In my opinion, this place is the best choice for breakfast. We went on Mothers Day, and I'll tell ya at 7:30 in the morning this place was packed, there was only one open table when we got there. We took that as a good sign. We were sat right away, waters placed in front of us and we were asked if we want coffee right away. Within a minute we were sipping on hot coffee that was decent for dinner coffee. For our food: My partner ordered the Eggs Benedict with hash browns. She said it isn't the best she has ever had, it's a close second. They give a thick slice of Canadian back, the sauce was a tad bit salty, but overall really good. I ordered to the eggs, bacon, home potatoes, and Toast: the gave like 5 thick sliced of bacon. My eggs were cooked the way I like them. The home potatoes were so good, crispy and cooked all the way. It was exactly what I was craving. When going to get breakfast at a restaurant, I believe pancakes for the table to share is a must. So we ordered the short stack, which is 2 pancakes. These were the best pancakes I've ever had. Thick and fluffy but light and airy. They melt in your mouth. This is my new go to spot when I get that craving for a restaurant style breakfast. read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

A Classic Island Staple That Just Gets Better! It's been a minute since my last visit, but Ole's Waffle Shop is still the undisputed champ of breakfast in Alameda. It's got that timeless diner feel, but with some great new updates! * The Food: The waffles are just as delicious as I remembered. If you're craving classic, no-fuss breakfast food with huge portions and reasonable prices, this is the spot. * The Space: It looks like they've expanded! We were seated on the patio, which was super comfortable and airy. * Dog-Friendly! This was the best surprise--they actually have a dog food menu tacked right on the post! I didn't have my pups with me this time, but I'm 100% bringing them for brunch next weekend. read more

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There is a huge line up front, but you may be able to skip it if you're willing to sit at the counter, which we did. Such good food! Probably the best pancakes we've had, not rubbery and served with real maple syrup. The waffles are good, too. They do not skimp on the butter, so beware. This restaurant was established in 1927, so it's approaching it's centennial. Not a lot seems to have changed either. The decor is very true to the moniker of Waffle House. Fast and friendly service. read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

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Ole's Waffle Shop has a favorable reputation since they've been around for multiple decades. Not sure if there's a change in management or ownership, but I thought they were just ok. Line on a Saturday late morning moved quicker than I expected, turns out they also have a large outdoor back patio, which was where I got seated. I liked the vibe because the weather was nice. One part of the restaurant is dark, while the other is bright. Think the "dark" part is a different restaurant at night? I went with the basics of bacon, egg and waffle. The bacon and egg were fine, but the waffle was dry. Tasted similar to that from a frozen box from the grocery store. I had a few bites of the country fried steak, which was also disappointing. Service was so-so, they were very busy, totally understandable. I can't say I'll be back again soon as there are plenty of other options on Park St. #10/2026 read more

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This was my second time here! The first time I came, I thought it was good but this second time around was not good at all. I don't mind the line or waiting, it was the food. I ordered the chicken and waffles. I was excited after I saw the pics on yelp. Once I got it, I regretted my decision. The waffles came out cold, which sucks cause it should be hot! I put my butter on it and my butter never melted. I was able to send it back and get new waffles. The chicken was warm, but there was barely any flavor. I was expecting it to be hot and juicy but nope. The hot sauce selection was not for everyone, at least not me. Will I go back? Maybe...all restaurants can't be a hit every time and I get that, so maybe next time will work better! read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Waffle - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

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My son proclaims the waffles at Ole's Waffle Shop "best in the Bay" and says he's never tasted better anywhere, not even homemade. Not surprising considering as of the posting of this review, Ole's, a historical landmark, is literally 99 years old, is still going strong and still uses the original waffle recipe used by original owner Ole Swanson. If, like me, you're not a big waffle person, they have all of the other yummy American diner food offerings you could hope for. Hurry up and get in here. You're welcome! Also check out this SF Gate review on them: https://www.sfgate.com/restaurants/article/Our-Retro-Favorites-Ole-s-Waffle-Shop-2948764.php read more

