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Kal's Bar-B-Q - Steakhouse in Sunnyvale, California

Kal's Bar-B-Q

4.0 (389 reviews)

425 N Mathilda Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94085

Barbecue restaurant
Breakfast restaurant
Brunch restaurant

About Kal's Bar-B-Q - steak house in Sunnyvale, California

Long-standing BBQ joint prepares a range of hearty American dishes at the counter in a rustic space.

Customer Review Summary

Kal's Bar-B-Q offers a nostalgic dining experience with a focus on mesquite charcoal-grilled burgers and comfort food. Most patrons praise the charbroiled burgers for their rich, smoky flavor, and appreciate the option to customize condiments. The atmosphere is described as a charming 1950s diner, ideal for casual meals with friends and family, both indoors and outdoors. Service is consistently noted as excellent, with the owner being friendly and attentive. While the majority of reviews are positive, some customers mention that the restaurant does not fully align with traditional BBQ expectations, with limited BBQ options on the menu. Overall, it is highly recommended for a hearty breakfast or lunch experience.

Key Features

Service options

  • Outdoor seating
  • Delivery
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in

Highlights

  • Fast service

Popular for

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings

  • Alcohol
  • Beer
  • Coffee
  • Comfort food
  • Quick bite

Dining options

  • Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Seating

Amenities

  • Restroom

Atmosphere

  • Casual
  • Cozy
  • Historic

Crowd

  • Groups

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments

Children

  • Good for kids
  • High chairs
  • Kids' menu

Parking

  • Free parking lot
  • Free street parking

Pets

  • Dogs allowed outside

Customer Reviews

Rating Distribution

4.0 out of 5
5
191
4
98
3
47
2
26
1
27
Based on 389 reviews

Bruce S.

9 months ago

Had lunch here for the first time in years. We had a Cheeseburger with onion rings that was good. We also had the BBQ chicken sandwich on a french roll. It was good except that the french roll was a lot longer than the chicken, as you can see from the picture. I've never eaten anything on a french roll that didn't cover the length of the roll. You can sit inside or outside.

Shane Vaughan

1 month ago

Outstanding service and food! The burgers are charbroiled over mesquite. We will be back next time we are in the area.

Vincent Tang

4 months ago

11/23/2024, new owners, grilled on wood charcoal. Added your own condiments. Actual hours different fron street sign.

Alex

8 months ago

If you miss a legit Mesquite charcoal grilled burger, this is the place for you! So many places out there with flat top or gas grilled burgers with that bland taste I just got used to. I had forgotten that smoke-infused deliciousness that only comes from real charcoal. With the cities cracking down and wanting electric everything, Kal’s is a breathtaking culinary trip to simpler times that you won’t find in newer places. I got the cheeseburger, medium and fries. All cooked to order. A separate station lets you pick and add the condiments of your choice. It was delicious old-school goodness. Having passed the taste test with flying colors, I’m going to return to try the rib-eye. Highly recommend the burger.

Clayton Moraga

1 year ago

Kal's is great! I love this place. It's a beautiful 1950's time capsule breakfast and lunch diner. They've been here since 1958 and still look as fresh and spotless as if they just opened. Food is excellent and they have all the classics to get me started. A genuine "Mom and Pop" restaurant and a joy to hang out with friends and sip coffee, chat and relax. Outdoor seating too. Support this cool locally owned business.

Eden Yeom

1 year ago

So delicious…No 1 Best steak burger ever👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 so kind service and clean. Fresh materials and rich taste.. so goooooood!!!!! Thanks for best service in SF. Best parking!!!!

fivos allayiotis

I don't have enough good words to say about this place! The food is really good and everything is prepared on a charcoal grill (pretty much in front of the customers), so the food has that smoky flavor that is missing from so many gas grill places. The service is astounding! The owner is very friendly and loves to cater to customers! We came in for lunch on a Saturday and it wasn't crowded. Will definitely be coming back for breakfast next time for sure. Loved it!

Jesus L

Not really a BBQ joint, more of a grill serving burgers and steaks. food was decent but nothing about this place is BBQ. the "texas" chili has beans lol and the only BBQ menu items where bbq pork, bbq beef. I had the "BBQ Beef" which was just chipped beef with BBQ sauce on it on a roll.

Location

Contact Information

Hours of Operation

Friday 8 AM–3 PM
Monday 8 AM–3 PM
Saturday 8 AM–3 PM
Sunday Closed
Thursday 8 AM–3 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–3 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–3 PM

Price Range

$10–20