Went here for the pastrami I've heard so much about and it did not disappoint! Is it pricey? Yes. But if you know the process that goes into making those amazing, unctuous slabs of meat, and the quality of said meat, it's not surprising. I had the OG, as big as it comes. It was perfect. Crispy bread, tasty slaw, and the pastrami was perfectly seasoned and just the right amount of fatty. The owner gave us free soup of the day. I think it was vegetable beef? I'm not a vegetable soup fan, but this was stellar. I ate every last bit. That pastrami sandwich though? The other half is definitely dinner. Would love to have had some fries with this (or some pastrami fries!) but the shop is small and I don't think it's setup for fryers. My partner had a turkey pesto wrap which was also delicious. Both the cook and owner were friendly and helpful. We will definitely be back! read more

Krispy Joe's is in on the Emeryville/Oakland border on busy San Pablo Ave. I first found out about it because I saw the listing on DoorDash and it hasn't disappointed to far. There are many things on the menu, but what stands out for me is the Pastrami. I've been a couple times in the past a couple months and have tried their OG Sandwich (Pyro's Pastrami, vinaigrette coleslaw, swiss , 1000 island, mustard on rye) and their Pastrami Hash Breakfast Burrito (Pastrami bacon, eggs, potatoes, mozzarella, pico, Baja sauce). Both were good, and not greasier than you'd expect, the Pastrami was lean but not too lean. Good place to get a hot pastrami sandwich or burrito. read more

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This place feels like quintessential Oakland. Blink and you miss this incredible hole in the wall that's full of character and serves strong, delicious coffee and honestly, the BEST pastrami I've ever had. A 7-year old video happened to pop up on my YouTube feed about Oakland's best kept secret Pastrami, and Pyro's Pastrami came up on my radar. We were so happy to see that they have set up shop so close to us! Before heading in, know that there will be just a bit of a wait because every sandwich is made fresh to order. But trust me, it's 100% with it. I ordered the OG sandwich and I was impressed by how the flavors were so balanced out between the toasted, buttered rye, the slaw, the dressing, the cheese, and of course, the meat. I sometimes find rye too overpowering but it was perfect! On first bite, I immediately found what the fuss was about: the pastrami was so flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth tender, you can tell it was made with a lot of love and attention to detail. To top it all off, it's a proud, local business! Krispy Joe's and Pyro's Pastrami will now be a staple for my husband and I. Seriously, if you like/love pastrami, you have to give them a try. If you don't, give them a try, anyway... this is the one that could get you converted. Chef Cash: you've done it. A+++++++ read more

An IG post got My attention regarding their pastrami Sammy! Super delicious :-p! Loved the touch of arugula. Fresh and delightfully delicious for the mamma. My son got a grilled pastrami cheese with honey. He ate every bite. Owner was delightful and friendly. A must try and eagerly return for us. My dirty chai was exceptional and clean tasting :-) read more

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I was looking for a low-key good spot... What I got was near-inexplicable greatness packaged between grilled perfection. I wanted something that I assumed to be the equivalent of a NY pastrami, delicious and unassuming... just the knowledge of knowing it is an institution, but in Oakland. What I got is what I feel about being in this city, a product that does not follow tradition and breaks ranks to become its own thing, with the vehicle being a pastrami that has palpable care and love from its creators. From the beginning, the name, the coffee shop vibe and the pirate-theme; none of it suggested to me this place does what it does with pastrami, but that is what I love about it. If you want to be pedantic with the tradition of what a pastrami sandwich is, do not come here. But if you want that notion changed and experience something that is, to me, quintessentially Oakland, come through! read more

Krispy Joe's - Pastrami Hash Breakfast Burrito The OG - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Emeryville, California

$17.50 Mama's Pastrami (Jr. size): absolutely worth the price of entry. If I wasn't full, I'd buy another. Contender for Best Pastrami? read more

Krispy Joe's - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Emeryville, California

Finally found a good pastrami sandwich to satisfy the craving. Krispy Joes is a small coffee shop in Emeryville on San Pablo Ave. that also has some delish pastrami sandwiches. You might want a cup of joe afterwards, so you don't fall into a food coma. Loved the OG sandwiche w/ pastrami, melted Swiss, coleslaw and thousand island dressing. All of their sandwiches come Jr. size and I feel like I made the right call of upgrading to the Regular (4oz.) for more meat. Going to 4oz. I feel like was the standard size of what you'd expect in a pastrami sandwich: Would definetly recommend calling ahead or preserv online. I was a walk in and waited about 15-20 minutes. But I must say, they were busy pumping out online orders. There is limited seating in the coffee shop and not really a dine-in for a group larger than 3. Would definetly recommend if you're having one of those good ole pastrami cravings. read more

