Since the owner sold the business a while back the customer service is noticeably bad. More times than not your order will be wrong. most times they forget my order entirely. Great shakes if you have the time to deal with slow service. read more

They change the oil in the fryers here twice a week FYI so watch out if you're getting anything fried

The malt was exceptional! Cheeseburger was delicious and fries were great too. We'll definitely be back to try more.

The ice cream and shakes are AMAZING, but please do yourself a favor and don't get the food apart from french fries. We tried the chicken tenders and the burger... both were extremely disappointing. Really sweet staff and the location is a little grungy but has that authentic 50s-60s vibe. If they cleaned and refurbished the building & stop using frozen ingredients, this place would be bussin'. read more

Was liking this place into they gave me cold fry's meat not done it was a messs . N customer service need help

Ordered online as I ordered the guy repeated my order gave me a total and was told I had to pay over the phone being it was over 30.00 no problem. When I got there to pick up my order I was told they accidentally charged for 2 sodas instead of a shake so was ask to pay an additional 3.78 on top of what I already paid. Then was given our food and still was shorted a shake and was told they only changed for the one I had just paid additional for when I got there. Not very good customer service. I ended up not getting the second shake as I feel like I was over charged already. Really they made the mistake they should have made it right. Not the best burgers in town so not worth the hassle to go back. read more

Although the Burger Basket was really good, I read a positive review about their Fish and Chips, so I tried it also. Best cod around!

horrible customer service. very disrespectful at front window. women with crusty edges had a large temper.

The grilled cheese was made on 2 sad pieces of small soggy wheat toast and had 1 thin slice of cold melted cheese. Would not recommend the grilled cheese! read more

47 min before closing and the kid with the dumb hat at the register was so rude. I had to ask if they are open because they kept walking by not helping. I ended up going to a different place. Worst customer service ever. read more

2 stars for the friendly staff. To bad they concentrate on making the window customers happy over the dining area customers. Waited for our order of 2 burger baskets and a puppy patty for our doggers for almost an hour. I saw them put together our order but didn't realize it was ours and it sat on the counter for 15 minutes while they handed out food and other items to the window customers that ordered after us. Got the food to go and got home to find they didn't include the puppy patty ($1.75, not really a big deal except I paid for it) but this is really my fault for not checking the order before I left so, meh. The fries were not done, limp, soggy, not worthy of even being fed to an animal. So baking them in the oven to put some semblance of food into them. Fail on fries. The burgers are decent and a great price. I just wish they had paid as much attention to the dining room order placement as they did the window customers. read more

first of all, they have 1 million things on the menu. Probably not 1 million, realistically 80 or 90 things on the menu. i've tried maybe 5 different food option. The burgers are greasy somewhat good if you enjoy a 1500 calorie meal. The fries are delicious. I've grown up eating the softserve ice cream cones (dipped and swirled) since I was three years old. delicious. that's a classic, always will be. The shakes are also delicious as expected, just make sure there aren't any flies in your food. So here's my recommendation: go to big als for affordable deliciously unhealthy dessert like a shake or come. Order from the drive-up window, don't sit inside, there are flies everywhere flies everywhere. Now devour your calorie bomb made by a college kid. read more

It was good, nothing super special but don't know why so many Karen's are giving it bad reviews lmao

Decided to give this place a try. It was pretty cool that they had a walk up as well as the dining area. I though that their shakes are good but a bit over priced. The wait was long even tho they weren't busy. They have a big menu but I got the hamburger which was smaller then expected with no ketchup or any dressings. I was disappointed but this is a small fast food joint. read more

I'd say about a three and a half! Food is good, good creamy fry sauce (sauce is important when reviewing a restaurant). Burger is good, it's not nobbys but it's better than in n out. Fry has a good crispy bite to it while also harboring great potato flavor without the grease. This place is cheap so the food is great for the price! Wholesome burger and fry combo!! But.. now plan on taking your meal to go when choosing to eat here.. your meal will be accompanied by a whole gang of flies and the inside has an strange stench and is off putting. Id recommend big al's if your looking for a yummy burger to go read more

I grew up in Chico grabbing Big Al's milkshakes on my way home from school on hot days. The only thing that has changed in 15 years is that they switched from styrofoam to compostable cups. The downside is they don't stay as cold as long but upside is environmentalism...I guess. Hot fudge sundaes are all you need here to become a patron. For non-HF fans they have nearly 100 flavor combos and can make anything you ask for beyond that. My only complaint is that nearly $5 for a shake is ridiculous for a lil hole in the wall that's been there so long IDK how they wouldn't own their property yet. I hope it goes to employee benefits. PROS: yes. CONS: no. read more

