Just talked to a friend. I have lived near Kal's since 1958 when it opened. He just came from Kal's, for breakfast. It you're from Sunnyvale, you probably remember the Longhorn restaurant across from Fremont H.S. He told me the Longhorn owners now own Kal's, and they are open for breakfast and lunch. They lost their lease at the old Longhorn site. 10/19/2022 read more

We came here on a Saturday and it was completely empty except for 2 people sitting, who seemed to be regulars with the way they spoke to the guy at register. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and French fries. It was soggy and completely bland, lacking any form of flavor. It's obvious it's not real BBQ, only reheated food. Sat down and the complete silence in this restaurant made it feel awkward enough to not being able to speak in a normal manner, especially since we agreed it really wasnt very good. Normally, I'd be able to finish any form of pulled pork in sight but this time, I had to leave almost a whole dish behind. Definitely not coming back. read more

Spur of the moment decision put us at Kal's at 12:05pm. NOT the time I want to hit a burger joint. So imagine my surprise when it took less than two minutes to order and three minutes to pick up our meal! Score! I had a "small" bacon cheeseburger (meaning it only weighed about 5 lbs. The larger one was just downright scary looking). The burger was greasy (YES!) and the bacon well cooked. Fake cheese (typical), but overall a good package. Kal's has a burger fixin's bar for you to put your own "stuff" on your burger....typical fare. The fries were EXCELLENT....another kudos in today's veggie oil only world (yes, that's why fries tend to suck today). In the interests of those who choose to diet, they even offer a diet burger (cough). The one thing that was REALLY bizarre - smack dab in the middle of high-tech country, one would think that Kal's would be filled with young engineers (you know...like EVERY PLACE ELSE in Sunnyvale at lunchtime). But noooooooo....the majority of the patrons were well into their 60's. Not sure what's up with that...but it had nothing to do with the food....good stuff! Oh...and it's a Pepsi joint, so yet another kudos...I will be back! read more

Smells good from the outside. That's about the highlight. Oh and they're quick because it seems that most things have been cooked ahead of time and (maybe) they're reheating things. Otherwise how do you make a cheeseburger or hamburger in literally 60 seconds. The Kal's BBQ pork and beef sandwiches are also seriously simmering in BBQ sauce for hours if not days... They probably only survive because of the high prices and other popular restaurants Everything is a la carte. $7.99 for BBQ sandwich, up charge for a bigger bun. Fries were awful. $3.99 Onion rings are the Burger King type of breading. And it is mostly breading. Out the door for $14 for a less than satisfying meal. First giveaway hint is the Asian family running the BBQ joint. Nothing against my Asian brokers and sisters. But if you're gonna have a sign saying best BBQ in the bay up in the restaurant... You better back it up. read more

So, we actually have not been here. Let me explain. I've been on this chili cheese fries with pastrami "mood" since returning from a recent trip to LA. We savored and relished the the versions from The Hat (thin cut pastrami) and Langer's (thick cut pastrami). Based on Yelp, I tried St. John's Grill and came away disappointed. So, I was looking forward to giving Kal's a try. So, off we go around 7pm on a Tuesday only to find out that they were closed. Had they gone out of business? Were they on vacation? What was going on? So, I called them in the afternoon the following day to try to find out what happened. The person who answered the phone had a thick, Korean accent and was probably the owner. He told me he closed early because no new customers cane in. "Why should I stay open when no one is around?" were his exact words. Really? How has this business remained around for this length of time given that attitude? Enough said for me so I pass on even giving him a chance. read more

Other than me not noticing that the Steak Sandwich comes with no condiments on a to go order, and the hostess not hearing my order for fries, I'd say this is a decent lunch spot - tasty food. They have decent burgers, but the steak sandwich is the way to go. However, only 3 stars, because I'd be pretty hard pressed to call this a bbq joint. Sure, they grill meat, but come on... it takes more than a steak sandwich to appease this hungry korean. Where's the brisket and sausage, and smokey flavors and stuff? It smells GREAT from the outside, if they just put a big sign out front that said burgers and steak sandwiches, I think we'd all be happy. read more

