Al's Cafe review
Al's serves great Mexican and American dishes. The service is friendly and fast. The owners are on the premises and they greet each and every customer. Mary, one of the owners, treats her customers as if they were family. A great place to eat. The chile verde is the best anywhere. It is spicy and flavorful and plentiful. You never go away hungry.    [27 Feb 2001 19:48:07]

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Recommended Dishes: Chile Verde and Carnitas...homemade chile beans

     ­Cheri Torrez   

Exellent Food and Service
Al's Cafe is one of the best spots in Fresno to eat. The food is excellent, offering both American and Mexican cuisine. The service is excellent and the owners are on site all of the time, so the quality of the food is consistent. If you have a chance, eat there, and by all means try the Chili Verde Enchiladas.    [22 Apr 2001 21:45:28]

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Recommended Dishes: Chili Verde Enchiladas

     ­Anonymous   

Beagle says...
It is always difficult to resist a glowing restaurant review. Put two back to back and resistance is futile. Such was the case with Al's. Upon arriving at this converted Wendy's, it becomes evident that Al's is not gourmet dining. The restaurant itself is very sparsly furnished. Think "very cheap date." In looking at other tables, the portions are huge, slopped with sauces, cheeses, well, everything craved by high-cholesterol junkies. But restaurants should be primarily about the food, so long as the place passes health inspection (which Al's certainly would), one should look past presentation whenever possible. One is generally greeted nicely at Al's, but momma Al is not all that available to every stranger. However, Al's dishes out some wonderful, down-home Mexican food. The huevos rancheros is especially good, topped with Al's own special and spicy sauce full of plentiful, fresh chunks of pork. Hot sauce on the side is provided, if requested, not as a small jar of Tabasco, but as a coffee cup full of homemade, spicy brilliance. The Mexican food dishes here are authentic, tasty and plentiful. As other reviews have so accurately noted, one doesn't leave Al's hungry. Looking for a quality coffee house with a Mexican flair and just good food? Al's is a good bet. One note, the breakfast is great, but the coffee is weak Folger's style. Ah, just like the old coffee house days.    [29 Jul 2001 13:53:45]

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Recommended Dishes: Huevos Rancheros, Hot Sauce on the side, Al's potatoes.

     ­Anonymous   

Does seem to need customers
I went into Al's Cafe for lunch, was seated and got my menu, ordered the chile verde burrito. The waitress asked if I wanted sauce on my burrito, I said yes, they brought the burrito and it had red sauce on it. I explained to the watress that I didn't order red, that I order chile verde which is green sauce, she said not there it wasn't. I took one bite to give it a try, it was spicy and hot, I told the watress that I couldn't eat it, and I like to get something else. She took my plate and came back and said the manager said I would have to keep it. I have never been treated so rudely, wouldn't bring my dog to Al's cafe.    [25 Jun 2003 16:57:55]

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Recommended Dishes: I recommend you eat somewhere else

     ­Marie, Fresno   

Best Huevos Rancheros Ever
My husband and I were on a recent driving trip through California and just happened to stay overnight across the street from this small cafe. So, what could be more natural than to try it out for breakfast before hitting the road?

As other reviewers have noted, Al's is neither upscale nor fancy. But it is comfortable inside, and the waitresses all reminded me of my mom. On this weekday morning, the place was very busy, but service was fast and welcoming. My husband and I both ordered the huevos rancheros, and were treated to the best version of this dish it has ever been our pleasure to eat. First, a corn tortilla is placed on the plate. Then, it is covered with the "chile verde" sauce which, although not green, has just the right amount of spiciness. The flavor is smoky and it makes my mouth water just thinking about it. The huge chunks of pork in the sauce are more reminiscent of stew than any other dish; absolutely tender and juicy. On top of all this, almost as an afterthought, rest the fried eggs. The servings are huge--I could not finish mine, but that did not diminish my enjoyment.

I am from Wisconsin, and so do not know if I will ever get another chance to eat this manna from heaven, but if you are ever in the area, you should not miss Al's Cafe.    [14 Dec 2005 10:13:36]

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Recommended Dishes: Huevos Rancheros

     ­Julie Capell   

Al's is GREAT. We ate at Al's the Sunday after my Father's 75th birthday. They easily accommodated our large group. What's the best thing to eat at Al's? Their burritos are just delightful. The burritos are huge, fresh, tasty & reasonable. The decor is not fancy. If you like home made food, served by friendly, old fashioned waitresses, you'll love it!    [25 Sep 2007 20:05:42]

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Recommended Dishes: burritos

     ­Anonymous