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    Brenda's Oakland

    3.9 (1.3k reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    BRENDA'S OAKLAND ATMOSPHERE

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    Hipster
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    Moderate noise

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    Sweet potato's (top) got game
    Tony U.

    Gumbo, Paper Stock, and the Theology of Mild Disappointment I entered hungry and left morally and physically compromised -- blinking into the Oakland nightscape like an over-stuffed foie gras goose who had lost an argument with butter. There is quality here. That is what makes this complicated. Because what happened was not incompetence. It was fragmentation. The Service: A Two-Headed Doctrine The front of house operates like a philosophical experiment in duality. Waiter One: warm, human, luminous. The kind of man who makes you believe hospitality is still a sacred act. He let us hold onto a menu while we were deciding. He smiled. He breathed oxygen. Civilization. Then Head Two emerged. She appeared not as a host but as a compliance officer for semi-premium paper. The menu -- not laminated, mind you, not archival parchment, just a slightly ambitious piece of cardstock that dreamed of lamination -- was snatched from our hands while we were clearly still reading it. Her reasoning? She "didn't want the menus to get dirty." There was no food on our table. No grease. No sauce. No evidence of moral decline. Just water glasses and hope. Apparently we looked like we might exhale oil. If your menu fears contamination, laminate it. Do not weaponize it. Southern hospitality cannot coexist with suspicion. It is metaphysically incompatible. The Bloody Mary (3/5) Pickled okra rising from the glass like a submarine periscope in tomato fog. Interesting. Almost daring. But it hesitated at the edge of chaos and stepped back into civility. A drink that flirted with madness and chose safety. Fried Chicken Thigh (2.75/5) Crisp. Competent. Deep-fried with enthusiasm. Seasoned with restraint bordering on timidity. Fried chicken should feel slightly unlawful. This felt insured. It had crunch but no conviction -- poultry that went to finishing school and refused to start a fight. Shrimp & Cheese Grits (4.5/5) Here the kitchen awakens. Creamy. Bold. Assertive. This dish believed in itself. It entered the room with posture and heat and declared jurisdiction. If everything had been executed at this level, this review would not exist. The Platter: A Symposium of Almost Fried Catfish (3/5) Technically sound. Emotionally evasive. Crisp handshake, no eye contact. Chili Jam (4/5) Bright. Sharp. Charismatic. The jam had more personality than the paper guardian. Red Beans, Rice & Andouille (3/5) Functionally correct. Spiritually beige. Chicken Gumbo (3.5/5) Competent but domesticated. Gumbo should feel like it has secrets. This had a résumé. Hush Puppies (3.5/5) Deep-fried geometry. Pleasant but inert. Meat & Three I chose soft shell crab. Soft Shell Crab (2.5/5) Deep-fried sawdust in crustacean cosplay. Crunch without consequence. Cornbread with Chili Jam (4/5) Hot. Buttery. Generous. Finally, something unapologetic. Collard Greens (3.5/5) Balanced. Respectable. But I make better at home -- and that fact lingers. Sweet Potatoes (4.75/5) These were decadent. Brown sugar. Burnt caramel. Butter without shame. For a brief moment I forgave everyone in the building. Ube Beignet (3/5) Massive. Purple interior like edible hallucination. Intriguing concept. But by this point I was no longer dining. I was being processed. The Exit Fullness is physics. Satisfaction is philosophy. I left saturated in oil and sugar and starch and promise. But promise alone does not earn devotion. The Room Medium lighting. Slightly cramped. No compensatory charm. There is real talent in this kitchen. That is undeniable. But hospitality cannot operate in fractions. You cannot offer buttered cornbread and simultaneously radiate suspicion over cardstock. You cannot serve comfort food while communicating mild distrust. New Orleans may be 1,800 miles away -- but seasoning and generosity travel just fine. Final Reckoning Because the shrimp & grits were genuinely strong -- and because those sweet potatoes bordered on scandalous -- I cannot accuse the place of mediocrity. But most of the menu hovers at "acceptable." And when I can cook better fried chicken, better collards, and better gumbo in my own kitchen while listening to something unhinged and drinking something stronger than their Bloody Mary, that becomes the standard. 3.35 stars. It rounds down to 3.0. Not out of cruelty. Out of principle. There is a great restaurant buried here somewhere. It will emerge the day the food commits fully -- and the menu is either laminated or liberated.

    Paul H.

