My favorite burger place when I was a college student at Berkeley, and it still lives up to the same great taste! We come back every year or so, and get either the regular burger, mushroom burger, or bacon burger, depending on how we feel. The sesame buns are amazing, and I love the char they get on their patties. Service is fast, but practical/no frills. Prices have gone up, but that's to be expected. Their fries are pretty mediocre, so opt for the onion rings if you want a side. read more

I love Bongo Burger. Their Shish Kabab sandwich is my favorite and I literally crave it and drive for miles to get it. Their fries and onion rings are perfection. I've been a loyal customer for over 30 years. read more

I love their Turkey burgers. Everytime, I go to Berkeley, I get one. The owner is really nice too!

The taste of the burger did not satisfy me much. It has flavour but there is something I can't get my head around it. It has a home cooked meal taste along with some MSG...something like that. The fries were actually very tasty and crispy. The portion sizes are acceptable. I've come back several times and I think each time I've had a different burger. My favourite would be the turkey burger with everything, I remember it being very juicy and flavourful. I feel it's just the beef difference when referring to an odd taste but at least I know what I would get. Turkey for the win! read more

Checked out this local burger place in Berkeley after checking Yelp for burgers near Telegraph Ave and Cal. I had their turkey burger which I have to say was the best spiced turkey burger I have had anywhere. A good sized, thin patty came on a sesame see led bun with their standard toppings. Was one of the few times I had to be carful eating it as it was juicy and messy, which is not the usual case for a Turkey burger. Their fries were OK and the sesame seed bun was good but maybe not as soft as some would like, but overall a really great little burger joint. Has some interesting choices I will have to try next time, line the lamb Persian burger and Black Bean burger. Check it out read more

You need to order the Persian burger!!! I've never even heard of a Persian burger until I came here and tried it out yesterday. My husband kept on insisting we should come here for their famous burgers and at first I was hesitant because the Persian burgers on the yelp website did not really look that appetizing to eat. I finally gave in and so we placed our order through the phone and picked it up. Unfortunately with the shelter in place there was no dine in allowed. We grabbed our food and enjoyed by one of the local parks! When I took the first bite of my burger I was really impressed. It reminded me of koobodeh but in a sandwich form and it's one of my fav Persian dishes!!! The burger was very long and filling and it came with a side of basic fries. It's really good and juicy!!! read more

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We were provided the worse customer service. We ordered the mushroom burger and impossible burger with two fries, standard order. The fries Felt like we were chewing rocks, We nearly waited 40 minutes to get it, the cashier gave us the wrong recite and order number. She was dismissive! Couple other people came in after us who didn't order ahead and sh was so nice and has recommendations, etc. it felt like an intentional way of saying don't come back. Yes we were the only people of color in the entire restaurant. We use to come here and college and it was nostalgic to revisit, BIG mistake. They'll never get our money ever again. read more

Stopped by for a black bean burger and really enjoyed it! The patty itself is good, but I think the toppings and soft bun really make the burger. I love the pickled onions and condiments, and thought the soft, yet toasted bun was fantastic The fries are crinkle cut which is fabulous, but unfortunately they don't salt the fries enough. read more

The black bean burgers here are fantastic. We did take out and just ate In the car. Couldn't wait to get home to eat it. The staff was nice. They wore masks and gloves. It wasn't at all crowded because we went 20 mins before closing time. We called ahead and placed the order so they had it ready for pick up. It is quite a long drive but it's totally worth it! read more

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Bongo Burger is such a great little hole in the wall, and if you're looking for Persian American fusion food, there is absolutely no topping the Persian Burger - kabob koobideh on a roll with lettuce and tomato - with some doogh. read more

Great burgers and happy people. Love the area as well. My pro tip is to get the breakfast wraps. They often use a whole wheat kind of wrap for it and over time i really warmed up to that, and even came to prefer it. Bongo feels like home! read more

Tasted ok. Burger was thin but circular wide. Burgers were grilled by rotating around a flame. read more

If you go to Bongo Burger, I highly recommend skipping over all the conventional burger options to the Persian Burger. Its $8.95. And an all ground lamb burger on an extended bun. They add a Middle Eastern seasoning made from ground, dried grape leaves that makes it delicious. They add lettuce and tomatoes. I add lots of ketchup to mine. PRO-TIP: If you get the french fries here, ask for them crispy. They use the wavy style fries that have a substantial center. With all that external surface area, these fries get a wonderful contrast between a crispy outside and soft center if you ask for the crispy. This place is generally not too busy, but parking can be challenging as this is the heart of the Telegraph Avenue business district. Sometimes you can have parking luck by heading a couple blocks toward Oakland on Telegraph Avenue. read more

