I usually go to the Homeroom in Oakland, but when I found out there was a closer location, I knew I wanted to try their Berkeley location. My group of three went in for a dinner on a Saturday and there was no wait. Parking was easy, there is a small parking lot as well as street parking. Upon entering, no one greeted us so we were not sure if we just sit down on our own or if someone guides us to a table. One of the music speakers is right next to the entrance so when a worker was calling out to us, we could barely here what they were saying. They were yelling at us from by the counter while we were at the entrance. No one met with us at the entrance, the worker just started moving towards the tables. We just assumed based on body language where we needed to go. Once we were seated, we noticed the table had some imbalance/were wobbly. We just decided to step on the legs so it would stay in place, but we did not mind that too much. However, what made our experience disappointing was the service. In general, we did not really feel welcomed. We felt like we were being an inconvenience which we were surprised by because we do not expect too much to begin with; just the bare minimum- a simple greeting, serving our food, checking in on us, answering our questions, etc. However, when we ordered our food, our server would make faces whenever we ordered something. They seemed also judgmental that my partner and I decided to share food. We would like to not waste food so I am not sure what the problem was. We were not sure if that meant we ordered something gross or what. It just felt uncomfortable. We also ordered some condiments on the side, but my partner had to get up after a while because it never came to our table. He had to go up to the counter and ask two different people. Everyone just seemed disinterested and it was hard to get things. At this point, we would have wanted to just order the food at a kiosk if that is the type of service we will be getting. The food itself was yummy, but the overall experience just made it feel overpriced and disappointing. It was my friend's first time at Homeroom and she felt disappointed by the overall service as well. We got the crab and the gilroy garlic w/ bacon. The crab tasted really well with sriracha so I definitely recommend adding that! The gilroy garlic is a classic and always yummy. However, the gilroy garlic was a bit more on the dry side this time. We also tried their peanut butter pie which was not good. The chocolate syrup they used had a weird after taste that reminded us of cherry medicine and the crust just did not taste good, but besides that, the filling was good. I just would not get this again. We would like to assume that the people working there that day were just tired, it's a weekend and they would rather be at home, we get it. Hoping our experience next time will be better if we decide to go back. read more

See all

Bomb mac and cheese spot, it was couple night so we got the buffalo chicken and we got the rib koji bbq mac and cheese, i gave a 10/10 for the buffalo chicken and 7/10 for koji. We also got the elote it was good 6/10 corn could be cooked a little longer. We also got hot cheetos on the side !. I want to go back and try the rest of them it was bomb. Service was amazing we had a lovely waitress & the dining area was huge great for large parties! read more

See all

I recommend eating at Homeroom. It is cozy dinning inside the restaurant. They have indoor and outdoor dinning. The service at Homeroom is amazing. I never had best service at other restaurants and Homeroom goes out of the way to give you the best service. I have tried Homeroom for the second time and my service was amazing. She made sure that my food was good and offer me desert after finishing my meal. I got offer a refill on my drink and she went out of her way to make sure I was doing OK. A definite plus that I will dine at Homeroom again. read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Vegan Mac...with Broccoli - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

First time here and it was a very slow Friday night. No one acknowledged us when we walked in. We stood by the host desk for 5 minutes and finally decided to sit at the bar in hopes of maybe getting acknowledged. Staff were super unfriendly and inattentive. Food was subpar. Over hyped mac and cheese. Had to continuously flag down a staff member to get anything (mind you, we were sitting right in front of them at the bar). I understand places are short staffed but this place was dead while we were there and not even acknowledging customers basically the entire time, is ridiculous. Will not be back here. read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Literally sitting front and center at the bar and service was awful. - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

Homeroom is truly a staple of the Bay. My husband and I usually go to the Oakland location, but recently moved to Berkeley so had to hit this location up. We always get the following, which we feel is the perfect amount for two people to share (if both parties aren't TOO hungry): - 2 Cheddar Jalapeño Biscuits - 1 Elote Bowl - 1 Kogi Short Rib Mac The kogi short rib is our all time favorite, but our other top contenders are: - Truffle Mac - Elote Mac If we're both feeling ravenous, then we'll usually skip out on the apps and the two of us order our own Macs read more

