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Al's Big Burger
Category: Restaurants Burgers Burgers [Edit]
437 San Pablo Ave(at Brighton Ave)
Albany, CA 94706
(510) 527-1523
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am - 8 pm
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Drive-Thru:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
120 reviews for Al's Big Burger
Review Highlights
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"Great burgers and peanut butter shakes." In 12 reviews -
"Ask for grilled onions versus raw -- they can do that." In 9 reviews -
"I LOVE crinkle cut fries." In 7 reviews
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120 reviews in English
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Review from Cross S.
Oakland, CA
4/28/2012
Al's have been through many owners over the decades. I have not been to Al's in years. Only because back then (different owners???) used that cheep prefab Costco patties. That was then and a long time ago.
AQ
In the past two months I been to Al's at least three times. Just say this... those Costco patties are long gone!!! they use honest to God hamburger. They cook the patties over a real flame. Nice and juicy!!!
THESE ARE REAL BURGERS AND HOW THEY ARE MEANT TO BE!!!!
Not like those trendy fried foo foo trendy burgers. These are REAL burgers!!!
Yes the price might be a little steep, but it is worth every dime!!!
I love this place!!! It is a REAL burger joint with REAL burgers!!!!
Nom! -
Review from Jamie S.
4/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
Boyfriend and I were a bit peckish, but not starving so on the way home from the Bay Area Free Book Exchange we decided to take a left into Al's Big Burger. Every time I pass, "I go ooh that place looks good, but I'm not feeling a burger right now." Boyfriend wasn't having any of this on this particular Sunday so he put his foot down and said, "No, we're just going to eat here"
I'm glad we did. We split a burger with cheddar, fries, and a peanut butter milkshake. Everything was tasty, affordable and the service was very nice. The lady who took our order was speedy and made conversation, something I always appreciate at a register.
I think next time I'm coming home from the Book Exchange I'll say "I think I'm feeling a burger right now." -
Review from Carrie H.
Oakland, CA
4/1/2012
an old-timey no nonsense burger place - and one of the best cheeseburgers i've ever had!!!
not one of the biggest, but definitely one of the tastiest. it really has a home-cooked flavor... hard to describe, but i wouldn't mistake it for a Generic Burger at Boring Diner. you know? it had a perfect taste and texture, satisfying juicy bites. good amounts of each condiment.
i also had a Coke and really enjoyed the choppy / shaved style ice. any place that doesn't have boring symmetrical ice cubes gets a bonus point from me.
excellent service! i ordered eat-in and sat down at a table, the person brought my meal directly to me, it didn't take long.
they do accept credit cards - my order was small and there was a 50 cent fee to use my debit card to pay- but I understand why there are charge minimums and that's not a big deal to me, it did not reduce anything from my positive experience.
i love that the bus stop is very conveniently located on the street, which is why i stopped there for a quick lunch. i don't drive so that is helpful.
i was only stopping briefly and i neglected to try the peanut butter shake, but that gives me another good reason to go back soon!!! -
Review from Patrick S.
Oakland, CA
3/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
A melting pot of humanity, all seeking good grub. The 1/3 lb. cheese burger was solid, very solid. I was impressed with the heft and felt completely satisfied. Fries were golden brown, a little extra fried, and were awesome. Swift service, I liked this place a lot. Both inside and outside dining options and all were reasonably comfortable.
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Review from Mary M.
Berkeley, CA
2/19/2012
Since I moved here from the Midwest a few years ago, I have been driving back and forth past Al's. Finally, my son was visiting and we wanted a burger so last week, we drove over to Al's. I regret that I hadn't stopped in sooner! I saw a few of my Kensington neighbors there and a number of dads with their kids. It really is a friendly, neighborhood type place.
Our order to go took a while but it was great! Baby burger (1/6 #) was perfect for me, the 1/3# big burger hit the spot for my son. Both of us liked the fresh lettuce and tomatoes as well as the flamed crunch on the outside of the juicy burgers. Really good.