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This was my first time ever at this particular waffle house! My boyfriend said they had the best waffles ever! Goodness, was he right! As we found parking, we realized we were waiting at the end of the second restaurant patio area. I took a picture where you could at least see the sign and the wait time from there was about 30 minutes. Not too bad considering they were using their original waffle House restaurant, as well as the adjacent wine bar restaurant for a table seating. They were flipping tables pretty quickly, and everyone seemed to order their favorite dishes and we're on their way! They also have outdoor seating as well as a lot of tables for two. The coffee was French roast or something dark, I'm never a fan of dark roast coffee, but Americans always like it. Lol I added a bunch of ice cubes and it was fine for me. I was also very impressed with the pecans, waffle and the amount of pecans that were on top!! the waffle itself had a really good flavor. The bread was light and fluffy with crispy edges from the waffle maker itself. I was highly impressed!! My boyfriend got the Spanish omelette and even though I don't like eggs, the Spanish omelette was filled with enough toppings that I couldn't taste the egg itself. Lol the sourdough bread was really good and crispy so I was also impressed. I would definitely like to go back again, but perhaps later in the morning so we're not waiting in a 30 minute line when it starts to rain. Lol but the food was that good!! Oh down the way there's an amazing toy store if you're interested or if you have kids, perhaps, kids at heart!! Look for my review on that! Hee read more

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A true Alameda staple- if you grew up on island then you should be familiar with Ole's (one of the oldest waffle shops in America). I went last month during a recent trip back home and Rosa was my server. Despite it being packed full of people , I did not have to wait for a table and was seated near the back of the restaurant. I ordered the chicken and waffles, a waffle with fresh strawberries, a fresh squeezed orange juice, and a side of bacon! Rosa kindly let us know that the chicken would take around 20-25 minutes to prepare but we didn't mind the wait. The chicken came out fresh and crispy, I do think it needed some crystal hot sauce but that's just me. Also I think most of the complaints are coming from people who are ordering the waffles plain- get some type of fruit on top! It makes them 100x better read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Waffle topped with Strawberries - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

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Service: quick and unapologetic. Old school diner Food: delicious, filling, exactly what one might expect. Ambience: small tables, not good for groups of 5+. Counter seating is first come first serve and single diners. I had the French toast combo, will be going back read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Classic mug - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

Classic diner feels and I loved it! It's the funky old retro orange. The best way to enjoy the experience is to head straight to the seats at the countertop so you'll hopefully be helped by Rosa. She was awesome from the start all the way to paying the bill. She set the tone for good vibes on a rainy Sunday. I ordered the WAFFLE COMBO which includes 1 Waffle, 1 egg, and 2 slices of bacon. The WAFFLE is so good! Crispy, thin, but still fluffy! PERFECT. It was topped with a butter ball that was at the right temperature to smear it on the waffle. Points for that one because getting a butterball that you can't melt hurts my soul! Get yourself OJ because it's freshly squeezed in front of your eyes! You can view it from the counter top hahaha Ahhhhhh, so refreshing and tasty! I have to say that for a place that gets super busy, their team works efficiently so people get their drinks and food in a timely manner. Parking is street parking so I recommend when you are getting nearby to start looking and just park. read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice. - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

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My wife and I flew into town to visit family for a few days and she wanted to see my various stomping grounds of when I lived in the Bay Area. She had mentioned seeing Ole's Waffle Shop through social media and wanted to visit since we'd be in town. So we got into the car and drove there. We got lucky and found metered street parking right across the street and paid a a buck or two for the max of 2 hours. But there's a public parking lot a short walk away if needed. We got lucky because we were sat down almost immediately. This place is definitely a local favorite as there's always a line out the door. Not long after we sat down people started to come and a line formed. Every glance I took at the front door had an average of 8-10 people waiting for the chance to come eat. We ordered the double cheeseburger, rib eye and a waffle. Everything was delicious and my rib eye and clam chowder were both among the best I've ever tasted. They're really that good! The waffle was also very good. It's thin and crispy and loaded with fresh fruit and whipped cream. And it has a hint of either brown sugar or cinnamon with every bite. Literally every one of the employees there was super upbeat except for our server, Jennifer. We often mentioned to each other about how we got the grumpy server that got out of the wrong side of the bed. She never refilled our drinks, came by to check on us and we had to ask our busser for assistance on a few issues as she was nowhere to be seen. Contrast to the server on the table next to us, who was making jokes with her table and had them laughing and feeling at home. Eventually we wanted to pay and had to flag down our busser who told us he'd get our server. When she still didn't come I finally got her attention and even then it took us about 15-20 more minutes to get the bill. Knocking off the 1 star due to this on what could have been a perfect review. We'd definitely be back, just hoping for a little more attentiveness. read more

