The food was horrible. Worst bbq food I've ever had. Super expensive. It was filthy. Not recommend.

Good steak sandwich however at $ 16.00 I don't think I'll eat one again and the fries are very good but th people preparing the fries add too much " Salt " lastly when people say it pricey but worth it Good Burger's and Steak sandwich doesn't have to be " Expensive " read more

Nice old style place, the food was just ok. Way over priced food. A half pound burger is $16 not including fries. Fries are $5 and they only give you a hand full of small bottom of batch fries. Very disappointed, especially since I paid $25 for a combo. Jeez that hurt. I won't be going back. I should have saved myself $18 and went to BK. read more

Kal's Bar-B-Q - The big cheeseburger. And the $5 fries. $25 meal. - Barbeque Near Me - Sunnyvale, California

This place is definitely different then it was 10 years ago. First time I came hear was was in the late 90s , the food tasted like it was cooked with charcoal because it was. I think they are using a gas grill now. It's not the same . read more

With new ownership, this place has improved a lot. The steak sandwich hits the spot and is delicious. The staff is cordial and friendly. It feels like you're at some kind of retreat since you feel right at home when you walk in. Came in a couple weeks back to watch the world cup, and I've been coming back weekly for the steak sandwich. Glad there's something worth eating near Apple. A neighborhood gem worth checking out. read more

Im going to have to take a stand with Yishan W. This place is awesome. One of the few places that will offer a burger rare/medium rare (yes I have an iron stomach) and cook it correctly. Two cheeseburgers medium rare with pickles and Pepsi. I've been eating that for years now . They get the meat prepared from a kosher butcher in Palo Alto I believe. If I want to vary it a bit steak sandwhich or turkey buger. I wish I woke up early enough to get the breakfast and I'm not really a fries person so I can't comment on those. The owners are nice as can be and treats everyone like friends. The place is pretty old school. The space is a derranged 70's barn like structure. The audio system that they use to call out customer orders is so old it's stuck in reverb, so Im always highly entertained when I hear it. Sounds like one reviewer should have asked for his burger the way he wanted it (which is what I do all the time). While Kinky J and Don V sound like the same person. Note the usage of "misled", comparisons of food quality/quantity to Wendy's, and "10 sticks of fries". The comment about FOB Asians is just straight up inappropriate. read more

Props to Kal's for hosting last month's motorcycle get-together! It was so fun to walk around, admire all the bikes and... dream. haha Food was good as usual. See ya there. read more

It's not an authentic BBQ place I really want like the restaurant but they were kinda frugal with the items even sauces not much foot traffic, looks good from the outside but very limited menu ran bye and older Asian couple not worth $20 meal burger fries and drink? capitalizing on American bbq couture not never again! read more

This kind of place makes me sad, once an institution and with so much potential to be good. But it's not. My guess is they can still pull off a reasonable breakfast but I came for lunch today and it was pretty much a fail. I came in near closing time but still within opening hours yet the fire was almost dead and most things (e.g., condiments) were put away already. Thinking broad menu and small crowds are a bad combination, I ordered a cheeseburger. After literally fanning the dying embers for a while he cooked it, but it felt more slow-grilled than grilled. It arrived on a cold not particularly fresh bun with a cold unmelted piece of American cheese. I had to ask them to take the condiments back out to get some tomato and onion. They never got me the lettuce I requested. This restaurant feels end-stage terminal to me. If you want a similar experience that a place that's also slowly dying (it's really the genre) but much earlier into the process, I'd go to Clarke's on El Camino about 15 minutes away. Way better food, busier and more crowded and some outdoor seating to boot. read more

This is a true BBQ on a grill ! Great burgers and excellent rib eye steak! These comes with a self-served bar/table of lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, mustard, catchup, etc... An 12 oz rib eye steak sandwich with all the fresh vegetables and condiments costs under $8. It is a steal!!! Great place for a BBQ and burgers... Decor is very casual with picnic tables inside and out... The only thing that they can improve on is the antique TV they have in the dining area... How about a 50" plasma or LCD??? Get with the times! read more

I tried their famous steak sandwich that I read so much about, and I really didn't think it was anything special. The size of the steak was large, but not flavorful, just placed in between a plain roll. The condiments that they provide really didn't do much to improve the flavor. The French roll was plain and I felt it could of been better if it was toasted with garlic butter. That would have given it some flavor. The steak was tender but did have some gristle on it, which I expected. I ordered fries on the side and a medium Coke. The whole bill came to $28.00,. I felt that it was a bit pricy for what I had. I would probably not order it again. Had it come with a salad, garlic bread, and fries, it would have been a better meal for the cost, and probably more enjoyable... read more