    Hadn't been to Brenda's in quite a while and decide to go there for breakfast when my Mom was in town. We decided to sit at one of the outside tables as it was a nice day. We ere able to Quincey order once we had decided on our entrees. I chose the succotash omelette with choice of side/breads- cheese grits and buttermilk biscuit. My Mom chose a two way eggs and such, selecting scrambled eggs w/ side of grits, buttermilk biscuit and bacon; which was an extra charge. Our food came out quickly and we were chomping away. I would like to specifically state the service was impeccable and I will definitely be back sooner or later if not to only grab a to go order of those crawfish beignets

    Fried Chicken Benedict
    Jacie N.

    Lives up to the hype! Food was delicious, great flavors! Service was excellent. Food does take a while to come out but it's hot when it does! Restaurant has a great vibe for brunch, cute patio seating as well.

    Underberg drink my hubs ordered lol
    Kendra W.

    Leah was out waitress and she was so kind! She literally had to run the entire patio by herself and she rocked it! Service was very very slow but that had nothing to do with her but everything to do with the kitchen. Possibly they were short handed with the holidays since Christmas was coming up a lot of people tend to leave town. Overall the food was a 7 out of 10. You're probably wondering why the 5 stars then? Because the food we did like was delicious! The French toast so good! Fried chicken so good! Shrimp po boy so good! Fries were deliciously crunchy! So yeah the gumbo was mid but I don't like okra so I guess that is my preference. The Mac and cheese was mid I like mine better and the catfish po boy needed more seasoning. My husband did the side of gravy he could have done without. All in all we will be back again soon!

    Shrimp & Grits Bananas Foster French Toast
    Donyae L.

    Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee the breakfast French toast Grits Mimosa Shrimp and grits (tomato based)

    Jambalaya with side of salad
    Minhchau N.

    Came on a Friday for brunch. Made a reservation online for 11:15. Arrived and had a table on the patio ready for us. We initially made a reservation to be seated inside but they didn't have enough room to accommodate us however the patio worked out for us. They had the heater on outside and it wasn't too cold. Ordered the shrimp and grits, florentine eggs Benedict, jambalaya, fried chicken with biscuit, a side of gravy and spiked apple cider. We enjoyed everything with the exception of the jambalaya. The chicken was a little dry in the jambalaya. The eggs benedict was so yummy. We didn't expect it to be in the biscuit and that made it so good. Shrimp and grits are a classic and so good here. Cant go wrong with fried chicken. We got a side of gravy to enjoy with our biscuit and loved it. Service was great. Staff were friendly and very accommodating. We had our baby with us and they brought out a plastic cup of water for her and made sure to put food out of her reach when they brought it out.

    Thankful we ordered ahead.
    Ricky W.

    Love a good Shrimp n grits...and this is one of the best around. I frequented the one in San Francisco much more than the one in Oakland, but both are flavorful. Everything I've eaten here has been packed full of flavor including the fried catfish and several other items on the menu. I've introduced several to Brenda's and they've fully enjoyed their meals every time. They aren't on the low end price wise, but definately worth it. Cheers!

    Abel A.

    Stopped over after dinner closeby just to pick up some biscuits to take home for an evening treat. So excited that the biscuits are the original size, not the updated versions that I get when in the city (please bring them original biscuits back to all Brenda's, it's a missed staple). Service was great as expected. p.s. I wish I could've gotten strawberry jam or another option other than apple.

    Boneless combo + Biscuit
    Shar D.

    One of my favorite spots in Oakland for brunch. The food is always delicious and doesn't disappoint. In highly recommend the freshly baked beignets. Service was great and the server checked up on us a few times throughout our meal. The place has a relaxed vibe inside and really nice patio outside. So, if you haven't been, check it out!

    Shrimp and grits
    Frances C.

    After so long ago, this place is still staying strong with service and food. Love the gumbo. There is everything in every bite and it was seasoned so well The catfish and shrimps were crunchy but not overly battered. The devil sauce has a kick and is a bomb I wanted to use it on everything. Came out so full and satisfied

    Fried Chicken Benedict with Potato Hash Side
    Steffan A.

    Haven't been to Brenda's in a minute! Didn't realize they had one in Oakland, last time I went was the one in the city. I had the fried chicken Benedict, did not disappoint! Followed it up to end the meal with an ube beignet which was as good as it sounds. Might get the one that comes with 3 next time just because I love beignets. They have an outdoor seating area with heated lamps. We came on a rainy day and they had awnings up to block the rain from coming in. Helps that the building is situated where the wind isn't blowing into the outdoor seating area, too. I got seated quickly and was tended to promptly as well. Service was good, no complaints there. They accommodated my request to sit at a different table which was great! I didn't think they'd remember. They also are dog-friendly on the outdoor seating area! Will be back soon for more beignets

    Philip W.