See all

Soo we can in last weekend I never seen so many different types of mac and chzzz so I'm in love First I'm big on how clean a restaurant and bathrooms are..Very clean bathroom very nice and clean The bacon sprouts...bomb soo good My husband had the bacon mac I had the Buffalo mac big portions very pleasant host and our server was on point an funny!!! Oh yeah the brownies must have I really also like how the management treats the staff they seem happy he was super nice!! I felt like I knew him for years by the time we left..his name is Kevin i believe. I like my food really really hot and he went above an beyond for us!! Good music good vibes will definitely be back!!!! read more

Easy to find location with lots of parking off of Gilman. Ended up here on a Saturday around lunch and decided to grab a table outside. There's a fire pit that felt nice as the day was pretty cold. Our server was very attentive, checking in to make sure we didn't need anything a handful of times. We shared a Brussel sprout appetizer and two Mac & Cheeses between three people and had some leftovers. We ordered the chicken pot pie and kogi short rib mac. I thought I'd love the kogi more, but the pot pie turned out to be the winner. The kogi short ribs were very tender, but the flavor was overall off. There was a slight sriracha taste and the beef was very sweet which didn't mix well together. The pot pie was more of a classic. read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Chicken Pot Pie Mac - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

Awesome Ambiance, Superior Service, and most importantly.... Fantastic Food, A++!!!! read more

Had no idea what to expect, but en route back to Marin from a baseball game with kiddos, stopped here on a whim. One of my kids is an aficionado. Classic Mac & Cheese with breadcrumbs was a massive hit. Killed the whole thing (and had to share with his sisters. See below re: standard grilled cheese). The others had grilled cheese (standard. So one star deducted. Not bad. Just not amazeballs to warrant the fifth star. I'm stingy on those). I worked thru half an order of the Buffalo Mac. Contrary to some of the one star reviews, I found enough chicken, good flavor, and right amount of spice. Very heavy. Dense. Also, contrary to others comments, service was good. Friendly staff. Attentive. Dessert: brownie sundae and root beer floats. The latter were typical. The sundae was "really good," per the kids. From the one small bite they allowed me, I concur. Overall, worth the stop. read more

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

Disclaimer I only go here for the vegan mac. It's not a Mac and cheese replacement at all, but it's really good! The flavor is original, I've never had anything like it so I crave it often. Im disappointed in their lack of consistency though, I've found that sometimes they give a lot of sauce and it's thick and creamy and delicious and other times there's a lack of sauce and it can be really thin. read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

I've been to both the Oakland and Berkeley Homeroom locations... and wow, what a difference! After a terrible experience at the Oakland location, I wasn't sure I'd come back, but Berkeley completely changed my mind. The food was fresh and delicious, the space was trendy and spotless, and my kids loved the little kids' corner. The staff was super friendly, and even though they seemed a bit short-staffed, the manager was everywhere - - greeting guests, helping his team, and making sure everyone felt welcome. This is hands-down the only Homeroom location we'll visit from now on! read more

Staying with a friend who was recuperating from surgery and ordered delivery. We shared the vegan brussel sprouts and the Kogi Short Rib Mac and cheese with gluten free noodles. The order was large enough for the two of us with enough leftover Mac for one lunch serving the next day. The brussel sprouts were nicely seasoned and cooked. They were tender and not bitter. The Mac was spicy but not over powering. I would have liked a little more short rib. The noodles were al dente. The cheese covered everything. I would order both items again. read more

This is one of my favorite spots! Their food is always delicious and fresh and the service is excellent. I love all their mac and cheese and their Cobb salad is a must try!! read more

I have no complaints about this location. Parking is available on the street. Staff are very efficient. The baked macaroni was so good. The garlic flavor definitely comes through. I wasn't able to finish it for lunch and had leftovers for dinner and to share. The inside of this establishment is clean. read more

See all

I was looking for a good burger and came across the Homeroom. The waitress was nice, lacking knowledge of the beers they served, but nice. The ambiance was good. The beer was very bitter, even though I asked for a beer that was not an IPA, it was. The burger came to my table not cooked all the way, I had asked for it to be well done, some people like their burger pink, not me. The fries were good. I asked for mustard, but they didn't have any. If I return, I will try their Mac & cheese. read more

Homeroom Berkeley - My pink burger - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