The fries were crispy and not too greasy. I liked the onion rings, too - lighter batter and plenty crispy. The milk shakes were the best we have had for years.
I wouldn't call this "fast food" as it takes a while, but it is worth the wait.
No more driving out to In and Out for me. -
Review from Mario M.
San Pablo, CA
3/19/2012
Another little place I've been driving past for years but never stopped by. It's not hard to find or out of the way, it's corner location is great. I've only had their veggie sandwich and chili, but I was quite impressed. Food takes a few minutes, but well worth it for great quality. I'll be coming back for sure!
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Review from Erika B.
Richmond, CA
3/9/2012
This is one of the best Burger place ever in the Bay Area. The employees are so nice. They serve me and my dad very well. And most of all their burgers are so delicious. What's also tasty is their fries and the zucchini fries. There been news that its one of the best well made burgers in the whole Bay Area. I hope it continues that way too.
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Review from Lauren W.
Oakland, CA
9/28/2011
My boyfriend grew up in El Cerrito and we've come by Al's when we are hungry and in the area.
I like it. It's that local burger joint- just like the one we all grew up with.
I'm always happy to see onion rings on a menu. :) -
Review from Juana S.
Cheeseburger: Meat was very soft and not overcooked, bun fresh and soft, pickles nice and crunchy, and not loaded with half an onion like that other place.
Fries: Nice, thick cut fries, needed some salt.
They are very busy!
The place remind me of one of those hip places to be at on a Friday night after a late night out, it's also very cool that you can see the cook grilling your meat, friendly service.
I would had given it more stars:
1.) The meat had more flavor to it.
2.) Fries had some sprinkled salt.
Or maybe it's not them; maybe its just the Mexican salty full of flavor in me.
Siete 27 once -
Review from chris a.
Los Angeles, CA
2/14/2012
Standard mom n pop joint. The burger is decent, the portions for sides are on the small side.
It closes at 8pm though. Am I the only person who thinks a fast food joint closing at 8pm is insane? -
Review from Sean H.
Pinole, CA
7/13/2011
Nice solid three star burger. Went here today for the very first time ever, and ordered their 1/3 pound burger, mostly because that's what the sign on the outside of the restaurant says in big bold letters. So I'm assuming that if they're willing to put it out there like that, it has to be good.
Well, the size was a little underwhelming when I was holding it. I expected it to be a little bigger, especially since it is marketed as being big. Maybe my perceptions of a third of a pound is grossly inflated. The patty was actually the size of a patty from a fast food place. The only real difference was in the taste. It actually tasted delicious. I wasn't even hungry, and I still finished the thing because it was so good.
Other people are complaining about the workers here being rude, but I didn't experience any of that at all. We came in like 15 minutes before closing and stayed for awhile after they did close, and the workers didn't mind at all and were very friendly the whole time.
It's a nice little option in El Cerrito/Albany, and one that I probably wouldn't mind coming back to. -
Review from Sam B.
El Cerrito, CA
4/28/2011 1 photo
You can smell the wood-burning grill from blocks away - and that's what makes them unique. The burgers. turkey burgers, etc. all have a light smokiness that is a nice finishing touch on a well put together sammich. Good straightforward diner fare, although the fries/rings are very average.
$6 for a bacon cheeseburger seems a tad bit high - but the quality is far better than nation's or a fast food joint. Dig in, you'll dig it. -
Review from Jennifer S.
Richmond, CA
11/28/2011
This place is a local gem. The food is fresh and the atmosphere is relaxed. It is not a big place so expect to get a little cozy with your neighbors but the burgers are the best in town!
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Review from Rachel D.
7/8/2011
I tried this place as part of my ongoing, spur-of-the-moment, oh-yeah-I-should-try-this-spot "bucket list" of places to go to before I leave Albany for good. Like many people, I've passed by this place numerous times in its location on San Pablo. I keep meaning to try it, but never remembered.
