You want Korean but your friend wants Mexican? How about Korean food cooked by Mexicans? Steve's BBQ! Some people complain that this place is nasty because it doesn't taste like real Korean food. It may not be authentic but a mound of extra fatty marinated short ribs over rice next to a few bean sprouts can only be a good thing. Yes, it's not "real" korean food. Yes, the kalbi seems to be extra fatty (lower quality). Yes, the bean sprouts and kimchi suck. Does that mean I should stop coming here? By no means. It's one of the pricier places at the Ghetto but they give you a lot of food. The beef short ribs, spicy pork, bbq chicken are all pretty decent and come in mediocre quality and large quantities. Some people like the bibibop but I haven't tried it. I have to admit that I do feel kinda of gross after eating here. Definitely not good for your health. Bring some floss. read more

Construction crew working in the area and got lunch here as a safely award. It was awesome. BBQ ribs, spicy chicken, bi bim bap, real good. read more

I've come to Steve's BBQ a lot...and I have no complaints. The staff are friendly and the service is quick. Most of the time I get the BBQ short ribs...yum! The pork is pretty good as well. I didn't give it 5 stars because sometimes the short ribs were more fatty than meat and/or the other dishes were good, but not as yummy.. Another great thing is that they take credit cards :) read more

Decent beef short ribs.

enormous portions of meat and rice!! It's decent for the price, and I always end up finishing. I have to say their kimchi is not really to my taste read more

Big portions, tastes okay, and a good deal... Got the bi bim bap with beef and it was SO MUCH FOOD! Definitely something to eat as a starving student. The food isn't authentic Korean food, but it's doable. They were also pretty quick with cooking the food. Don't know how clean the place is though... it looked a little run down. read more

To be honest, overall this place deserves 3 stars. But because of it's Grilled Noodles (w/ beef or chicken), it get's 4 stars. Do not get anything else but this entree at this restaurant in the Ghetto. It comes w/ kimchee, rice, and chow mein like noodles with your choice of meat... aboslutely delicious! Add some of that hot sauce on, and you're set! read more

Don't come here much anymore but once in awhile I have a craving and come here to get some spicy pork bbq over rice. It always brings me back to my college days when I was so poor having Steve's was a luxury. I even love their sides of kimchee and Korean spiced bean sprouts. They give you pretty large portions but I am usually still hungry when I finish. That's no fault to them, it's because I'm huge. I finally met the owner several years after I graduated college because he and his family went to the same church I attend. I was like, "What the hell, your dad owns Steve's BBQ!!!!! Hook it up girl!" read more

When we crave Korean BBQ and in the Berkeley area visiting my parents or hanging out in the area, this is where we go. It's definitely an older location that has been there for years on end and of course places like this could use a little remodeling and could use a little more cleaning. Although, I doubt that a remodel would ever happen. However, their food never fails! You barely ever see the manager of the place here. What you will see is a bunch of Mexicans who will cook up your Korean BBQ for ya and a whole lotta college students chillen in this small place and "the village." You will find that Steve's Korean is smack dab in the middle of a village of other food choices such as Vietnamese, Thai, etc. My favorite here would be the bbq beef platter either for there or to go. I always ask for extra bean sprouts and kimchi and they hook it up like nobody's business. I've always tried their grilled noodle dish, which is quite delish as well. Their Kalbi dish is bomb too, but be sure to have floss with you because that stuff will for sure get all up in your teeth. Prices are legit and the amount of food is perfect! For $8-9 bucks per plate, I can't complain. Of course I love the location even more because I can go next door to Sweetheart Cafe and pick up a boba drink to enjoy with my plate from here. I gotta say, get your grub on!!! read more

This place is not very authentic but it serves a good portion. Meat is overcooked and just wasn't hearty enough to satisfy my korean carving. I wish I can write a better review. I have been here twice and it's been consistent of 3 stars. read more

If you are a big meat eater you will love this place. I'm a normal American girl who tends to eat abnormally large portions of food, but at Steve's you just can't eat it all in one serving. When I was a broke college student, I would buy the Bar-b-que beef and have two big meals over 2 days ^_^. The quality has suffered a bit, but it still hits the spot and really fills you up. Plus, its open pretty late and takes card, a rarity in Berkeley. Its also a great first-Im kinda broke and don't really like the person-date lol, because its cheap, but when you eat in you get nice plates and tea. read more