Update: I recently went back to visit Homeroom in Berkeley. Leilani was very helpful and made sure that my family had a great experience this time. The food quality was much better and left us with a very pleasant experience. So thankful for Homeroom for fixing it for us. We will be back. read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

The garlicy bacon Mac n cheese: No garlic flavor and not much cheese taste. My son who loves Mac and cheese and bacon didn't not enjoy this. read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Garlicky Bacon Mac - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

Mac n Staples :( Absolutely love the elote mac n cheese here & I make a point to get it whenever I'm in Berkeley. Vibes & customer service were great but my pictures explain the rest. Cmon y'all you can do better. read more

See all

Homeroom brings my cheesy smile out! As a child, mac and cheese was my all-time favorite food--comforting, cheesy, gooey, something I'd always order and ask for. When I found out about Homeroom's original location in middle school it instantly became my favorite restaurant. Through a Yelp Elite Event, I learned that there was a new location that was closer to my house--fate! Compared to the Oakland location, Homeroom in Berkeley is extremely roomy, casual, quiet, and family-friendly! There's even a bar inside and a quaint waiting area. With ample booths and tables available for all party sizes and a play area for children, you won't be waiting for a table like its original location. On this particular visit, the worker who greeted us was upbeat. It did take them time to take our order but our food came out hot and speedy. In my time dining here, I've never had a hiccup with their service. I'll preface this review by stating it's solely for their vegan mac and cheese. I do not eat dairy so Homeroom's non-vegan options are out for me. Prior to being dairy-free, I devoured their Gilroy Garlic and Garlicky Bacon Mac. Adding toppings is a must here, especially breadcrumbs! I've always been skeptical about vegan mac but ended up being surprised by theirs! I ordered their Vegan Mexican Mac and added Peas and Seasoned Breadcrumbs. This dish doesn't taste like mac and cheese but more like pasta with a semi-creamy, smoked, and slightly sweet sauce. The noodles are always cooked al dente--not too soft or hard. What I love about Homeroom is the ability to customize your mac and cheese. You can either build your bowls or add toppings to some of their specialty creations. Regardless, this is a wonderful option for all mac and cheese lovers providing an infinite amount of options. Portions here are always on the bigger end and take-out boxes are a must. If you're craving a good ole comforting or spruced-up version of a classic dish--Homeroom is the place you wanna be! They're located off of Gilman Ave. in Berkeley's Gilman District with parking in the shared lot as well as in Oakland. This is a neighborhood restaurant for all ages serving comforting food with smiling service. I grate-ly enjoy supporting my favorite childhood restaurant and even more so since they serve vegan mac and cheese! read more

When I was in college, I loved the SuzyQ cake. It was chocolate (my fave) and had the cream inside and reminded me of an elongated Ding Dong. I was willing to give up the flap of frosting on the top to enjoy cream in every bite! After years of eating lots of junk food and constantly getting sick, I went to a health food store and started buying food and cooking for myself. I made soups, salads, healthy snacks and meals that were similar to the ones I'd grown up on. One day, I saw my beloved Suzy Q and bought one. I took it home and took a bite and it tasted bitter. I took it back the next day and told the clerk and exchanged it for another one. Took this one home and bitter again. The third time, I took a bite in the store and I realized that in the months of good homemade cooking, that my taste must have changed. The sweet treat that was once my favorite was bitter. I never ate one again. I'm afraid that's happened with this place. I ordered my favorite, the decadent Truffle Pasta with mushrooms and no bread crumbs on top. I could have eaten a tub of this in the past, it's that good. I was late picking it up, not because I was late, but it was ready ten minutes early. That should not have been a problem. I've schlepped pasta from Oakland to my home in the past and it's been fine. I have to say that there was no one in there which probably explains why my pasta was ready so soon. They have a beautiful interior, which you can see in my pictures. The person working there greeted me. There was a young man waiting but I imagine that he was waiting for an order to deliver. But my order was the only one on the shelf. Other places have had issues here and they've been pretty good so I hope they have a brisk to go business. But the reason I brought up the Suzy Q story is because I feel like my taste may have changed a lot. Since the pandemic, my husband and I started cooking and eating at home, with the occasional treat brought in from the outside. We favored mom and pop joints. The junk food that I ate before (it never was my husband's thing) became a thing of the past. And I think that my taste just changed. Now I stand by my original review of this spot. But this time, the pasta tasted like Pasta with a bunch of mushrooms. Just pasta and mushrooms. I could've made this at home and saved the money and the trip. There was no truffle essence, unlike the past when I had this. The pasta was filled to the brim, but I wanted something a bit more. The only way to test this would be to go to the one and Oakland and try it. I was going to go after I had my stapes removed, but was so tired after my trip to Fentman's I just wanted to grab a car service and go home. But I probably wouldn't try this one. Too much money for that level of disappointment. read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Counter to place or pickup order. - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

