John’s Char Burger

Came here with a co-​worker today for lunch. Wanted to treat him because of all the hard work he has been doing for the past weeks. He actually recommended it.
This place had the 1970s feel to it. Had the old diner feeling, and I love that ambience about it. The furniture had the 70s stylish look. Had that bubble cushion to it. Very comfortable. Plenty of room for people, and the place wasn’t overly crowded.
I had the John’s Char Burger. It wasn’t evenly proportion to burgers like In & Out or Habit Burgers, but it was plenty of meat to lettuce to bun ratio. Loved it. Had the Burger King taste for the burger but wasn’t imitation meat. Ordered a large fry to share. They came out hot and fresh. Crispy fries.
I wish I had their milk shakes and other delights, and I was tempted to try at least one. Everyone was having some sort of milk shake. But I limited myself not to get one. Instead, I got h20.
Rating
Food: 4
Ambience: 4
Price: 3
Service: 3 (It was a little slow, but that’s because it was busy.)
Overall: 4
Coming back. Thoroughly enjoyed the food.

Wow super rude will never return, my wife and I would eat here all the the time tonite was my first time back in over 5 years and last. It was all young girls with attitudes what happened to the original owners?

Its ok, i ordered two ¼ pounders; your choice of toppings.
The meat was decent and the bun was ok.
The quality of lettuce, onion and mayo is high and thus adds to the hit of flavor.
Somehow, you taste the flavor of something hand made, not rushed.
We shared one very large order of fries that were golden brown and tasty. Total: $ 17 and change.
Will finish review later.
Customer service: great
Parking: ok

John’s Char burger is the best burger I’ve ever had. One of those hole-​in-​the-​wall places that just have great food. And the fries are cooked nice and crispy.

Great burgers. Cozy place in Livermore.

I went back to John’s recently for the first time in about 15 or 20 years since moving to Livermore back in 1994 — this time to take my kids (7 and 9). It hasn’t changed in 20 years — still a classic burger and shake joint (although I understand a new owner conveniently named John bought it awhile back).
I had a John’s deluxe on a French roll, and even given the really outstanding burger choices in Livermore these days, it stood out as one of the better ones, and definitely the price is right. I probably wouldn’t get the french roll again as it was a bit too much bread.
My kids each had a john’s kiddie burger, and they continue to rave about it (and again, the price is right!). The fries were just OK — but we shared a small basket between the three of us and it was plenty.
We all shared a chocolate malt shake as well, and that was incredibly good.
All in all, this is a classic burger joint right out of the 70’s (with the look to match) with great prices and very good food.
the layout of the restaurant is a bit confusing, as there’s a take-​out only entrance that seems like the main entrance. Maybe you can (or should) order there and go sit down inside — it’s just a bit confusing of a layout at first, and there’s no signage about whether one should seat themselves. I’m guessing it’s just assumed since it’s an old school diner.

Char is right, I could still taste it hours later. Decent burger at the time, but the aftertaste kills it.

I had a meeting in Livermore today and wanted to venture something new. I seem to recall reading about a burger rivalry in that city and noted that John’s Char was in my vicinity. I threw the address in the GPS and made my way.
The place was quiet but the gal working the window was friendly. I needed to ask the difference between the «super» and «the char» (Size is the answer) and to take note of the rather large portions of fries/​onion rings. I purchased a «super» (¹⁄₃ pound I believe) and awaited for my sandwich.
It came out hot, juice and smelled delicious. I heartily enjoyed the burger and just when I thought there was no juice at the end of that sandwich my sweater took a burger bath!
Really, this was one of the better burgers I’ve had in the Tri-​valley!

It’s unfortunate that my husband liked the burger. I’ve never been to John’s before but when I walked out of my eye appointment the smell convinced us to give it a try.
We walked in where the counter space is and asked if that is where we ordered ‘to go’. Yes there is an enclosed area with a window but like I said we’d never been before. The person behind the counter said we could. While we were standing and looking at the menu she said ‘but only if you sit down’. What? She repeated that we could only order if we sat down as we were making people nervous. Ummm… ok because we must look scary?
So we ordered one burger and one small fries. Then a couple sat next to us and the man proceeded to pull out a fingernail file and give himself a manicure over the counter. In a restaurant. Where others are eating. I went to wait outside and talk to a friend. After about 10 minutes or so I went back inside to find out where the burger was at… possibly my husband decided to eat there? Nope. Still waiting but manicurist next to us was almost done eating his burger. Twenty minutes for our order while everyone else had their food.
So yeah the burger was ‘good’ but the fries? I can only call them ‘fry tips’. You know the things you scoop together out of the basket and create a serving? We went home and used a spoon to eat them.
You know this place made an immediate impact on my day if I am writing a review within an hour of being there. I won’t be a repeat customer.

Waitress was extremely rude, I could make a better burger with my eyes closed, 40 minutes to receive the worst burger of my life, asked for ice water and 10 minutes later received it, the list goes on. Terrible burger joint, save your money and stay away from this place.

