We have been going to Catos for years and years. It is our place for lunch and to hash out family and work stuff over a pint of beer! Staff is friendly and efficient and the food has always been good!!! I think they have a new chef - the food in the last month or so is really good! Today Husband had sticky ribs - sauce with Asian flavors and the meat tender but not dry!! SO yummy!! I had steak frites - a little on the boring side, but cooked perfectly! (the dog loved loved loved the left over steak) Here is the main reason I am writing this review. A friend of mine has been battling a health issue for several months and ended up back at Kaiser Hospital for 10 days. If you have ever had a stay Kaiser Hospital - the food is atrocious on a good day. So my friends' family brought her food during her stay. This time all from Catos!! The family lives in the east bay and are not regulars to our Piecmont Ave neighborhood. They loved the food - worth traveling for!! One of her daughters said she would come to Oakland just for Catos burgers - Mac and Cheese - Obama sandwiches and pizza!! My friend is home and healing well - Good job Catos - I am so happy you are part of our comunity!! read more

It was OK. Nothing spectacular. Grabbed lunch solo. Tried the 2 piece pizza for $8. Price was right. Pizza looked delicious..had little flavor. Like even with the parmesean added, it still waa pretty bland for a slice a pizza. Oddly not even the pepperoni had much flavor. Customer service was OK. The bar itself is a bit dark, but clearly this is a cool neighborhood spot to grab a drink. read more

Cato's Ale House - Burgers Near Me - Oakland, California

A great spot! They have a dog friendly patio out back and a large beer selection. Come in and order food from the kitchen window and drinks at the bar, they'll bring your food out to you when it's ready. Friendly staff at the bar and at the kitchen. read more

Cato's Ale House - Cup of chili - Burgers Near Me - Oakland, California

My last visit to Cato's was a midweek lunch which seemed odd to me. I think I'd be more likely to come back for a beer and dinner. Service was quick and friendly (order at counter- food and bar are separate). The setting and seating are just fine. Nothing great or bad. My lemongrass tofu bahn mi bread was too soft, instead of chewy with a crusty outside. The veggies inside didn't hit the mark with the pickled flavors. The tofu was crispy on the outside and soft inside (perfectly prepared) but didn't taste like lemongrass. However, it's bar fare so I appreciated the variety. The side salad was great with yummy dressing. Other items we ordered, and liked, were the Obama sandwich (no explanation for its name), Retro burger, fish and chips and quesadilla. Almost all were big enough to bring home leftovers if you cut it in half. read more

See all

Love Catos. Come here from time to time since 2016! Always welcoming and friendly and no hassle place! Burgers, sandos, pizza are some favorites we love to share. And great beer always! read more

See all

3.5 stars, rounding up. Cato's has a really decent American pub menu, but no table service. You figure out what you want, and go up to a window to order it. You order your drinks from the bar. I'm not sure why I tipped for the food, but oh well. The Wife and I stopped by, and I ordered a Belgian triple, while we shared the nachos. They were very yummy, especially adding the jalapenos that I got in the side. Could have used some additional cheese, but with no protein added, it was hardy. I also enjoyed the decor, with an interesting mishmash of historic presidential photos on the wall near us. It hit the spot, in summary. read more

Cato's Ale House - Burgers Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

Came here to meet a friend after work. We ordered hot wings and French fries for snacks. They were both good. I had the hop riot IPA, it's was very good. My friend had a red ale and a Pilsner. Everything was good, service was friendly and attentive. Order your drinks at the bar. Order food at the counter in the rear corner of the restaurant of the space. They brought the food out quickly. We'll be back next time we're in the neighborhood. Cheers read more

Cato's Ale House - Hop Riot IPA - Burgers Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

So, whenever we have the opportunity to be anywhere near Cato's, we take advantage of it. Today I had their pozole. Omg. Perfectly seasoned (I like spicy). The best I've ever had. My husband had the impossible burger, added cheddar. He gives it an 8/10, only because he prefers a different kind of bun. As always, the beer selection is outstanding. The service is engaging (if we lived closer, we'd hang out here. Really nice staff). So glad that we happened on this comfortable, local hangout. You'll feel welcome here. read more