Steve's ain't authentic but it sure does get the job done. Hands down the greatest thing my ex girlfriend introduced to me. Everytime I order a plate I'll think of you! RIP Dont forget to give your loose change to the bums on the corner! They need it more than you! read more

steve's was a go-to for me for four years while i was at cal. the portions are huge and the food was incredibly fresh. unfortunately on our most recent trip, that wasn't the case. the meat was poorly cooked, the rice tasted stale, and the place was really disgusting, with trash piling out of the bins. game days are always hectic, but the staff should staff up on these days to address the high volume of customers that come in. read more

Steve's Korean Bbq - Korean Near Me - Berkeley, California

First of all, what happened to Steve!? I used to come here all the time and would get the number 4 with rice (Kalbi short ribs) and Ol Steve would throw in a fried egg on top. Delicious, CHEAP, Korean food that would fill up any hungry college student on a budget. Steve is no longer at the restaurant but the food is still great....just no free fried egg =( I recommend steves korean BBQ to anyone looking for fresh hot food and a lot of it! read more

I stopped by Steve's because I needed a snack before a dinner a friend and I were going to. You know how it is. You know you're going to dinner, but you also know your friends who might be late and therefore would prolong the starvation stage. So we were in Berk and decided to buy a kalbi plate to go. It's good if you're hungry and the perfect place, because you're definitely getting your money's worth (about $8) with bean sprouts, kimchi and enough rice and kalbi for two people. Not the best flavor in the world, but if I were in college, I definitely would hit up Steve's for a quick take out. read more

One of my favorite places to eat in Berkeley! During my poor college days, I didn't have too much money to splurge on eating out, but man, do you get your money's worth here. For about 6 bucks, I would get a large mound of beef short rib, and an even larger mound of rice (I skipped the veggies and kimchee since I was a carnivore at the time), enough to easily last me for 2 meals. My then-boyfriend (now hubby) went to Davis, but whenever he visited me in Berkeley (duh, nothing to do in Davis), he always wanted to go here more than any other place in the Telegraph area. Though we are no longer starving students, we still try to stop by here whenever we're in the Berkeley area. I've been to lots of korean places since (especially working in Santa Clara near the "Korean stretch" of El Camino), I still consider this one of the best places (and best values!) for Korean BBQ in the bay area. read more

They play the Spanish station on the radio for the Mexican workers in the kitchen/at the register. The sign used to say Steve's "Korean" Bbq, but they/yelp probably realized it's not super Korean, aside from the owner. Anyway, the food is decent with large portions and reasonably priced. It's not legit Korean food, but it's fast and filling, and fairly tasty. Hunks of bbq meat, served over rice with a side of bean sprouts. I'd avoid the seafood bbq which isn' that great; stick to your standard meats. read more

My all time campus fave. When I was a student I was here all the time. I love the option of sitting outside on the patio shared with the other little eateries. Great budgetable student plates. No it's not your finest korean dinner style stop but heck the price is great, they give you a great amount of food and it's quick. The quality isn't #1 and it also isn't the worse you'll have. Bi Bim Bop (w/beef) without the sprouts please! read more

I lived on Steve's in college. Waaaaaay back when Steve was still cooking, it was in the old small space next door, and before the whole food court started being called the Asian ghetto. I went back recently and it's still cheap, but I ain't in college no' mo' Oh yeah, #2 for me. read more

Pretty average Korean BBQ. The food is by no means bad but there's nothing really about it that makes me want to return very often. I've never really felt that their meat was very good. They do however give you a TON of food so, considering the makeup of their customer base (i.e. mostly college students), this place is more than adequate. They also give you a generous pile of kimchi with whatever you order. There's always been seating when I've gone and you get your massive portion of food very fast. It's not my favorite restaurant in the Asian ghetto but it's not so bad now and then. read more

The first time I went to Steve's BBQ was July 2010. I ordered the Beef Bibimbap to go and I was impressed. For $7, I had enough food for two meals and I was a happy camper. The beef was not overcooked, the veggies were fresh, but the kimchi was a bit sour... Anyways, I went again today to get the same thing and although I wouldn't say I hated my food, it felt like a downgrade. Perhaps it was because I went after the noon rush, the rice was a bit mushy and the veggies didn't seem as good. For all those people that say there are no koreans working here, I found a little korean lady today working the cashier, haha. She tried to shoo me out when I tried to enter again to eat my to go food though. That was not cool, although we resolved the matter. read more