I finally tried it. And it was good. Not spectacular. Not mediocre. It hit the spot.
I had a cheeseburger with onion rings and a chocolate milkshake.
The cheeseburger: "Big" compared to McDonald's. About average compared to other places. It is truly flame-broiled and the joint's open kitchen allows you to see them make it (if you're sitting in front of the order window). I like my onions in my burger strong, and sadly, they were not during my visit. On the upside, I don't smell onion-y. That I know of.
The onion rings were just okay. I like really crispy and heavily-breaded rings. If you like lightly-breaded and lightly crisped, then this is for you.
I liked the milkshake. It wasn't as chocolate-y as I expected. But I found myself drinking every last drop. It was also a hot day.
I ate every bit of everything.
If I had the time, I'd go back to try their other fare. But when it comes to burgers (and cheaper), I still prefer my local Nation's up the street. -
Review from mumbo g.
Richmond, CA
12/4/2011
I like a good no nonsense burger from time to time and this is what Als big burger is all about. I usually roll with a bacon cheese burger and fries. If i'm in need of a desert then I simply wash my meal down with their delicious mocha shake. The staff are super friendly and in my many years of being a customer i've never left feeling disappointed. My young daughter loves to chomp down a hot dog with a fresh glass of milk.
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Review from Rita W.
Glendale, CA
3/22/2011
When I scrolled down, I saw a bunch of one star and two starred reviews, so I'm really hoping that Al's Big Burger didn't really go downhill. It's no Barney's Gourmet Burger or anything, but yeah...
I was introduced to Al's back when I attended Albany Middle School. My best friend at that time and I would used to go get fries there several times a week, since she lived very close by back then. I think I enjoyed thin fries more than the thick ones, but Al's thick fries were still very yummy. They were one of the best things on a rainy day or on a simple cold day.
Anyways, when she and I had a fallout (we're not enemies or anything), I started eating burgers at Al's around once a week or once every two weeks. Oh Albany High life... Gordo burritos and Al's Big Burger.
The staff there recognized my buddies and me, so they were always friendly. It's such a small little burger shop, but it was nice to eat in there. Their burgers were great, and they don't hesitate to customize your burger.
They also have great milkshakes too. I'm so glad that they had more than the simple strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate. Their pineapple milkshake had chunks of pineapple inside, and if I remembered correctly, they had some coffee flavored milkshakes as well.
I need to go back to Al's the next time I visit home, or maybe I shouldn't... I want my memory of Al's Big Burger to remain a great one. -
Review from negar s.
El Cerrito, CA
10/26/2011
I have grown up on Al's Big Burgers- In fact as I am writing this my stomach is growling- I am not sure what they do to there burgers- but the taste is always awesome- and in fact the same- The nostalgia. I love them. My kids love them- I mean where the heck else can you get fried zucchini? If you have never been- you are truly missing out!
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Review from Todd O.
El Cerrito, CA
10/18/2011
If you are in the Berkeley/Richmond area and looking for a good REAL burger, drive to Al's in Albany. Big juicy 1/3 lb (or even 2/3 lb!) burgers cooked over an open flame. Love the bacon cheeseburger with Fries or Onion rings. Don't even think of going up the street to Burger King! Stop by Al's for your burger fix, support a local business!
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Review from Buck Buck M.
9/3/2011
You will not find a better hamburger in the Bay Area. I do not say this lightly. I have searched for years and know all the good places. This is the very best. Quality ground rib eye, fresh, crisp toppings, sturdy buns, french fries cooked in oil that is hot enough to really crisp them up, and a very nice staff...all located in a classic hamburger stand style building. Best hamburger I've had west of Detroit (which is the burger capital of the universe for those of you who don't know).
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Review from Joey P.