Cato's Ale House - Burgers Near Me - Oakland, California

Came here earlier tonight for a happy hour with a bunch of 10+ coworkers around 5-6pm, and I was pleasantly surprised and bummed I didn't find this place sooner! We got 2 pitchers of ciders, a pitcher of pilsner, 2 pizzas, and a bunch of apps to share (nachos, sweet potato fries, garlic fries, spicy buffalo wings, etc). Sat in the back patio area outside just for breathing room and space. Pros: - Great location for an after-work happy hour, especially if you work near Piedmont. Quick walk away from the Kaiser hospital buildings, with both an indoor and outdoor space. We chose the outdoor area that had umbrellas and heating lamps and 6-7 tables to easily share food - Fantastic delicious pizza! The vegetarian one with feta was sooo good and slices were surprisingly huge. Another sausage one we had was very delicious as well - Impressively good bar food - the garlic fries and sweet potato fries were very addicting, would opt for these instead of the nachos if you can. I definitely ended up overeating because everything tasted better than I thought it would! - casual atmosphere - self serve water available inside - All the servers were really nice and efficient Cons: - parking can be tricky around this area, it was honestly easiest for me to uber home after read more

Cato's Ale House - nachos - Burgers Near Me - Oakland, California

Ahhhh the food was so blah!! I really wish it was good but literally every item was mid. We got the beer pretzel, garlic fries, mac n cheese, and wings. I can't recommend anything from that list. It was hard to finish any of the dishes. The mac n cheese in particular was too tangy but also quite bland. Unfortunately they also serve Pepsi products, so the Roy Rogers was not great. It's also a bit expensive for counter service, though the staff seemed friendly. The beer selection is good and the ambiance is decent. I like the sun room area and cozy booth options. I would return for beer only no food. If you want this kind of wings/fries/sandwiches vibe, I hate to say it, but Fenton's is definitely better....even though I'm pretty sure most of their food is frozen originally, lol. read more

Cato's has become one of my go to hangouts with buddies. From the chill atmosphere to the delicious food and drink options, there's something for everyone here. And the staff are always patient and kind. Recently I enjoyed the homemade falafel based burger and their elderberry infused cider. Each entree can be customized based on any food related allergies. I've enjoyed all of their pizza selections in the past. And there's always SO many good beer, wine, and cider choices here. Whether dining on the outside patio in the summer or indoors to stay cozy during the chillier months, Cato's is the kind of place to enjoy any season. read more

Cato's Ale House - delicious ciders w/ the East Bay Bestie - Burgers Near Me - Oakland, California

Since they changed to serving Sysco slop there's no reason to go. Sad to see a formerly great institution become another doordash Sysco ghost kitchen :( read more

Great beer menu, solid pub style food and family friendly! They have a kids menu and the back patio had other families with young kids on our recent visit. Been here numerous times for the beer but on our recent trip we sat in the outdoor patio, mostly shaded in the evening and I got the retroburger and nachos and pretzel. Just an easy chill place to hang out read more

Cato's Ale House - Pliny the Elder Pretzel and Nachos Grande - Burgers Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

Great for Wednesday night live music. Good bar bites. Friendly service. Fun neighborhood spot.

Friendly for all ages with live music going on Sundays. We came here solely for their fish and chips. It was an ASMR experience cuz the batter was hella crispy. It was actually a bit too hard and way too crispy for me. It really boil down to preferences. The overall flavor was okay, but some bites were a bit salty compared to others. I'm not a fan of coleslaws but they make a really good one here! They have a lot of rotating beers on tap. Would love to try some next time! read more

See all

I love me some Cato's. Apparently they have cool stuff like trivia nights and live music but I'm not cool enough to do any of that, I just come for lunch. But it's a good lunch. They have good burgers, nice pastrami sandwiches and pastrami Rachel, occasionally they have some semblance of Chicago beef. And +2 stars for having some innumerable number of beers on tap, always including Pliny the Elder.. read more

See all

Cato's brings such great memories of late nights on Piedmont Ave., karaoke and trivia moments, and most recently, pizza after labor & delivery! How times are a changin'! I truly think Cato's Ale House is a staple on Piedmont Ave. and Oakland ~ the beer selection is solid and the menu is always evolving. Some of the OG staff still works here as well, which is always a treat! Recently for lunch I tried the Five Spice Chicken Banh Mi (using Mary's chicken) which came on a super fresh Acme French roll, bomb siracha vegan mayo, and pickled vegetables. Did a side Caesar and loved how creamy the dressing was..the perfect lunch combo! Prices are reasonable and other menu favorites are definitely the Cato burger. Would love to try the Fattoush salad, The Town Oakland-style Fried Chicken Sandwich, and their Mac & Cheese. Finding parking can be a bit tricky on the street, but there's plenty of metered parking that sometimes just takes a few drives around the block until spaces open. Cheers, Cato's to many more years ahead! read more

Cato's Ale House - Five Spice Chicken Banh Mi - Burgers Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

The food was nothing special. Everything was bland, very disappointing. I won't be returning to Cato's.

