Last time I had Homeroom was 2019 at the Oakland location. I was excited to try the Berkeley location and had been looking forward to it all day. When I got there, it was not super full which was nice. Ambiance is nice. Tables and floors were clean. But it was super chilly inside? I don't understand why since it was super chilly outside. Since it was not busy, we got to pick our own table. The menu was pretty straightforward. I ordered the BBQ pulled pork mac with a ginger ale. Ginger ale came out first. It was good but there was no ginger flavor present. The mac took a long time to come out. When it finally did, it wasn't HOT. It was warm. That's not ideal for me when it comes to mac and cheese. I need to burn my mouth first in order to enjoy it. I thought the pork was going to be mixed within the mac but it wasn't. They slapped it on top with some store bought hot sauce and crunchy onions. No thought whatsoever with the presentation. I stirred my bowl and the cheese was already getting runny from the pork sitting on top. I stirred it some more and it finally mixed in but it still wasn't great. The mac and cheese itself was not that great. Kinda bland, no cheese pull, and no creaminess. The pork was okay. Not much flavor but it was very very tender. This was the only component I was satisfied with. Other than that, this bowl of mac was mid at best. It was edible and I ate it anyway, as it was $23 for the meal. Like I mentioned earlier, it was cold inside. My bowl didn't have a chance to stay warm. It got cold so quick! I don't really have a desire to come back. Turn down the A/C and have the bowls come out HOT, not warm. Meh. Also, the bathrooms smell. Yuck! read more

Homeroom Berkeley - BBQ pulled pork - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

Tashanti was absolutely incredible! She was working the floor by herself and still managed to stay completely composed the entire time. Her service was fast, attentive, and always delivered with a genuine smile. You could tell she truly cares about her guests, even under pressure. It's rare to see someone handle a busy shift with that level of professionalism and positivity. She made our experience so enjoyable, and we'll definitely be coming back because of her. Thank you, Tashanti! read more

It's been years since I last had Homeroom--the Oakland location was my go-to. This was my first time checking out the Berkeley spot, and it didn't disappoint. We stopped by on a Sunday afternoon, and it was nice and quiet with open seating available. I ordered the Kogi Short Rib Mac and it was absolutely delicious--hot, flavorful, and hard to resist. I may or may not have burned my mouth because I couldn't wait for it to cool down (worth it though, LOL). We also tried the Garden Pesto Mac, and it tasted just like the ingredients promised--fresh and comforting. Overall, we had a great lunch at Homeroom and would gladly come back! read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Top: Garden Pesto Mac, Bottom: Kogi Short Rib Mac - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

Love me some Mac n' Cheese... but after eating here I'm like GAWD DANG this is delicious. Imagine going to a restaurant that specializes in Mac n' Cheese. All kinds too like Mac n cheese with pulled pork and bbq, hawaiian Mac n cheese, or just good ol fashioned Mac n cheese! I loved the selection, variety and creativity Homeroom has to offer. They have other dishes besides Mac n Cheese, their tomato soup is tasty and the peanut butter pie satisfies any peanut butter junkie! I was also pleased with the awesome service especially all the questions and suggestions our waiters gave us. The ambiance is reminiscent of a classroom vibe but more modern and uptempo. They do have lockers to give it that school vibe! Definitely recommended and I will be back! read more

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Highly recommend against ordering anything from The Melts menu here. Still very confused if this is like a franchise partnership or what, but the burgers we got were nothing like Melts we've had before. The burger was comically thin, think Burger King size.. and was somehow not cooked all the way through. The Mac & Cheese was great. Service was friendly and quick, but probably should have taken the empty restaurant as a sign.. came here on a Monday night for dinner, and the only people walking through the door were DoorDashers. Prices were fair all around, but I would never come back here. read more

OMG. This place is LIFE CHANGING-ly good. I have been here more times than I can count and not ONCE have I been disappointed. The customer service and food is so GD good it should be illegal. Do I recommend this place? Um, YES. Fk YES. BEST MAC AND CHEESE EVER! read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Even the damn to go bags are cute - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

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What a pleasant surprise to see that homeroom has a new location in Berkeley! It's very spacious, there's ample street parking, and even a cute outdoor seating area. My friend and I came for a weekday dinner and it was basically empty lol. We ordered the crab mac and the short rib mac. They both smash hard hahaha The crab mac had a delicious crabby flavor throughout and the lemon adds a nice acidity to balance the heavy cheese. Breadcrumbs are a super must. They make every mac taste better Short rib mac is not as good as the crab mac imo but it was still really good. The short rib was tender and flavorful. The mac has bits of jalapeño, so it's a tad spicy, but evens out nicely with the cheese. Service was also good! It was super empty (just 2 groups), so we were left alone most of the time, but definitely didn't forget about us. Overall, super good. Homeroom has the best macs and this location is a lovely addition to their business. Would definitely come back! read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Crab Mac - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