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First time here, we decided to come because of the good reviews and nice inside looking. And for sure did not disappoint us! There was a wait when we got there. Staff super friendly! And the were so quick. From the coffee until we left! Coffee was always refilled, food came out so quick! And delicious... Fresh oj right at the moment you ordered! Little bar area and big dining room. Elizabeth was our waitress and she was awesome! Great service and food! Definitely will be back to try different dishes! read more

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This waffle shop had been recommended to me so many times, and I finally made my way here. I am so glad I did. The moment you walk in, it gives major old diner vibes in the best way possible. It feels cozy, nostalgic, and welcoming, and the hospitality really stands out. Everyone is so kind and makes you feel right at home. I ordered the hot cocoa waffle along with the sausage and biscuits, and everything was so good and comforting. I actually brought the sausage home, and my boyfriend absolutely loved them, which says a lot. It is one of those spots that truly lives up to the hype, and I can already see myself coming back again. read more

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Food was excellent. As was the service. I can't wait to go back and try other items on the menu. I don't know how I resisted the fresh squeezed orange juice. It was a diner type setting. read more

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Waffles Beats Pancakes Prices: $$ (40-60) Food: 4/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Ole's Waffle Shop offers amazing service and a nostalgic atmosphere. I love the old-school diner vibe--it feels like stepping back in time, where you can relax and enjoy a simple, comforting breakfast. We ordered the regular and pecan waffles, and I have to say: the waffles beat the pancakes. I usually prefer pancakes, but these were just okay. The waffles had far better flavor, while the pancakes tasted a bit bland. We also tried the waffles with fried chicken , and the chicken was incredibly crunchy and packed with flavor. I'll definitely be back to explore more of the menu. Support local mom-and-pop shops--they'll treat you better and serve you food that's far superior to anything at McDonald's. Don't forget to try the fresh orange juice!!! read more

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I was in Alameda for a morning meeting. After my meeting I met up with some friends for breakfast. When we entered the restaurant we were greeted by staff. We were seated and our waiter was very friendly. I ordered a waffle and chicken sausage. The waffle was fluffy and very delicious. The chicken sausage was cooked to perfection and was very flavorful. Ambiance is customer service friendly. The menu has some great food choices and at a reasonable price. This is a great restaurant to go to for breakfast or lunch. read more

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A blast from the past! I got a chance to try out Ole's Waffle Shop, a classic diner that has been opened for almost 100 years, using the classic same batter recipe since 1927. I got there at 6:30AM on Christmas Eve and they had were half packed, which is super impressive. Because the sun hasn't risen yet, the outside of the diner lit up and it was such a cool sight to see. And they also decorated for the holidays so that was lovely as well. Walked in and was immediately greeted, offering us to sit at any table. We went for an open booth, asked if we wanted coffee and gave us a menu to look over the items. Coffee arrived quickly within a minute and lowkey was giving old school diner vibes that you see in tv shows (I've never been to one so this was a cool experience). I'm clearly easily amused haha... Coffee was solid. The orange juice was so fresh and I saw there was a pretty large juicer near the front of the bar seats. We ordered the Waffle Combo - I got it with a sunnyside up and bacons, and my friend got the scrambled eggs with sausage patty. The meal itself was super solid and really tasty! I generally don't enjoy breakfast foods but this was pretty good. Service was fast, friendly, and good - curious how it is when it's super packed. The vibe of the shop is giving 1900s for sure. The food is solid, and the price is as good as it gets in this economy. Overall, glad I tried this place out, knowing that a 100 year old diner still exists and is in the bay and is part of Alameda history. I'd definitely go again! Solid experience :) read more

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Oldie, but a goodie! This place gets PACKED so get there early, but I will say the line moves quickly. The place is a bustling dinner with and old school feel, and the service keeps up. Staff were friendly and available. A nicely thin, perfectly crispy waffle, can't go wrong. Next time I'll have to try one with their special toppings. read more

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Ole's Poem Old and beautiful vibes Loved all of the food here...and orange juice :) Especially the waffles...crisped to perfection Salt the chicken on ur own and you're set read more