This place is out of the ordinary !! I really like the steak sandwich and hambugers. They even sell a good breakfast. The old style barn just give character to the place. A very interesting place to have a lunch ! But beware this place does get packed and parking may be a problem. The one thing is the customer service ! The owners walk around randomly start talking to you like they have known you for years. Now that is how you treat a customer and make them feel comfortable ! One of my favorite lunch stops in Sunnyvale ! read more

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

I really enjoyed my lunch here. The ambiance was inviting and food was really good. Loved that they had the condiments (tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, etc) out for you to self serve. The service was very friendly from the moment I walked in I was greeted to the moment I left. Highly recommend. read more

I've been in the bay area for ~25 years so hope the 'local' non-chain places can stick around - and am sad to have to leave bad feedback ... but unfortunately everything about the experience other than the free wifi was honestly bad, for me and another person in our party. The folks running Kal's these days don't seem to be very organized. And to top it off their payment card reader was dead. But before that, they got my order 100% wrong once, and then the 2nd time totally undercooked both my burger and my friend's. They sent theirs back, I tried to power through it. The meat might have been frozen-then-thawed too since it was sort of undercooked goo. Again I really really really wish local places were able to do a good job for the $20+ i spend there, but I can't in good conscious ever return. (Having said that they were very flexible about my other co-diner wanting more salad substituted in for bad carbs.) read more

Love the steak sandwich and fries! Good sized portions and perfect fries. I haven't been here in a decade but now back in area so I'll be coming back. Owner Ken is still a great kind man so I'd rather support this independent business owner than some chain restaurant with no appreciation! read more

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

Fantastic and homely service, great juicy ribs. Fantastic steak sandwich. Will be back (super kids friendly)

You guys are trippin, this place is great if you order properly. Get the steak-sandwich, its a steak on a nice soft roll (dont forget to load up on the toe-curling horseradish)...Im surprised people arent whining that its too big for the bun & hangs over. The hotdog is killer too, split in half & grilled. The chili-cheese dog is great if you feel like napping your afternoon away. Ill admit the burgers which are pretty basic but I usually dont come here for that (go to St Johns for burgers). They offer salad with your meal with a great topping bar. The fries are always freshly fried & crispy if you ask for them that way. Its not a 5-star BBQ joint like Andys BBQ. Its a place where you can get a great grilled hotdog, chili-dog or an AWESOME steak sandwich. Its within walking distance from my work so its in the rotation, for sure. read more

Kal's Bar-B-Q - Steak sandwich & salad. YUM! - Barbeque Near Me - Sunnyvale, California

Great service. Great steak burgers. Same owners as Longhorn in Sunnyvale which was always great.

Spoke to the owner, For the longest I've known this place I was also informed that they were the owners of Chubby's Broiler in Mountain View, CA on Ellis Street Near Moffet Field..... that answers for the good food..... read more

This was my first time here, drove by and saw that they cooked on a wood mesquite charcoal broiler. I ordered the Steak Sandwich which is a big good sized Rib Eye steak on a soft French roll for $8.89. Also got an order of fries and onion rings all for about $14. Steak was amazing and so were the fires and onion rings. They also had a bunch of condiments you can add yourself ( onions, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, ketchup, mustard, mayo, ranch, thousand island, Italian dressing, oil and vinegar...) Kids got the cheeseburger and kal's burger. Husband got the low carb platter $9.99 with a 1/2lb hamburger steak and tossed green salad with tomato and choice of dressing. Everything tasted great! Was a little warm inside, which is my only complaint. read more

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

The Steak and Forty was bomb. This was the 4th time coming and I can't wait to get back