Growing up in Chico this was the place to go for a great burger and fries. Not anymore. Sadly it went here for lunch today and not only did it have to wait for 20 minutes to get my order it was wrong. The person taking it didn't get it right, my soda was tea, the large fries were not even cooked completely, not to mention the size of anyone elses small - not worth the sharing they were ment to be and when it was bagged not all my food was there. Sad to say but I don't think I'll be returning anytime soon. read more

Use to be my favorite place when I was in high school. Went today after not going since May and they changed a lot of things. I like that they no longer use Styrofoam cups! However the service was terrible. The girl taking our order was too busy paying attention to someone else behind the counter and when she finally took it she flubbed it up. We were missing items, they gave me the wrong shake (they corrected the first two things) and then after we got home realized that they messed up our order even more :-\ Super upsetting as I took my mom who is visiting from out of town (she use to LOVE big als) n she couldn't even finish her food. Now she says she'll never go back. I hope maybe this is just some transition stage and they'll get it back together soon. Ps... How are you going to put a bubble lid on a milkshake without putting whip cream in there?! :-( read more

Allright, so here's the deal with Big Al's. It's just fine. That's the problem. It's JUST fine when it could be so much more. I mean if you're going to shell out the big bucks to maintain and run a building that has seen some days, make the food decent, or barring that, at least hire some guys who can get the orders straight. I quit ordering what I want at Big Al's, because indubitably, I will get any other item than the item I ordered. And I have witnesses. Four of us ordered differnt burgers once, and we got four bacon cheeseburgers. Which are good, but not what was ordered. So now, if I want food, versus iced cream, I just tell the guy, or gal, to "suprise me". It really dosent matter what I order, becuase I know I wont get it, unless its ice cream. For some reason they always get that right. In conclusion, eat at Big Al's, I guess. read more

Not because of the food but for the service. She gave me my drink with NO ice then wanted to charge me for ice and told me it probably melted in the kitchen because it's hot back there. Really?! ignorance! But since I'm on a roll let's talk how dirty it was and not to mention the flies inside. read more

I LOVE Big Al's... like most people who were born and raised in Chico Big Al's has been a part of growing up... for me it was a trip to Bidwell park to play in the creek and then a quick stop at Big Al's for a chocolate dipped cone. I actually love that things haven't changed much... The picnic tables to the side of the building are the same tables I would sit at with my brothers on the hot summer nights after a swim in the creek... the tables in the dining room are the same tables that my friends and I sat in the day before we graduated high school and all went in different directions. I hope they keep things the same... because if it AIN'T BROKE... DON'T FIX IT!!!!! As a kid my family never really ate here, but we consumed our fair share of chocolate covered cones... a good idea is to get one size smaller than what you think you want because they are HUGE... and grab tons of napkins... consuming one of those cones without getting it all over you is definitely an art! recently I have tried their food and was not disappointed... you should check your order before you take it to go though because the filling of orders isn't always 100% accurate. Their fish and Chips are good, veggie burger is awesome, and their shakes are (as everyone else seems to put it) AMAAAAAAAAAZING! read more

The fries are really good here, but the service feels awkward and I don't like their burgers. There's always an interesting crowd near this place and on my way out of the parking lot, I dipped into a pothole half a foot deep. I wouldn't want to eat inside as the place always seems to always have flies buzzing around. read more

Incredibly overrated. Went with the basketball team and we were all disappointed. The staff looked miserable (especially the grouchy lunch room looking lady) and no ATM so bring cash. Burgers are similar to the size of a Jr. Whopper, but without the good taste of a Whopper...lackluster, to say the least. The orders came out scattered and not according to the number sequence, despite everyone ordering basically the same thing and there were flies everywhere. Spend your money elsewhere. read more

I don't eat beef, so I skipped out on the burgers and went right for the good stuff: MILKSHAKES. Disclaimer: not for the indecisive. I took several long minutes to decide what combination of ingredients would please my palate the most. I went for a vanilla shake with peanut butter and banana. And then, my partner had to one-up me with his chocolate malt and strawberry shake. SO GOOD. read more