This place was great! I was on the lookout for fish and chips and this place got recommended quite a bit so decided to try it out. We happened to be there on the night they had live music and it was packed but the food still came out quick and we had a great time. Loved the sweet potato fries and the mac and cheese, it was so rich and creamy. Unfortunately wouldn't say the fish and chips lived up to my subjective expectations, the breading and tartar sauce wasn't my favorite although the fish itself was cooked perfectly. Overall though I would definitely recommend! read more

Cato's Ale House - Sweet Potato Waffle Fries, Fish & Chips - Burgers Near Me - Oakland, California

I have been enjoying Cato's since the mid-90's. A 5-star experience, normally. However on a recent visit with a friend having celiac disease, was surprised to see only 2 gluten-free items on the menu. A salad and chili. We almost left. Would be nice if they had, at least, gluten free bread for some of the many sandwiches & burgers offered. read more

I had high hopes for this place. Got their special of the day. The porchetta. It was dry and the chimmichuri was lacking. It was all around a waste of $19 with and equally sad salad. The outstanding part of this place is the beer selection, plenty of seating, and DIY silverware, napkins, etc so you don't have to wait on a server. My coworker's burger was good but messy. I'd suggest this place for burgers and chilling with friends fpr game night. read more

See all

The beer and the atmosphere is the best thing about this place. However I've been disappointed with the food every time. I haven't had much of the menu except for the basics. The pizza, nachos, and burger were below average in my opinion. The photos seem to give the impression that the food is pretty good but I've been disappointed enough with everything I've had that I wouldn't order it again. The nachos were pretty boring and basic, and the burger was painfully dry. It was probably my least favorite burger in recent memory. read more

Some friends and I hung out on a Friday night for dinner and were easily able to get a table for the group of 5 since we got there somewhat early (5:30). Orders are placed at a counter in the back, and you help yourself to condiments, water, utensils, and what not. Their menu is nicely labeled with the vegan and gluten free items, and prices are similar to most restaurants these days at about $20 for a solid meal. We tried a variety of foods including the nachos, sweet potato fries, wings, and a few banh mi sandwiches and the falafel burger. Most people didn't finish or keep their leftovers though. I liked the falafel burger ($16) which had a nice crunchiness and tangy sauce. Nothing extraordinary but not bad. This seems more like a place to gather for the vibes than for the food. read more

Cato's Ale House - Falafel burger ($16), nachos, sweet potato fries - Burgers Near Me - Oakland, California

Food was high quality, fresh, and flavorful. Prices were a dream. Service was top freaking notch! Will definitely be coming back to try more items! We came here in a pinch when service at the establishment down the road was dreadful. A very happy happen upon! Try them out, you won't regret it! read more

Cato's Ale House - Garden Salad & Steak & Frites - Burgers Near Me - Oakland, California

Went to Oakland to visit some family over the weekend and stopped at this place called Cato's. Let me tell you did not disappoint. I had the sticky ribs and my husband had the house burger it's was so good we can't wait to come backCatos ale house read more

One of my favorite date night spots in Oakland. They have amazing food (reasonable prices) and such a wide beer selection. Staff is knowledgeable and friendly. It's great to take a stroll and stop by (sometimes there's live music). Always happy to see what's going on at Cato's. read more

Love this place. Great food and atmosphere. Their Octoberfest specials are delicious! read more

Cato's Ale House - Loved Octoberfest special! - Burgers Near Me - Oakland, California

First, the downside. One has to order food at a small window in the back and pay for it there, and then order drinks at the bar. However, the vide is cool, and the atmosphere is great. If you have a group, there is one table that seats more than four. We were lucky enough to get it, and had a great time. Food was excellent. We will return. read more

What happened to Sunday live music? It was the highlight of the weekend. The bands are the magic. Without them, it's not the same. The food is ok at best but the music gives the place something different. Bring it back. Also, bring back blue cheese dip for chicken wings. Mayonnaise with a blue cheese sprinkle is just gross. read more

I think we follow our new neighborhood spot. A great place to hang out with friends and family and enjoy tasty bites. read more

Came on a Friday after work around 5:30 for dinner and drinks. It was pretty packed inside with a good mix of people and groups. We ended up grabbing drinks and ordering food to eat out on the back patio. Love the friendly vibe, the food was delicious (we had wings and a chicken Caesar salad) and love the dogs of course. Will def be back again. Pros: Friendly staff, good food selection for a bar, certainly good enough for dinner, and drinks. Cons: Parking can be difficult in this area during after work hours and prime nights so walk or ride share if you can. read more

See all

Came here on a whim Friday nite shenanigans Plenty of seating areas available Nice open bar that is well stocked (beer and wine only ) Bartender is nice and efficient Walk up window to order food We got a pizza ($30) Venue is dimly lit Sets the vibe Nicely decorated and vandalized lol but in a tasteful way This is a cool place to hang out Enjoy some good food and wine or beer Pizza was good Came out very hot Crust was crunchy Wine was nice and crisp Friend enjoyed her beer Will definitely consider coming back Parking is hard to find Street parking only read more

See all

Great vibe and they have different events every night so there's always something to do when you're there. Great staff.

