val's burgers

wow! the best burger in the bay area no doubt!!! and the best memory of growing up a bay area kid. i have dreams at night of val's burgers and the owners thick black mustache. both look very cool but one tastes better than the other!! this is my all time favorite place to get a burger! now i know a good burger and i've had my share of burgers but this is my place! been going here for over 30yearsand i'm only 34! the burgers come in 3 sizes; baby-1/3, mama-1/2 and papa-1lb. .all bout the mama burger for me as i prefer one beef patty if i'm super hungry i'll get 2 but that is so rare! fresh condiments- onions, relish, pickles are at every table for fixing your burger (cheese and tomatoes are extra). the best part is they way they cook it...the real way...charbroiled, that lovely charred taste!! the fries and onion rings are so scrumptious and tender inside. they come in large baskets that can be shared between you and all of your friends for around $3. i gotta get the fries as they have the best classic thick cut fries. i never life soft fries but i make the exception for val's fries, oh my!! a shake to top things off is the way to go! they have so many flavors to choose from but i usually go with banana or pineapple. cool to see the staff for the most part is the same as when i started going there and after all this time they still remember my face! love how they keep it in the family! u can go for breakfast lunch and dinner but anytime i go i always gotta get my burger on! most of the time u go there is somewhat of a wait on a busy weekend night be ready to wait but so worth it i swear to god! val's isn't the easiest place to find in hayward as it's not on the main drag but if you find a burger lover around the area they better know of val's or that person needs to move out of hayward now! parking is a drag too as they have as many spaces as they do tables but patience always works out. i just wish they were open on sunday's and monday's cause i get my cravings 7 days a week. i guess i need those 2 days off so i can keep up my cute girlish figure! :)

i started going to val's in 1959, (i was 10) a year after they opened. my parents owned a bakery on b street.
the current owner, geroge, is the son of the original owner.
i had a heart attack twoyearsago and am allowed 4 oz of beef a week. i still drive 52 miles, one way, once a month to get my burger. i save up my 4 oz times four weeks and get my papa burger. to me, it's worth the risk. a 1lb papa burger with cheese, fries and a vanilla milk shake. the milk shake is in a metal can and you get 2 1/2 glasses. my wife shares the fries. if you like onion rings, these are great too. i prefer the fries. we have been married 40yearsand val's was our second date. she gets the low cal plate. burger patty, cottage cheese, tomatoes.
the papa burger comes as two 1/2 lb patties. i eat one on the plate and the other in the bun. it's hard to get your mouth around the two patties. i get funny looks when i scoop my fries in the milk shake. don't laugh until you try it.
the waitresses have all been there for many years. that tells you it is a family work atmosphere. they all take vacation the same time and they close down.
i like the counter in front of the grill, love the smell. when i bring relatives or friends, we get a table.
old time looks and quality food. you know the places that give you a warm fuzzy feeling, val's does it for me.
go there, eat, leave full with a big smile. you'll go back too. maybe not my 49yearsworth, but you will go back.