My burger was built up-side down, so soggy that the bun fell apart, there were unidentified particles in my Lemon Ice, and while my friend and I were sitting in the dining area, we discovered a couple cockroaches crawling on the floor. The bathrooms were out of service, and when we informed the employees that we had seen cockroaches, no one seemed to care, and we received no offer for a refund. I feel sorry for the poor children that we're eating nearby. I used to think of this place as a favorite restaurant, now I will never be returning. read more

Best shakes ever! I usually get chocolate shakes but strawberry is the best at Big Al's! They also have good food.

Oh man. Big Al's and I have a looonnng history together. We get along just perfectly. Fried food is a guilty pleasure of mine, and Big Al's fills every damn gap I have when I'm craving the fried death! Yup, $5 should get you plenty of food. You may hate yourself afterward, but it hurts just so damn good. read more

It's the little things that make Big Al's so fantastic. Diced onions and shredded lettuce in your burger, crushed ice in your drink... things like that. Big Al's has always had a unique ambiance that a few people hate, but most people love. Sure, the building sometimes looks a little worse for wear, but it's places like that which usually have a great story and the best food. There's nothing like stopping in on a summer evening for a burger basket and a shake, or maybe a chocolate dipped ice cream cone. I find it borderline humorous when folks from out-of-town think they know how to improve upon Big Al's, there's a reason it's been around for as long as it has: people like it the way it is. Their food is excellent, their milkshakes are a town favorite and the vintage feeling you get pulling into the parking lot is unlike anything else in Chico. read more

Just a locals joint. I wish these were everywhere! Don't order the burrito. It's just a deep fried frozen burrito. The shakes and malts are decent here. read more

I do have to admit a little bias towards this place because I was visiting and a friend of the family, but I'm not exaggerating when I say Big Al's has some of the most delicious milkshakes you will ever have in your life!!! Sooo many options (and some I never would've thought of), plus you can make your own blends. Sooo thick I had to wait a bit before I could suck it through the straw... yummy! Btw... the Owners are TOTAL sweethearts!!! read more

This place sucks. It's overpriced (over $2 for a corn dog), takes way to long to get your meal, and worst of all the food is not that great, other than the soft serve shakes with liquid chocolate thrown into it. Put it this way, I live a block away and I never eat there, I drive 10 min to In-N-Out. read more

This place reminds me of my High School lunch days! I just simply love this place! Food and service has always been great! I mainly get it to go because I feel like their dining room is always a bit dirty... read more

Sorry, but this place is gross. First impressions are everything and the sight that greets you here is a dirty kitchen and grease splashed employees. It doesn't look sanitary at all. I had a sip of my friend's shake and it was nothing to write home about. I get that it is a Chico landmark but I think it gives local establishments a bad name. read more

I wish I could give the food a 5 star, and the service a 1 star! There is one lady working there who just seems like I'm bothering her by ordering food. She's been there a while and I eat there a lot, but instead of treating me like a valued regular customer, she acts like she'd rather punch me in the face then take my food order. I've seriously been there 30 times in the last 6 months and I've never seen her smile, or ask how's it going, just stink eye! If I ran Big Al' s the 1st thing I'd do is fire her, or put her in the kitchen where she can't stink eye the customers. Anyways, good food, TERRIBLE EMPLOYEE. And btw, the other employees there are all super cool. read more

Food is great and shakes are phenomenal. Some of the employees look like they want to shove their heads in the deep fryer though. Short guy with the 13 year old mustache has a horrible attitude and should get another job if he's tired of big als. You know who you are. read more

Been here forever, a family favorite. Their prices are good compared to other places and their food is great. Love coming here

I actually worked here for a while so I may be a bit biased....BUUUUUUT I really like Big Al's. IMO the food ranges from average to pretty good, but the milkshakes get a 6 out of 5 stars. They are so good, and with so many different flavors (and the option to mix) you could get a different one each time. Smalls are $3.85 ($4.14) and larges are $4.60 ($4.95). There is also an Extra Large ($5.60 and expect to get charged for extra flavors) option but I could never finish the 2Lbs of ice cream As an employee we were supposed to charge to mix flavors(0.15 each flavor), and charge extra for peanut butter and banana flavors, but most of my co-workers only charged extra if you got more than 2 flavors or if you mixed PB and banana. (as they are the two most expensive flavors) Away from the classic burger and fries my favorite things to eat are the Chicken Strip Basket ($4.75), the Garden Burger ($3.90/$4.10 w cheese), and the Patty Melt w Fries($5.35 remember to add grilled onions for no extra charge!) I only ever tried one Philly Cheesesteak ($4.75 and comes with fries) but it's pretty good too. If you've tried the Steak Sandwhich you should get this as it's a SS with grilled onions, cheese sauce, and bell peppers. Favorite shake flavors: Coffee Mint, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Mint Chip, Peanut Butter Marshmallow, Peach, Strawberry, Strawberry Chocolate Chip, Mocha Chip. read more

Tryed big als for the frist time sence they xhanged owners . Food was ok but the help was rude not friendly like before just saw a fat cockroch run across the floor gross! read more

Big Al's used to have AMAZING milkshakes. The key words are USED to. I've gotten fruit shakes for over 30 years, and tonight, I have purchased my last shake. Since the new ownership, the quality has plummeted while the prices increased. While my pastrami sandwich was excellent, my milkshake resembled a milk slushee with ice chips and fruit fibers in it. When I called to find out what was going on (sometimes their ice cream machine goes on the fritz), some snarky teenager explained that they use real fruit in their shakes. Well...duh. Perhaps they can also use real ice cream to bring back the "triple thick" shakes they were known for, and leave the slushees to 7-11. read more

Loved this place ! I order the deluxe burger and fries and my boyfriend the nachos and we split a banana split. So delicious , the fries were crispy and soft and the nachos were classic. The atmosphere was awesome and had the perfect old timey feel. The employees were sweet and really cater to what a customer wants. The banana split is a must! read more

Frozen Lemonade...the best anywhere! Not too sweet, not too tart...perfect.

