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Welcome to The Hot Shop

At The Hot Shop, we bring unique culinary traditions to life, blending Afghan and Mexican flavors in a vibrant, halal dining experience. Located in Albany, California, our restaurant is known for its innovative burritos and savory dishes that delight the palate. From our Tropical Burrito, enveloped in a tangy honey curry sauce, to our crowd-favorite Cajun Burrito, each bite is a celebration of bold flavors and fresh ingredients. We pride ourselves on our friendly service and community atmosphere, making The Hot Shop the perfect spot for lunch, dinner, or takeout. Join us and explore a world of tastes that will keep you coming back!

LOCATIONS

Welcome to The Hot Shop, an extraordinary fusion eatery that brings together the vibrant flavors of Afghan and Mexican cuisine right in the heart of Albany, California. Nestled at 909 San Pablo Ave, this halal restaurant has quickly become a local favorite, blending traditional culinary techniques with innovative flavor profiles.

The Hot Shop is renowned for its unique menu offerings, which feature a range of dishes to satisfy every palate. From its specialty burritos to refreshing salads, every dish is crafted with fresh ingredients and a dash of creativity. Whether you opt for the Cajun Burrito, bursting with zesty flavors, or the Tropical Burrito, marinated in a tangy honey curry sauce, you’re in for a treat. Customers rave about the Cajun sauce, which one enthusiast described as a “billion-dollar sauce” that is not to be missed.

  • Location: 909 San Pablo Ave Albany, CA 94706
  • Contact: (510) 528-9011
  • Utilities: Delivery, Takeout, Reservations, Catering, Wi-Fi, Alcohol
  • Dining Experience: Casual, Family-Friendly, Good for Groups
  • Payment Options: Accepts Android Pay, Apple Pay, and Credit Cards

The restaurant embodies a cozy yet lively atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for both casual meals and family gatherings. With moderate noise levels and ample seating, including options for outdoor dining, The Hot Shop invites you to sit back and savor every bite. For those on the go, its efficient takeout service makes it easy to enjoy their flavorful dishes anywhere.

Customer testimonials highlight not just the standout dishes but the warm hospitality of the owner, who is known for making recommendations tailored to your taste buds. The nachos, described as "HUGE" and perfect for sharing, are a crowd favorite that complements the burritos perfectly. The vibrant and welcoming environment, coupled with an array of tantalizing sauces, adds to the overall dining experience.

In a world where dining options can often feel repetitive, The Hot Shop stands out as a refreshing alternative, inviting guests to explore a unique merger of cultural cuisines. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner, this lively eatery promises a flavorful adventure that you’ll want to embark on again and again. Don't forget to try the garlic lime sauce—a perfect topping for any dish!

So, if you're in the Albany area and looking for a delicious and fulfilling dining experience, mark your calendars and visit The Hot Shop. You might just find your new favorite place to indulge in mouthwatering Afghan-Mexican cuisine!

START YOUR REVIEW OF The Hot Shop
Duha S.
Duha S.

The food was delicious and super flavorful. As everyone mentioned the owner is so sweet and will recommend great choices. There is a small amount of indoor seating but most people take out. They have a good selection on sauces if you decide to eat in. The nachos are HUGE. Will make 2 people very full and 4 people satiated. The Cajun burrito was very juicy. Food came out pretty quick but if you are in a hurry order ahead as there can sometimes be a small line.

Kamran H.
Kamran H.

I've been coming here since 2009. I'm surprised I haven't put a review yet but I would like to consider myself one of the pioneers of putting this place on the map on social media which led to its child franchise, Afghan Burrito. The cajun sauce is not just a million dollar sauce. It's a billion dollar sauce. Get your cajun lamb burrito. You won't regret it if you have taste buds.

James M.
James M.

Best Steak Quesadilla Ever Gotta get that green sauce Cheaper and Better than Taco Bell

Amira I.
Amira I.

The owner is very friendly and the Chicken Cajun Burrito was amazing! I have been coming here for a while now and have bright many different friends with me, and we all agreed that the secret sauce is amazing!! He adds it to all the burritos and you can add it on the side as well, highly recommend coming here!

Sanilie F.
Sanilie F.

I have been here several times over the last few years. Hot Shop never disappoints. It was originally recommended to me by a friend of mine. Whenever I want something a little different, I order from here. You can never go wrong with their tropical or Cajun sauces for burritos. I have tried both lamb and chicken burritos here and it has always been very tasty. My little brother tried their nachos and he really enjoyed them. The owner is so kind and friendly. Definitely give them a try if you like trying new foods. Side note: the white sauce that they have is soo good. Make sure to ask for some.

Karen C.
Karen C.

3.5 Stars for food and service. My only problem was the bathroom. We ordered the steak and chicken burritos. The steak was pleasantly tender and juicy. The chicken was dry and didn't have much flavor. These are "gourmet" burritos so no refried beans here folks (love my refried though lol). However the black beans and rice inside our burritos was really good and married nicely together. You can add sour cream/cheese for an extra $1 (approx). We did because we like that. The burritos had a little lettuce and tomato that wasn't soggy even after reheating 20 mins in a 350 degree oven! We both added lots of sauces to achieve the desired flavor and heat. Next time we plan to try the prawn burrito. Nice guy working the counter. Its a small place with maybe 6 tables, and sits just off Solano on San Pablo Ave. It's nestled between a couple of slightly larger businesses and you will miss it if you drive too fast. There is a plastic tent on the sidewalk to help guide you. See pic attached. The bathroom needs a lot of attention but nothing a good wall wash and coat of paint can't fix. The soap dispenser was low on soap but not empty. After going in there I was afraid to eat the food (germaphobe) but we didn't get sick or have digestive problems lol. So yeah we'll go again. Hopefully that problem won't exist next time.

Lawrence C.
Lawrence C.

The Hot Shop is a burrito place that a couple of my friends had mentioned to me before and suggested that I check it out. I was around the Albany area with my gf, and we weren't too far from this place so we decided to give it a shot. The inside is decently spacious with a good amount of seating, so we were able to find a table pretty easily. You just order at the front, and you get your food within a few minutes so it's good if you want it pretty quickly. Here, the prices are pretty reasonable and much better than the ones in SF. The burrito my friends recommended was the Tropical burrito, as it has a curry sauce included in it which is pretty unique. I decided to get that burrito with steak in it, which came alongside tortilla chips and salsa. The burrito is pretty good and flavorful, although it's on the smaller side in terms of burritos that I've had. I do appreciate them trying out some different combos for their burritos to make some interesting flavors and I can see myself stopping here again if I pass by it. Overall, if you're in the Albany area then this is a pretty good restaurant to check out if you're in the mood for Mexican food.