The service and ambiance here are top notch. Super down to earth bar that serves such tasty food. So much to chose from on draft/bottled. They also have wine, so it's great for groups with varying taste. The food itself is excellent for being a bar. Recommend the pizza and sandwiches. read more

Cato's Ale House - Bar area - Burgers Near Me - Oakland, California

Very kid and dog friendly place with a great outdoor patio with umbrellas. Nice selection of food and beer and we went on a Sunday evening when they had live music. The kids enjoyed their burger and fries, and the adults enjoyed the fish and chips and Banh Mi sandwich and salad. The beer was good too. You order inside and the food is brought to your table. Self service for condiments and silverware. Very easy going and casual place. We will be back! read more

See all

I really enjoy Cato's vibe. It has a neighborhood feel that welcomes anyone and everyone. They also offer an outstanding beer selection. Their food is expensive and, at best, average. During my last visit, I ate a cuban sandwich with dry bread and subpar ham. I think it cost me over $15. They also default to a 22% tip up front FOR COUNTER SERVICE. My family bussed our own dishes when we left... read more

Order food at the kitchen window and they'll bring your food to your table. We were not super hungry so just ordered the French onion soup and nachos with carnitas. The soup was great - deep beef and onion flavor. Nachos were solid as well. The food was pretty good for a bar. They seem to really care about the preparation of their food. read more

Cato's Ale House - French onion soup - Burgers Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

Great service the servers are really nice and the chef cooks really good food definitely will come back in the future

Loved this place. Really like the cozy, intimate feeling in the booths, which offer a lot of privacy. Came by on an evening when a Brazilian jazz band was playing and they were very good. The tables and booth walls are all covered in carvings, which is supposed to make the place feel like an edgy dive bar, but it's too nice on the outside and a little too nice on the inside to be a true dive. Ordered the Obama steak sandwich ($15) and thought it was delicious. The sandwich was really generous with the amount of steak that was on it, and the aioli was delicious. The caramelized onions brought it all together. My fiancé got the Retroburger ($18), which he really enjoyed, and I used some of his leftover secret sauce on my sandwich and thought it was a great addition. The fries, which came with both of our plates, were super hot and fresh and perfectly crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Another generous portion with those. I got the regular fries and he got the garlic fries, which were, indeed, pretty darn garlicky. And while I'd normally not comment on iced tea (my go-to at most places which, while refreshing, is usually pretty standard and not worth reviewing), I think the iced tea here is great. It's spiced and reminds me of Constant Comment, but on ice. Very good. Despite being a pretty busy evening, given the live performance, our food came out fast. I like that everything here is pretty self-serve: seat yourself, go up to order at the food window or the bar when you're ready, no pressure. Cool place overall and lots of good sounding food on the menu. There's way more I want to come back to try and I'll certainly be coming back to try it. read more

Cato's Ale House - Obama (foreground), Retroburger (background) - Burgers Near Me - Oakland, California

Cato's is a local watering spot for the Piedmont Ave. business district. It's twin is Ben and Nick's in the Rockridge area. Both are mainstays in their respective neighborhoods but I digress. We'll talk B&N on another review. Cato's excels in its everyday, every person is welcome neighborhood bar for the locals and the visitors who happen upon Piedmont for the food, shopping, or routine appointment at Kaiser. The woodwork on the walls with high school era carvings and stickers tossed from the patrons makes you feel at home. There are different little areas to sit, the front room is like a garden room, lots of natural light, the green room with its two tables in a semi private enclave, three booths, lots of open tables and outdoor seating if you need to replenish your vitamin D. No pretension, just a nice spot to have a drink and a bite to eat. The food pairs well with its 23 rotating beers on tap. We had the carnitas tacos, regular burger and the special, Obama's Resurrection, a yummy steak and cheese sandwich. The food is yummy, simple, savory, and just right for the bar. Be sure to try the Pliny the Elder Pretzel too. If you just want a spot to catch up with friends or catch the Warriors or Giants game, dinner with the kids, or just a solo bite before or after your Kaiser appointment (better make it after), drop by Cato's. You won't be disappointed. read more

See all