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Come here for the waffles! Best tasty waffle you'll finish every morsel! Have been coming here for over forty years. Wish they still sold their signature pancake/waffle mix like they did during the pandemic. I could eat one every day! Also tried the Tammy's omelet and Bobby Max special. Thick slice of ham. Hash browns were slightly undercooked and crunchy. Coffee was weaker than I like. Friendly service. Always packed on the weekends with a long line. Got to sit in the overflow 'wine and waffles' seating area today which was beautiful décor but a little dark and chilly. Happy to be seated earlier tho! read more

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I came here for breakfast with a friend. I ordered the pecan waffle combo, one egg over medium and 2 pieces of bacon. I also had a side of hashbrowns. Everything I ordered was delicious, the food came out very fast and our server was kind and attentive. This spot is a local favorite! Whenever my cousin is in town, she asks to stop here to eat! We will be back again soon! read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Hash Browns - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

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Came here on a Sunday late morning. All street parking so took awhile to find a spot. Waited about thirty minutes in line for five people. There is two sections of this place but it's super busy so there was a wait outside. This place has been here since I was in grade school. Nothing has been upgraded. Felt homie though. Old fashion seats. They have some bar seats to see the action in the kitchen. Friendly and helpful staff but always on the go. Prices are decent. Had their fluffy pancakes combo and asked for extra crispy bacon. Loved their bacon as it was good thick size. Their ultimate omelette eggs was pretty good, too and comes with a side of hash and toast. Their Benedict was decent. Their coffee was ok but not strong. Their waffle was a little disappointing as it was pretty thin but good enough. Had some sides too but I would stick to combos! Food was good and good size portions. I would come back here again if they were not so busy. Definitely get the pancake combo and omelettes. You won't be disappointed. [92R,2025] read more

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Yeah... no. I went to Ole's Waffle Shop and got charged $15.45 for a waffle with strawberries that's literally listed on the menu for around $11. When I asked about it, the server (Rosa) straight up told me they "charge extra" but she doesn't tell people. I'm sorry... you don't tell people?? So basically you just let customers order thinking it's one price and then hit them with a higher bill after? That's not a misunderstanding, that's misleading. And what really got me is there was zero effort to fix it. No adjustment, no apology that actually meant anything, just "yeah that's how it is" -- and then asking about a tip on top of that. It's not even about the $4, it's the principle. If something costs more, SAY THAT. Don't wait until the bill comes out and expect people to just accept it. I've never had a server openly admit they don't tell customers about extra charges and still expect everything to be fine. Do better. read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

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Had the chicken and waffles here this morning! Waited about 10-15 minutes for a table on a Saturday around noon. We were seated in the additional seating in the restaurant next door? Service was pretty quick. Coffee was surprisingly good for diner coffee. The waffle was perfect, thin and crisp but also soft? Chicken was moist and crispy. I get the hype for this classic spot. Would definitely return! read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Waffle with fried chicken thigh - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner. I had high expectations on flavors after seeing all the pictures on yelp and they blew them out of the water. I order chicken and waffles at every chance I get and these were by far the best I've had in YEARS. The crispiness of the chicken was perfection, then pair it with a classic thin waffle and quite frankly nothing is better. To top it all off the hash browns were divine, I would eat them everyday if I could. The staff were great and the ambiance matched the food. Nothing quite like a classic diner vibe to set your morning right. read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Waffle and Hash Browns - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

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Good American diner experience with all of the solid breakfast classics! Loved the linguisa omelette with cheese--eggs were fluffy and had a good amount of toppings. Hash browns were quite lumpy/not crispy and were on the more lukewarm side. I liked the buttered toast a lot, and the pecan waffle was quite solid too...though I expected more pecans and a thicker waffle :/ I think this is the fastest that I've ever received my food--it took a few mins tops. Great service and friendly staff! read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Linguisa Omelette with Cheese, Pecan Waffle - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

Classic old school diner/ greasy spoon. Expansive traditional breakfast menu, engaged service and food to the table Lickety-split. Get a waffle be happy. read more

Over the course of the past decade, I've been here several times and it always hits the spot. I highly recommend this breakfast jam although you can go here for any time of the day, my recommendation has to be for breakfast though, for sure. I've had French toast, waffles, and pancakes here all delicious. Enjoy! read more