I took my grandson and his very favorite food is macaroni and cheese. And he says this is the best he's ever had! He always gets the garlic mac & cheese, and some kind of shake. Eduardo always recognizes us and says hello - he's the best waiter! I am not a mac & cheese, girl, so I always get the brussels sprouts with maple and balsamic vinegar and the garlic green beans. They are delicious! read more

Just decided to take out dinner from Homeroom this afternoon as I was running errands around Berkeley. It was so easy to call & order, ready in 10 min. & packed beautifully. Enough for 2 people- Classic Mac & Cheese, roasted Brussels sprouts and pie for dessert- all for $28!! Very generous in portions too. Um seriously- RUN to this place (or just order Door Dash!) with your kids, your parents, friend's & neighbors and have a fabulous tasty and $reasonable$ meal!! The play area for kids is truly awesome too. Ambiance A+ read more

Depends on the location. I've had great experiences which is why I still eat it and I've had a food poisoning attempt when I ordered at another location. Maybe they got rid of the guy but if they lost business, I'm sure that he is why. read more

I was surprised when our daughter said there is a Homeroom just a few blocks from where we live. Really? I was so happy. My wife and I went as her guest to share it. Its nestled off Gilman across the street from Whole Foods so an easy stop. And as always, offering an array of Mac n' Cheese. I had the Elote. I loved the corn and seasoning here. Everyone ordered their fav. Our daughter was beaming. Perfect surprise. When we got there I knew the location but didn't know it was there. Wonderful outdoor seating and the interiors were very nice too. The food ... as always .. off the hook. Clean and sparkling. Plenty of seating. Kids were enjoying a colorful game on the wall and big screen to amuse should you need it. Service was fast and cheerful. Jack was amazing as our server. The food was as aways very tasty. Great place for a date, alone, or with the family. read more

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What a great little location! Very happy the attention they give to gluten free allergies. It was in a whole different bag! Got a variety of flavors, Korean one was one of the bests! My youngest is going through a goat phase, loves all things goat... so of course she had to get the goat Mac and she absolutely loved it! Pasta tasted fresh. Tons of cheese varieties. A ton of unique and fun toppings! I had been to the Oakland one years ago, shortly after they opened. So I'm happy to see they are still being creative and growing! read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Thank you for taking the time for allergies! - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Been wanting to try this place for some time, so i dropped by with a friend on a sunday night. Wasn't too busy, and pretty spacious. It was nicely decorated and bright inside. Honestly, the food was pretty good but the serving size was smaller than i anticipated. I think one bowl is a good size for one person but if you aren't too hungry it's a good share between two people. overall, pretty food experience, i'd imagine parking might be a little annoying if it's during busy hours. It is in a plaza with a few other businesses too. Otherwise, nice for a quick meal! Food comes out fast, service is good, and the food was good :) read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Kogi Short Rib Mac - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

Crab mac n cheese - generous amounts of crab but too tart and heavy. I would come back to try their truffle mac. read more

Homeroom Berkeley - crab mac n cheese - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

A lot of friends had brought up Homeroom at one point or another. I have never particularly cared for Mac and cheese but have always loved a particular brand of Alfredo Mac and cheese. I was out late nearby and someone in the group suggested going here. I went along with it and figured I'd at least give it a try. First of all there were so many options and the guy who seemed to be in charge was absolutely wonderful. He even said if I didn't like what I ordered he would take it back and I could get something else. I ended up ordering the elote Mac and cheese but got to try the kogi beef Mac, cacio pepe Mac, Gilroy Mac and truffle Mac people in my group had ordered. WOW. They were all good. Do I like Mac and cheese now?! The elote Mac was so perfectly flavorful and the noodles were perfectly cooked. No overcooked noodles is always a win. The Gilroy Mac was good but not we all agreed it didn't have as much garlic taste as expected. The truffle Mac had a surprisingly solid truffle flavor. I usually think truffle is overrated but this was good. The cacio e pepe was good but subtle. The kogi beef Mac was a little on the pricier side but packed with flavor like the elote Mac. Overall I highly recommend trying Homeroom but definitely this location. Service was impeccable!! I definitely hope to bring others back here sometime. read more

