Cali Alley is one of my go-to spots... I'm constantly trying to convince people to meet me there for lunch, or telling them to just DoorDash it because it's that good. It's also one of those places that makes you want to stay. The food is consistently fresh, flavorful, and generous. Every time I come here, I tell myself I'll pace myself... and every time I fail because it's just that good. The burgers are loaded and perfectly balanced, the fries are always crisp (never soggy, which is rare), and everything tastes high-quality and made to order. You have to try the chicken and waffles. The waffle batter tastes homemade and the butter takes it to another level... it's one of those dishes you keep thinking about after. I'll even DoorDash it all the way to Jingletown. The patio setup is really well done... there's a mix of larger tables for groups and higher bar-style seating for smaller hangs. The wooden furniture and cushioned benches make it comfortable, and they've got heaters for colder days and umbrellas when it's sunny, so you can usually pick your ideal spot. You order at the window and then just hang out while you wait... it's a relaxed flow and the food comes out pretty quickly. The staff are always kind and welcoming, and the whole place has a relaxed, homey vibe with really good music. Highly recommend... just come hungry. read more

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A cute little corner stop that's full of flavor, and you'd never guess it! This burger had it all, and then some. I'm talking about the chef's burger of course. It was nice and juicy, cooked to perfection (medium being my preferred temperature), and the best part was that there was a surprise pickle! The fries were seasoned well too. House ranch also was a nice touch. We'll be back. Maybe tomorrow. read more

Cali Alley - Cali Alley Burger - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

Cali Alley is one of those places I have looked at thousands of times when trying to figure out what to order on Door Dash or Uber Eats. The food always looked really good, but for whatever reason I always ended up ordering from somewhere else. Well, I finally did it. I finally ordered from Cali Alley, and all I have to say is, why did I wait so darn long? Door Dash was having a 2-for-1 deal on the Cali Alley Burger, so I ordered one of those (and got another for free) , as well as on the small mac and cheese, so I ended up with two of those as well. I got fries as he side for the burgers and saved the second burger and mac and cheese for the next day. I also bought a small side of veggie fried rice for lunch later in the week. OK, let's start with the fries ... wow. Super crispy. Don't know what they do to them, but I think I almost ate all the fries that came with one of the burgers before I even touched the burger. The fries seemed to have a coating like some fries do to make them extra crispy on the outside. Whatever it was, it made them so good, I couldn't stop eating them. I was almost too full for the burger. But who are we kidding? If there is one thing I am good at, it is eating more than I should. The burger, which is described on Door Dash as "char grilled, fresh ground brisket and short rib burger, served on a toasted brioche fun with crisp lettuce, tomato onion marmalade and garlic aioli" was thick and incredibly flavorful. I couldn't stop eating that, either. It was that good. I ordered it medium, and it was pretty pink, but it was sooooooo flavorful, and all the toppings worked well together. I didn't get any cheese on it because I wanted to try to burger by itself and not mask it with cheese. I might try adding cheese next time, but honestly the burger is so good, I almost wouldn't want to cover up its flavor with cheese. Oh, I almost forgot. When you order on Door Dash, you can opt to have them include a small side of their chocolate-chipotle bbq sauce, and I highly recommend that you get it. It's a really interesting flavor and is good for dipping the fries in. I didn't try putting it on the burger, but that might be good, too. The mac and cheese was OK. It's important to note that I enjoyed the flavor but it is more of an eggy consistency than a saucy mac and cheese if that makes sense. It has a nice kick of black pepper, which I liked, though. The vegetarian fried rice was also fine but could have used a little salt. All that to say, don't be like me and procrastinate, get the Cali Alley Burger and fries ASAP. read more

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Getting hungry writing this but the loco moco was so good!! Even if it's cabbage veggie rice you couldn't even tell! Cali burger was good but me personally would leave the tri tip out cause it's too much meat FOR ME other than fries were so good and crispy!! Omg plssss don't forget to ask for the habanero sauce!! am my spicy lovers!! Tenders were good but tad bit dry! I'll come back to try more read more