Bongo Burger - storefront - Burgers Near Me - Berkeley, California

I love the burgers. The staff is very nice and I really like the steak sandwich. Whenever I'm in Berkeley it's a mandatory food stop for me. read more

I really enjoyed the burger from this place it was absolutely delicious. The pricing was great. There was seating available. It was a quiet little hole in the wall burger restaurant that I look forward to eating out again next time I'm in Berkeley. Great price great food! I would suggest this business to anyone who's hungry and in the mood for a good burger. read more

Cheap, decent, value food suited for to-go. I stopped by looking for a late breakfast yesterday, and had their breakfast wrap special ($7 including meat). There was a good balance of ingredients and it got the job done as far as breakfast goes, but I wouldn't exactly call it gourmet. The wrap itself was on the buttery side, the chicken sausage a little chewy, vegetables a touch soggy, and hot sauce a bit heavy handed. I saw some burgers coming out while I was waiting that looked a lot more appetizing though, might be worth getting those instead. Will be back to try them! read more

Very good and delicious food , have been the fan for 20 years now each time passing Berkeley stop by to buy bunch for family and friends in Dsvid read more

My review is based on a pick up order. The Lamburger is easily 5/5; the falafels, which are tiny were disappointing to me (3/5). I like meatball sized falafels that are fluffy and the ones I had here are rather dry. They're ok I guess but not what I expected. Because of the Lamburger, I will be stopping by here again next time I find myself frolicking around the UC Berkeley campus. read more

ZERO STARS. PLEASE have your employees in charge of making sandwiches WEAR DISPOSABLE GLOVES. I was appalled to see an employee use his bear hands to grab lettuce, tomatoes and falafel to make a wrap. The result? Food poisoning!!!!!! It makes NO SENSE to have the guy at the register wear gloves, while the one who is actually TOUCHING THE FOOD is not observing hygiene protocol. read more

Whenever I'm in the mood for a burger this place hits the spot every time. I always order over the phone ahead of time and pick it up with ease. Sometimes if you just drop in the line to order can be long. read more

So delicious, I cannot hesitate when coming to Berkeley, extremely worth it. Vegan is served as-well. Check it out. Has been nothing less than a treat. read more

The burgers were pretty good. They are obviously not the best burgers in the world but they're good. My friend got a sandwich and said it was good. The service was decent just normal. They accept cash. The location / place is pretty. It's Berkeley so you can just imagine it. The ambiance of the place is cool. read more

Bongo Burger - 4. Hamburger Combo - Burgers Near Me - Berkeley, California

This place acknowledges their amazing burgers and rightfully so however, the true question is, which burger? My friend suggested, recommended, advised I order the Persian Burger. Throw in some fries and we have a deal. Persian Burger - This 12 incher arrived looking long and flat. Is it a sandwich or burger? Doesn't matter. One bite and I was instantly sold. The bread was soft, the ground lamb was moist, and the other toppings were fresh. Overall, this sambuger (sammich+burger) was delicious and light. No guilt after this meal! Service was great, food was excellent read more

Bongo burger has been a favorite for over 4 years now. They've been voted best burger in Berkeley multiple times! They also serve middle eastern food, breakfast/brunch/ steak sandwich, and of course their famous burgers. Burgers are served on a toasted bun, that is toasted perfectly. Burger includes mayo ketchup and mustard, which I think is rare from burger places now days. The quality of the meat is outstanding, and staff is very friendly. Although this is a small location, the quality of the food has me coming back every time I'm in Berkeley. read more

Bongo Burger - Hamburger and Fries - Burgers Near Me - Berkeley, California

Wow, the lamb burger sandwich is as good as the reviews say! Super tasty lamb patty, toasted sesame roll gave it a nice crunch, fresh veggies -- wow, I was surprised at how much I liked it. I had planned to share one with the hubs and was sad that my half went so fast lol. Fries were mediocre so I'm docking a star. Kids got burgers, no complaints on that front. Bonus points for being open at 10:30AM when most spots don't open until 11. read more