Krispy Joe's - The OG Sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Emeryville, California

I actually stumbled across this place by a random suggestion on instagram. Boy, am I happy to discover such an underhyped place. Located in Emeryville/North Oakland, this coffeehouse specializes in breakfast burritos and sandwiches. We are vegetarian/vegan, so we were so grateful to find plant-based items on their menu such as the vegan breakfast burrito and their new vegetarian burrito. The vegan breakfast burrito is 100% vegan and has sausage in it. The vegetarian burrito has actual eggs/cheese and salsa. I was able to add banana peppers to the vegetarian burrito which went very well with it. The size of these burritos filled us up pretty good. When you get there it's pretty easy to order as they have a kiosk that you can enter your order in. You can also order online ahead for pickup which is convenient. Very hipster coffee shop with puzzles available for you if you are bored lol. All in all, probably one of the best breakfast burrito spots in the area for vegan or vegetarian foodies to try. I am surprised there wasn't a rush of people in here. I would have liked to try the vegan reuben sandwich but it looked like they were already sold out ): Next time, I'll keep my eye out for it. read more

Krispy Joe's - NEW!!! Vegetarian Breakfast Burrito - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Emeryville, California

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Stumbled onto Krispy Joes while looking at open houses in the area. I thought I was just getting coffee and low and behold they had pastrami sandwiches!! There was a small line and lots of regulars from the neighborhood so it was a must try for me! Coffee was good - definitely satisfied my caffeine fix but nothing too fancy. The sandwich was perfect! Bread was toasted but not crispy enough to scratch the roof of my mouth. The sauerkraut and saltiness of the pastrami was a perfect mix! And the size was perfect for lunch! It came in two sizes I got the smaller one. If you're in the area I highly recommend this place! There are a few tables outside and a couple inside but mainly a to go place. They also have dog treats and a pirate theme inside! Owner was working behind the counter and everyone was super friendly and accommodating. read more

Krispy Joe's - Pastrami sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Emeryville, California

Want a free sandwich? Complete this puzzle and it's all yours! The pastrami sandwich here is sooooo good I actually ordered two of them. This is the first place in the world that had me eating rye. I hate rye bread, and was worried because there are no substitutions, but the sandwiches here were so good and the bread didn't taste like the traditional prison food hard rye bread. You changed me Krispy Joe's, and had me eating stuff I never would have. Also, drinking stuff I never would have. I bought their chai and lemonade, both were 5 stars, and they offered me their pickle juice electrolyte drink to try. I was skeptical at first, but again they made me a believer. I hate pickle juice and pickle flavored anything in general. Yet, they converted me once again when they offered me a sample of their pickle-aid. It tasted like a mild tasting plain Gatorade. If I were still training for a marathon, I would totally buy this! Back to their amazing sandwiches. They are made with such care, dusting every sandwich that's made to order with their secret spices while toasting the meat and bread. The slaw was fresh and herbaceous. Again, made with care and craftsmanship. I am rooting for this business to expand and take over Ike's Sandwiches. I believe in you Krispy Joe's, you have my vote! read more

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Picture this. It's early Saturday morning and you yearn for some hearty breakfast. You push through the beaded curtain at the door, to hear "Black" by Pearl Jam playing, just as Eddie Vedder is agonizing over his unrequited love. Lord of the Rings is on the TV. Place is busy. You order the most magnificent Pastrami breakfast burrito, and you are not disappointed. You want this to be your life? Come through. read more

Krispy Joe's - Pastrami Hash Breakfast Burrito - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Emeryville, California

I shared with my spouse the The O.G. and Pyro's Reuben. The pastrami meat was salty but very tasty. I did find the cured meat a bit greasy though. Of the two, I enjoyed the O. G. The tangy slaw was delicious. It reminded me of the tangy slaw that I make. The parsley in the slaw also was an unexpected surprise that added to the slaws taste. I appreciated that the toasted rye bread stayed crisp when eating the sandwich. read more

Krispy Joe's - The O.G. and the Pyro's Reuben - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Emeryville, California