Had the kids Mac and cheese with caramelized shallots and garlic butter. Mmm mmm mmm! Our waitress Jane was just a peach! read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Kids Mac and cheese with shallots and garlic butter - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

Food was amazing! We ordered the pulled pork mac and it was delicious. A bit spicy but not too much!! Service was awesome!!! Will come back. read more

Homeroom Berkeley - BBQ PULLED PORK MAC - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

Delicious yummy cheesy goodness. Service was fast and kind. The ambiance is very cool and casual, would recommend the Bbq pulled pork but all the flavors are yummy! read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Cleared my plate - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

If you're looking for a nice large bowl of mac n cheese, look no further. I love that this place also offers vegan and gluten free options. I don't care how full you are, you HAVE to try their Brownie! * Pizza Mac * Kogi Short Rib Mac * Vegan Mexican Mac w/ Chorizo * Gilroy Garlic Mac * Vegan Buffalo Mac * Bacon Brussels Sprouts * Elote Bowl * Vegan Brownie read more

See all

I had high expectations for Homeroom. The inside and outdoor seating was great but the unexpected surprises really caught my attention. The cocktails are good. The food was alright only because I ordered the aged white cheddar Mac. It was bland, I lost my appetite. God damn, I never had horrible Mac until this spot. I should've trusted my intuition. My other two friends ordered the garden pesto Mac and elote Mac. That was delicious. But something unexpected happened where I saw one cockroach crawling under the table and one where I used the men's restroom. That's fucking disgusting, what the fuck. I really hope the Oakland location isn't as bad as this Berkeley spot. read more

See all

Shared a beautiful meal with friends at homeroom in Berkeley tonight. It was delicious and our server, Jane, was amazing! Everything came out fresh and hot and we were even presented with leis when our Hawaiian Mac arrived (which I highly recommend by the way)! Overall amazing I will be coming back! read more

Homeroom Berkeley - BBQ PULLED PORK MAC, BACON BRUSSES, HAWAIIAN MAC - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

This place was awesome. Ordered the Elote Mac w/ chorizo and it was delicious! Service was great, would 100% come back again.

Since pasta and cheese are two of my favorite things, I was so excited to try a restaurant centered around gourmet mac and cheese. After much deliberation, I went with the Garden Pesto Mac. I loved the fresh flavor profile thanks to the notes of pesto and bright cherry tomatoes. The creamy sauce was amplified by the Gouda and pecorino cheeses. The layer of breadcrumbs on top added a delicious crunch to every bite. The pasta itself was cooked perfectly. I really liked the laid back atmosphere inside. I hope to return soon explore more of the menu, which was packed with other scrumptious offerings. read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Garden Pesto Mac - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

3/5 food 5/5 kid-friendly Before becoming a parent, I never chose where to eat based on ambiance alone. Now I know that environment is everything; otherwise, we don't even get to eat our food. That is precisely why I am giving Homeroom 4/5 stars despite not entirely enjoying the mac and cheese. I like my mac and cheese creamy and this was not. Also, I would have liked to have another pasta shape option as macaroni will always feel like a side to me. The positives are that the restaurant is spacious, food comes out quick, and the kids section has bright enticing games that are attractive to toddlers. In my opinion, Homeroom would be an excellent venue for a mom meet-up or other parent and kid-oriented activity! read more

You all did amazing. Shoutout to Isaiah for being an amazing waiter and for being a proud SJSU alumni :). The inside of the homeroom was super clean and the food tasted really good. My sister really liked how the tables looked too with the paper airplane design. It was my sister's first time at Homeroom and she really enjoyed the brownies and the classic Mac. I personally enjoyed the BBQ pulled pork Mac and cheese. Y'all were amazing and WE WILL BE COMING AGAIN! Keep up the good service because you all are amazing. (Also thanks for the amazing brownies). read more