I've heard a lot of mixed reviews about this spot, and finally got the chance to give it a try. The store itself is a lot smaller than I thought, and they cook everything right behind the counter. I ordered an all-American burger and their crinkle-cut fries. Both definitely exceeded my expectations! The burger was quite big, and had a nicely toasted bun, plenty of toppings (grilled onions are my fave), and a good balance of sauce. The fries were super crispy and perfectly salted as well. I'd definitely go back to order the same thing. I took of a star because service wasn't the friendliest, but the food made up for it for sure. I would say this is one of the better burger spots in the area. read more

I recently ordered online a Persian burger and fries and my receipt said breakfast fries don't know what that is it is not even on the menu and what I got was little chunks of potatoes, which are not French fries, the burger was like crumbled meat poured on the bread and way to much shredded lettuce!! I usually go to Euclid store their food is always great, not sure what is happening at the store on Dwight way, won't be ordering from there again.! read more

My go to for a burger meal under $15. Quick, easy and tasty. A unique thing about this place is the owner is Muslim, so they use beef bacon. It taste just like the real thing and you would never be able to taste the difference. -Love the #2: Bacon Cheeseburger combo meal! -Love the $5.95, two egg breakfast! -Love the $8 Falafel! read more

I have been coming here for years now! Best burger in Berkeley. Must try! Always get the best food and service. Great indoor and outdoor ambience! Thank you! read more

We stepped in to grab a snack and use the restroom. We ordered french fries, onion rings and dolmas. The onion rings and french fries were clearly frozen probably from Costco. The dolma's were horrible, NOT fresh and tasted disgusting, also looked like they were pre made from Costco. See picture for reference on how old. Very surprised with how high the reviews are for this place, hopefully their sandwiches are better for the customers. read more

Bongo Burger - "Fresh" dolmas - Burgers Near Me - Berkeley, California

We've been eating here for decades and love the food especially the Persian burger and OJ :)

Bongo Burger is a Berkeley institution (since 1968) serving up a unique mix of burgers and Middle Eastern food like falafel and hummus. I'd only been to the Northside location on Euclid, and, truth be told, hadn't been in over a decade since a friend of mine who lived around the corner moved. Anyway, I remember the burgers were good, but I tended to stick to the Persian Burger which is made of Halal lamb. Look for it in their "Sandiwches" section of the menu, not the Burger section. I stuck with tradition and ordered the 1/2 Persian Burger ($4.25) and 2 Falafels for a side ($0.75 ea). The Persian and the Falafel Sandwich are the only things available in 1/2 size. The half size is about 6 inches long and served on a French Roll (you can also get it in a pita) and the falafel are served on shredded lettuce with tahini on top (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bongo-burger-berkeley-3?select=I7kjCtp7A-l3d9jZdJYs8A#I7kjCtp7A-l3d9jZdJYs8A). The Persian Burger is like a koobideh kabab on a sandwich with lettuce, tomato, onions, and mayo with the top half of the roll hollowed out like many banh mi (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bongo-burger-berkeley-3?select=R9En8v3vSH1uYj_Zmzpj6g#0jvFwL3gAlxhYqcZFUxytQ). The meat was a little dry (which the mayo helped with), though the patty was nicely seasoned and, in addition, gets a sprinkle of sumac during assembly (transfer to tomato http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bongo-burger-berkeley-3?select=h2hIv_NaVoB--WJ1BGs3Lw#h2hIv_NaVoB--WJ1BGs3Lw). Tomatoes also added moisture, but were not ripe The falafel are quartered and appeared to be re-fried before serving (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bongo-burger-berkeley-3?select=AGfOn_yfP0Md_yibtBxJQg#AGfOn_yfP0Md_yibtBxJQg) so the outer shell is not that crunchy. You do, however, get some crunch and nuttiness from chopped nuts mixed in with the garbanzos (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bongo-burger-berkeley-3?select=BSohQkk8niUd9R8Y3IHTzA#BSohQkk8niUd9R8Y3IHTzA) which was different than most falafel. The tahini also was mildly spicy which I enjoyed, though it didn't have much sesame flavor. About 3.5 stars overall. Rounding up for the memories :) read more