I ordered the Spicy BBQ Pork and asked if I could replace the bean sprouts with more kimchi. The cashier looked at me blankly and attempted to confirm, "No kimchi?" I said no and clarified clearly that I wanted no bean sprouts and instead more kimchi. The cashier nodded and said "okay" as if he now understood. My order was to-go and came in a bag (my fault too for not checking while at the restaurant) and when I finally opened it I was met with no kimchi and a double serving of bean sprouts. This place would improve if the employees actually listened and tried to understand their customers' orders instead of lazily making dumb assumptions. Two stars since the pork tasted pretty good. read more

Ive been a few times and I'm disappointed. Spinach is always undercooked, kimchi is too sour, and overpriced

I love this place. It always brings back memories of my roommate and I rushing to Asian ghetto an hour and a half before Lost started to get our dinners. I know it's not authentic Korean food (in fact, I have never seen an Asian person working here in my 4 years), but I don't care. The greasy kalbi will forever have me smitten and my arteries clogged. read more

Korean food served in Spanish. It always makes me smile for many reasons- but reasons aside I truly enjoy the food they serve. My order- Numero uno para llevar. (Number one to go) It's Korean Beef BBQ. The food is made to order, the portions are always generous, BBQ Beef with steamed rice, kimchi and bean sprouts. It's enough to fill a big eater like myself, though you can always NOW and LATER eating half now and saving some for later. It's good cold or reheated. Steve's is a college students best friend. it's budget friendly and the location is between school and the dorms. There is just one thing I wished to change about this place- They aren't open very late. Food like this would definitely hit the spot for those study breaks, late night cravings and post party munchies... Until next time cheers! read more

If you need a Korean BBQ fixing and you're nearby the UCB campus, this is the place. They offer you a giant plate of various grilled meats on rice served with a side of Kim Chi and some type of fermented bean spouts. I think the BBQ is very good, sometimes a little fatty but everyone knows the fat's the good part! I've never tried their other items such as the bul go gi cause I'm weak when it comes to the spice. I heard it's good. One thing they could improve on is to give a little more rice. There's a lot of meat, but not much rice. The rice is cheaper than the meat. Take out a couple pieces of meat, throw in more rice, and no one would even notice. I do find it funny like another reviewer how it's all Latinos working the kitchen and they can say Bul Go Gi para llevar! read more

I went there on a Tuesday night during the summer. The service was quick and the beef bibimbap was really good. The next week I went there on a Friday night. The service was, again, quick. However, at least 1/4 of the veggies in the chicken bibimbap were frozen! The chicken is also dark meat. I was sad. read more

Love it, cant eat it enough... Yeah yeah, the kim chi sucks and the sauce on the meat is heavy... but it tastes soooo good. I get the #2- Pork bbq every time I'm by the campus at meal time. read more

Nor really recommend short ribs because last time i went there and ordered short ribs. there were lots of fats and barely has meat. this time kimchi tasted fine. read more

For not being real Korean food this place is great, especially after the Rsf. I've never ordered a plate and thought there wasn't enough meat on it. I usually get the Bbq chicken plate which definitely meets my protein needs. Most if not all the meats are very lightly marinated so don't expect it to be off the hook tasty. More often than not there is plenty of seating and is one of the warmest places to enjoy a meal at on the ghetto. read more

I went here with a fellow training class classmate who was a former UCAL Berkley student and is Korean. He said he used to eat here all the time while in school. Like others mention, the portions are huge! I mean, you'll probably gain a pound from eating all of it. Some complain about the taste, but I thought the stuff was very good. It might not be authentic Korean, but it is good enough to try at least once. read more

Perfect for a quick chow-down. Order, pay, gobble, gobble, run. Note: You will get your daily intake of sodium and then some. Drink plenty of liquids lest yer internal organs turn to dust. I had heaping fatty BBQ pork (bul go ki) over a sizeable mound of sticky rice. Kimchee, and sprouts. Normally I would clean the plate, but something about the kimchee caused me to leave a lot of it behind. Spicier than most places that cater to the bland. Interior is pretty ugly and there is a thin layer of grime covering most surfaces. At least our table was clean. There may have been a civilization of microbes living on there, but it LOOKED clean. If you can't find the bathroom, it's hidden behind that bulletin board thing on wheels. read more