Albany, CA
4/13/2011
I see this place gets some pretty good reviews, and in the last couple of years they've been getting quite busy. I've got to tell you, though - it's not that great. The burgers aren't all that big, and the meat is kind of dry. Definitely not a gourmet burger, and not worth going out of your way for.
That said, if you're in the area, and you're hungry, it's not bad. I've had better, and I've had worse.
Cheers
~Joey~ -
Review from Donald W.
Colma, CA
3/27/2011
First of all, I think this place should change its name because the burgers are anything but BIG...
Me and my buddy went here itching to try their burger. We had previously stopped in for a milkshake which was delicious! We thought with milkshakes that good this place had to have great burgers
WRONG!
We both had bacon cheeseburgers which were around six bucks. We were sitting right in front of the grill watching the dude cook our burgers. I kid you not he literally turned our burgers like 15 times in the process of cooking them, not to mention he also kept poking them with his tongs. Not the best idea i must say. Needless to mention the burgers were dry as sand. If we weren't starving I don't think we would have eaten them. We also witnessed him do the same thing to some turkey burgers, those must have been inedible. I'm also pretty sure that they get their burgers frozen from costco... wow... really?
On the bright side my banana milkshake was Delicious! Maybe I'll be back for that but don't count on it -
Review from Amy P.
Vallejo, CA
3/6/2012
Nothing fancy about this place . . . it's a classic, unpretentious burger joint. What it is lacking in ambiance, it makes up for in flavor. This is hands down the best burger you'll find in the East Bay!
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Review from Rachel H.
El Cerrito, CA
10/16/2010
How do you make a milkshake even more fattening than it already is? The addition of scrumptious peanut butter, which also makes it... you guessed it... even more delicious than it already is. I will patronize any business that will sell me a delicious, super healthy, full of calcium and healthy fats... peanut. butter. milkshake.
Al's has peanut butter milkshakes.
I could take or leave the burgers and fries. They are not as exciting to me as Nibs or In n Out. Hence, only three stars. -
Review from Victor G.
10/8/2011
"1/3 lb. burger" caught my eye. surely they can do a medium rare with that kind of meat. so i thought.
WRONG! hamburger breath (in the voice of johnny carson).
Sampling: 1/3 lb. hamburger, med. rare.
-came out medium, no pink meat. no juice. no dryness, just nothing. guess they rather have a dissatisfied customer than a sick or dying one.
-lot of meat. with mayo, lettuce, pickles, tomato, etc. on a warm bun.
-adding mustard and ketchup didn't help the burger taste any
-i took a while to cook so i wasn't expecting med. rare....
crumbs:
-friendly, efficient service.
-almost everyone ordered burgers
-can see flame grill thru the ordering window. -
Review from rick R.
Vacaville, CA
6/30/2011
Not as good as it once was, went from Happy Days to Asian-Invasion.
Quality still good, but, used to be much better. Tasty , though a bit pricey .
The open flame is the selling point and the oringinal retro image.
Learn to speak English, treat the customers friendlier and clean the bathroom, I am always afraid I am going to get bit by a rodent or something, it's dank and filthy.
I'll keep going until it closes or I close. I get Al's cravings, you will too if you like original tasting burgers...
R -
Review from Jana S.
9/5/2010 6 photos
I feel *so* American pigging out at Al's for the first time... thanks to Yelp, I was convinced to stop in on a historic, dated burger joint (think 70-80's) that I come across whenever I tend to attend to errands.
Their burgers are so large, I had to split the meal in two, and save half for whenever it was the metabolism and digestion finished ramping up to do their part....
1/3 lb burger, ordered medium with grilled onions. Just under $5. Tack on extra crispy fries for about $2 or so...pleasuredom for a carnivore, no doubt.
I found the patty tasty enough. Not realizing when I snuck in my own slice of Havarti that they had erred on the order and grilled me up a cheeseburger, I had double trouble with cheese....bread was fresh and so were the other condiments.