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Let me begin by saying, get a combo. So, the plan was to eat at In n' Out but we were in Emeryville... and had developed a serious case of lazy. Then, came Trueburger in Oakland but they were closed on Labor Day. And then came Rocky's... but we'd tried it before and wanted something new. A quick hop onto my Yelp mobile app and search for "burgers" near Berkeley led us to Bongo Burger (comes up as the first restaurant!) It's a total mom n' pop shop with plenty of neighborhood street parking. Throughout my search, all I saw was "Persian Burger" and "so juicy" and "white sauce." We got a combo Persian ($8.something) with a mushroom burger ($7.95) and an extra side of fries (cause one isn't enough! Getting a combo next time...$2.14 after tax) For someone who doesn't like lamb, this burger was pretty bombastic. Can definitely tell it's lamb but the flavors all work together really well. The mushroom burger was chunky, juicy and very filling. I thought it had plenty of mushrooms and was deliciously melted with cheese. The white sauce looks like ranch dressing but is faaar from it. It has a subtle mediterranean-y/yogurt-y flavor that really enhances the taste of the meat (and fries). OHH the fries... crunchy, crispy, wholesome deliciousness. Fill a condiment container with ketchup and pour some tabasco and pepper in it. MMMmmmMMMm, classic dip... My allegiance goes to Bongo. Touche. read more

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As much as I enjoy the Persian burger, I don't ever plan to eat here again. We ordered two Persian burgers and a French fries today. First of the all, the dude making the food had his mask pulled down, but he pulled his mask back on at some point. Secondly, we watched him prepare our lamb patties and other orders all while touching raw beef patties with his bare hands. I kept praying that he would stop at some point after touching those raw beef patties to wash his hands, but he never did. He went on to start cutting up burger buns and then our bread for our Persian burgers. I asked my hubby what we should do and he simply said he wasn't surprised that he did that and that's just what you get when eating out. So fine, we already paid and we were both hungry. Took these to the car to eat..the Persian burger was still good, but not as good as I remembered..maybe because I saw how unsanitary it was made. Anyway, as we were eating the last few fries, we found a piece of metal from those scrubbers. Omg, that was the last straw for me. Dude, eating fries that fried with scrubbing material. Geez. read more

I used to come here long time ago! Last time I had a craving for lamb burger so I ordered it with double patties which they charged me 39$ for a sandwich via ubereats because they charged me 8$ for extra patty. Food arrived and it was not what I remembers having years ago. Quality wise meat was lacking in flavor and spices and it was blend. The burger was dry and not tasty at all. If you pay that much money for a burger you would want to receive a good quality one. Sadly this place failed to keep same consistency of food comparing from the last times i tried the same thing. Even though a lamb burger is very easy to make. I don't think I will be back h read more

This place was so delicious! I had been waiting to go here since I knew about it and it lived up to its hype. Best thing about this place is that you can call ahead for your order - unfortunately we didn't take advantage of it but it wasn't needed because we went at 2pm. I got their french fries and bean burger. WOW. The french fries from this place are fresh fried and they're perfect and golden brown. The black bean burger was really good, it was juicy, packed full of flavor and so satisfying. I really suggest, anyone in Berkeley or anyone passing by the area who is vegetarian should try their black bean burger. read more

Bongo Burger - Burgers Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Ambiance: Always has a good amount of customers. I've never seen it empty except sometimes in the morning. Service: Servers always look annoyed and busy. Food: Falafel sandwich - good flavors but nothing amazing that stood out to me Conclusion: I would go if friends around me want to go eat Bongo, but otherwise I would not go here. read more

Bongo Burger - Half falafel sandwich - Burgers Near Me - Berkeley, California

This was my first time here today. The only reason I stopped by is because it had outdoor seating. I ordered the 2eggs with chicken sausage. Totally blown away by the food, especially the breakfast potatoes, so full of flavor. Eggs were cooked to perfection. I am so very glad I stopped here. Definitely the best breakfast I've had at the cheapest price ever. I can't wait to go back and try their infamous burgers soon after reading all the yelp reviews. read more

Bongo Burger - Two Eggs any Style with Sausage - Burgers Near Me - Berkeley, California

I have been going to this place for years and their food has consistently been excellent. My go to item is the Persian burger. As for the sides, I usually order the tabbouleh salad and the fries. The salad is fresh and fries are nice and crisp. read more

Always a good option. The Persian burger sandwich is what I always get, the have this one on lock! Definitely recommend checking out Bongo fire af read more