Al's handmake everything (bagels, cheese, bread, sausages, cronuts, everything) and even sell maple and cherry smoked bacon and salmon to take home. I can't wait to go back to Al's to try more of their menu.
Check out the full review here: http://olivesfigs.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/als-deli-vs-federal-delicatessen.html
Bagels are hot right now, and none more so than at Al's Deli, which is run not only by a Canadian, but one who is also a fully trained chef from Montreal. The decor is pretty inviting, but if you prefer to eat at home, you can also buy the smoked salmon, smoked brisket, etc. to go. Apart from bagels, there are brunch items, the Canadian national dish of poutine, BBQ Ribs, and a selection of Canadian beers. Vegetarian and gluten-free options available. My kind of place!
See my full review at http://nomnompanda.blogspot.co.nz/2014/01/review-als-deli.html
Came by a few times and the latest was with a voucher for a meal platter. Platter came with 4 sliders, wings and fried pickles and we also ordered a half rack of ribs to share since there was three of us.
Sliders were bigger than normal but was ok. The chicken slider was a bit dry and the beef one tasted better. The fried pickles were nice. Portions were alright with mounds of fries and coleslaw.
The shakes are always nice as was the root beer float. Service was great, food was ok. The doughnuts up front always look good though but usually end up ordering too much.
One of the best cheese burgers I had in Auckland.. or anywhere. If you like American style food, this is definitely a place to try.
No pastrami left when i checked in. Instead i had fried chicken but things were slightly different than I expected. Service, food and craft beer I had were good though.
I love this deli. It’s my favorite go to deli near cordis hotel in Auckland. Great tea and smoked salmon bagels.
Shared a vegetarian platter and a jug of beer with my partner on the little one table deck outside. Poutine was pretty good but would have loved a few more curds to taste authentic Canadian! Took a ridiculously large donut home, which was good, never seen a more filled donut. Friendly service, food took a wee while but we were happy to sit in the sun enjoying our beer while we waited. Enjoyable meal overall, especially considering vegetarian isn't their main offering.
Date night - chicken Buffalo burger and Angus beef burger, tasty and fresh. Sides of onion rings and a shake, she really liked it, I was so-so. Would come again, cool decor & music
Great Bagels and yummy breakfast. Good place. Don't try the Timm Tamm shake. Addictive powers beyond sweetness. Kool staff, great chats.
Wow!! What a burger.. "Holy Tabarnak" 2x 150g Angus meat, onion rings, the sooo smokey bbq sause, cheese and more. Was not just eating but enjoying every bite of it. Awesome and friendly staff.
The place is very old fasion and casual style but the food is great. Highly Recommended.
We had a nice breakfast here. Food is so delicious and in good portion. Would come back!
I'll vouch for the chicken wings.
I've been informed that the curds on the poutine are not particularly authentic, but the taste is OK.
This place was great. The st. Catherine's meal was very filling and the hot chocolate was amazing. I recommend if you are in the area to swing by if only for hot chocolate and moose ears.
Yeah, great experience and delightful food. Finally some semi authentic poutine.
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