The same one who messed up on the burger also didn't remember that I had placed my fries extra crispy (the shape, like Ore-Ida ones, crinkle cut, and were definitely the frozen variety), and back in went the basket for the dunk.
First time here; i'd come again if I needed my whim sated for grease pit....I suppose it doesn't come around too often--the desire to chow down this way.
They're really known for their shakes and burgers that are ordered up to the tee with fixin's. -
Review from Devora L.
3/14/2008 5 photos
Despite the barrage of middle and high schoolers that tend to swamp this place during lunch and afterschool, this is where I dine every time I bring my car in to get serviced at the Good Year next door. Their peanut butter milkshakes are OUT OF THIS WORLD and super thick, and they make it with chunky peanut butter, which gives it that extra kick! So, so good. I don't know why more places don't serve them since they're so easy to make! I also happen to think that their garden burger is pretty kick ass.
Also, for the taste and quality, it's pretty damn cheap! Accordingly, they prefer cash so that they don't have to pay debit/credit fees. I'm not sure if they take credit or not, but if you do debit, they'll charge you an extra 50 cents or something, so try to bring cash.
Oh, Al, I don't know what kind of magic you work into those garden burgers and peanut butter milkshakes, but I love you so!Listed in: Soul Food
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Review from Cynthia A.
Walnut Creek, CA
Updated - 4/24/2010
MMMmmm, we had a great late lunch today at Al's. Hubby got regular cheeseburger, I got the Baby Burger with bacon. OMG - they GRILL the already-cooked bacon to finish it. Today our hamburger buns were nice & toasty, the fillings were great!
We opted to try the fried mozzerella today & we each had a shake - Hubby's was peanut butter, mine chocolate. All super-yummy. I tried the peanut butter which I thought I wouldn't like, but I was wrong! Yum. Our total today was $20.01.
Next time I will be trying a corn dog. I think the menu said a corn dog costs less than $2.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/20/2010
I got the Baby Burger (1/6 lb.) with cheddar and mushrooms. It came with tomato, lettuce, and raw… Read more »
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Review from Bill R.
Emeryville, CA
7/10/2007
Really good Burgers....Ask for extra crispy fries..
Onion Rings, Mushrooms and zucchini are all good.
Clam Strips are nice. But the hot dog on a burger bun????
Looks like a dive but surprisingly delicous!!!!!! -
Review from chris c.
San Jose, CA
8/10/2008
I came out to visit a long lost coworker who does nothing but rave about this place. My first impression of this burger joint is that it has a close resemblance to Val's in hayward. Its even got a small parking lot and a hole in the wall vibe too.
We order up our burgers and they cook them right there. The menu is pretty much a la carte but a meal with fries and coke are similar to nations,vals etc ranging from 6-10 bucks depending on what sides/sizes you get. The burger patties seem to be on the smaller side compared to vals but they are more juicy. I like the fries at vals better than the ones here at Al's. They have free soda refills!!!! Give them your cup and let them know what soda you have and they will get it for you. Thats a star right there.
All in all, if i'm around here I'll go here to eat some quality burgers. If im around my house i'm sticking with vals. -
Review from maiko h.
El Cerrito, CA
8/5/2006
Al doesn't lie. His burgers are big. But that's where it ends for me. I expected more from a little drive-in burger shack that pumps out the heavenly smell of charbroiled burgers onto the street, but I'm frankly unimpressed. The patty is thick and hefty, but it wasn't especially beefy tasting. They give you a lot of fries in your order, but they're regular crinkle cut fries. All of this would be fine if a cheese burger with a side of fries (no drinks) didn't cost $6.63 after tax. For that much, I expect to be WOWed and be prancing around in burger heaven where clouds are fluffy buns and streets are lined with cheese. Honestly, I'd rather go to Donut Time and get my burger and shoestring fries for under $5.
There is seating inside the shack with little round tables and chairs, but on a hot day, you suffer the heat of the grill in solidarity with the staff. If you want spectacle as a side to your burger, you can take the counter seating and sit smack dab in front of the grill. I prefer that to the ramshackle outside seating, which looks out onto the parking lot and the Good Year tire repairshop next door.
