Kal's Bar-B-Q

I used to leave across the street many years ago. I have driven in front of this place for years and I thought it closed down. I visited on the 11th of November and I decided to take my girlfriend so she could check it out. I walked in around lunch time. I had no recollection of the place since I ate here about 20 years ago. Kal's Bar-B-Q looks like a cozy and quiet place in the middle of the chaos of Silicon Valley. I saw at least 3 tables were occupied by other people. I ordered Kal's Bar-B-Q Beef and Texas-style Chili & Beans. I purchased a tall can of coconut juice. The food was ready in no more than 5 minutes. My beef was good. It was juicy and it consisted of a mix of tender beef and a BBQ sauce. It came with a hamburger bun. The chili and beans were not spicy. They were consistent, very meaty and the beans were of the pinto type. The coconut juice was sweet and most of the coconut pulp was relatively soft and not at all crunchy. Overall, the food was good and the service too. The lady behind the counter was very nice and polite. The guy, the chef, was quiet and reserved. The area around the Kal's Bar-B-Q wooden structure has at least 15 parking stalls.
Please note the prices you see on Yelp are quite outdated. Consider that the prices are at least $3-6 more than what the Yelp menu shows.
Also, keep in mind this place opens at 8AM and closes at 3PM. It's closed on Sundays.
This place has 333 reviews with 3.1 stars. I don't see a reason for complaining but I also realize that people nowadays complain about anything. Most people have phones and while they get bored they just post dumb and pointless reviews that offer nothing to the reader aside from rants. I think some people need to grow up. Other are just entitled. I gave my perspective and it was unbiased.

Wonderful owners so pleasant and accommodating. The food here is delicious all charcoal grilled very good quality food. The dinning room is so very clean And the atmosphere is perfect. Thank you for having such amazing establishment
Stacey

I really wanted to like this place. I heard good things... and I tried it before and it was "ok."

My ex brought me a sandwich from here a year or so ago and it was pretty good. Simple, plain, but a good slab of meat. Flavor was decent and the portion was wonderful.

I came back with my work group about a week or so ago and left just so disappointed. While the service was great-- they were friendly and quick.... The food itself just didn't hold up its own side of the bargain.

I spent $25 on a small, flavorless and chewy pulled pork sandwich with a child-sized side of potato salad and a drink. I left still hungry, and a bit confused about what I had just eaten.

Ill put it this way... BBQ is supposed to have flavor. Zest. Maybe some heat. (All on its own). But this is so far from that. If you want flavor you have to add BBQ sauce-- which at this establishment is nothing more than Heinz.

Such a bummer.

2/16/2023

Kal's Barbecue
425 N Mathilda Ave
Sunnyvale, CA 94085

The Wifey and I went here for lunch on a Thursday. There is parking around the building. It's a clean diner setup, the menu is on the billboard, you order and pay at the front counter and I was called to pick up our order at the front counter. There is a well stocked condiment station with tomato, onion, various pickles and etc.

My Fish Sandwich consisted of two breaded fish fillets (frozen) which I topped with tomato and onion slices. I expected a fresh filet, battered and freshly deep fried; so it was disappointing and I wouldn't order again. Her steak sandwich was pretty good with a strong smoky charcoal flavor. The steak was on the thin side with lots of Rib Eye fat, which I like.

Although my fish sandwich was just okay, I liked the steak sandwich (pricey) and there are other barbecue offerings I'd like to try so it's repeatable.

Delicious steak and eggs and fluffy pancakes. Kind staff, wonderful space, yummy food.

This is a dive with pretty good food. Run down but not dirty. Has a big menu. Would be best for breakfast. Ribs were a little tough. I would NOT call this a bbq place.

The nicest people and the most delicious food. I really love this traditional steak house. You can't find many places like this anywhere. My grandparents and wife enjoyed a delicious breakfast here.

For 28 dollars I could certainly cook my own steak and fries with a roll.

Basic. Simple. Plain. Hardly what you think of when dining at a "B-B-Q" joint. Although at first glance driving by you'd think it would be what to expect.

Charbroil is advertised but 90% sure my steak was cooked on a stovetop grill.

Environment of a BBQ style restaurant but fell very short on delivery to expectation.

Friendly people, hurts to leave this review.

Service was super great! Family owned business and they were super sweet. I hear they are known for their breakfast and would recommend trying that!

Steak sandwich. Didn't expect it but it was shockingly good. Something about the mix of chunks of fat in a chewy steak on a hot buttered toasted bun. Add the onions, lettuce and tomato condiments. Creates a hot and cool texture on the sw.

Steak is barbecued on a wood fired grill. Can taste the smoke. So good. Little expensive. About 25$ depending on tip. The fat and meat blend well together. I tried making these at home; not even close.

This is the last restaurant from the 60s. Different era. Mostly steak and potatoes back then if you had the money. Everybody had more than 2 kids, no processed food and people were skinny. They still have the original style of furniture. Big picnic table is table style. Benches built out of 2x6 for big raucous families. Build it from solid big wood pieces so the kids can't wear it down.

The old guy/owner died 1.20. His family or relatives still own and run it. Longhorn and Clarkes are gone. Better than a burger. Something about the chew. Better than the brisket bbq places. No sweet sauce on the sw. Even though this is a restaurant depot steak. All the bbq places if you don't want a hotdog or pork or chicken are 30$ for a meal now.

Wifi,.. can work there. Low volume;covid safe.