Steak sandwich is disgusting. It's just some thinly sliced, overcooked, jerky-like meat drenched in burnt tasting BBQ sauce. I wouldn't get too excited about the food. If you want some cheap soft serve ice cream this is the place. read more

First timer to Big Al's and what I got from my first impression was this. The double burger I had was excellent. Cooked medium with the works and a "special sauce" to go with it. To go with my burger I got a vanilla-chocolate mix shake and a basket of fries. The fries were great, forgot to get ketchup with them so that was kind of bummer but anyways now I come to the milkshake. It had a boardwalk, old fashion texture to it; Soft serve. The ice cream tasted great but it was more a large order of ice cream then a shake. I'm not too picky and when I ordered the food it was pretty late at for a weekday so I'm not going to get on them for not blending it enough or adding too much ice cream. That was really the only negative thing I have to say about their establishment. Moderately fast service, friendly employees and a cool 1950's drive-thru experience. read more

Big Al's Drive In - Late night eatin - American Near Me - Chico, California

See all

This is NOT the same Big Al's of years ago. They are very overpriced for mediocre food. Ordered a small chocolate chip shake... Their price list shows small shakes are $4.49 (which in itself is rediculous), they tell me it's $5.44. Apparently.. If you want any flavor besides chocolate or vanilla it's an additional .59 cents. Yet, they have a list of all their shake flavors on the window and NO WHERE do they say flavors are extra. Complete rip off. Go to Baskin Robbins for better shakes for less $$$. read more

My milkshake had a fly in it and was a bit expensive, but I guess what can you expect from such a casual joint, right?

Burgers are always amazing here, i recommend trying their shakes as well... you wont regret it! The burgers always taste fresh and are made fairly quick, which is always a plus. My only complaint is in my 4 visits there some of the employees are never smiling almost making it feel like they don't want to be there, or help.... Great food, customer service needs improvement. read more

Big Al's Drive In - American Near Me - Chico, California

The greasy, deep fried food that Big Al's serves really hits the spot. The ice cream shakes are amazing and really thick. Yum! I hate hate hate that it is cash only. I stopped going here because I get sick of seeing that extra charge for using their ATM. I don't think the employees are that friendly, either. But the food is just what you'd expect from a greasy little place like this: terrible for you but wonderful tasting! read more

Ah, Big Al's. Thank you for the best memories, amazing food, and especially the dipped cones! read more

The person on the grill was helpful and courteous as I made it clear this was my first time at Big Al's. I ended up ordering a cheeseburger deluxe w/ fries and a Coke . The food came rather quickly and tasted just fine. Good prices too read more

We grabbed shakes here which were very good. We should have grabbed burgers but shakes were all anyone wanted. Very cheap prices for large portion sizes. If I decide to go to Chico State I will def be coming back read more

This place has the best shakes and a good selection of flavors. The burgers and everything else is great as well. Decent prices.

I would eat here again if someone else wanted to go. The prices are pretty good but don't expect anything amazing, It beats McDonald's (but how hard is that?) but I would still go to Carl's Jr first. I hate businesses that do not accept cards but have ATM machines can you say "I'm a cheap grumpy old man who won't get with the times, and I want an extra couple dollars from people who use cards"? read more

Well went and got a hamburger and cheeseburger deluxe. $7 and something for both. Tiny little hamburgers with no ketchup no dressing there was lettuce however. So not impressed. Didn't have to wait long although it was 11 in the morning. In and out has their hamburgers beat by a mile and they're cheaper also. Lady at the counter was nice and I guess that's about all I can really say no nothing hamburger at a too expensive price like I said in and out rules. read more

Old-school burger joint. Food is decent, but nothing exciting. A little pricey, but over-all decent place for a quick bite

Ah Big Al's, I don't know where to begin! I've been going to Big Al's since I was 7 years-old. This place has the absolute best milkshakes, tasty burgers, good french fries are always awesome! Oh and they have this lemon ice slushie thing, oh my gaw, it's the best thing ever -so refreshing and good. I sometimes go there just for that. But what so great is it's the same as it was when I was little -takes me back, and I love it! I love being able to share this place with people! I heart Big Al's Drive In! Only complaint is they don't take ATM so bring your money -or use there expensive ATM machine. ( = read more