The shakes here are good. But one time, the lady went to the ice machine and pulled out a pre-made strawberry shake for me instead of making it to order. I don't know if that was some order mistake they kept on ice instead of throwing out, or if it's a regular practice to have an arsenal of premade shakes for busy times.Listed in: Bread-Meat-Bread
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Review from Gino D.
Albany, CA
1/28/2012
Great burger, best in the area. The burgers are cooked on a grill not a flat top. They also have a real good chicken burger, which is boneless chicken breast on a fresh bun, tomato onion mix like pico de gallo and a barbaque sauce...and to wash it all down a pineapple shake!!!!!
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Review from Andrea C.
Northridge, CA
9/25/2009
A simple staple of the small town. The corner burger joint with the mispelled menu and brown paper bag take out. The broken newspaper boxes and the dumpster in the parking lot. Ah yes, welcome home.
This brings back high school memories (the hazy ones, for the most part). The thicky-thick milkshakes are a must, as are, of course, the big burgers. I feel, that if it's in the name, its what you need to try.
My favorite meals here are the baby burgers (the big ones can be intimidating!), mozzerella sticks (YUM) and a milkshake to top it off.
I'm still working up the appetite to try a pineapple shake, but best believe it shall happen.
Wanna hang out? I'll be chillin on the outside tables with a milkshake.Listed in: Milkshakes- I Like 'Em Thick.
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Review from Vanessa F.
Covina, CA
5/30/2010 2 photos
I've got a huge bucket list of places to eat at around these parts, and I try and knock off one once every couple of weeks. My original plan was to get a hot dog from a nearby establishment that just happened to be closed already (it was 7:45 pm). As I began to contemplate turning my car around and heading to McDonald's I passed by this place and remembered that it too was on this "bucket list".
So in I went. Just in time too! They closed at 8 pm. (Come on! It's a Saturday night people! Stay open a bit later).
Ordered a cheeseburger with grilled onions... seriously considered a bacon cheeseburger but ya know, I've gotta start cutting calories and fat somewhere.
My coke came out in a plastic cup with crushed ice. Score! I LOVE crushed ice.
The my fries came to my table, crinkle cut fries. Yes! I LOVE crinkle cut fries.
The my burger. Perfectly wrapped and put together. Looks sooo good. And it was good, but not soooo good. It lacked a lil' something. The grilled onions weren't too flavorful and neither was the burger. But it wasn't terrible.
Would I come back? Most likely, but I probably wouldn't go out of my way to get it.Listed in: More Burgers Please!
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Review from i. o.
San Francisco, CA
12/23/2005
From the outside, this lunchtime joint is very scrappy looking, but the burgers are simply superb. They make *the* classic burger, it is in a different galaxy from your fast food burgers and leaner (no gratuitous "gourmet" additions) like your Barneys or what not. 1/3 pounders with cheese and bacon, lightly toasted buns (yum!) and cold crunchy lettuce and tomato, put together just right. Nothing is every soggy (hate soggy buns), or unmanageable, you don't have tomatoes slipping out of the side or unwieldy lettuce obscuring your view during bites. It is just burger perfection. I usually get crinkle-cut fritos with. mmmm.
There's not much seating to speak of and the view onto San Pablo is not particularly palatable. So order to go and find a park!Listed in: Burgers
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Review from kristi l.
CA
2/15/2008
When you work with people in such an enclosed, tight area - like the one Al's Big Burger employees work in - it's really important to have a friendly staff who gets along well. That being said, I felt like the staff was a bit divided. Half speaking Spanish, the other half speaking an Asian language that I couldn't quite identify, no 'intermingling' between cooks and cashiers, servers, and busboys...
Regardless, though, who am I to judge the way their workspace functions? They get the job done, they're all individually polite, and the food is good and comes out hot!
