So, having had luck with recommendations from Ben C before, I thought it best I check this place…read moreout on a day in Kings Heath. Now, I was meeting Ben for lunch at Veg Out (see http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/veg-out-cafe-birmingham?hrid=GgI2cmA6RaEsO8pLKdk1Aw), I didn't actually eat here - I just grabbed a coffee to visit and soak up the ambiance (being your intrepid Yelp Community Manager). Al's Diner is just off the main stretch of Kings Heath and opposite York Road. It's easy to spot, with it's American vibe and bright red exterior. As you might guess from the name, it's got a bit of a "happy days" vibe to it. From the red and white patterned work surfaces to old school Americana prints and design touches, it's all very sweet. As I say, I just popped in for a hot drink - but I will definitely pop back in for a burger at some point! The burgers looked huge and were priced around £2.50 (without fries) making it a bargain! They also had a great selection of sweet treats on the menu at similarly reasonable prices. My coffee wasn't the best (it was served with UHT milk), but that's not why you would visit normally. I grabbed a coffee and a can of cola and I believe it came to around £2.20 - which is a bit of a steal really. I was served with a smile and felt welcome throughout my whole visit (despite taking up a whole booth just to drink my coffee and do some work). I probably wouldn't travel all the way to Kings Heath to visit, but I urge you to pop in if you are based around here. If I was down here for the day, I would 100% make a date with one of their calorific treats for lunch or dinner.

At one time I counted 12 places that you could get chicken and chips from between The Sun at The…read moreStation and The Pear Tree. It doesn't take much imagination to offer something original in the ways of fast food. Al's Diner have spotted a niche in the market and jumped right in. They serve burgers, hot dogs, milkshakes and deserts in such authentic US surroundings, (NYC print wall paper, state-side memorabilia authentic shake-bar stools) that you half expect Arthur Fonzarelli to enter stage right with a 'Hey!' and start asking 'bout Richey. This place is very popular with tweens, who have claimed it as their own space to meet, hang out and gaze out of the window while supping a shake. Others like to drop in for a pre-pub snack before hitting the High Street. Families are catered for too, and on a Friday evening they take time out from busy schedules for some quality informal dining time together. Those who believe that 'It's Dork To Eat Pork' can join in as the hot-dogs here are made with beef. In fact, the whole menu is Halal. Service with a smile comes as standard, and they'll tweak meals to suit you. There's a level of community and philanthropy going on here which is hard to beat. If you haven't got an Uncle Sam then you can find a surrogate family member in Al.

Looking for some American diner style breakfast/brunch spot, Seth S. and I decided to check out…read moreCelebz since another brunch place was closed. The Celebz concept is based on a kitschy stereotype of Americana with quintessential foods like burgers, waffles, fries and milkshakes. I love a good bit of kitsch but Celebz seemed to hit all the wrong notes. The blaring music, loud colors, and cold interior left me feeling like I was on Sunset Strip after a late-night bender in search of greasy garbage to cure my hangover. The vibe, encouraged by Rhianna screaming "bitch better have my money," was starkly contrasted by a grouping of families with small children. Womp womp. When placing our order we learned that the milkshake deal (+£2) advertised with the burgers only applies to the burger meal, requiring you to spend £9 for a sandwich and milkshake, with or without fries. Seth S. got the burger but skipped the milkshake and I decided to get some pancakes and twisty fries instead. Seth's burger and my fries were delivered to the table fairly quickly, but we were almost finished eating before my pancakes arrived. I was disappointed that the pancakes were crepes not American style pancakes in an American themed restaurant, but that's neither here nor there. The twisty fries were perfect - just like some of my favorite from a greasy spoon in NC. The crepe presentation was nice but the flavor underwhelming. Too much egg was used in the batter, and the egg flavor overshadowed the Belgian chocolate drizzle and strawberry filling. If you're in search of an authentic Vegas hangover cure, this is the place for you!