I was driven by the hype from earlier reviews. It was difficult for my gps to find , apparently because the roads are jacked up or something. Dank part of town. Lil run down looking but busy at 2pm. I asked the lady what their specialty dish was and she suggested a hamburger. I made it a bacon cheese burger...she asked how many pieces of bacon (that was cool). I got fries and I read on review that the shakes were bomb so i got a chocolate. Service was okay. My meal was 11.55$ and i tipped the diff to even 15$ I picked a spot in back. Seemed run down in the dining area like its high traffic and low upkeep. Keep expecting to see a drug deal go down outside. my food came and the fries were lukewarm. which is a biggie for me. so i took em back and asked for hot. they were cool and i was apologetic. I just love HOT fries. So thats on me but even so. The burger...Mmm good , better than most in our town. But a little unloved...smaller patty but not bad. It made me want more ; like what iwanted was almost in reach. I wanted to be blown away and wasnt. Problem with great reviews is people expect more. Like me. Chocolate shake was real thick like they said, might as well be cup of icecream soft-hard serve. and so chocolatly ; like too chocolately. I would do a split vanilla chocolate next time. Total summary. I would visit again to see what else is on menu. Seemed like there must be something down home about it. But i know now what to say. Price should come down and business would go up. They charge a lil more i think they are high on themselves. But its high for that town and area. 12$ for a burger/fries/shake...should be a 8$ special and more would come and buy sides. I could take this place to the next level with some menu adjustments, marketing adjustment. They could be a destination for Chico visitors fi they wanted to. Nice parking lot. Good size dining area. No reason this place isnt booming. But a few adjustments. I think i would question the cooks taste. My fries were not seasoned at all. Even a lil salt after the fryer would be good and the burger too was underseasoned and the shake was overly chocolate...almost a dark chocolate. Its got potential. But like i said, I will go again. Probably. read more

There's this guy who always works there who wears a hat. Every time I go to big Al's he has an attitude, and is extremely rude. The food is amazing but the service is terrible. Especially that specific employee. He forgot the sauce for my order today as well, the food is well worth dealing with their attitude though. read more

They have one of the best ice-cream sundaes. Fresh whip cream, with hot fudge and a cherry. Simply and delicious.

Ordered a chili burger. Poor quality all around. The 1/8 pound patty was dry, chili tasted like last year's batch. Large fries was small even though I ordered a large. Even 1 star is a high ratng for this place. read more

My father who is in the hospital wanted a burger, fries and chocolate shake to eat. I ordered a deluxe cheeseburger with ketchup, no sauce, to go. My order was made to eat in so they had to bag it up. Then I go back to the hospital and spread the food for my sick dad and the hamburger had only cheese and ketchup, nothing else. I was angry. I went back to let them know that I was not happy and that my deluxe cheese burger had only cheese and ketchup. Well he told me the order said only ketchup. Do I want another hamburger. NO. I did not want another burger. I said I should get my money back. The guy just stood there so I walked out. WHY would I order a "Deluxe" burger then ask for only ketchup. After the day I had this was the straw. I will never go back!!!!!!!! Terrible hamburger and the fries were luke warm. read more

I should have remembered my disappointment last time when my wife said she wanted ice cream from Big Al's tonight. They still have not figured out how to make a proper shake. It came with a spoon, but the shake was so thin that it was pointless. I pulled out the spoon and the shake literally dripped right off like a normal liquid. You should have to work a little to suck a shake through a straw. With Big Al's, you can drink their shakes like a cup of water. I asked for it to be malted this time, which is supposed to add some extra thickness, but it was still super thin. $5 for a cup of flavored milk is what you get for a shake here. read more

It's a damn shame... This used to be my favorite place in Chico, but after today, I'm not going back. I moved away from Chico and recently moved back. I hadn't been to Big Al's in almost 3 years, and had hyped it up to my friends. I was pretty excited to eat at my favorite place in Chico. The prices were a good deal higher, but whatever. Fine. I'm wiling to pay a bit more for food I love. What I didn't expect was the attitude. I walked up, ordered the two items my friends at home had requested, then glanced at the menu to make sure I could afford what I wanted on top of the other food (large fries, 2 tacos). In the ~3 seconds I was looking at the board, one of the guys in back said loudly "Awww, c'mon man! Don't do this to us!"... ok... So I ordered the rest of the food, and (surprise surprise) I had to go back to my car for more cash. As I'm walking back (10 second round trip walk), same guy says even louder "I mean, who orders tacos from a burger place, man?". I got to the window, handed the nice girl at the front the cash and said "I order tacos." which received no reply. I went back to my car and could hear the same sort of thing play out for every other customer that came to get food. Suuuuuper nice... Well, food came quick, about 7-8 min. I got 2 malts with no cup holder (same dude that was making the comments handed my food out and was gone immediately before I could ask for a holder or condiments), 2 double cheeseburgers with fries, 2 tacos, one small fries, and an order of corn dog nuggets. Almost everything was jammed into one bag... which was sideways. The tacos and small fries were in a separate bag and were fine. I managed to get the food into the car, but as I was driving home, the sideways bag spilled and we lost an order of fries to the floor. I got home and unpacked the food, giving my fries to my friend. The rest of the food had survived the arduous 7 minute trek back to my friends house. I gave him my fries and unpacked the rest. Corn dog nuggets apparently cost about a buck a nugget, who knew? Though fortunately (or unfortunately if you expected more) it was mostly full of fries. To sum upthe food quality, I'd say "Meh", which hurts to say. The fries were good, but my friends both said the burgers were kinda gross and VERY soggy. The tacos were fine, the malts mediocre, and the corn dog nuggets were inedible. My friends threw their food out and went to Jack in the Box. They also said I'm never picking food again, and if this is what I have to expect from food in Chico, I don't care. To sum it all up, my favorite place to eat in Chico became my literal last choice. I won't be back, even if the food was free. MAYBE if the management fixes the place I'll give it another shot, but I'm leery of risking another visit only to be berated and to receive lackluster food an inflated prices. I recommend eating literally ANYWHERE else in Chico. Try Nobby Burger, they're still DAMN good. read more