Are you kidding me a pastrami breakfast Sammie? My wife said this is the best pastrami she has ever had better than Katz Deli in NYC. The bread was super krispy, the eggs super fluffy and the thick cut pastrami was incredibly moist tender and flavorful. Cash the owner is friendly and outgoing like all business owners should be. You can tell by watching his interactions with the customers that he cares about the community. We also ordered a blackberry coffee which was probably the strongest coffee I have ever tasted. We also got the Rueben and OG for later. If you love pastrami this is a MUST go. read more

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Amazinggggg breakfast sandwich that's not too salty and hits the spot. I've never had a pastrami egg cheese sandwich before and it was so good. Also the staff here are so kind and friendly!! The vibe is fun with a pirate theme going on, and very locals spot atmosphere read more

Krispy Joe's - Inside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Emeryville, California

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You see the reviews and wonder could this hole in the wall shop really have the best pastrami sandwiches in the bay? The answer is yes! I've had them on my list for a while and was glad I had the chance to stop by. The only thing left to do is try their other sandwiches. read more

Krispy Joe's - OG pastrami - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Emeryville, California

I was craving a New York-style pastrami sandwich, and someone recommended this spot in Emeryville. Since they close early in the afternoon, I made it a point to stop by around 10 a.m. to check it out. I was also excited to learn that they make their pastrami in-house and that the restaurant is located near one of my old neighborhoods. The place has a welcoming, local feel with what appeared to be a loyal group of regular customers stopping in for breakfast, coffee, and sandwiches. The owner was friendly and took the time to answer questions. When I asked which pastrami sandwich they recommended, they suggested the OG Pastrami Sandwich. They offer several portion sizes, starting with the Junior at $14, the Classic at $20, and larger Husky and Extra Husky options that go into the $30 range. Wanting the full experience, I upgraded from the Junior to the Classic. Unfortunately, the sandwich was just okay. For the price difference, I expected a noticeably larger sandwich, but the Classic didn't seem particularly big. The cabbage slaw made the look sandwich full. In fact, it left me wondering what the Junior size looks like. The pastrami itself was sliced very thin, similar to what you'd find at a chain sandwich shop like Togo's, rather than the thicker-cut deli-style pastrami I was hoping for. That said, I appreciate what they're doing as a small local business, and that's one of the reasons I made the effort to come out and try it. The atmosphere was comfortable, the owner was welcoming, and the service was excellent from start to finish. Overall, the sandwich didn't quite satisfy my craving for a true New York-style pastrami experience, but the friendly service and neighborhood vibe left a positive impression. If I'm in the area again, I'd consider stopping by for another visit and trying something else on the menu. read more

Krispy Joe's - Simple menu. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Emeryville, California

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The pastrami sandwiches were good. I ordered the Pyro's Rueben and the O.G. I preferred the O.G. as it had more goodness stuffed into it. My only thing was that I wished the sandwich wasn't as greasy as it was. It seems all the fat came out into the bread and wasn't retained in the meat to keep it moist. I've had other pastrami sandwiches where the meat was very moist and you can taste the fatty goodness. I think it's because I saw them pull the pastrami right out of the oven and make my sandwiches then and there, not letting the meat rest. Not sure if they have prepared meat set aside already and ready to go, but the wait was about 10 minutes between ordering and receiving my order. I'm all for made to order meals but you sacrifice wait time and dry meat, in this case. read more

I had the OG pastrami sandwich and it honestly might be the best pastrami in the Bay Area. Tender, flavorful, perfectly stacked, and everything just worked together. The inside was clean and nicely set up, with a cool casual vibe. Seating is a little limited both indoors and outdoors. Definitely a spot worth checking out if you're a pastrami fan. read more

I went for The Mama sandwich and you know first bite why they named it. The care they took warming the meat and assembling this juicy , thick sandwich, was exactly what someone who loves you would put forth in making you something to nourish your soul. I also had the tastiest Chai, which should have also had a photo.... Next time. read more

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Delicious coffee drinks and the pastrami breakfast burrito was proper! The owner was working in the front when we popped by, he's super friendly and accommodating. They had good vibes in there, including a puzzle you can help yourself to solving on a table in the front. Dog friendly too, they have treats for your pup. Highly recommend this cute lil spot! read more

