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KoStop

4.2 (163 reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
Updated 3 months ago

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KOSTOP ATMOSPHERE

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Moderate noise
Dogs allowed

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Grace J.

Ordered a medium wings bone-in with the spicy garlic sauce online, but they altered the order and gave me the boneless wings (chicken tenders?) which ended up being soggy. The service was nice but it's just not what I ordered. The store had plenty of clean tables. They get points for the generous portion.

Molly G.

Came here with a large group around 5:30pm on a Friday and was pleasantly surprised - no line and plenty of open seating, even for our party of 8. You order at the counter and grab your own table, which was easy enough. The space is quite small, but not uncomfortably so. We tried three types of wings, and surprisingly, the plain flavor ended up being my favorite. The chicken was juicy, extra crispy, and packed with flavor. Pairing it with the pickled radish and some rice made the perfect bite. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with how tasty everything was and I'll definitely be coming back!

Nashville Chicken Burger Not hot or spicy. I call false advertising Just kidding, but it had zero heat.
Dorothy D.

We were looking for a place near Memorial Stadium to grab a quick bite before the Cal Bears vs. Texas Southern University football game, something filling enough but without leftovers. Ko Stop turned out to be the perfect spot. It was busy with students and game goers, the vibe was cool, well lit, no music, plenty of seating, and very comfortable. Ordering is through a self-service kiosk (there's also a cashier behind the counter, but we ordered from the kiosk). As Baby Boomers, I'll admit the kiosk was a little confusing at first, but we figured it out and ended up just ordering single sandwiches instead of combos. The staff was very friendly, enthusiastic, and helpful. The beer was nice and cold, the soda was extra fizzy, and our food came out quickly. They also bus the tables, which made the experience smooth. All in all, you can be in and out in about 15-20 minutes, which makes it a fantastic pre-game option. As for the food, I had the Nashville Chicken Sandwich. The chicken itself was good, but the flavor wasn't nearly as hot or spicy as I expected, which was a little disappointing. My husband had the Hoagie Steak, which didn't look like the picture on the menu, so we wondered if we got the right item...but it was delicious, and he ate all of it. Both portions were generous and satisfying. The only thing we noticed is that there doesn't seem to be a restroom on site, so plan ahead if you're stopping in before the game. Overall, Ko Stop has a fun, energetic vibe with young students and alumni mixing together, and it's a convenient, quick, and solid spot before a Cal game. We'll definitely be back.

sweet & spicy chicken, slaw, parm fries
Uyen L.

The menu's not huge, but there's a good enough variety to pick from. You order on a kiosk, so you don't really talk to anyone, but the food came out relatively fast. We got the medium boneless sweet & spicy chicken, cabbage mix for the side, and parm fries. The portion was enough for 2 people, and we still had leftovers. The chicken was crispy outside, juicy inside, and the sauce was the right amount of heat and sweetness without being too much. The cabbage mix wasn't it for me. The seasoning was kind of off and the cabbage was too crunchy for my preference. Next time I'd just go with white rice to soak up that sauce. The fries were super crispy but they could've used more seasoning. The parm didn't add much tbh.

3 signature sauce chicken
Brian K.

We really enjoyed this place. The food came in fast and it was really good. The fried chicken was super crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, the tteokbokki dish had a nice chew and the kimchi fried rice and kimchi fries were both great. The fries were especially great and cheesy. We got the 3 signature sauce version of the chicken and all of them were actually fantastic. Not cheap, but worth it. I'd definitely go if I was a student there.

Louise T.

Very good chicken! Chicken was juicy, not dry like other fried chicken we've had. Sauce was sweet and tangy, but a little on the spicy side. Make sure you have a drink handy. I couldn't eat as much I usually do since I got full drinking. Seating area was nicely decorated and the window seats were inviting and bright. I don't recommend the shrimp tempura. We got cheated, unless it's the usual decoy. There was shrimp tail and "breaded body" but biting into it was a hollow space! Where is the shrimp??? Took a star for that. :(

Rose Tteokboki

Very cute place with incredibly considerate service, good eats, and warm atmosphere. It's a little pricey but the food comes out steaming (but not blistering hot) and fresh!