Cali Alley - Cali Alley Burger Loco Moco Fried Chicken Tender & Fries - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

A little side street joint in Berkeley with lots of promise and personality. We did a grab-and-go because sitting out in the rain was not an option. The pork in the bao was a little dry, but I get the concept they were going for, just could've executed the dish a little better. BB read more

10oz New York Steak With The Char Grilled Brocolini And Fries Great Flavor And Taste Made With Care Best Of The Best A 10 Cail Alley Then Did it Once Again Thank You Really Appreciated In The BAY AREA read more

From the street, it looked like a typical alleyway among neighborhood homes. But once on site, the outdoor atmosphere was charming, with both covered and uncovered seating available. Funk, rnb, hip hop, and reggae played through the speakers, songs like Outstanding by the Gap Band. And there was no wait to order on a Saturday around 6:00pm, though more guests showed up within the next 30 minutes. Lots of delectable options on the menu like loco moco and pork belly bao buns. I ordered the loaded mac n cheese. It was some of the best mac n cheese I ever had. Cooked perfectly and super cheesy, with aromatic bits of scallions and bacon mixed in evenly throughout the dish. A yummy cheese pull in every bite. All of this cheesy goodness washed down with a pricey bottle of diet soda ($6 as of March 2026). I just saw one worker helping customers while I was there. She was friendly, and I had no problems with service. read more

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Super yummy for lunch. I got the Bao Tacos and felt very fresh. I went on my lunch hour and just wish it was a bit faster as I didn't have much time to eat once I got it. I understand things take time to cook but wish they said it was going to be a 20-25 min wait. read more

Go to place in Berkeley when you seeking Bao buns. I am happy they have a vegetarian option so that I can get my Bao bun fix. The folks there are always welcoming when you arrive and the location is quaint. read more

Cute spot with good food, and good service! Outside seating only so great for a quick rest stop to eat during your lunch break if you work in the area read more

Cali Alley - Cali Alley Burger - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

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On 26June2026, we ordered a Char Grilled Steak Sandwich, Buttermilk Fried Chicken and a Smoked Tri Tip Sandwich. The Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Smoked Tri Tip Sandwich were wonderful - tender and tasty - cooked to perfection and full of flavor. These two items are mainstays and always great. The Char Grilled Steak Sandwich, a special that day, was flavorful, spicy and it was huge! The peppers, cheese and seasoning were superb! The only trouble was the meat was so tough, chewy and stringy - like they saved the worst meat that was even too tough to grind as hamburger meat to make this sandwich. It's too bad the meat ruined the sandwich, it was other wise delicious. I would not order the Char Grilled Steak Sandwich again. Don't get me wrong. Cali-Alley has terrific food. I will order from them again and I definitely recommend their offerings, but not this one item. This is the only time I have been disappointed in their food. read more

One line review: Came for the burger, coming back for the Mojo Pork Plate. We went on date night because a good friend highly recommended the burger. We ordered their special burger -- an avocado bacon cheeseburger -- and a Mojo Pork Plate. We also got a Thai iced tea with boba. The burger was fine -- decent meat, a good portion -- but it was not especially well-seasoned or flavorful. The fries were noticeably better than average, apparently double fried or lightly battered. The beverage was fine, though a bit sweet for our taste with the brown sugar boba. But the big winner of the evening was the Mojo Pork Plate -- a generous portion of tender, delicious pork with cabbage fried rice, black beans, and maduros -- delicioso! We wished it were spicier, but we always wish that... Thankfully, they have a number of hot sauces, and we generally bring our own! Parking was free in the neighborhood, and we found it relatively quickly. The service was kind and responsive. Bottom line: We'll be back and definitely get the Mojo plate. We /might/ give the burger another chance. read more

Cali Alley - Avocado Bacon Cheeseburger and fries - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I tried the fat cat fried chicken sandwich and truffle fries. It was really good and large size so I split it over two days. I definitely want to come back and try more things read more