I am big fan of reviewing places on what they are and as an independent American diner I have to…read moregive this place five stars. Located over by Aston uni campus this place is a bit out of the way but when looking for a late night sweet myself and a friend took a wonder over here to see what it was all about. Now I know this place will not be for everyone, it's loud and in your face in terms of design with pictures of the USA and celebrities on the walls. The menu is made up of a range of popular American classics like burgers, milkshakes, pancakes, cookie dough and ice cream. We decided to go for nachos and a cookie dough dessert to share which were both surprisingly good. The nachos had the guacamole and salsa on the side instead of being all over top which is great for a condiment lover like me! The thing that I love about this place is you can easily sit a chill for a few hours eating and drinking on a quiet weekend night off the booze (dry Jan seemed like a good idea at the time) if you are looking for a place to get something sweet with a good range of options this is a great option in the city centre.

I use this as a drivethrough when I get the urge for bad for you fast food. I am not a big fan of…read moreMcDonalds food but do fancy some every now and again. When busy I have seen a person standing outside before you get to the windows to take your order so you can just pay at the first window and then collect at the second and it does get the cars moving quicker than usual, the only problem here was then getting a cheeseburger happy meal instead of a hamburger for a child who does not like cheese and getting home before it was noticed!

Usual Mcdonalds standard food, staff are fast and efficient. This is also a drive through. I find…read moreeating in this branch is nicer than eating in local ones. It is not too busy so I have always managed to get a seat and the staff are always around cleaning and are always polite.

I stumbled across this little gem of a food place by complete accident. Now im hooked.the sheesh…read morekabab's are just so tasty. The panini rolls and baguette's are always so fresh, as are all fillings and salads. There are also some really good meal deals available that will make you go back again and again. Highly recommended A+++++

I had a lamb shish kebab baguette and a drink on a meal deal the food was very good and the staff…read moreare friendly. I will be going back soon to try the curry and rice meal deal. 5 Stars.

Okay... as an American from the South living in Birmingham for a while, this place brings a nice…read moretaste of home. Not only is the chicken good, but there are bottomless fountain refills which is rare in the UK. But more important than all of that - they have RANCH!! Real and legitimate ranch dressing. If you're not from the States, especially the South, you may not understand how important it is this place as real ranch dressing. That alone makes me want to come here more often. In addition to the food, there is a television that often shows American sports programs and games. Not usually live, at least I've never seen anything live, but still the fact that they play American sports is a nice atmosphere of being back in the States. If you are a local, come by and check this place out and try the ranch. At least once just to see what all these crazy Americans are on about!

From the owner: We were started in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2003.read more

Generally this is an ok branch of Aldi. Although I wouldn't rely on being able to do my weekly…read moreshopping here, there are bargains which make it worth a visit. There is plenty of parking outside. The staff are friendly and efficient, and always quick to open up another till if the queues begin to build. Like all Aldi's, it's a matter of trial and error to find the products that you will want to buy again. Rather like the old nursery rhyme, when it's good, it's very very good but when it's bad it's very horrid indeed. Most drinks seem ok, ditto biscuits and chocolate (although Lidl's chocolate is better), fruit and veg can be ok if you are going to use them quickly, and there are some rather nice tubs of fruit in juice. Beware of the rather scary iced latte There is plenty of space behind the tills to pack at your leisure.

This store always seems bit dark and dingy to me although its clean and fairly well laid out. The…read morefood is of good quality and it is purely trial and error as to whethor you like the food that you buy, its definately cheaper in price. This store has weekly special and these are well sought after, my only fault is they never seem to have enough of these deals in and if you dont get there on the first day of the offer first thing in the morning then you wont get it. Dont expect help with the packing though as they have such a high turnover of customers you do all that yourself, comes as a bit of a shock to the system if your used to the larger stores like Tesco and Asda. On the plus side it means that you are never standing in a queue for half an hour at a time.

Friendly staff Clean atmosphere…read more. But serving not good I found human hair in my meal ... disappointed.