Come hungry! A mountain of meat. A mountain of rice. Very bodybuilder friendly! Everything tastes fresh and not too greasy. The free tea and water are also a nice touch. DOn't forget the red sauce! Kimchee yummy, sprout salad delish. It aint the ritz, but dont come to the ghetto for fancy food. Rivaled only by meesha's in the "durant food court." read more

Yeah, "Steve's Mexican BBQ"...that's what she said. KIDDING. ANYWAY, the portions are monstrous. I could raise a baby tiger with Steve's BBQ if I wanted to. I always order the beef or chicken bibimbap to-go, eat 1/3 of it before I go up two pant sizes, and then dump the leftovers in a pan to make kimchi fried rice that'll easily last me another two meals. Don't get the barbecue chicken or beef, just get the bibimbap. They're essentially the same thing, same $7ish, but the bibimbap comes with more sides+a fried egg. p.s. Since the bibimbap's $7.06, if you hand them $10 or $20 dollar bills, they'll give you exact change (including the 94 cents); if you hand them $8, they'll just take $7 :) read more

If you're craving quick korean bbq, Steve's is your place. Although I think the shortribs (galbi) are good, my sister and I normally order the bulgolgi because there are no bones so it's faster and easier to eat. Nothing extra fancy or gourmet, just a good place to grab some quick food with generous servings. Word to the wise: 1. Avoid lines and phone your to go order in. 2. It's easier to get exactly what you want when the Mexicans who normally cook are working the register instead of the Korean owners. They'll let you do things like extra sprouts or kimchi. read more

I ate at Steve's BBQ weekly from 1992 to 1996 Unlike some of the youngins here, I have actually met "Steve" of Steve's BBQ. When I started at Cal in 1992, I discovered Steves, which operated in a much smaller space in the Durant Food Court. I would chat with Steve during my meals and he'd always give me extra kimchi and top up my bori-cha (Korean barley tea). I'd usually get the #1 Bul-gogi but sometimes would go for the Kal-bi or the Yakitori #5. read more

Steve's BBQ is probably the best place aside from Thai Basil in the Asian Ghetto, although it is kinda EXTREMELY oily. However, its pretty cheap and they give you ALOT. The store is bigger than most of the restaurants in this area, so its nice to sit down and enjoy your meal. Their charbroiled meat is pretty good, as well as their grilled chicken with veggies, but their bi bim bap is not authentic at all - its not in a hot clay bowl thing and THATS NOT RIGHT! lol...at least in my book. Free tea and water - pretty standard for restaurants in the area. Overall, good for students who want a filling and savory and cheap meal. read more

Not too good BBQ, but it's super close to campus. Love their #2 BBQ pork, you can ask for extra kimchi !! read more

I'm looking at the reviews and see some low ratings. Maybe I'm feeling nostalgic? But it can't be ... I eat here every time I come back to the bay area as an adult. I love the galbi ribs. This place is great if you're having a major kbbq craving but don't have the time to go and sit down to cook your own food. Or if you're a little short on cash. You can't go to kbbq without spending at least $25 per person. read more

The most common complaint I hear about this place is that it is unauthentic food specifically because Mexicans are cooking it. Since I'm not Korean, I'm not going to pretend like I seriously know what "authentic" actually means. But I do get annoyed when people specifically point out who is actually cooking the food. Take a good look at most restaurants - I've never seen a Japanese restaurant that didn't have majority Chinese and Mexican chefs. I've seen plenty of Chinese restaurants with Mexican chefs. Do I still call it authentic Chinese food even if I know it's made by Mexicans? If it's cooked correctly, absolutely. MANY places have people of other ethnicities cooking the food. It's not about who makes it, it's about how it's made. That said, I don't find much difference between the food I get here and the food I get at other Korean restaurants. You don't get the full menu you would find at other Korean places, but BBQ is in the name for a reason. As for quality, I actually like how the food here is packed with flavor, and you get far more meat than bone and fat. I almost always go with the short ribs (#4). Prices are high compared to other places in Asian Ghetto (around $10), but pretty cheap compared to other Korean restaurants. And for the money you pay here, you get a gigantic serving of rice and meat, probably at least twice as much food as you would get at other Korean places (I've seen anywhere between $12 and $18). As for decor, it has the same hole-in-the-wall feel you get at all the Asian Ghetto restaurants. But I almost always took food to go. The one time I ever ate inside the restaurant itself was after a brutal day with three finals during freshman year (let's call it a victory meal), and it is pretty relaxing in here, versus somewhere like Gypsy's. read more