Cali Alley - The Fat Cat - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

i've been going here for years! delicious food! they've expanded their menu a lot and i'm really enjoying it. they've got options for gluten free and vegetarian too. one of my favorite things about cali alley is that it's outdoors and dog friendly. such a cute place. staff are very nice too. i love their prawn bao buns. their mac and cheese and loco moco are also really tasty. eventually i'll try everything on the menu! read more

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Came for lunch and parking is a bit of a beat down. They offer outside seating only with picnic tables both shaded and in the sun and there is no customer bathroom offered. The menu is absolutely mouth watering. I finally selected the Pork Bao Buns. Ordered at the window, picked up a couple of cups of ice cold water and hand towelettes that are self serve as are lots of condiments. When our buzzer went off and we picked up the food from the window it was hot, so it appears to be made to order. My Bao buns did not disappoint and came with a side sauce, marinated cucumbers and rice with slabs of pineapple. Even though you are outdoors they keep the area and tables very clean, and for those not ordering take out, the dishes (plates and cups) are not disposable, which is really nice. Great place to grab and go if you are in the area. They also play great music at the right volume that you can enjoy when the the loud whatever it is is not running. read more

Cali Alley - Pork belly bao buns - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

I met a friend here for lunch and was absolutely delighted yet again! I really enjoy this place, the food is fantastic, and the service is friendly. I also really appreciate that the seating is all outside, so if you are being Covid cautious, this is a good option! There are some heating lamps available if you need them as well. read more

Sweet spot, yummy burgers, excellent service. Perfect for a casual lunch or dinner. Thanks for being there!

Burger was a little dry and more on the well done side than medium. Definitely not a quick lunch spot so be careful on work lunch breaks.

Came here on a Friday afternoon, and guess what: it was happy hour! I honestly don't remember the time or what percentage discount we got off our order, but in this economy, I'll take what I can get! Ended up getting the Banh Mi Burger, Mac n' Cheese, and Cuban Mojo Braised Pork. The banh mi burger was cooked well; it just fell apart as I was eating it. The Mac n' Cheese was solid. The braised pork was just okay. It seemed on the drier side as I was eating it. Not sure what cut they used, but it could have been more moist. Food-wise, I'd give this somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars. Rounding up on the review since they had the happy hour discount though! No restroom, and all seating is outdoors. read more

Was in the area and decided to try this place out! So glad we did! We had our pup with us so this was the perfect place to have lunch. There is no indoor seating, but they have lots of nice outdoor seating, with shade. You order and then find a spot to sit. They'll buzz you when your food is ready to pick up from the window and afterwards, you bus your table. We loved everything we ordered: Truffle Parmesan Garlic Fries (geez this was HUGE!), Mint Limeade (so refreshing for a summer day), Waffle (next time I wanna try the chicken and waffle! The waffle itself was delicious too), and the Tofu Bao Buns. I will say entrees are meat-heavy so there aren't too many vegetarian options besides the grilled tofu. We thoroughly enjoyed it though! Would definitely go back again next time we're in the area! read more

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Cali Alley is an immediate favorite for me. The food is consistently delicious. They smoke the meats themselves! The pork belly is the best I've ever had, it's actually meaty not just fatty! The flavors are all ravishing. The boa buns have me hooked, my goodness. I love all the confinements they come with. Pickled jalepanos, pickles, cilantro, carrot and crushed peanuts. My coworker always gets the brunch burger and it is huge, juicy and loaded with flavor! The fries are absolutely delicious. There isn't table service, you order at the window. The folks working are super helpful and accommodating. The overall ambiance is super chill. There are several large outdoor wooden benches and a couple or high tops. They have a water jug outside to grab your own water but they also sell drinks like soda, fresh made mint limeade and milkshakes. Needless to say, I'm obsessed! read more

Cali Alley - Pork belly Alley Bao Buns Plate - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