Brief Summary: - Close to one of the shopping areas in Albany - Hearty meals - Entered hungry, left content and super full for some - Various versions of mac and cheese to choose from - interior and outdoor seating available I was curious to try one of the mac and cheese restaurants that opened up in the Bay Area. It was in my eat-list for some time and I finally decided to go around in Albany. The weather was gloomy and cold, a perfect day to have some mac and cheese. The restaurant interior is very cute, like a cozy beachside cabin feel. There are several tables placed in and outside. As we walked in, there was a sign that said to wait for the staff to guide you to a seat. That sign is helpful, because the way the entrance is built looks like we needed to first take our order at the cashier register and then sit wherever we wanted. After we took our seats we viewed the menu orders and decided on what to eat then and there. We chose two mac and cheese dishes, one from the protein side and the other is from the vegetarian section: the chicken pot pie and the Elota Mac. We also ordered a plate of Caesar salad. The orders came in with first the chicken pot pie and the Caesar salad, and then the Elote came afterwards. Personally, I liked the chicken pot pie mac and cheese over the Elote. The chicken pot pie is covered with flakes that were a great texture addition to the dish. Both of the dishes were not too heavy in my opinion, but it was a great choice from my family members to include a salad; it needed some palette cleansing after eating carbs and cheese after a while. The popularity vote was high with the chicken pot pie, but one of my relatives liked the Elote mac more. They generally like dishes with more vegetables and spice, and this one had both. When I ate this one, it was slightly spicy and I coughed a few times from it. Squeezing lime over this mac also cut some of the heftiness. With family or more than one person, this is a great to order more than one dish because you can share and taste different ones. I probably would not be able to eat one whole plate by myself because I would start craving for foods of different texture or flavor. read more

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If you like Mac and cheese - this is the place for you. We've only gotten take out from here but the food is delicious. It's peak comfort food. For Mac and cheese, we've gotten the Hawaiian, kogi beef short ribs, and garlicky bacon. The elote corn was also good. This is our go to place if we just want something cozy. Depending on the type of cheese used, that'll highly affect how cheesy your Mac is! read more

I didn't even know that Homeroom had a Berkeley location. I was thrilled to hear! We ordered to go and when I went inside, this ambiance is pretty awesome. It's very spacious and has nice decor, but I don't think it seats as much as it did in Oakland. We ordered the jalapeño Mac, Crab Mac, and Chicken Pot Pie. As I got home and excitedly open the packaging, all of our Macs seemed a little off. The color wasn't as vibrant as I'm used to seeing, the bread crumbs looks like it was just thrown on, and the entire Mac seemed as if it was half-baked. For example, the cream cheese in the jalapeño Mac was just one solid glob instead of it being somewhat melted in the Mac. Now I know it seems unfair to compare to the original, but I was hoping it would be the same quality. 4 stars because it was still good, just not as great as the original. read more

My best friend is from Oakland and he always recommended Homeroom whenever in the area. I was in the area and ready to try the hype. The place in East Bay specialized in macaroni cheese with different combinations. Kogi Short Rib Macaroni and Cheese: Thai pasta dish comes with pulled short rib. The meat was marinated in sweet siracha. It was super comforting and warm since it was made to order. The cheese was also perfect. This place definitely met the hype. read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

Updating my review! The manager was kind enough to give me a one time coupon to try their delicious bowls, and they definitely picked it up this time. I ordered the Elote Mac and also the strawberry limeade and it was definitely worth it to drive there again. Everything tasted very Yums! Unfortunately, I don't live in California anymore otherwise I would definitely have to make the drive there often to try their Mac. I am not a Mac and chz lover but they changed me! read more

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My first time trying this place after hearing so many people tell me how good it is! I did a togo since I was on a time crunch but this mac n cheese was so delicious! Kogi Short Rib Mac: 5/5 The short rib was so juicy and tender, mmm so tasty! The mac n cheese itself had the perfect amount of cheese and was so gooey just how I like it. Portion size was pretty big, I was very satisfied and I can't wait to come back and try their other bowls! read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Kogi Short Rib Mac - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

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All I have to say is that I left with a stomach ache. The food was soooooo good! I couldn't stop eating! Every time I said I was going to take the rest home, I would take another bite! I had the Elote Mac. Definitely different but delicious! My server, Isaiah, was personable, knowledgeable, attentive, and the restaurant has such a fresh, clean, and inviting atmosphere. Oh! I forget to say that the price was excellent! I drove from Sacramento just to try and they did not disappoint. I will absolutely be back! read more