John’s Burger is a longtime family favorite. Nothing derails my mom’s salad-​y ways like the mere suggestion of having lunch here.
Come to John’s if you enjoy the following:
–Simple and fresh burgers
–Crispy, skinny fries
–Creamy, dreamy milkshakes
–Meh service
–Aging and atrocious interior
–Loud @ss trains
I’m forever yours, John!

Small eating area along with small tables, 45 minute wait. Didn’t have the best waitress. She didn’t refill any drinks, didn’t ask us if we needed anything. But very good burgers! I will be back just hope I get a better waitress ;)

My older sister used to work for the owner. He made her clean a lot. But they have really good burgers and korean steaks.
Would recommend.

Was just in there about an hour ago, didn’t end up ordering any food. There was a family of about 6 people in line ahead of me hemming and hawing about what they were going to order for a good 5 minutes, so I asked if I could just go ahead of them because I was alone and knew what I wanted, they politely obliged.
I walked up to the counter, unaware that the counter person wasn’t ready to take an order… Yikes, I’m not stupid, you were just standing there, instead of staring at me like I’m stupid and and talking to me like I’m some kind of idiot, maybe next time just say «I’ll be right with you, give me just a moment»… Due to your awkward interaction with me and the stupid look on your face, I was confused and went back to the back of the line… How was I supposed to know? Then I saw you and your other useless counter person ROLL YOUR EYES AT ME … I don’t even know what happened… Maybe confusion on both our ends… So I left. Feeling stupid. Congrats if that’s how you like to make people feel!

A great burger and fries! We order the super burger with cheese. Basically tasted like a burger you get from your home grill. Super yummy. Great meaty flavor. Hubby and I split the burger it was so big.
Fries are crisp and not greasy.
All in all a nice reasonably priced lunch. We will eat here again.

This place never fails me! I’ve tried three different burger places and in n out and I have to say this place is the best!
The people are friendly and I like how small the place is. You can tell it’s been here a while just do to the wear and tear but it never sent me away the first time.
I always order the char burger with everything no mayo but with ketchup and mustard and its perfect. Sometimes I order a milkshake which are pretty good as well.
When I have a choice to pick a burger place in Livermore this is it. Never going to the ale house again! It was too noisy and the food was not worth the price. DEFINITELY recommend this for anyone who is looking for a good burger place here in Livermore.

Great friendly service at the counter. Clearly a locals place as the staff greeted people by name.
As for the food, American cheese is the default on the burgers, which had a great charred taste and came in a tasty sesame bun. Plenty of shredded iceburg lettuce and just the right amount of ketchup (that you must request). But I agree with other reviewers who said there isn’t much flavor to the meat besides the charred flavor. The malt and shake we ordered tasted similar to McDonald’s shakes, kind of thin and not very strong chocolate flavor. The malt was on the weaker side also. Best part of the meal was the skinny fries which came hot out of the fryer.
If you’re still interested, you should also know they have Pepsi products. I’m a Coke fan. At $ 5 plus for burgers, as well as for each shake and the fries, its a bit pricey for what you get. Even with the nice people.

I love this place, they have had the best burgers in town since I was a kid. I stop in every time I am in town visiting family and Mary always has taken care of us with stellar service and a lovely smile.
Thank you so much for such great food!

This place has a lot of buzz among Livermore people for having some pretty bomb burgers. I hadn’t been in like, years until today when I came in with a friend of mine. I really like the retro décor they have going on in here; reminds me of old movies that I used to watch with my parents.
I got just a regular char burger and split a large fry with my friend; we order one water, and one coke. The waitress forgot about our drinks, so we had to go ask her again, but other than that the service was pretty good. The food was okay, not bad at all, but not memorable. I have had better burgers in little diners in Monterrey or Santa Cruz.
The vanilla milkshake tasted like marshmallows which was awesome; because I love marshmallows. I’d say that was probably the best thing I had there. This probably won’t be my first choice as a burger joint, but we’ll definitely be back. :)

Saw this place on a Unilocal spotlight of burgers, and I’m always in search of the best burger in town. So naturally, I stopped by when I was in town.
John’s is a nice little joint run by a nice Korean family. The type of no frills burger joint that gives you nostalgia of going to after school and getting a milkshake and fries. With that said, the burger was not memorable. Not terrible, but not the best. Just for reference, my favorite burger in the bay area (and possibly ever) was from Disco Volante — sadly, now closed.
I had the Char Burger with Chili Cheese Fries. The burger was a big sloppy and hard to hold. I like my burgers to stay together. The burger was a solid good burger, but it didn’t have anything that gave it an extra oomph. Not that I don’t enjoy a regular no frills burger (Hamburger Habit serves a solid no frills burger), but John’s didn’t really do it for me. Don’t even get me started on the chili cheese fries… let’s just say I would never order them again.
I would say John’s is good enough to come to if you live nearby but not worth a trek.