Just went there and spent $13 on 3 ice teas and a lemon ice on a beautiful 75 degree day. The tea tastes like swamp water! Not sure how old it was or maybe they never clean their tea maker. Worst ice tea and it's not rocket science. read more

The staff are friendly and patient when taking orders. Their milkshakes are delicious and super thick. I've tried their chicken strips multiple times and have yet to be disappointed would definitely recommend read more

It is 4 because it exists. In reality it is a 2 and a half...but the food and stuff is real and preparted fresh....part of my youth...and it is still there.....give it a few tries read more

I was just trying to order postmates and instead of them being kind and letting me know it wouldn't work the workers were rude and argued with me. 10/10 do not recommend read more

Classic Chico drive in burger joint. Don't expect anything fancy here. It's greasy, it's unhealthy, and it's hangover healing. If you're craving something like that you won't be let down. This place has looked the exact same as long as I can remember, and the nostalgia is a huge part of its charm. The milkshakes are super thick as promised and they have lots of different flavor options. I only eat here about once or twice a year but on my last visit I was very happy to see that they have added veggie burgers to the menu! read more

I give it one star because the system does not allow for minus one! First the place is filthy! In the state's few counties that post A,B,C and D health cards in restaurants to warm potential customers of the hazards found, Big Als would get an F! That aside , here is a description of my most recent experience. Hot mid-afternoon looking for a cool-down treat. As I drive in, I notice a number of customers lined up at the service windows in front. So I enter the dining area adjacent and approach the unmanned counter inside. There I stand for 10 minutes and watch a young lady and another server accommodate the outside customers. Also in that service area is an older man-presumably a boss or owner- laugh and converse with the two workers wait on the quickly-diminishing line of customers All three have by now looked in my direction, made eye contact, and continued conversing, serving, and playing a game of grab-ass. My patience is wearing thin but think I'm about to be asked for my order when the young lady turns and approaches the counter. But, alas, it's not to be. Looking me in the eye, she takes a cup from its holder, fills it with a soft drink and casually walks past the counter to a table in the back of the dining area, takes a seat while grabbing her cellphone and begins her netherworld journey into the digital unknown. I'm speechless! As a small business owner, I'm acutely aware of poor customer service and it's ultimate effects on business and reputation. So, I walk back to her table, get her attention with an "excuse me. What is the protocol, here? Am I supposed to order outside? Or how do I get service? "No, she says, someone will take your order at the counter." And returns to her ether world adventures. As I leave I catch the older, boss-like guy's attention and explain my departure, "any business this poorly run will never again get mine." read more

They should be forced to change their name!!!!!!!!! Fries are different, smaller potions and not as good, Nacho cheese went from the best in town to your basic, cheep concession stand nacho cheese! Ranch is super watered down. I don't think the Ice cream is as good as it used to be!!! The friendly down to earth chico employees are gone and have been switched to basic fast food type workers! The old chico atmosphere and food has been sucked out of the formally famous Big Al's!!! read more

Went there for pastrami after a day of shopping and the guy that waited on us was dirty and rude. And that was superior to the food. Awful place. read more

Very poor. Food and service. They must be depending on their past glory? if there was one. We ate inside and that was a mistake...dirty!