I have been coming to Big Al's for many, many years. I grew up in the San Joaquin valley and we vacation up in Lake Almanor so Chico (and Big Al's) is conveniently on the drive home. I am also a self-professed carnivore and devourer of hamburgers. Big Al's has long been the gold standard for burgers, fries, and shakes in my family. I'm not sure if a decline in quality or the golden-tinged nostalgia is to blame, but their burgers and fries just don't seem quite as epic as they used to. Still top-notch, just not the world-beaters they once were. This same decline does not apply to their milkshakes, however. Big Al's milkshakes are the best I have ever sampled and they have sooo many choices! I highly recommend Big Al's to anyone local or just passing through. Me? I'll be in for the biggest burger with the fattest stack of bacon, a big serving of fries, paper cups full of fry sauce, and a peanut butter cup milkshake. Or a cookie dough milkshake. Maybe an oreo milkshake... read more

Had to eat here today for lunch. They have been a Chico icon for a long time. I believe ownership has changed so it just doesn't have the same feel it used to. Took about 25 min to get my hamburger. Wasn't cold but not hot either. Other than that the experience will most likely see me back again read more

Welp, I love the shakes here but I just sucked up a piece of plastic in my strawberry shake and it nearly sliced my tongue open. Won't be back ever again. Thanks for that read more

It feels like an old school burger joint. The food is good, the prices are pretty good, and the menu is pretty big. I rather enjoy sitting down and eating inside despite the fact that it feels like it hasn't changed at all since it opened. The shakes are amazing. read more

Best burger spot in Chico! They are the most affordable burger spot, they also have sandwiches and amazing shakes! Their quality of burger is the same as burgers and brew-super delicious! read more

Points for the old school style. I want to be into it. But...Truly atrocious service. Portable toilet (...really???). Rancid peaches in the shake, but I was too afraid of the employees to complain. Nothing remotely healthy, which is annoying...how about a little lettuce or something? just sayin'. And, the place was filthy. And it's not even cheap! Next! read more

Ah, Big Al's....the food of my college years. I found myself in the unusual location of just around the corner from Big Al's recently for work. My co-worker said, "so, you went to college here, did you have anything in mind for lunch?" I said, "well, I'm going to Big Al's...you can come or not." My grilled cheese (with tomato slice), fries and cherry shake did not disappoint. The fact that I had to use a very pricey ATM machine because Big Al's STILL does not take ATM, well, whatever. I'll always forgive locally owned businesses for that one. I should have just remembered they are cash only (Although in my day, they took checks from locals). Big Al's is definitely worth a stop. read more

Waited a bit to order, waited a bit for the food. Costumer service wasn't all there. But the food that came out of that window was so so good! We stop here every time we come to Chico! The food is so worth it! I had the French dip and some zucchini chips. Definitely the best zucchini chips I've had in a while. read more

This is the most underrated Drive in in Chico. Guy Feri himself should be ashamed he didn't make a stop here. This is by far the best grilled hot dog I've ever had in Chico! They butterfly the hotdog and grill it to perfection with all the fixings. I will definitely be a regular. Also the prices are killer! read more

This fast food joint has excellent food. It would get 5 star if not for the service. I literally waited 40 minutes for my burger and fries. The burger was excellent but not for 40 minutes of my life I will not get back. If you can be prepared to wait, then this is your place. read more

Really disappointed with the quality of the food I received the last several times I've eaten here. Ordered the fish&chips last night to take to a sick friend and when I got it in the car it stunk so bad I tossed it away before reaching my destination, now 24 hours later my car still smells awful! Big Al's Drive In has been a Chico tradition for 50plus years and we've enjoyed them for four decades. it's just sad to see the quality of their food has gone down so much. Still enjoying their Triple Thick Shakes, hopefully they don't mess with those! Note to the owners - Please, please review your business practices before you have no business left. Chico loves Big Al's and people would be willing to pay a little extra for better quality and service! read more

Just had their burger baskets. Super yummy and they changed their fries- yummy and crispy. Love their special sauce too. Burger had great flavor too. read more

First And Last time here. My garden burger was tepid, not even luke warm. It looked like they forgot to cook one side of it...one side was browned and crunchy...the other side was not cooked!! Won't waste my money here again. read more

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

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

Nachos and fried shrimp. Great place for burgers and fries, and so much more. Try the shrimp basket, nachos, or the bbq ham sandwhich. You can't go wrong with any of their shakes, but don't expect to drink them through the straw. read more