Definitely a place you need to check out! I got the steak and eggs. It was cooked to perfection and satisfied my cravings. The place is clean, has great customer service, and price isn't too bad. Support small local businesses! read more

I love the split grilled hot dogs. Yum-O! They have a condiment bar so you can fix it up anyway you like. The owners are very nice and accommodating. Good food at a good price. read more

Never had a steak sandwich before and was highly recommended by a friend. I have to say he did not disappoint. It's amazing how something do simple can be so good. Basic seasoned steak on a soft roll and add your own toppings and sauce on the side. I kept it simple with just some A1 sauce. Inside it gives you a home comfort feel. I would definitely recommend going here for lunch. read more

This is a nice little hidden gem of a place to have a meal at.I usually come in at around breakfast time.This is an old small restaurant owned by an elderly asian couple with one hispanic cook working the grill area.I usually order the scrambled eggs,with sausges,hash browns and toast. This place is right next to a small fitness gym,if you drive by too fast,were not paying attention you would go right past this place.Compared to one of those better know restaurants like denny's,mcdonald's,this place has a better atmosphere to it where they appreciate your business,I have yet to try this place out for lunch but plan to the next time I get the chance.Try this place for your next meal you'll be glad you did. read more

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I highly suggest that you search for an alternative if you are in the mood for pork ribs. The ribs completely lack flavor and taste like they were cooked in an oven. There is absolutely no barbecue flavor at all. The ribs also are fairly tough and dry. In terms of the barbecue sauce, there is only one option which has a tomatoe after-taste to it. Also, the potatoe salad was horrid. Your better bet is to go to Dave's barbecue assuming there is one in the Southbay. There, they have multiple barbecue sauce options with tender ribs and great flavor. As I sit here, I'm realizing that im the only one that ordered the ribs. I now understand why. read more

This place casts a tantalizing aroma to all the gym goers next door and I was one of the victims that succumbed to it's perilous siren call on the way to my car. I ordered the ribs and I was pleasantly surprised. The taste was decently smokey and could easily see the pink smoke penetration in the meat. I have to admit that it was gone pretty quick. Needless to say I liked the ribs. However, the rest of my combo kind of sucked. Came with a little salad and some other forgettable treat... corn? Anyway, it was a bit pricey, the people were kind of boring and I was not blown away by the intangibles. So if ya' hankerin' for some 'Q, peep this place out but don't expect to be taken away to Kansas City. read more

Cheeseburger - 4 Stars Good hamburgers with a self service condiment bar. Service is ok, but some may feel uncomfortable as the staff are used to certain way of doing things and not very welcoming to newbie's. read more

We come here all the time during work for lunch given how consistent and efficient they are. Not world class by any stretch of the imagination, but a solid 2-3 star joint. They really need to stop diluting the A1 with water though. After a point, it becomes really obvious. Thank goodness they leave the ketchup alone and in a natural state. I use both for my fries so I notice these silly things. read more

been coming here for many years, finally got around to writing a review. I've had many steak sandwiches over the years, and this place consistently has one of the best. great toppings bar too that is always fresh. horseradish on the sandwich is the clincher! sometimes the meat is juicier than others, not sure if that has to do with throughput. i believe they still get their meat fresh from the butcher daily. read more

Great breakfast! It's always good when the cook knows what yoU want and how you want it! Always smiles and friendly staff! I much rather give my money to mom and pop shop! read more

This place does hit the spot. I ordered their food to go and my initial experience was very lack luster. Many of my items were missing and I my food was cold. However, after contacting them they notified me that I was given the wrong order. They immediately remade my original order and it was fantastic. It was almost like I ordered from a completely different restaurant. However, due the inconsistency and my initial experience with them I do have to give them 3 stars. I will continue to dine at this place and update my review to gauge the restaurant more accurately. It's also worth noting that their they do close a bit early so if you want to dine here that you can't expect them to be open for dinner. read more