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

See all

My friends and I come to this homeroom location for dinner every monday, not only is it a great way to connect with eachother over great food but the staff is literally the best. Leilani is usually our server and she is so kind, we're a big group and they accommodate us so well each week. They expect us now and always greet us with a warm welcome, really the best place in Berkeley to eat comfort food with a chill vibe. read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Homemade oreo cookies - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

Leilani and Darian are the best!!!! We go there every Monday night. The service and food are so amazing!!!

Homeroom wins for consistency! Enjoy a delicious meal with great service. Shout out to Eric and Kevin who helped make my night. They helped make my evening even more lovely. And I definitely recommend the Brussels, Gilroy Mac and Strawberry limeade. read more

I've tried Homeroom in Oakland a decade ago and was not a fan. But I wanted to give Homeroom another try at their new, nicely decorated Berkeley location. Tastes the same- big pass. The mac never has enough sauce...I want it gooey! The garlic bacon mac was way better than the kogi short rib mac- which had a weird taste to the sauce and overly sweet beef. I'm a mac n cheese fan, but Homeroom is not it for me. read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

Warm atmosphere, excellent service, and a cool vibe--plus, the mac and cheese is next level! Our server, Leilani, was incredibly friendly. Can't wait to go back! read more

I use to go all the time in Oakland! Gilroy garlic was my go to! I recent stumbled upon his location, it's next to Phil's across from Whole Foods and it's a great walking distance when I drop off my car for service a block away. I tried the short rib Mac and it was sooo good! I'm not sure if it's new or for a limited time but it's my new favorite! Mac and cheese and always so cheesy and creamy and the short rib was so tender. Compliments the mac and cheese very well! Location is nice and spacious. The ambiance is nicer than Oakland. It wasn't crowded at all, probably two other families. I did go in a weekday afternoon. read more

I wish I enjoyed the food more. It's a convenient location and the ambience is great. It's not too busy and the restaurant is well-kept. The brussels sprouts knocked off two stars. Half of it was unedible since it was burnt and bitter. Mac & cheese is great and very cheesy. I think the portions are quite large and definitely shareable for two. Bathroom is spacious and clean, but there was a strong odor that made me gag. I wouldn't visit the bathroom after eating. There is easy check out and you just pay through the QR code. read more

Homeroom Berkeley - Burnt Bacon Brussels Sprouts - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

We went here for a take out order and was curious about this new location in the Gilman Food hall location. It had been a busy early afternoon, but I was able to get close by street parking. I had ordered my regular Jalapeno Popper Mac and saw a new Bulgogi type of Mac with Sriracha sauce and Gouda and scallions and Short rib. I hadn't a chance to try that particular Mac but I did get my usual dessert dish Peanut Butter pie. The lady behind the counter was super nice and friendly. The place had lots of seating and some patio tables, as well. I noticed they had some beers and some libations on the beverage side, if you did not want a soda pop. Overall good experience and I'll be looking forward to try their other Macs and Beers on tap. The Garden Mac with Pesto Mac looked interesting. read more

VEGAN REVIEW Same tasty Mac & cheese at the one in Temescal, without the wait. Larger space! Vegan mac is solid. A few add in options, including soyrizo. Friendly service. Not as hipster as Temescal read more

Homeroom has landed in Berkeley!! The space is awesome with a roomy interior dining area that features a bar as well as a nice outdoor patio to enjoy. With so many flavors that I haven't tried yet, I was pumped to order the Garlicky Bacon Mac which is loaded with bacon, garlic, gouda, and pecorino. I ordered online and picked it up in-store. I brought it to a small backyard dinner for 4, so I figured it would be the perfect dish to share and I was right. My mistake was probably not getting two orders, as it was quickly devoured among the group lol. So far this is my favorite Mac order from here. The garlic flavor is intense and it blends well with the bacon/gouda. It has a nice bake on the top and is super creamy. It's certainly rich but not overpowering. It's comfort food at its best! We'll meet again soon my friend :) read more

See all