Honey butter garlic chicken plate w/ rice. Don't let this pic fool you, that rice scoop was hecka small. A bit too sweet more than garlic-y.
Gabrielle G.

I give this place 3 stars for a few reasons --- the food is okay, filling, but I was disappointed that there wasn't a little more authenticity to the place. It is sort of a Korean fusion fried chicken spot, but the chicken didn't taste like double fried Korean fried chicken that you can get from your local Korean supermarket. Also, the ordering process wasn't straightforward; you were kind of forced to use a kiosk that was super slow at times. I really wanted some French fries, but not $7 or $12 worth of fries. The cheaper fry options were listed on a plastic menu at the front counter, but not on the kiosk menu itself. Upsell much? You felt forced to give a tip even though you literally go and get the food yourself; no one brings it to you. I expected maybe a great Korean sauce to be on the table to put on top of fries or chicken, but they only had Tabasco sauce (blasphemy, no flavor in Tabasco sauce), mustard, and ketchup. Now, the amount of chicken they give you for a $20 plate is pretty good. I have to accept that in this area and others, the cheapest meal is going to run you $20 at least. I got the smallest scoop of rice. Like, really? Rice is one of the cheapest food items. Can I get a little bit more? That was surprising. My meal was the honey garlic butter chicken. It was good, but a bit too sweet. I guess I was focusing more on tasting pieces of garlic and butter and a bit of honey, but it was the other way around. Not bad, though. I still hella finished my leftovers when I got home. So I shouldn't complain. My friend got the Nashville hot chicken with waffle fries, coleslaw, and pickled veggies. That chicken has quite a kick, and she really liked it (she likes super spicy food). I liked it, but the heat tasted more like a cayenne pepper kind of heat (think Hot Cheetos maybe?), and I like my spice from jalapenos, and thai chilis, and different African chilis. Maybe I am a chili snob? Naw, I think cayenne and other powdered chilis give me heartburn. I don't get heartburn from kimchi or gojuchang or anything like that. This place also sells hamburgers and smaller versions of cheesesteaks. Their first cheesesteak option uses American cheese. So yeah, definitely go to I.B.'s for legit cheesesteaks. Would I come here again? Possibly. I just wish they have more pickled veggies or some kimchi or a good korean sauce to dip our fries in. I would try a different flavored chicken and I might try those truffle fries that look hella good. Service was good. I would only recommend that when food is at the window, it comes first. Not breaking down boxes or filling straw containers. Same thing for customers. When they are in front of you waiting for their food, that comes first. Not filling paper napkin holders and doing the usual day-to-day tasks. I only say this as the food gets cold the longer it sits at the pass, and with fried chicken, piping hot can be amazing. So check this place out for some unique fried chicken options. They also have tons of fries, burgers, and wet wipes to clean your hands before and after eating. It is a very down-to-earth, homey style place with some communal seating. Also, a lot of students go there, and they can be super loud. So, maybe pop in your earphones when alone to tune out their chatter.

On the boarder hoagie
Timothy N.

I've been to KoStop a few times before for their chicken and it was pretty good for the area. Today I was in the mood for a sandwich so I got the "on the boarder" hoagie. It was quite tasty and basically tasted like a smash burger put into a hoagie. It had that iconic processed American cheese and the meat was tender but salty. My only criticisms are that I'd personally prefer less mayo and add more jalapeño's, since I didn't get much of that in the sandwich, and it would help balance the richness of the sandwich.

Half and Half Chicken Combo (soy garlic and honey garlic) with pickled radish and cabbage mix, Cheese Sticks
Amy T.