    Had a lunch meeting at Brenda's, and this place was busy, especially for a Friday afternoon breakfast. The first thing was that the waitress greeted me and was very friendly. Food at Brenda's is excellent. I had fried chicken with a biscuit and a side of grits. The ambiance had a modern feel, with seating outside. They also had a good menu with things like shrimp and grits or even catfish. Go to Brenda's for some excellent soul food.

    Kendall R.

    This was my first time at the Oakland location and I had a great experience. I love Brendas the food is always delicious. Came here for brunch with my sister and we sat on the patio because it was beautiful outside. It was definitely busy, we came during a rush but our server was on top of it. They serve good portions, the food came out hot, and seasoned perfectly. Definitely will be coming back.

    Outside street view

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    We appreciate the five stars, Rubi! Thank you very much

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    2 months ago

    I ordered the breakfast sandwich and the ube beignet; both were fresh and delicious. I appreciate the fast service and also the packaging.

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    Page 1 of 34

    Brenda's Oakland Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Brenda's Oakland

    Same as san francisco's Brenda's?

    Yes

    Are there any heaters outside? Also, do they allow dogs at the tables outside? Thanks.

    Yes heaters outside and dogs are allowed outdoor seating

    Do they have High chairs?

    Yes there are high chairs for babies. Also a few bars stools a the counters.

    What's the difference between patio and patio table dining?

    Do not know, there are tables on the patio

    How can i apply an e giftcard to a delivery order?

    Save your money, this place it "just ok"...

    Are they doing fine in or outdoor dining?

    I went a couple weeks ago and they were seating both indoor and outdoor tables.

    Did they discontinue the beef brisket po boy?

    Yes.

    Can you show me how to message this restaurant please? Thanks!

    Their website has a "contact" page. It curiously says "Where Y'at" (which means "How are you?")… Read more

    Is it close to Bart ? How is the parking?

    Not too far from the MacArthur Bart station, you can take the 57 bus towards Foothill Square or Share ride (Uber/Lyft).

    Is breakfast/brunch served on Fridays? If so, are mimosas served on Fridays as well?

    Breakfast/brunch is served every day. According to the times labeled on their menus, breakfast items are available 8-3 and lunch starts at 11.

    Are there any gluten free options?

    There are things you could eat but it’s all one kitchen so if you have Celiac disease I wouldn’t recommend it. They do have a brisket but almost everything is battered, fried, in a roux, or thickened with flour. You could probably have the red beans… Read more

    Best time of day to go?

    I was there at about 7:45pm during the week and there was a short line. My friend went at 5:00pm and there was no line.

    Is it easy parking nearby the restaurant?

    No, it is street parking I parked about 3 blocks away on a Friday just before noon.

    Is this the same chain as Brenda's Soul Food in SF?

    Yes. Brenda's and Brenda's meat and three in the city. The menu are pretty much the same, accept they have Johnny cakes at Meat and three. Hopefully they will bring them to the Oakland location.

    Gluten free items on the menu?

    Yes, but very few. There are a few salads, the garlic spinach side, you can get eggs and bacon or sausage... but it appears everything else has gluten in one way or another.

    How's the wait for Friday dinner? How about Saturday brunch?

    Be prepared for a good long line during these super popular times! It's more of a mid-size restaurant and very busy!

    Is this a Black Owned Business?

    It's not a Black Owned Business. It's owned by wives Brenda and Libby (Brenda is originally from New Orleans). You can read about the owners here: http://frenchsoulfood.com/about

    Do you accept take-out orders by phone?

    Yes, call the number, option 2 is for takeout

    Do you take reservations?

    No. Seating is first come first serve.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    4.5(179 reviews)
    0.5 miTemescal, North Oakland
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    Discovered a new Mediterranean Cafe that carries variety of drinks, sweets and savories…read more Located at the corner of 48th St and Telegraph Ave in Downtown Oakland; Sana'a Cafe has a cozy vibe where one can hang out and chill. The interior makes one feel that you are in a high end cafe with its beautiful decor. Some many items to choose from, the person taking my order was very helpful in explaining the different kinds of drinks and pastries. Ordered the Ginger Honey Jobani as a hot drink, Biscoff Milkcake, Honeycomb, and a Beef Fatayer. There were several kinds of milkcakes which would have the texture like a tres leches cake. The Honeycomb had pockets of cream cheese and was drizzles with honey. The Meat Fatayer is like an empanada. The food and drink were very tasty. Highly recommend to stop by Sanaa Cafe and experience it. Their website shows more cafe openings in the future!