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The name of the establishment is apt, as they really are located down an alley and they offer eclectic California comfort foods. There are no inside dining; just several large wooden picnic tables with umbrellas. Great place if you enjoy outdoor dining, but be warned that the wind can be brisk. You order at the window and get a buzzer. My friend and I had the fried chicken sandwich with fries and the pork belly baos. I enjoyed my baos. The pork bellies were tender and seasoned well, and I liked the chopped peanuts, julienned carrots, pickled jalapeño peppers and cilantro toppings. They also provided a small portion of the house bao sauce, which I gladly poured over the baos. There's also a side dish of vegi fried rice and grilled pineapple. My friend's fat cat fried chicken sandwich was filled with a huge fat slice of butter milk fried chicken. She enjoyed it very much but could only consume half of it. There are a lot of interesting things to try on the menu so I plan to be back. read more

Vegan options! I got the grilled tofu with veggies over rice. Very fresh! Probably the best tofu ever! read more

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One of the best food. We love it. Burgers, shrimp everything is very good. Price is also good. A must try once.

Super cute little spot in their own alley, literally! Food was delicious, good portions! Overall we'll be back!

Solid place. We went for work lunch and I didn't know this place was there. Located down an alley near 900 Grayson. Go on a nice day the seating is all out doors, but in Berkeley there are plenty of pretty days. We ordered a variety of food and everyone loved everything. I did not order fries but I had some and it was delicious. I ordered the steam buns with pork belly and it was amazing. Good prices, great food. read more

Cali Alley - Alley Bao Buns Plate - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

I had my first visit to this wonderful little hidden lunch/dinner spot in West Berkeley. I'm allergic to cow's cheese which can make for pedestrian burger experiences but this was one of the BEST "regular" burgers I've ever had anywhere! Perfectly ground, super "clean" tasting beef was topped with delicious pickled onions, a thick beefsteak tomato slice, a crisp wedge of lettuce, (Iceberg?) a mustardy spread and sat on a gorgeous brioche or Challah bun, (not sure which but soooo good!) The generous helping of seasoned fries were a delicious surprise. Having worked in restaurants a long time myself I really appreciate two things about this place, it's "Black Owned" and pay their employees a "living wage!" I support both of these efforts and I feel this place is a complete package: Great food and policies! I will definitely be back and will bring my friends! read more

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Food is so good. Pleasant customer service. Nice outdoor patio (but tables could be cleaned better they were sticky). Even my picky 11yo daughter loves the food, especially the green sauce that comes with the buttermilk tenders. They never fail...a win every time!! read more

Fast, Delicious, never had chicken that juicy in my life and the cinnamon butter was to die for! read more

Cali Alley - Fried Chicken & Waffle - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

Tasty lunch! I ordered a smoked tri tip sandwich (sorry about the picture - I should have turned the platter around) with fries. Tender beef, gooey cheese, slaw was crunchy, and somehow the bun held together until it was all gone. Fries were crispy, and how cool is the little basket they came in? My wife got pork belly banh mi, and offered me a bite. Nice sear on the meat, nice chew on the bath. Seating is outside in a little patio area, and today was sunny and breezy, so very comfortable. They have a couple gas heaters in place for cooler weather. Not crowded, so can't say how loud it might get - except for the air conditioner that kicked on a couple times. That was my only complaint, really. They take orders at a window and send food out another, so service is ok as long as you can live without tableside attention. Food was out in less than 10 minutes, which no doubt was paced by the pork belly. We'll be going back, for sure! read more

Cali Alley - Tri tip burger and fries. - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

I got the Banh Mi burger. The burger was good but I don't know why they insist on making it too thick to actually be able to eat. And the bun they used was not very good. Fries were great but I have to take off three stars because I couldn't actually eat my burger. read more

I hadn't been to Cali Alley in over a year but decided to visit again when I read about their steak & prawns special. They served me a large steak, medium rare as I requested, & large prawns. The lunch was delicious & I had enough left over for lunch the following day. read more

I've been here before and the food was good. This time the burger was a disappointment. Not juicy at all. The french fries were lukewarm. I told the cashier that I wanted fries only if they were hot otherwise just give me a salad. There was only one other customer there. No clue how they messed up my order. read more