Ordered via Doordash, came properly packed with the box partially open for ventilation. We ordered the Half and Half combo, which comes with 16-18 pieces of chicken. You can choose 2 flavors and 2 sides. The breading is harder compared to Bonchon. -Soy Garlic: not saucy or garlicky enough, subtly marinated. -Honey Garlic: our favorite of the two, I would be perfectly happy just to gnaw off the skin. The chicken tasted of blood, and definitely could've used a brine to improve its taste, tenderness and juiciness if it wasn't done already. -Pickled Radish: this was okay, tasted a bit off. Not sure if it just needed more sugar. -Cabbage Mix: this is some awful version of coleslaw. It had a weird sweet taste and maybe horseradish. We also ordered cheese sticks, this was okay but pretty plain on its own since the breading wasn't well seasoned. I had some marinara sauce at home, it helped.

Medium Fried Chicken
Michelle P.

A change up from my last order but this was a better option by far. I was able to have left overs and the chicken was not soggy at all. My food is always served fairly quickly and it is very introvert friendly.

Ddeokbokki
Winn H.

Ko Stop is a nice little place that opened near UC Berkeley. They're currently doing a Happy Hour special (see photos). At the time, they weren't serving soju cocktails since the barista who served them was out. If you come for happy hour, make sure to ask about happy hour pricing because they may short change you on that. I visited with a few friends, and we ordered a bottle of soju with Jalapeño poppers, which were fried jalapeños (slightly spicy) with cream cheese. A side of ranch is also available for dipping. The truffle fries with parmesan cheese were a bit soft and not too crunchy. The cheese was crumbly and chunky. Lastly, the ddeoknokki was was on the watery side - spicy but not as sweet as one would expect. Their doors are open, and there are quite a bit of flies on the inside. Worth giving a try as a student, since it's pretty easy to find a table on the weekends to escape the beat. (Note: no AC indoors.)

Nashville Chicken Burger Combo

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10 months ago

Place is clean, customer service is good, food tastes great. 10/10 service would definitely come again

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10 months ago

BEST WINGS IN THE BAY! Best hidden secret in bustling Berkeley. I don't know why the Bay Area is sleeping on this one. A MUST!

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Great food! Chicken is soooo good! Garlic, and the sweet and spicy are my go to! Love the French fries! Fast service friendly staff!

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Chimmelier

Chimmelier

(69 reviews)

$$

East Solano Ave, Berkeley Hills

*This review is for Chimmelier and Oh G Burger…read more We were the only ones in the restaurant on a Sunday evening around 6pm; when we approached the register, we were able to order on the kiosk (to the right of the register) or through the cashier. It was an ideal place to take a group because 1) it was fast casual 2) everyone can put in their individual orders without the awk who's-going-to-put-their-card-in issue 3) there were 2 restaurants (Chimmelier + Oh G Burger) in 1 so more options! What I got: 8 pc sweet gochujang wings (sauce was called YANG'YUM') and a side of tots with a cup for water **the wings were from Chimmelier and the tots were from Oh G Burger We were able to combine two tables together to fit our group of 5 and the cashier brought our food over in quick succession. The tots were my fav even tho the wings were supposed to be the star of the show. I liked how they gave me PLENTY of disposable gloves because the sauce is v sticky. Gochujang is a savory, sweet Korean chili paste, but I would say it was more sweet than spicy. I enjoyed my meal but maybe would wanna try a dry rub because putting on gloves every time can be a chore. I went for a yelp elite perk once and grabbed their chicken sando which was tasty.

The first time we came here, the prices on the physical menu differed from the prices ordered…read morethrough the iPad. We ended up having to pay the higher price because they said the menu just wasn't reflecting the latest prices. Fine, whatever. We both ordered chicken sandwiches and they were tasty. Also got fries for sides and some of them came out cold but we didn't think too much about it and we left feeling like we would return. However, on our second trip back - we once again ordered chicken sandwiches and also shrimp toast as an appetizer. One bite into the shrimp toast and the piece was very COLD...It wasn't fully cooked so we flagged it to them. They were very apologetic and happy to take it back to warm it up. But damn! PSA to diners here to check your food to make sure it's properly cooked here. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...well, I'm not sure I'll come back.