I was really excited about trying Ole's as I'm a sucker for diner food. The service was quick and friendly and the diner interior is an absolute mood, but unfortunately the food fell a bit flat. I am a meatloaf connoisseur and Ole's is not it. I was served little rubbery pucks that had been overworked, did not contain enough breadcrumbs and had obviously been microwaved. My wife had the fried chicken which was crispy and delicious after salting. Maybe I should have stuck with the breakfast items, but if you're going to have something in your menu you can't have it fall this flat. We shared a waffle after dinner and it was also just fine. read more

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A classic spot for traditional American brunch. Ole's serves up that comforting, diner vibe with food that hits the spot. The waffle may not look like much at first glance, but it's delicious. Crisp edges, soft inside, and full of that nostalgic flavor. It pairs perfectly with their juicy fried chicken. We also got their steak and eggs, and everything was cooked just right - hearty and satisfying. The coffee is solid and the fresh-squeezed orange juice is refreshing. read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

A classic old school diner that hasn't lost it's charm. The food is amazing, the omelets are delicious and their waffles are crispy and fantastic. It is worth getting their waffles with fresh fruit, but I would skip their biscuits and gravy. What really set's Ole's apart is their service, we like to share dishes when we go out and this is the first time we've been anywhere where they put the same dish on two separate plates for us. I have and will come back! read more

Old school diner, friendly service, it feels like you're going to one of your family members house to eat. Unfortunately, they were having kitchen issues so we couldn't try the chicken and waffles, but will be back for sure to try it! Everything we tried was good, bacon and waffles, pork chops, and the country fried steak. Hash browns were also delicious. I don't think you can go wrong with anything you order. read more

First time going to Ole's Waffle Shop. As a must I got waffles. The service here is great and the staff is attentive. Parking can be tough on weekends. This place is a hidden gem. read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

Quick to be seated, outstanding customer service, food was delicious and quick. Very delicious breakfast. Waffle combo with linguisa sausage. read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Seating fits our family and kid friendly food options. - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

Ole's is an Alameda staple. Luckily, I was able to grab a parking spot across the street. Parking can be a mess. There was only one party ahead of us so we didn't have a long wait. Its always packed so it's kind of loud. I normally order the waffle combo ($14.45) and so far I haven't been disappointed. I get it with bacon and scrambled eggs. I also ordered a small cranberry juice. If you ever order a cranberry juice, do NOT order a small. That cup is for a toddler. I had to order a large as well. The wait time is average. Not too long. The waitress now has a tablet to take your order and take payment. read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Waffle Combo - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

The waffles were light and not too thick -- pretty standard diner-style waffles, nothing fancy but enjoyable. The ambiance was nice, and the service was friendly and welcoming. We came early, right before the rush, which made for a relaxed and pleasant experience overall. read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Waffles Waffle topped with Peaches - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

I had heard that this spot is an Alameda classic and was very excited to give it a try! I loved the rustic diner feel of the restaurant with the booths and decor and how I could see the chefs cooking up massive portions of eggs, hash browns, etc on the skillets. I tried the linguisa omelette with hash browns, sourdough toast, scrambled eggs, and pecan waffle. I loved the omelette and definitely would order it again, though I wish the waffle had been slightly crispier. The food came out incredibly quickly, I want to say not even 5 min passed between placing our order and the food's arrival. read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Linguisa omelette with hash browns, sourdough toast, scrambled eggs, pecan waffle - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

Came here post Oakland Marathon and there tends to be a long queue but the wait is relatively short. Their chicken fried steaks with poached eggs are delectable along with their regular waffle and pecan waffles. Service could have been a bit smoother. Overall, a great and popular brunch place that delivers. read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

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Steak and eggs. Choice of New York or Ribeye (9oz), two eggs cooked to order, buttery hash browns, and buttered toast. $26. Yum!

I've been wanting to go to this spot. I always drive by it when going to Safeway. Finally gave this spot a shot and it was worth it, I got the waffle combo. It came with an egg, and I got the two link sausages and added hashbrowns. I added cheese and onion to my soft scrambled eggs and everything was amazing. The waffles were tasty and crunchy. The eggs were cooked to perfection. The service was amazing, the waitress was very nice, staff is attentive. I'm glad w went when we did because it started to form a line outside. The vibe is what you would get and expect from any diner kind of establishment, homey and very chill. Diners always make you feel at ease and like you're apart of whatever city of town you're visiting. Would definitely recommend this establishment. The bacon is also very good. Will be back to try the lunch menu. read more