Been getting the fish and chips. There for a while Big Als was slacking, not sure if they are under new owner ship or management but I was quite impressed with the last two visits. Food tasted fresh, generous portion, tasting. I got the fish and chips. My son said they have a new philly cheese and steak sandwhich that is pretty good. For this type of restaurant it's decent. read more

I'm not from Chico and I don't know the history of Big Al's. I heard "its not as good since it changed ownership", but I was very pleased with the food and ice cream. I ate here several times and I got a consistently good drive-in burger (like I've been getting since I was kid in the 70's at places like this), the fries were very good, the shakes were super thick and tasty (and they had a large selection of flavors). Their prices were very reasonable and service was always pleasant. So it may not be "as good as they were" in the past, but honestly I thought they were very good and would without hesitation recommend to anyone. read more

OK...so, I went to visit Chico this past weekend and I had my heart set on enjoying all of the wonderful goodness that Big Al's has to offer. I couldn't go in the end because I got caught up with family, and I swear I must have cried all the way home. I have ate here for YEARS and frankly it is the BEST burger joint in Chico. The burgers are delicious, you absolutely must try the CHILI-DOG with all of the fixings! Don't be scared of the chili here people. Plus, the shakes are like heaven. I saw the employees there flipping and tossing a shake in a cup with no lid as a fun little show once...that is how THICK and wonderful they are. You can make up any shake flaver you want and if they have the mixings; they will make it! They have this wild menu with all sorts of goodies that I wish I could eat everyday. So much to choose from and it's all good! Did I mention the onion rings yet? Seriously...don't miss out on this little gem. It is a Chico icon. The second restaurant ever in town I believe. If you want to call yourself a Chico-ian, you must go here and get the Chico experience. I also love the older feel of the building; it IS a diner you know! I walk in and it just feels like a nice local and family owned business (everyone should support their local family owned businesses whenever they can). I think I see the owners from time to time. They seem very nice and interact with the customers when they are there. I see a lot of regulars all the time that frequent this place....probably because I AM ONE TOO LOL. As said in a previous rating; they only take cash unless you want to use the ATM machine they have inside the dining room. I honestly don't understand the big deal about using cash. We have become such a spoiled and lazy society these days. With that said; expect good prices. The owners have managed to keep them pretty low in a bad economy which has caused food prices to skyrocket. Take the time to get the best meal in town at an iconic place in Chico. Don't hesitate! read more

Ordered a burger, than went to pick it up. Was planning on ordering a shake on top of that when I got there. This guy was extremely rude. Supposedly the tax wouldn't add up and I couldn't order a shake on top of it. Guy was very rude and wouldn't even give me prices. Worst customer service I've gotten in a while. Won't be coming back. The burger was burnt read more

Very poor customer service. I ordered a couple shakes and the gentleman at the window (eyebrow piercing) must have put the order in wrong. When I asked him about why it was wrong, he proceeded to tell me what I actually ordered. I told him what I ordered and he then the situation escalated for him to raise his voice and tell me I was wrong. I then just avoided the confrontation and just left an unhappy customer and dissatisfied with my shakes. Living here for 15+ years, I loved this place up until today. read more

Tryed Big Al's today. 1st time since new owners took over. They cleaned up the place, new tables inside and more organized. I had a burger basket with fries and a drink. Bland burger and they never asked if onions or not. I got them not a fan should have told them or they should have asked. Different fries no skin on them and bland. It's not what it used to be. Back to the Oasis or In and out. Sorry big Al, you need to improve. read more

Great shakes and alright food but very unclean. Service isn't the best. I've seen cockroaches in the restaurant and homeless people hanging outside at night. Used to love the place but it has gone downhill. read more

Used to be good. I would come here all the time as a kid. Onion rings had a burn/bitter after taste. Probably cause the oil was gross. The "deluxe" double cheese burger was meh. I've had better for cheaper (in and out). Overall disappointed. Plus the service is really unwelcoming for a "family" restaurant. No hi, nothing. Go someplace else. read more

I have no clue why this place has so many 5 star reviews. I just moved up to chico from Sac so I am used to places like Squeeze in and other great burger stops. This place was gross. The food was ok. Nothing special, fries were the best part really. The inside was covered in flies, the tables all have cuts and are taped up. If you sit in them you sink down because they are so worn out. None of the tables on the inside were clean but we sat down anyways. Then while waiting for our food a cockroach crawls across the wall... fun. So we move outside, we waited 10 minutes already we might as well see how good the food is since the ratings are so great. Way less flies outside but spiderwebs all over the tables and each one looked like they hadn't been cleaned in a few days. read more

This is an average place with above-average food. The double cheeseburger deluxe with a strawberry shake rock the world. Enjoy!!!!