Picnic

Picnic

(73 reviews)

$$

A true hidden gem right at the bottom of Solano Ave in Albany!…read more I'm embarrassed to admit that Picnic has been around for about 5 years in the east bay and I've just tried it for the first time this week. But I'm so glad I was finally introduced to it. The staff greet you promptly when you enter and you can even watch them work effortlessly together in the open prep-station behind the counter. They have a gorgeous display of deli items, wines, cheeses, cold sides, and even some cute candles & house made croutons. They've got everything you would need for an elevated picnic or even a barbecue with the family. They have an intriguing selection of house made sausages-- the Chicken Tikka Masala sausage caught my eye and I can't wait to try it. They also sell whole smoked quail that are seasoned heavily yet each bite has just the right amount of smokiness, spices, and salt. Their hot food items and sandwiches are perfect for a quick lunch during your break from work or on your way home. There are also a few counter seats if you want to enjoy your meal there. So far I've tried the smoked quail, the Muffaletta sandwich, and their green lentil soup with chicken + veg. The sandwich was filled to the brim and each bite was a flavor bomb. The lentil soup was very comforting & paired well with the smoked quail. I'm looking forward to trying everything they have to offer.

Holy potatoessss! This place is incredible. There's nothing quite like getting a rotisserie…read morechicken, potatoes and hot olives (their $20 chicken lunch special) and walking to the spa for a hot tub. The brownie was outrageous as well! It came with theee sauces and of course the garlic aioli won (next to the romanesco and I think chimichurri?). I wasn't crazy about those last two but that garlic aioli was to dieeee for. The service was amazing and fast and honestly the store was so cute that I kept picking things up to add to my order. I couldn't have been more pleased with this place and will absolutely come back.

Cal's Fried Chicken & Burgers

Cal's Fried Chicken & Burgers

(144 reviews)

$$

Downtown Berkeley

Small place with a few tables and good food decided to give them a try…read moreI ordered: Spicy Chicken Sandwich With Pepper Jack cheese (4 Stars). It came with a side of coleslaw (3.5 Stars) and spiced honey (3 Stars). They fried a whole breast, it was so large that it over flowed the toasted brioche bun. The only thinking that made it spicy was the homemade spicy mayo, so it wasn't that spicy. I noticed on the menu they have sauces, like Nashville and buffalo. I think next time I'll try one of those sauces to kick up the heat. The cheese I add was not needed, I should have left off. The Fries (4 stars) were coated with potato flour and seasoning, which made a great crispy crust, served hot. Mac N' Cheese (4 Stars $6.49) I ordered the small 8oz, it was corkscrew pasta covered with a cheese sauce that was awesome with some Cajun spices, a like dirt Mac and some extra cheese on top. Until next time...

I stopped by Cal's Fried Chicken & Burgers in Berkeley this afternoon, and I went straight for the…read moreDouble Smash Burger with a side of onion rings, a Jarrito, and some habanero mayo on the side (they offered ranch, but I'm not a ranch guy). The burger was fresh and flavorful--you can taste the quality in every bite. The onion rings were on point too: crispy, not greasy, perfectly cooked. Dipping them into the habanero mayo gave it just the right kick. Definitely recommend that combo. The staff was friendly and kept things cool even though there were only two or three people running the place. The spot itself is small, just a few tables and chairs, with a little bit of Latin music playing in the background, which gave it a nice touch. When I first got there, it wasn't too busy, but by the time I finished, it was filling up. Walked around the block to stretch out, came back 15 minutes later, and the place was packed. What's also impressive is that their fried chicken sandwich was voted one of Yelp's Top 50 Fried Chicken Sandwiches in California, ranking #33 in the state. That's what I'm definitely trying next time. Final verdict: Great burger, great onion rings, friendly service, and a spot worth checking out if you're around University Ave in Berkeley. Two thumbs up from me.