Walking in is a step back in time- well, except for the prices on the menu. Ordered the basic BBQ pork sandwich, no extras, and all in with tip was $20. The pork was good, but not great, moist with some smokiness. The sandwich itself was reasonably sized but wasn't enough by itself to be lunch. Service was fast, and the folks behind the counter were friendly enough- that's a plus. Value and flavor aren't enough to bring me back sadly. read more

"Established 1958" the sign on the door says. 61 YEARS. This restaurant is a throwback. That's evident in the vintage decor-- though they do offer wifi! And it's evident in the simple, delicious items on their menu. Order a burger or steak sandwich, served fresh off the grill to you on a real plate, and add your own toppings like lettuce, onions, and sauce from the fixings bar. Then sit down on one of the vintage vinyl-covered benches and muse about what Sunnyvale was like before it was called Silicon Valley. The only minus is Kal's runs pricey compared to other fast-casual burger joints. read more

The Good: Quality service. Consistently great food. The Steak Sandwich. The Bad: Can be a bit pricey. The Review: I wanted to re-review this place because I've noticed a trend lately. A lot of my favorite places from when I started Yelping have gone downhill (I'm looking at you Tasman Teriyaki and Juicy Burger). Whether it be from new ownership, or my budding tastebuds, they have all, sooner or later, disappointed me. All except Kal's. Kal's stands the test of time. I can count on the same delicious Steak Sandwich I got when I first reviewed this place in 2008. I can also count on the same great service when the owner is around. He always greets you with a smile as you enter. I remember my fondest memory of him was the first day we ate at Kal's. We told him how much we loved it, and he told us that we shouldn't go there everyday, because it was unhealthy. That was awesome. Of course we didn't listen, and we were back at Kal's the very next day with more friends. Sunnyvale's best kept secret is still one of my favorite places to eat in the Bay Area. Thanks for doing it Kal's. read more

No sooner had I ordered I watched them slap a steak down on the grill and the plate was ready. Super quick service. The slaw tastes like KFC (which is good for me because I like it that way) the steak sandwich is a 5.8 out of 10. All and all good spot but there are way better BBQ spots in the south bay. $12=steak sandwich, slaw and a small drink. read more

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

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OMG,... I went to this place thinking it was affiliated with Kirk's Steak burgers in Campbell, on Bascom Ave. that has the best steak burgers around. I like my steak burger with grilled pineapple on it and this is the only place I know that does that. But, when I went to this place Kal's Bar-B-Q, I watched a old Asian man cooking without a mask and a little Asian woman working hard behind the counter. She was taking money, handling food, and most of all she was not wearing a mask or gloves to prepare the food. She was touching the meat with her hands, and I know I didn't see anyone washing there hands. During this pandemic, we all need to watch how people make our food or handle what we consume. And, when I had enough and finally said something she was rude and told me to never come back. Guess what I will never go back again. P.S,... this place was over priced, outdated, dirty and old. A normal Hamburger $8.50 French Fries $2.89 read more

OMG, just went to Kal's after a two year absence. It used to be pretty good but today it was inedible. The ($11) cheeseburger was disgusting. It was so. rubbery that I thought I had accidently eaten something other than beef. Spit it out and got a replacement. It was also gross but in a different way; it was very gamey. So yeah, for my $20 I got some old crappy fries and a flat soda. Just hoping that I don't get sick later today....but so far so good! read more