There are few places in the east bay that deliver... most seem to get props by locals that think their local is good but really isn't. This place was so solid. As an east coaster that has a nostalgia for east coast subs that are never done right here, the rueben was stellar. I'm glad they don't try to impress by stuffing it with soooo much meat to cater to the bang for your buck crowd. It's just good. It's pricy, but the type of place where I don't care what it cost. The matcha with passion fruit was also stellar.. and I didn't have to ask for a milk alternative. Can't wait for the vegan rueben sandwich! read more

Krispy Joe's opened recently where Delirama once was, next to Wolfhound bar. Limited hours. Sparse seating inside and out. Offerings: pour overs, mystic brews. Strong brew toddy's, morning rations, crispy toasts, vegan sandwich. As offerings overwhelmed me, a friendly, efficient barista greeted me, helped me place order on tablet based on what preferences I had for a covfefe: light whole milk, light flavorings, hot brew, chai. Ordered, pd, covfefe came out 7ish minutes later. Sips: Siren's Song (7.50) 16 oz. -didn't go with my traditional black brew. Not disappointed with a mixed artisan brew. -strong house brew , faintly mixed with light milk, house made chai. Bold covfefe with mellow traces of chai, milk, house made vanilla syrup. Deliz. 5ish stars. Worthy! Quality: great artisan house made ingredients. Quantity: great value read more

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The best pastrami sandwich in the bay! Thick pieces of pastrami and a nice slaw (honestly splitting one sandwich was perfect for me). It took a minute to get our sandwich, but they added a bit more pastrami for me for the wait - which I did not mind at all! There's a few seats inside and outside to enjoy your sandwich. read more

Krispy Joe's - The OG - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Emeryville, California

I've never been a fan of sandwiches, let alone ever eaten pastrami sandwiches (because it never looked appealing to me personally). My Oakland native friend wanted to catch up and suggested getting sandwiches. He sent over Krispy Joe's and mentioned they had a spot in Jack London during Covid and it was bomb. This new spot in Emeryville just opened last month and I saw that the East Bay News featured the chef as the "pastrami king". So I said, why not and I shouldn't knock it until I try it. Parking was relatively easy, street parking at around 10AM. When we got there, the owner was super welcoming to us. We ordered via Kiosk, which had their hot pastrami sandwiches (their physical menu will be updated later). We got the The OG ($18) and Pyro Reuben ($18). I personally prefer The OG because it felt lighter but still extremely flavorful. The Pyro Reuben was super good too but it was pretty heavy (so if you prefer that, then definitely should get the Pyro Reuben). There are some seats inside and outside, where you can munch on, but it's more a quick bite and then head out kind of vibe. Overall, popped my pastrami sandwich cherry here and I am SO glad I did cause this opened a whole new world of sandwiches for me to try now. 10/10 recommend if you're in the area! read more

Krispy Joe's - @ifoodiejenn | The OG - hot pastrami sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Emeryville, California

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We discovered Krispy Joe's after searching for a coffee spot in the area. We were curious about the hype re their sandwiches - and we are shocked we had not heard of this place before. This is exactly what you want from a pastrami sandwich spot. The meat was great, and each bite of the sandwich was very balanced. read more

I don't even like pastrami or cole slaw and I like their sandwiches which feature both. Coffee is decent too, but their sandwiches are definitely the show stopper. The pirate theme is also fun. My only gripe is that they have a single speaker playing music loud right by the cash register. Made it hard to hear what the cashier was saying. read more

Ugh. This review is killing me. The proprietors of Krispy Joes formerly operated Delirama so they know their meats. The sandwiches are (chef's kiss) amazing. Get the pastrami. It's killer. At the same time, the base sandwich price is $18 and the sandwich is on the smaller side. Enough for a regular meal but there's no leftovers and if you're hungry you might still be hungry. You're paying for stellar quality and taste. Still seems high. I had an iced chai. The problem with chai is that it's like beer. Everyone has different tastes and every family makes it diffferent. My dad makes an Indonesian inflected chai that has a lot of allspice and ginger in addition to cardamom. The chai at KJ's seemed more cardamom and wasn't super sweet. So it wasn't how I like my chai but it's hard to criticize chai. Overall, I'm torn. $25-ish for a sammich and chai seems like a lot but maybe I'm just out of touch with inflation? Maybe. I wanted to dock them a point for value but I think I'll keep it at 5 stars but if you've read this far you know that I have reservations. read more

Krispy Joe's - Reuben - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Emeryville, California