Kal's Bar-B-Q is an institution. The fact that it's been around over 50 years makes it older than most of the office buildings in the area. You could be forgiven if you assume that this place sells southern barbecue. There's an odor of charcoal and the place looks like a squat red barn. What you get instead is meat cooked on a charcoal broiler, what BBQ purists would describe as "grilling". Since it was my first time here, it was recommended I try the steak sandwich. The food was done fast, and I was presented with a thin steak sandwiched roll with a pile of fries on the side. You can add as much or little lettuce, tomato, and other condiments at the condiments bar. As for the taste, it was good! the steak, although thin, was done to a perfect medium, and it was juicy and tender. The roll itself was fresh and soft. Fries were perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. As a bonus, the staff is really friendly. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here, but if you're around the area and craving a decent sandwich/burger, this is a great option. read more

Kal's Bar-B-Q - Classic steak sandwich and fries - Barbeque Near Me - Sunnyvale, California

Tried the steak sandwich. Very bland. Frozen turkey burger. Onion rings are awful. It's not a bbq place at all. There's fruit flies flying around the condiments. Not coming back. Oh and it was pricey for what we order. Don't spend your money here. Ps. The Asian women at the counter knew how shitty the food was and took advantage of our group by trying to sell us on on how good the steak sandwich were. They were looking for a quick profit. This is a location that deserves new ownership with people who cares what they serve. read more

Best steak sandwich and steak cut fries around. Been coming here for almost 25 years. I don't live/work in the area anymore but whenever I'm around, I make it a point to stop by because they are just that good! read more

This place is a bit of a let down. The staff was very nice but the burger was lacking. The burger only had beef and cheese, and bread nothing else not even condiments. read more

Kal's Bar-B-Q - 1/2 burger - Barbeque Near Me - Sunnyvale, California

Nothing great. Kind of overpriced. Had a Frenchburger,onion rings and soda. about $17 bucks. Save your money and go up the street to McDonald s and get a 1/4 pounder. Won't be back. read more

Well I finally tried this place and I have to say, I am not sure why there is any hype about this place. It has BBQ in its name, but a charbroiled burger is not the same as barbecue. Burger King and Carl's don't have BBQ in its name and do you know why? Because barbecuing burgers isn't what they do! They do not have ribs, chicken, brisket nor pulled pork. So I decided that a cheeseburger was in order since there menu is most all sandwiches. Burger was OK and the onion rings weren't very fresh. For $15, go somewhere else. Oh by the way, sign declares "Best Bar-b-que in the Bay Area." Laughable! read more

Kal's Bar-B-Q - Burger was OK... not worth the price - Barbeque Near Me - Sunnyvale, California

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I ordered a Kal's Burger ($5) which got me buns and a decently cooked piece of meat, but nothing more (not even sauce!). You need to decorate your sandwich yourself by using their fixings bar (Roy Rogers style) to add condiments like tomatoes, pickles, or onions. I saw mustard, ketchup, and maybe horseradish, but was disappointed they didn't have any special house sauces that I could add to my burger. Kal's is definitely not BBQ (they just toss meat on a grill and serve it to you), but it's not bad. It's a casual spot (picnic tables outside, fireplace inside), and wasn't crowded at all when I was there (weekday, around 1 PM). It'll feed you in a pinch, but I'd rather eat at McDonald's - it'd be less expensive and taste better. read more

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My boss and I needed to get out of the office after the long week and grab some lunch. We wanted to switch things up a bit and try the barbecue place near the office so when the cravings came, we jumped into the car and headed toward the land of smokey meat. I ordered the ever popular steak sandwich and found it totally lackluster. The meat was dry and sinewy, and was really pretty boring. In fact, I think the meat had actually been sitting pre-cooked for quite a while. They really push the fries and salad option, which I ended up caving to, which brought my total to over $12; quite a lot for a sad sandwich. The condiment bar didn't really help either and was pushed as a major selling point. I was generally really disappointed with the meal and it won't be a regular lunch spot of mine. The place has a throwback feel to it, but it all kind of seems odd and out of place. I expected a barbecue joint to have stuff like ribs, but the closest thing I could find was a pork sandwich. The menu is boring and outdated and even a bit overpriced for what it is. Very unfortunate. At least they've got a nice big patio area if you bring your dog. Food: 3/10 Service: 4/10 Price: $$ Atmosphere: 5/10 read more