    I would first off like to start off by saying that the staff were exceptional. they were so helpful…read morein helping me with deciding on what drink I wanted. Suggested great recommendations. they had told me this is not the first sana'a cafe -- there are 10 other locations around the bay. this cafe, in particular, is great for work or even to sit down and sip some coffee. it is spacious -- with great amount of sunlight. when you go at golden hour -- its perfection. although the cafe is great, my chai wasn't so much. it lacked in flavor and wasn't iced the way I would prefer it to be. but I'd still definitely give this place a try again -- maybe a coffee this time around, haha.

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    MLK Café - foul meseleh

    MLK Café

    4.1(111 reviews)
    0.6 miNorth Oakland
    $

    I had some down time between an afternoon meeting and dinner, so I looked on Yelp for a cafe to…read morework in with wifi and lunch because I hadn't eaten yet. MLK Cafe was perfectly located and exactly what I needed. I've never had Eritrean food before, so I was pretty excited. I ordered the foul meseleh ($13) from the breakfast menu (available all day though I had to ask for it), which was a bean-based dish, and chai. It kind of reminded me of shakshuka in terms of spices but the beans almost tasted meaty. I liked it so much that I brought it home, and my partner said it tasted like refried beans (though he did have them cold). The crusty warm bread was perfect for dipping, and I ended up not being able to finish it. The chai was pretty milky; there was a tea bag and the spices weren't very strong. Then again, I'm used to Indian chais. I would pass on the chai. There was basically no one else there on a Friday afternoon during off-peak hours. It was dimly lit and kind of chilly because the door was left open, so it wasn't the most comfortable cafe ambiance. The wifi did work well though and I would come back to try more Eritrean and Ethiopian food.

    Tried this place on a whim since this area of oakland is highly known for their Ethiopian cuisine…read more It was surprising to find a local spot though serving breakfast. That's what really drew us in. Very tasty breakfast, got the injera breakfast plate filled with lots of spices, tomato flavor and tang from the bread. Super addicting if you love those flavors. Very thankful to be given a side of yogurt to help cool the heat down. Definitely would order this again, but maybe add my own mix-ins like an egg or more protein since it's very carb heavy. Inside wise, you can watch two tv's playing sports, our waitress/cashier was very kind, and it appeared like many locals hanging out. Only thing is their menu prices are out of date. About $13 plus tax per plate. Hope to come back at night to see the bar open and some live music!

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    MLK Café - Chai

    Chai

    MLK Café - Injera breakfast plate

    Injera breakfast plate

    MLK Café - Leftovers enjoyed as a hearty breakfast the next day

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    Leftovers enjoyed as a hearty breakfast the next day

    Kitava - Power bowl with crispy chicken

    Kitava

    4.4(265 reviews)
    0.1 miNorth Oakland
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    Delicious and flavorful, one of My favorite bowl places. I…read morelove the whole Folds, clean ingredients, low Processed foods. I especially love that they don't use dairy or seed oils in their dressings. I often get all veggie bowls and they are super filling. Much of the menu is also Daniel Fast- friendly

    Came here on the rec of a friend who told me she thought I'd like it. It's about a 24 min drive and…read moreI thought about ordering online for pick up, but it showed it'd only take 10 mins online and I wanted it fresh and crispy so I decided to order when I got there. I will say, if you have somewhere to be *ORDER ONLINE*. I got there and was told to order from the self serve tablet (I could have done this on my phone ahead of time), but I put in my order and sat down to wait for it. At the 22 min mark, the two groups of two behind me got their food before I did, so I went up to the worker behind the bar and asked if my order was ready and I was told mine would be next. All in all- took 32 mins. So again, if you have somewhere to be- order ahead! Food was good. Could definitely tell it was made fresh to order - not only because it took some time but because my friend cauliflower came out PIPING hot. Lots of oil drippings, so if that isn't your thing, may not be for you, but I will say that it was my fav bite. This was a good restaurant- I would say 4 stars for the food alone. BUT if you're in a pinch, either order online or maybe save this spot for when you have more time. Also- I know that good quality food is pricey, this place is no exception. But you pay for what you get and the quality is better than that of fast food.

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    Kitava - Inside

    Inside

    Kitava - Hummus w/ Soft Egg & Sesame Togarashi

    Hummus w/ Soft Egg & Sesame Togarashi

    Kitava - Banana walnut pancakes

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    Homeroom - It's all vegan

    Homeroom

    4.1(6.7k reviews)
    0.2 miTemescal, North Oakland
    $$

    Homeroom is a popular Mac and Cheese spot. It was indeed, yummy as anticipated. They have a few…read moreoptions on the menu that elevate the classic food. It was filling. Thank you to our server, Anthony.