Just ate at this dump. The place is filthy. Food on the tables no one trying to keep clean. Burger not all that great. Both of the people working there were rude and unfriendly (older woman and guy with a huge gut) I would not go here again. read more

I absolutely love this place! Their food is so good! I Love their shakes and fries are delish! I HIGHLY recommend this place if you live in or visit Chico! read more

This place is what I would call a "gem". It looks like a old, outdated, run down hamburger joint. The food is amazing! And OMG the shakes are life changing! Seriously the toffee shake is indescribably good. The prices are low & service is quick. read more

A Chico landmark. Stop in on a hot summer day for an icecream, double malted shake, or a banana split that will give you such a sugar rush you will be buzzing for hours. The burgers and fries are also good if you are looking for a filling lunch. read more

Decent burger and fries. The service itself could have gone better, but the lady at the front was nice and enthusiastic. However, I do notice that they have too much variety on the menu, so it'd probably be best to stick with what the place is best known for (burgers, fries, and shakes). read more

Big Al's has the BEST milkshakes on the planet. Triple thick and delicious. Every boy friend I have had is in agreement. You must try the Mocha Chip shake. read more

Only reason I am giving 4 out of 5 is that when you buy a 'basket' you think a drink would be included, it's not. That's a few bucks extra. Also it's cash only, which wasn't a problem for me, it's just bad for business I think. But I had a double deluxe burger and wow, that was good. The fries are some of the best as well. I like in-n-out in town but with what I had, I like much better. I am surprised I have never been here before to eat except once to get ice cream. I have passed by big al's since I was a kid and never ate here, what a shame because it's really good. read more

Great soft serve cones!! Yum!! Fun atmosphere.

This is a joint you go to for the ice cream/shakes, not the "food." The burgers and fries have never been that great, but the ice creams are UNBEATABLE. It's a super cool experience to be able to visit one of the older, classic restaurants in Chico. The walk up window is fun for kids and a different style of ordering. Unfortunately, the current owners are no longer the original ones, so some of the history feels like it's been lost, but they keep up with the same menu and traditions as before. Check it out, get a shake, it's a Chico classic! read more

This place is very classic style. It only takes cash but I ALWAYS got my milkshakes and fries here. BEST PLACE because you can mix and match and create your own milkshake. There's so many options you could opt for different ones every time and experiment too. They're nice and thick and pretty big too so I rarely had to eat anything besides the aforementioned shake and fries before I was full. Still, the fries are super tasty too--seasoned and perfectly greasy. If you decide to venture from the fries and milkshake, their ice cream sundaes and onion rings are also good picks on hot days (or any days really). You can sit and eat (the atmosphere will take you back in time--like drive in movies back in time) or you can get your things to go and either way the service was always fast and friendly and the food was always on point. Excellent. read more

Foods not that great, but hell, u go for nostalgia, not food. Grab a chair, sit in the parking lot and support these dudes. Good family times read more

Big Al's is a classic stop if you are in the Chico area. They make some great old fashioned burgers and milk shakes. It is in a great location that is easy to get in and out of. They also make some of the most unique milk shakes. Go here, you will not be disappointed. read more

Parking in this lot will take you back into time, when drive-ins were the spot to take your date or family. They have a walk up window or small seating inside. They do a lot of fried type things, but it is provides a nostalgic type feeling that is hard to find...and it fits the city of Chico. I like the breakfast sandwiches and milk shakes. The service is great here. Fun place to take a date for a non-traditional Chico night. read more

You get a lot for what you pay for. Buyers are huge and the fried are amazing. I love their nacho cheese for fries. Yummy

Just got a vanilla shake and a small fry....the fries are perfect crunchy...idk today they just had their fry game on point

The burgers are good but the shakes! the Shakes are godly! i mean a sugar overload but what do you expect from a shake? LOL the choices of flavors and everything is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love getting marshmallow and butter scotch btw! read more

So I really like big Al's but one of the things I don't like is it smells like somebody butt rubbed all over the floor then dumped toilet water on the floor. Sometimes there to much flies in there ( probably because of all the grease on the food). read more

It's been around like forever and when I'm in the neighborhood I'll stop by and get one of there specials, good food at a reasonable price.

This place was pretty good.Only a few things were not as good as they can be.I ordered a hot dog and fries and the hot dog fell right out of its bun ots was kinda like using two peicea of bread for it.Otherwise.it was really good!The service was nice.The employees were very positive!I would ratw the food a 6 out 10. I recommend trying it here. read more

We've been here many times before for the standard burger shack fare, but this week my entire family got food poisoning after eating here. We all ate their hamburgers, and we were all sick the next morning. Two stars only because this was the first time and we've enjoyed going here for years because of the ambiance and decent food, but it will also be the last unless they do some serious cleaning and quality control. The whole place needs to be power washed. Also - train your staff in customer service! Most times I've been in, the front counter staff had been sullen or apathetic, and has often been doing double duty taking money and cooking. read more

Love Big Al's. Been open for a long time. All the food is pretty good but my Favorite is the French Fries and Ice Cream. Fast and Customer Service is good. Thank you big Al's. read more

5 Stars to their soft serve ice cream - I live down near Sacramento, and I would drive all the way here for the soft serve - totally awesome! Tastes like the old fashioned custard ice cream I remember from long ago. I have not tried anything else - but the kids did have milkshakes and loved them. read more

Love this when I go to Chico I go here every time really awesome people here good tacos milkshakes chips and cheese and amazing french fries