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We always crave the truffle mac & cheese, and this time we also ordered a Melt Burger and some fries. I added jalapeños to my burger, not realizing my daughter would sneak a bite--next thing I knew, she was tearing up and trying her best to keep it together! Water wasn't helping, so I ran to order a milkshake. When I explained what happened to the manager, he immediately dropped everything--despite a big party and tons of orders--to get that milkshake out right away. His kindness truly saved the night. Great food, amazing service, and genuine care (and the milkshake was great too) Thank you! read more

I absolutely love this chain!!! they make the best mac and have seasonal items and tend to switch things up every now and then to provide exciting new options for us to try! Now lets get into it. I have tried so many different bowls and have created my own. However, I do say I like their premade bowls as they have the right combination of mixture in each and every bowl! they are super flavorful and filled with so much love and cheeesey goodness! This recent visit they were a bit busier usual so I ended up waiting a bit longer than usual for the take out line, but the dinning in option there was plenty of seats and they also are pet friendly! I saw a family and their fur baby dinning with them in the dinning area. Talk about hospitality and letting everyone in the family come thru for some good ol mac & cheese from the EB natives! love the hospitality and the great food, cant wait for my next visit again real soon! read more

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Food was great, I got the kogi Mac and it was delicious, the kids loved theirs and the Parmesan fries were super tasty. Brittany was our server and she was amazing. First thing that happened when we sat down was my daughter spilled her entire water. Brittany didn't bat an eye and cleaned it all up, plus brought new waters and a new kids menu. She checked in on us regularly, making sure we could bounce when ready before the kids fell apart. There's also a great little kids play area inside to keep Wiley ones entertained with toys and activities. All around great experience. read more

Solid meetup spot. This place is simple and knows what it serves and does it well. Mac and cheese is a comfort food staple, and this place takes it on from different angles. The Kogi short rib Mac had that sweet and salty umami taste, which was interesting. The garlicky bacon Mac was heaven- creamy, flavorful, and addicting. Service was great, the servers were friendly. I like the theming as well- that Homeroom school vibe is pretty clever. Overall recommend this spot for a dinner with friends or family! read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Kogi Short Rib Mac Kogi Short Rib Mac - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I found the Truffle Mac and Cheese somewhat bland, but a nice consistency. I am not sure I tasted truffle, just regular mushrooms. My son seemed to enjoy his pulled pork Mac and Cheese, so maybe it's best to order a dish with salty or fatty meat for the flavor. Service is efficient. Lots a families with small kids here, for obvious reasons. Several dashes of cayenne pepper would have gone far for me here. Co-located with The Melt, which is convenient. read more

The food here was great! Everything was so flavorful and the dishes were unique! I ordered their artichoke mac and my partner ordered their gilroy garlic. Both cheesy and flavorful. The service was great as well! Friendly staff. Ambiance was great as well. Very nicely decorated and clean. read more

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I have fond memories of homeroom from years ago but this experience was not as good as I remember. The mac and cheese was still good overall but not stellar. Of the 3 flavors we tried, we'd rank Kogi korean beef as our favorite, then elote, and finally the enchilada. The Kogi bowl was good and had the most flavorful base cheese sauce, most reminiscent of the Gilroy garlic mac cheese sauce that I'd remembered. The beef was a little dry but the korean sauce actually tasted great in combo with the cheese sauce. Unfortunately, the cheese sauce across bowls had broken so there was oil pooling up, which wasn't particularly appetizing. Staff was friendly and we didn't have to wait long for our food. Plus they offer hot sauces which I also liked to cut some of the richness of the bowl. It's still a very tasty bowl of Mac & cheese with pretty unique flavor options. I'd recommend trying for anyone who is craving or just really loves Mac & cheese. read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Chicken Enchilada Mac - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

I ordered the Hawaiian Mac, overall the taste was good, but I surprising they are not using fresh pineapple, they used canned pineapple and I believe the canned pineapple band is not Del Monte or Dole, the pineapple taste so plain and not taste good! read more

I absolutely love Homeroom! I come here frequently with my mom and have had nothing but incredible service. The food is always incredible, the staff is so so friendly! Bridgette makes you feel like you're part of her family and is so welcoming. I feel like I'm stepping into a family members home. All employees are incredible. Bridget, Anthony, and every server I've encountered has treated us so well. It means a lot as frequent visitors that they remember our order and always seem happy to see us. I can't recommend this place enough. I've been coming here for years and travel 25 minutes to get there each time because the whole experience is amazing! read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

This Mac n chz OMG! Got the Kogi short rib mac and it was heaven. The meat is so tender and the noodles are cooked perfectly. The combo of cheeses was so creamy! Service was quick and excellent as well. The whole experience was great and we will be back as often as possible. read more