Went on a Saturday morning, they were quite busy and it showed in the quality of the food. We got a pastrami burrito that was more like an egg and potato burrito with a tiny bit of pastrami. Also got a pastrami and egg sandwich and one of the pieces of the bread was the end and it just felt very incomplete... again hardly any pastrami. read more

This place is fantastic. I almost don't want to leave a review because I don't want them to sell out any earlier than they already do, but that would be doing the restaurant a huge disservice. It's a cafe style space that serves pastrami sandwiches for breakfast and lunch, plus coffee. We came midday and already had our coffee, so mostly tried the breakfast sandwich and a half size of the OG. Pros: 1. Very fun vibes, I love the pirate theme and the puzzle up front, which we played with while we waited. 2. The sandwiches are excellent. The breakfast sandwich was gooey, eggy and went well with the pastrami. 3. The folks working there (I'm guessing family run?) are super friendly. Cons: 1. Because its cafe vibes, the space inside is small, so not a ton of space to eat. 2. When I went, they were only selling the half size pastrami sandwiches, I'm guessing because they were running low. While the sandwich itself was full sized, the pastrami inside wasn't enough :( Next time we'll have to get in a little earlier to get the full experience. Will have to come back for the full size sandwich and to try out their coffee. read more

Mannnnnn I was not ready for this. This pastrami sandwich was the best I've had in a long time. The restaurant is cute and cozy and as a pickle lemonade connoisseur this one is too tier! I will definitely be back and will recommend this place to anyone looking for excellent pastrami and service with a smile! read more

What an amazing experience. This is one of the best pastrami sandwiches I've had ever and I've eaten a lot of them. We got the regular pastrami with mustard and also the OG. The owner was super nice and told us a little bit about his crazy experience with getting the business up and running, Oakland permits oh my. The sandwiches were on the expensive side at $20 a pop, but totally worth it and I would absolutely recommend. Also, they made very good, hot chocolate and an excellent strong cup of coffee. They made all their ingredients in house. They were so good. Small interior with a few chairs plus some on the outside as well. Please support this business. read more

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Def ranks as a new favorite shop. Unsuspecting spot that makes absolutely banging sandwiches at an affordable price. The staff are all kind and they have a number of speciality coffee drinks in addition to the pastrami. Sandwiches come in multiple size options too. read more

Krispy Joe's - Mamas on the left. OG on the right. Both were great but the OG was our favorite. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Emeryville, California

Walked by and came in. I got an ice latte and a cheese egg sandwich. I loved the taste of the latte, so refreshing in the morning. The owner here is also quick and right to the point. The place is cute, very Oakland and nostalgic read more

Place was packed when I got there for lunch on Monday but the line moved fast. We were able to sit and got our food quickly. Easily one of the best pastrami sandwiches I've had in years. Told the staff how good my sandwich was and they really seemed like they appreciated hearing it. They keep the menu pretty simple. Small tables outside and inside. Street parking. read more

We came on a super busy day, staff did the best that they can... Sandos were delish. Pastrami was very legit. Don't forget to get a $3 pickle, worth it. Grab a large coffee because the small is tiny...I drank it so fast, didn't get a picture. read more

Krispy Joe's - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Emeryville, California

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The best pastrami I've ever had in my life. I'm so glad this spot is in my neighborhood.

Yeah it's bomb. Rum iced coffee and classic OG hella good. I'd definitely come back. Service was excellent too. read more

Krispy Joe's - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Emeryville, California

Had the OG pastrami and it was good as they come. Also had the Portside coffee. If you like strong coffee, get this. Service was quick and they had a couple of tables to eat there if you want. Check it out!!! read more

Fantastic pastrami, diligent and nice service. The puzzle while you're waiting is fun. The source of their bagel is fantastic and well worth an upgrade on the breakfast sandwich. Only downside is the eggs are meh, they didn't have a good kick and were a bit too soft for my taste. If you like your eggs lightly scrambled you're gonna enjoy but if not meh. read more

No frills cafe with ample seating, strong coffee, and killer pastrami. I was not familiar with Delirama prior to the opening of this cafe, but the pastrami served here definitely lives up to its reputation. No baristas here, as the coffee is all slow brewed concoctions that are strong and tasty. I got their version of a dirty chai, which was awesome and had me buzzing all afternoon. So happy to have this open around the corner from me because it's exactly the type of place I'd love to be a regular at. read more

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