Kal's Bar-B-Q - Barbeque Near Me - Sunnyvale, California

I haven't eaten here in many years, and due to quality issues with the previous owner. New owner, much improved food quality. The steak sandwich was good and saw another customer with a cheese burger that looked really good. The only complaint I have is that they only sell Pepsi products, I hate Pepsi. If they served Coke, I would be much happier. Overall, I would return read more

My husband and I were pleasantly surprised to find the former owners of Longhorn had recently bought Kals The steak sandwich was made to perfection. I was warmly greeted y Dave and his wife. It is nice to support this mom and pop establishment. We ate inside and the restaurant was clean and cozy. Will definitely return read more

I've run through the gamut of reviews provided here, and find people b****ing and moaning about seemingly trivial... And quite frankly American things. A bottle of soda at a cost of $2.25? What're ya getting a soda for, a gym is next door, that's like cursing on the doorstep of a church. Look, go there to enjoy the steak in whichever way you prefer, and tell a glorious tale in which they satisfied your palette. try it as a steak sandwich and proclaim how the toasted sourdough compliments the exquisite steak. Make gesture of the impressive selection of fixins that only a buffet in heaven would have for display! I have tried their other offerings, such as their fried shrimp, which is similar to the flash frozen shrimp of Sysco that Denny's carries and was unsatisfied. Especially from a place owned by Japanese. But I will always know a steak sandwich waits just around the corner if I want guaranteed satisfaction! read more

I stopped by and ordered a steak sandwich with onion rings. Sandwich was way overpriced at almost $30 with drink and onion rings. And both the fries and onion rings were tasteless. Sandwich Included a large chunk of grilled fat that should have been tossed instead of being served. I would say keep on driving - you can do better. read more

Don't waste your time OR MONEY! I love BBQ food. By far the worst I've had in the Bay Area. I will not get into all the why's behind my review. Just DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME read more

First time here and I might be back. French fries are good and the hamburger meat is done perfectly and decent flavor. Really my only gripe is the French burger. I love French burgers. But a soft roll doesn't do it. Zero crunch or flavor. But to top it off they use a small round patty so both ends are nothing but bread. If I come back I won't be having that. Might as well do a regular burger read more

Gee I miss this place. I used to go back when I lived in Mountain View. No frills just good food. The breakfast was amazing for your basics. And lunch would satisfy my BBQ cravings. Next time I cross the bay I'm stopping by. read more

Today's weather was near 100 degrees. Ordered lunch with iced tea. Asked for a paper cup to take iced tea to go, the owner said they don't have to go cups, when I can see stacks of paper cups. This place has no air conditioning or fans. The least they can do is give a paper cup to customers. Not returning to this place. read more

Food was extremely mediocre. Lack of seasoning and meat did have a grayish color. Definitely not worth the $46 I paid.

We arrived at around 1:30 pm, Saturday, February 9th for some lunch. The restaurant was mostly empty, with one family seated near the fireplace. I ordered the Giant Burger, medium well, w/ a side of onion rings & a grilled hot dog. The atmosphere was very cozy and well kept. The staff were friendly and accommodating. My meal arrived in a timely manner and I added the fixing that were available at the salad bar. Overall the meal was very delicious and I enjoyed the "mom & pop" feel of the place. Definitely check this place out if you're in the south bay and you want to try out a great place for breakfast or lunch. Highly recommended. 8.5/10. read more

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Steak Sandwich was very good. Fries were a less crisp than I like, but not horrible. I have driven by here numerous times and finally decided to have lunch here. I recommend. read more

I would give it 3 stars for the food but the prices knock it down another star. The food isn't terrible, but it's nothing special - no better than a decent cafeteria grill or what I could do at home with little effort. Fries do not come with the sandwiches, they are extra and they are mediocre. I asked my 8 yo daughter if this reminded her of what she got at school, and she said yep (and of course she really liked it, as did my 5 yo son so that's maybe the one plus - the food is simple enough for little kids to like). For myself and my two kids I paid $45 for a grilled hotdog on a semi-toasted bun (undressed, you do that part yourself), a cheeseburger (again you dress it yourself), and a bbq pork sandwich which was essentially pork shawarma (not slow cooked pulled) on an untoasted French roll. The food was done in about 5 minutes, and then the rest is on you. Hot dog $9, cheese burger $11, bbq pork $19. And again, fries and coleslaw were extra as sides. We were there at 12:30pm on a Friday and were the only ones until we left at 1pm when one other small group came in to replace us. The Bold and the Beautiful was playing on the TV. The people running it were nice enough, but unless I'm invited to come on someone else's dime and I have no say in the matter - I won't be coming back. Given what I got for what I paid, it was hard not to leave mostly disappointed. I believe it's a family run business, so of course I want them to succeed. But they'll unfortunately be doing it without my business. read more