    TLDR: 50 minute wait between sitting down to getting your food. Don't visit thinking this is a…read morequick drop by kind of place. While this visit was in between the lunch and dinner rush, unfortunately I think they are understaffed because at the time we sat down there was only 1 person who was busing tables and taking orders. As a result, it took a while for them to be able to stop by our table and provide water, take our order, etc. There was quite a long wait between sitting down to ordering to actually receiving our food. By the time we had actually received our food, almost an hour had passed. While we were waiting, a few other servers eventually joined, but service was still pretty bare for us and we never received refills on water or plates to eat off of when we received our food. I understand that staffing and a backup in the kitchen are out of the staff's control, but it would've definitely helped for us to know in advance how long to expect to wait to align our expectations and arrange our plans for the day. Would advise giving customers a quick heads up/warning because that on its own would've made a big difference. As for the actual food, we ordered the mac trio with elote mac, chicken pot pie mac, and kogi short rib mac (for an extra fee). The elote mac was the best and most flavorful, the short rib mac was okay but not amazing or worth the extra money, and the chicken pot pie mac was very bland/flavorless and didn't have much chicken in it. The food didn't feel like it warranted the wait time and because of that I would not return.

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    Homeroom - Mexican Chorizo Mac & Elote Mac | @allthenummies

    Mexican Chorizo Mac & Elote Mac | @allthenummies

    Homeroom - Pizza Mac

    Pizza Mac

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    Oh G Burger

    Oh G Burger

    4.4(64 reviews)
    0.1 miNorth Oakland
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    This place might have become my favorite fast-casual burger joint in Oakland…read more Since my first review, I've enjoyed their food three more times -- in person once and DoorDash twice. And it's been satisfying and well worth it all three times. I recommend both dining in and delivery. You cannot go wrong with their double burger. The smashed patties are perfectly cooked and seasoned. The supporting elements are quality and executed spot-on each time: the cheese, grilled onions, and mayo. It's a perfect fast casual burger. I also recently tried the Chopped Beef burger and dang it was amazing. The hearty meat and cheese the and buttery bread texture hit hard. This will be another go-to and I recommend it. For sides I've gotten tator tots, regular fries, and season fries. All fantastic and they're generous with the portions. HOWEVER -- you've gotta get the seasoned fries. Addictive and finger-licking amazing. When dining in staff is always friendly. Area's not too busy and you'll always find parking easily down a side street. And price wise it honestly feels like a steal for me given the care and quality and pure satisfaction. Works for me though -- I'm going to keep ordering from this place. Cannot recommend this gem of a burger joint enough. Fantastic seasoning and execution, solid prices, and absolutely satisfying every time.

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    Oh G Burger - Jan 2025

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    Double Burger

    Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt - Bowl of Persian Cucumbers

    Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt

    4.0(1.4k reviews)
    1.4 miLower Hills
    $$

    Stopped by Grand Lake Kitchen for brunch this sunny weekend and it really hit the spot. The food…read morewas delicious and it felt like the perfect kind of meal for a relaxed weekend morning. I ordered the turkey club and it was honestly huge. You can see in the photo how big it is compared to my hand. It was stacked and super satisfying, the kind of sandwich that definitely fills you up. We also shared a deviled egg and some fried zucchini to start, which were great little bites before the main dish. The zucchini was crispy and light, and the deviled egg was simple but really good. I paired everything with a mocha latte that was perfectly balanced and honestly superb. Overall it was a ten out of ten brunch moment. Between the sunny weather, good coffee, and really satisfying food, it was exactly what we were looking for. Definitely one of those spots I would come back to for brunch again.

    This was me and my husband's first time at the restaurant and the food here was excellent…read moreeverything was very good and flavorful. I gave it to stars because the service was really bad. Our waitress took very long to even acknowledge us, didn't person herself to be very friendly, and lacked any attentiveness to us as customers. We had to ask other people for things like refills on our drinks, condiments, etc. She didn't ever really try to check to see how things were going after the food was served and we had to ask someone else to pay. Unfortunately considering this experience my husband doesn't want to go back and I hate that for us because the food was really good.

    Photos
    Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt - Dining room

    Dining room

    Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt - Savory French Toast tastes awesome when you break the egg yolk over the toast.

    Savory French Toast tastes awesome when you break the egg yolk over the toast.

    Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt - Dozen Donuts, equivalent to four full sized donuts

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    Dozen Donuts, equivalent to four full sized donuts

    Brenda's Oakland - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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