Red Onion - El Cerrito

The bacon cheeseburger was the most delicious burger I’ve had in a long time.

Look up the definition of a greasy spoon establishment, and the Red Onion will check all the boxes. Nestled underneath the shadows of the bay area B.A.R.T system in Cerritos district, this small but mighty eatery filled my belly wonderfully. When I walked up to order my lumberjack size meal, the bilingual lady seemed a bit rough around the edges as she hurriedly took my order. Understandily, since I discovered she was all alone at 9 am with half a dozen other hungry men in the diner. But that didn't prevent her from doing a masterful job of cooking and serving all the customers, including yours truly! I sat in amazement watching her fill the orders, including a couple of phone in take outs. Fortunately for all, her coworker eventually arrived to help out with the load. When I received my two eggs and fixings, including pancakes, they were just fine. To be fair, the bacon was a little too soggy, and the pancakes flavor were just so-so. The floor and tables needed a little wipe up, but I understood the circumstances she was under. It was priced higher than most breakfast, but after all, California isn't cheap.

The menu is simple and the service is friendly. It's a typical spot for quick burgers and fries. The interior is quite small but charming! The onion rings are crispy, the fries are light and fluffy, the burgers are basic yet satisfying, and the chicken sandwich is an excellent choice.

We had a terrible experience at this restaurant. My husband and I went in for breakfast and requested coffee first, but the owner told us we had to order our food first, and she said it with a very unpleasant attitude. Her behavior was arrogant, and the customer service was lacking. It felt like she was implying that if we didn't like her way of doing things, we should just leave. She had a rather unwelcoming manner towards customers that left a lot to be desired. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.

I enjoyed a fantastic burger here, and the staff were very friendly. I ordered a cheeseburger with fries, and it was delicious! The food was excellent! As for parking, there is plenty of free parking available. Additionally, the restaurant has a small ramp at the entrance for wheelchair accessibility.