My parents have been loyal customers of Kal's since they started dating in the 80's! Even after moving to the Central Valley, they never failed to bring their children (me, I'm talking about me...and, yeah, I guess my brother too) to Kal's at least once a month. Plot twist: I was an extremely picky eater as child. So, I never really fully appreciated this place growing up. Thankfully, it was "just a phase." Back in the late 90's and early 00's, Kal's was ALWAYS packed during lunch. And, according to the parentals, it's been like that since waaaaayyyy back in the day. The line would be out the door by 11:30 am; and we'd have to hunt for seating. It would last well into 2pm. Perhaps it was out of convenience, but every single person seemed to enjoy their lunch. From cook to cashier, they've always been kind and serving with a smile. So, the food? As a picky eater, I would get other items like a grilled cheese, hot dog, or chili. All of these items are fairly standard but still delicious. My parents' orders never changed: cheeseburger for pops and a steak sandwich for ma. Never forget a side of fries. Let me start with the fries. They've always been hot - crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, exactly how I like them. Their burgers have this distinct "char" taste to them. But, the real winner at Kal's is the steak sandwich. It's always an amount of meat that spills over the roll it's put on. The balance of meat and fat on the steak is perfect. Paired with the fries, it reminds me of a small drive-thru that closed down in my hometown long ago. Ah, childhood nostalgia. They have an open condiment/topping bar so that you can dress your sammie to your liking. Plus, the salad dressings (thousand island, blue cheese, ranch, etc.) can be used to dip your fries. Personally, I prefer a perfectly unhealthy serving of mayo on my steak sammie and...that's it. That's all I need. Pricing can seem a little steep, but they are a family run business trying to survive while all the tech companies (and their lunch benefits) overrun the area. The last time I was there, we were deep into prime lunch hour and it was nearly empty (about 10 people total). Kal's, here's looking at ya! Thank you for filling my family's stomach for 30+ years. I'll continue to clog my arteries with your food as long as you keep your doors open. read more

This place has a great for lunch. The real magic is breakfast. Great basics like pancakes eggs and bacon. They also have great interior decoration and art. read more

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

It feels like one of those type of restaurants where you go there simply for the location because of the nice weather, cool benches outside and a the chill vibe. It feels like one of those pit stops you take on a long trip to anywhere USA and say "hey...........that looks like a cool restaurant to eat at." The food is not spectacular but who really cares when the setting of this restaurant is great. The Korean family who owns this Establishment is super nice and the bbq pit is pretty cool, but I can honestly bbq better than this. We had the burger and steak for lunch. I had some of my friends hash brown and it was very good. The steak and burger were just ok but then again we were really there just to hang out and to grab a bite but.......... more importantly shoot the breeze with my best friend and his wife and kid. Today was the perfect day for this restaurant. Really couldn't hate the food because the company that I was with was perfect. read more

Another giant cheeseburger but no buns this time... I loaded it up w/ onions.. the service was so fast that I just couldn't believe it. I paid, got my soda, and there was my burger waiting to be eaten!!! read more

Being an Electronic Engineer I go to Kal's BBQ every time I have EMC ,(electromagnetic compatibility testing), which my company does at Elliot Labs. I love the large french frys and I usually have either one of the large hamburgers or the steak / tri-tip sandwiches. Only one time was my hamburger under cooked and they didn't reheat it they cooked me a whole new one ;-). The hamburgers and steak sandwiches have always been great, so if you want a good burger or BBQ sandwich then this is a great place for lunch. Fast service too! ;-) read more

Great spot. Found it by chance and loved it! Amazingly friendly owners took great care of us and provided good "life" advice. Such a fun experience. Food was excellent!!! read more

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

This was one of those days that i had crave for hamburger. This restaurant is very close to my work and a friend suggested. Therefore, my lunch for the day was burger. The owners are a Korean couple. No wonder they do well with BBQ. -Sigh- This restaurant has been here for more than 10 years already. Their burger meats are cooked from mesquite grill and the buns are warm too. A salad bar with full of ingredients/peppers and sauces for you to build your own burgers. Friendly services and old school decor gives you warm feeling. They also offer breakfast from 6AM to 11AM, Sat till 1PM. Prices are from $5 to $14(Rib eye steak). wait, they even have draft beer: Budweiser. Most of my friends know that I don't really like to hold food with my hands. I actually licked my fingers after finishing the burger here. I will come back to try more soon. read more