Disappointed in the quality of food. Been awhile since I have been here and was craving some comforting Mac & Cheese. Ordered the white cheddar cheese Mac & Cheese with sautéed mushrooms. I really think they forgot the cheese. Tasted like it was just white sauce - no cheese whatsoever. The mushrooms also tasted like they were cooked in burnt oil or butter. Hoping it was a bad fluke, but will be awhile before I consider ordering there again. read more

Loyal Customer Since High School Still the Best Mac and Cheese Around! I've been a loyal fan of Homeroom since my high school days, back when their Oakland location first captured my heart. Over the years, I've tried so many of their flavors, and the magic of this place is that everything tastes amazing. No matter which mac you choose, you're in for something special! The Berkeley location deserves a special shoutout. I love that this location is close to me and how spacious it is. The service is always friendly, and the space feels so inviting--it's the perfect spot to enjoy some comfort food. My go-to macs are the Buffalo Mac, Chicken Pot Pie Mac, and Elote Mac (extra amazing with chorizo!). Adding to that, I love how customizable everything is, and it's easy to see why Homeroom is still my favorite. Consistently delicious, comforting, and worth every visit! I always bring my friends from out of town to check this place out and I will be continuing to do so read more

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I believe they used liquid cheese that I can't eat. I was looking for the real macaroni and cheese like mom cooked. Too much buffalo spice. This is what I didn't expect. I will not eat their macaroni again. The delivery was find. read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Buffalo chicken Macaroni. - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

This location is so modern, clean & pretty inside! Shout out to Bianca, our server! She was friendly, helpful, efficient & welcoming! Just perfect! We had the Aged white cheddar Mac n cheese. We added green scallions, broccoli & garlic butter! It was delicious & pasta was perfectly cooked! Very glad to know this place exists here by Philz! We will be back! Thanks again Steph & Kyle! Thank you Homeroom Berkeley! Thank you Bianca for being so positive & reminding us, there are still great servers out there! read more

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I love homeroom and I think it's one of the best Mac and cheese places I have tried! I think that they have a great assortment of flavors and toppings, in addition to the great portion sizes. My go to is the garlic gilroy Mac and cheese with breadcrumbs on top. It's so cheesy and gooey, just the right consistency! The service and staff is always really good, and sometimes there's a wait bc it's busy but the staff is always attentive and nice. They have a cute ambiance inside as well so you can sit and dine! read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Great food that came out quickly and was clearly made fresh to order. Service was good and attentive. I like the kid area because my kid could hop over and come back to the table once their mac and cheese had cooled down and this enabled them to take breaks to play in between bites also. Lots of families with young kids and the price is reasonable. Recommend for the food and an easy dinner out. Enjoyed the classic Mac and cheese, kale salad, Brussels sprouts, and the chicken pot pie Mac and cheese. read more

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At the recent Gilman Street Fair, Homeroom had a stall serving two types of mac n cheese. We tried the Gilroy Garlic Mac and thought it was delicious. Not like the typical mac n cheese that I've tried. Found out there restaurant was a couple block away and we vowed to check it out for dinner. So we finally came for dinner on a Saturday at 5:50. It's located in a building with a couple other restaurants. Its street parking and we found a space just down the block. There's an outdoor dining patio but we opted to dine inside on this cool evening. There's a pickup/order counter with a bar counter in front. Our waitress walked us to our table. Restaurant was busy with several families dining there. Kids were playing in the play area at the back corner. So it was on the nosier side with the kids. Menu consists of 14 mac choices and with add in options to your mac. There are salad and side choices and desserts. We opted for: Crab Mac - a decadent mac with blue crab, Gouda, pecorino, caramelized shallots, garlic butter and Old Bay seasoning topped with breadcrumbs. A taste of crab with eat bite was so delish. Calling all crab lovers! Truffle Mac - for the 'shroom lovers. The mac had Gouda, pecorino, truffle oil, sautéed mushrooms and topped with breadcrumbs. A mac with plenty of earthy and umami flavor. We enjoyed both of our macs in their own way. Will be back again. Delicious macs and friendly service. read more

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As a vegan, I was so impressed by this place. I got the vegan Buffalo Mac and my friend got the normal Buffalo Mac and they looked the same! The dishes are so comforting and flavorful; I'll definitely be back to try the other vegan Mac options. Food: 10/10 Drinks: 8/10 Affordable: 10/10 Atmosphere: 5/10 Vegan-friendly: 9/10 read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Vegan Buffalo Mac - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California