Dave's Hot Chicken

Dave's Hot Chicken

(116 reviews)

$$

I wasn't too familiar with this franchise and always passed by it with so many other food options…read moreavailable. After trying my first Dave's in Pinole, this was my 2nd and had the same experience: consistent. This one is in El Cerrito Plaza Shopping Center by the BART station. I ordered Dave's # 2: Two sliders with fries and comes with pickles ($17.49). I chose the medium with heat options of No Spice, Little Mild, Mild, Medium, Hot, Extra Hot and Reaper. I also got a side of Kale Slaw ($4.59) and added a large Crispy Fried Pickles ($7.99). Mind you, this was a snack, so the sliders were the perfect size. One for me and one for the wifey and we shared the rest. The chicken is crispy on the outside but was simultaneously moist and tender inside. The heat level is basically how many (or how little) they sprinkled on the spice powder. The side of Kale Slaw provided a nice buffer to cut out the saltiness as it's a nice balance of crispy, fresh veggies with a sweet and tangy flavor. I also loved the side of pickles that came with the # 2. They're just plain pickles, and they were definitely better than the Crispy Fried Pickles (skip in my opinion). These were overly seasoned and salty to my liking. I ended up removing the breading just to get to the pickles inside. I also found the price to be too steep to justify the price and quantity that came with it. Overall, it's a solid sandwich that makes chicken right. Better than KFC, but not Popeye's and Jollibee.

Pretty decent chicken sandwiches for fast food or slightly above fast food. The thing I like about…read morethem is they give you a big piece of chicken in their sandwiches so that makes them a cut above most other places that have similar sandwiches. I also like that you can choose from several different levels of spiciness.

Korean Superette - The most aesthetic Naengmyeon with some frothy top and sesame seeds

Korean Superette

(292 reviews)

$$

Berkeley Hills

Such a hidden gem in the Berkeley Hills--Korean Superette totally exceeded expectations. The…read moresetting alone makes it feel special, and the food delivers. I got the naengmyeon and it was incredibly refreshing--perfectly chewy noodles with a clean, flavorful broth that hit just right. Also tried the lunch special bapsang, and it was such a good deal with a variety of dishes that all felt thoughtfully prepared and super satisfying. Everything tasted fresh and balanced, and the whole experience felt cozy and relaxed. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to again and again

An Absolute Korean Food Dream!…read more Me and my wife ate here several times already, but where do I even begin?! From the moment we sat down, we knew this was going to be a special meal. We kicked things off with Jinro Strawberry Soju -- two bottles, obviously, because you don't come to a place like this and hold back. Light, refreshing, and the perfect way to set the mood. The bento box was a showstopper -- crispy katsu resting on a bed of cabbage slaw, fluffy steamed rice topped with black sesame, golden gyoza, perfectly steamed broccoli, and a rich dipping sauce. And the banchan spread that came alongside? An embarrassment of riches: pickled cucumbers, pickled radish, seasoned bean sprouts, braised greens, spicy kimchi -- every single one house-made and bursting with flavor. But the real scene-stealer? The Rose Tteokbokki in a cast iron skillet -- a fiery, deeply savory broth blanketed in melted cheese, topped with a perfectly halved soft-boiled egg, scallions, and black sesame. It's the kind of dish that makes you go quiet mid-bite because words simply aren't enough. The portions were generous, the service was warm, and the vibe -- somewhere between a cozy Korean market and a neighborhood gem -- made the whole experience feel like a hidden treasure. 10/10, would absolutely come back and bring everyone I know. 먹자! ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

KoStop - chickenshop - Updated May 2026

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