The Racing Honda burned some rocket fuel on this journey. We sped to Willie Bird (Santa Rosa) to pick up a bird for a friend and ended up at Val’s Burgers in Castro Valley. Now, I know there is a beast called a turkey burger but it is not in our vocabulary. It just so happens that these two destinations were on our itinerary today. The Great White Hunter had ordered a coveted Willie Bird for Thanksgiving. He is temporarily sidelined and needed somebody to pick up his hipster purchase. Ms. Goofy and I rose to the occasion. We do not need an excuse to hit the drag strip commonly known as the highway. We arrived at Willie Birds to a full parking lot and a line out the door.
This is prime time for this dispensing of pampered fowl from this Sonoma County hot spot. The line moved quickly to satisfy the anxious hipster crowd. We have tried the Willie Bird in the past. It is a high quality product that is reflected in the sum demanded for purchase. This year we were only on an errand for our friend; The Great White Hunter. The bird was tucked away in our portable ice cave for delivery.
The bird was delivered to a grateful Great White Hunter. It was time for a burger. Val’s Burgers is a famous destination restaurant in the Castro Valley area. We have been ringing the bell with nostalgic old time diners lately. Val’s is a place that has not changed in a half-century. Burgers, fries and the most ultimate milk shakes you could imagine. I forgot how good a milk shake can be. Do you remember the time when you would get a whole tall glass full of shake with the remainder in a frosty metal cup?
I had the Papa burger (1 pound) and Ms. Goofy the Mama burger. We split an order of fries but most got left on the table. They were salty, crunchy delicious but our bellies were contently filled to the brim. These burgers were meat lover’s delights. The kiss of the grill left a smoky wonderful meat crust that made our burger shine. There was plenty of compliments tableside to decorate your burger. Burger, fries and a shake, it does get any better than at Val’s. I do not think turkey burgers were on the menu. I hope not.
Val’s Burgers
2115 Kelly St,
Hayward, CA 94541
(510) 889-8257
8 comments:
We have great memories of Willie Bird smoked legs at the Santa Rosa Farmers Market. Good stuff. I hope GWH picked up the tab for your burger in compensation.
Three Dogs BBQ, The GWH has kept us in elk for years. We were happy to help. The GWH adds a dimension to life that can only be explained by the word; weird.
Mr. Brown as three dogs BBQ stated I am in your debt. The next meat run lunch is on me. I really appreciate your kindness in picking up the bird for me and saving my daughters thanksgiving. GWH out
greatwhite hunter, We were happy to help. A quick question, does your new bicycle come with hipster coffee cup holders?
Mr. Brown I am not a hipster, if I was it is true I would have a coffee cup holder. Mr. Brown you know what I am. I am a flamboyant okie that is why I am trying to find someone to install a chrome plated espresso machine on my bike. GWH out
greatwhite hunter,I have a hard time grasping the term 'Flamboyant" with you. Chrome plated espresso machine could be put on a trailer and towed by your bike. Why go to the trouble. Just take a spray water bottle and give yourself a little spritz before you hang out at your hipster coffee shop.
Vals does look like an awesome place and I remember getting the shake as you described and it was 25 cents. Several years ago we cooked two turkeys for Thanksgiving using one regular grocery store variety and one free range, all natural from a local grower. Only one person could tell a slight difference in the taste so we've just bought what's on sale since. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving Big Dude, We have a bargain basement Wally World self basting turkey. It is injected with salt, water and fat. People cringe hearing this but it is a bbq secret that a lot of competitors use. They taste good to us especially with a couple of helpings of stuffing.
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