What a wonderful little neighborhood gem!! Thank you YELP . I had a doctors appointment in the area and didn't know what was around so I used YELP and found this cute place in the residential area off San Pablo in a little alley way with a garden type outdoor seating area. Walked up to the order window and asked for their popular sandwich. She recommended the friend chicken sandwich and I got their homemade habanero hot sauce on the side (which was HOT - but sooo yummy). It came with fries . Would definitely come back! read more

Cali Alley - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

A real pandemic success story here. One of the most exciting new businesses to open up in West Berkeley in the past couple of years. The Fat Cat is probably the best chicken sandwich I've ever had. Seriously, when I need to convince my out-of-town friends that living in California is worth the hassle, i take them here. The other food is really good, too, but I just keep coming back for that Fat Cat... I really like the casual outdoor space, too, good vibes. read more

We came here partially based on the fantastic yelp reviews and because it is within walking distance of Berkeley Bowl, my favorite grocery store. Wow, what a find! Although the ribs were not as tender and fall-off-the-bone as I would've liked, the bbq sauce was out of this world! They have their own special recipe for the sauce and it is the best bbq sauce I've ever tasted! LOL, I can't believe I almost ate part of the paper to get at the very last vestiges of sauce. Hubby shared a bite of his Cali Alley burger with me and it was so good, I'm already thinking of when I can get one for myself. All the sides were so delicious right down to the house made vinaigrette on their salad. As with the bbq sauce, I loved the vinaigrette which was so light and tangy with hints of garlic and onion. Both bbq sauce and vinaigrette were so delicious that I just had to ask if I could buy some from them to take home. What a blessing, they sell some of both in small containers! Looking forward to going back to try their other things! read more

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In a cute alley in Berkeley. The loco moco was delicious and the boys really liked their chicken and waffles and burgers. Great presentation.The chicken was fried in a flavorful light batter and very juicy inside. read more

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**4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars** This was one of the best deals I found for Berkeley restaurant week, which is ending 3/31/21 -- you can pick an entree (usually $14-$19), a dessert (either chocolate Creme de pot or Nonna's cheesecake, which are usually $5-$6), and a drink (either agua fresca or sangria, which are usually $5-$6) for ONLY $20! I've been meaning to try this place for awhile and once I saw there was a deal going on, I thought it was a sign to finally check it out. Alley Bao Buns w/ Pork Belly: the pork belly is braised super well and the entire bun is full of flavor. Hold off on the sauce that comes on the side because I got a bit excited and put too much on, which ended up being really salty. The fried rice is also a bit crispy in some parts, but in a good way..I actually really liked it but don't know if that's just me haha. The bun bao itself is a bit dry and I wish there was a bit more pork belly in the ratio, but I still liked it. Alejandro Burger: this is delicious and the patty was cooked to medium rare as requested. Eating this was super messy though so be prepared. All burgers come with fries and let me just say THESE FRIES ARE THE BEST IN THE BAY AREA (that I've had so far). They have this exact statement in their online menu and I thought it was just optimistic advertising but it's true...they're crispy, well seasoned, and perfect. Nonna's cheesecake: really nice balance of sweetness and tartness from berry compote with a great crust on the bottom. didn't mean to finish all of this as fast as we did. Chocolate pot de Creme: super velvety and rich dark chocolate flavor. Eat this before the cheesecake otherwise it will just taste bitter. For the drinks, the sangria was okay as I wish there was more fruit or flavor from fruit in general, but the mint limeade was great (tart and minty). I really enjoyed the food from here and would want to come back to try the barbacoa plate, since it was out when I came. Cali Alley is also a black-owned business, so eating here is another great way to support the community. Don't miss out on your chance to try this place! Even if restaurant week is over, the food here is worth checking out anyways. read more

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Tried this place out for the first time. The Chefs burger was insane! So much flavor! Not for the faint of heart though as it's a big burger. Come hungry! Fries were good also. My sister said the Cuban Mojo was delicious! Will definitely be back. read more

Cali Alley - The Chef's Burger - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Such amazing food, great outdoor seating, friendly and welcoming service! I couldn't be happier with my decision to pop by today. I will definitely be back to explore the rest of the menu! read more