The burgers are huge, stuffed with lettuce, pickles, tomatoes; although while I was there, almost every guy that walked in after us ordered a double cheeseburger - I guess one 1/3lb patty isn't enough!
I definitely suggest calling ahead to order if you're stopping in during lunch time - the line tends to get backed up and the wait is long enough as it is when there aren't 10 people in front of you!
Al's is a little more expensive than I'd like to pay for lunchtime - and, obviously, the food is really heavy - but I'll sacrifice a $10 bill and 10lbs to the hips for those onion rings...
*crunch, crunch, crunch* -
Review from Lisa T.
4/20/2007 1 photo
Big Al knows what the hell he is doing, folks. Nation's might as well put the CLOSED sign up right now.
The burgers are big and garnished just right, the buns generous, the fries plentiful, and the ambiance old-fashioned in a genuine, non-B.S. way. I like the vintage chairs and the counter. The customers seem pretty cool.
My little boy loves their hot dogs, too.
Next time, I'm trying one of their shakes, you'd better believe it! -
Review from Andrew P.
CA
3/4/2007
On a warm spring day, it's nice to be able to go to Al's, get a peanut butter milkshake, big cheeseburger and tasty fries. Overdosing on grease is a good thing that encourages a nice nap later.
Al's isn't the cheapest burger place around, but it's the cheapest place that I trust. That's important. I've gotten cheaper burgers across the street at the Albany Bowl, and while they were pretty tasty, I wasn't entirely sure what I was eating.
With Al's, you get a good quality burger (I've never had that disturbing procedure of pulling gristle out of my mouth while eating there) and a reasonable price.
The wait staff is friendly and will almost always thank you for stopping by if you eat there.
My only strike against them is that they serve cheesesticks with a ranch sauce. They really should consider investing in a plain ol' marinara. Cheesesticks really need to be dipped in marinara.
But, luckily for Al's, that small toothpick-sized complaint doesn't knock my full five-star rating. Go there, enjoy the simplicity, order the peanut butter shake, and pencil in a two-hour nap. You'll thank me later. -
Review from Paulo L.
El Cerrito, CA
5/19/2008
Well...if you guys notice....the only reviews I write are 4 to 5 star places in my book (my book is pretty big when it comes to places to eat).
Big Al's gets 5 big stars for their choices or burgers and great sides. I usually get the bacon/ mushroom cheeseburger with either a side of fries (love the old school "cafeteria fries") or a side of the fried mushrooms. Prices are pretty normal to me (seen em' all) and the size of the burgers is bigger than Nation's (stopped going becuase I started to dislike "miracle whip"). The people their don't really communicate very well, but hey...all that matters is that you understand my order right? As long as that comes out O.K...I'll always come back. Oh yeah....it really helps to call in your order especially after work. -
Review from Sherezada K.
Albany, CA
10/13/2009
I heart Al's! This place is a must-stop for burger lovers. It's one of those old school joints with yellow formica tables, thank you letters taped up to the order window, and a real mesquite-fired grill in the center of it all.
I live within sight of this neighborhood institution, and I know it's going to be a good day when the smell of their mesquite smoke reaches my window on a gentle breeze. The burgers are juicy and flavorful, the fries that perfect combination of crisp outside and soft inside (and in quantities so large one order comfortably feeds 2-3 folks), and the milkshakes deliciously thick.
The staff is always smiling and friendly, and know my husband and I now by our phoned in to-go order (cheddar cheeseburger with no onions, swiss cheeseburger with no onions, and an order of fries). They actually ask where I am if he orders by himself, which can be a little scary, but a little comforting as well ("if we go missing, maybe they'll send a search party!").
In an area filled with so many chain restaurants, we love having an old fashioned mom-and-pop place so close by, especially one this good. My only complaint is that they're closed on Sundays, but I can't begrudge them their day of rest when they work so hard during the rest of the week.