Disappointing. I was up for adventure so I convinced colleagues to come with me for a weekday lunch. I had a burger on a French roll, scoop of data salad, and a Coke and it came to over $14! I didn't see the receipt so I'm not sure how it was calculated. It's pretty clear here that the owners just don't care. The food was mediocre. The decor is old and tired. There was junk piled on equipment in the back. It seemed a little dusty. It kills me - the space and the location are amazing! With a little care and a new chef, this place could own the neighborhood. But as it is, it's just a tired greasy uninspired place. I won't got back. read more

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Don't order dinner stuff during lunch. They only have hamburgers and steak burgers cooking on the bbq at lunch, so of order anything else it is in the fridge and they just microwave it and give it to you. I ordered a pork rib plate at 11:30, and watched them do exactly this. When I got it, it was in a paper pouch that was wet and disgusting and had very little flavor. The bbq that they have is also just ok, and the container they have for to-go was also almost impossible to open and I got it all over the place. I work a couple doors away, and I always wondered why no one at my work talked about going there... now I understand. read more

Great food, great service!!! Had a steak sandwich that was awesome! There cheese burger was awesome as well!!! I will defiantly be back!

We ate her today because we thought it would be similar to Clarke's Hamburgers (which we miss) but it turns out it isn't. First off it is really expensive. I got a basic hamburger (no cheese), small fries, and a soda. My wife got a low carb meal which is basically a deconstructed burger without the bun and a little more lettuce. She also got a small 4 oz cup of chili. Both burgers were wet with minimal flavor. The bun for my burger was very basic and felt like something from Safeway. My hands got wet trying to eat the burger. The condiment bar was very basic - lettuce, onions, pickles, relish, ... with nothing very creative. Now the kicker. The total was $47.76. I could have gotten an enormous amount of fries and tons of burger options for half the price if I went to Five Guys. If I went to McDonalds it would still have been a better burger for 1/4 of the price. read more

$13 steak sandwich... worth it! It's a slab of meat, cooked to order, on a fresh Le Boulanger roll. You add your own fixin's here, and today I threw on bbq sauce and lettuce... you know, for health reasons. read more

Old Asian lady lady at front behind counter is rude to her cook. I ordered. My food and she kept telling him my order was to go. He said he understood yet she kept yelling at him .. I have not received my food yet but the price and the way she treats her employees I won't return. read more

Over priced for the quality of food. Got a large cheeseburger no fries substituted with potato salad. $16.00. Large is an average burger anywhere else. Won't be back. read more

The one thing that makes me come back to this place is the steak sandwich. It's quite big portion. Yes it's a little pricey with inflation so high but to I'm willing to support businesses like this. One thing I recommend is they do a better job with condiments. Either there is none out or you to ask. Maybe it's the new covid protocol. read more

Kal's Bar-B-Q - Steak sandwich with fries - Barbeque Near Me - Sunnyvale, California

A safe choice for lunch if BBQ is your thing. Kal's has been serving Sunnyvale since 1958, longer than most people I know have been here. It's pretty much your typical burger joint with standard diner options: hamburgers, cheeseburgers, steak sandwiches, chilli and beans, hot dogs, turkey burgers and chicken sandwiches, to name a few. Breakfast and dinner items are on the menu as well, and prices seem reasonable. What makes Kal's different from other places is that your burger/sandwich is handed to you without veggies. There's a condiment bar where YOU decide how many veggies you'd like, within reason of course. Want a few slices of tomatoes on your burger? Cool. Want 50 slices of tomatoes? They might throw you out. This aint an all-you-can-eat salad bar. I usually get the BBQ chicken breast sandwich ($6.89), which tastes fairly typical, no better than if I were to grill one at home. It's about halfway on the tenderness and juiciness scale. My biggest gripe is the $10 minimum for credit card purchases. It's hard to hit that limit without adding stuff to my order or combining orders with a friend's. Not terribly practical, since there was one time when the person I came with had ordered before me and already paid. Kal's also has free WiFi, which interestingly is printed in their online menu no less than four times, yet I've never noticed a single sign at the restaurant advertising it. read more