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    The Hot Shop

    4.4 (452 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican, Afghan, Halal
    Closed 11:00 am - 7:30 pm

    Order The Hot Shop Takeout or Delivery

    The Hot Shop Photos

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    THE HOT SHOP ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Hot Shop

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    Cajun Burrito
    Alex S.

    Absolutely delicious and saucy burrito; you also have three sauces to try from- ginger/garlic, cilantro lime, and sweet chili. Tasty spiced meat, I got the lamb. Would definitely recommend this place.

    Cajun Burrito
    Duha S.

    The food was delicious and super flavorful. As everyone mentioned the owner is so sweet and will recommend great choices. There is a small amount of indoor seating but most people take out. They have a good selection on sauces if you decide to eat in. The nachos are HUGE. Will make 2 people very full and 4 people satiated. The Cajun burrito was very juicy. Food came out pretty quick but if you are in a hurry order ahead as there can sometimes be a small line.

    Nachos
    Barry W.

    One line review: Meh. We arrived here with great anticipation. The reviews are stellar, and the overlap of cuisines sounded promising. Alas, the Hot Shop didn't live up to the hype. I am honestly not sure what other reviewers are loving about this place. Our lamb burritos had way too much rice and not much lamb; the lamb was also bland, not well-seasoned. The nachos were a liquidy mess, causing the chips to become limp. Maybe I should have asked for the chips on the side, but who does that with nachos? On the positive, the nachos were a generous portion, but that and the green hot sauce were about the only things to celebrate here. The server (owner?) was friendly and recommended the dishes we ordered. But if this is his best, we were underwhelmed. We honestly felt like perhaps he made those recommendations to get rid of something that wasn't selling that day. Value was not good. Either we got overcharged substantially (by something like $10). Maybe he surreptitiously added a gratuity? -- or the soft drinks are /really/ expensive. Parking was free around the corner. Bottom line: In retrospect, I should have asked more questions about the bill, but it won't affect us again because we won't be back.

    Chicken Nachos
    Sanilie F.

    I have been here several times over the last few years. Hot Shop never disappoints. It was originally recommended to me by a friend of mine. Whenever I want something a little different, I order from here. You can never go wrong with their tropical or Cajun sauces for burritos. I have tried both lamb and chicken burritos here and it has always been very tasty. My little brother tried their nachos and he really enjoyed them. The owner is so kind and friendly. Definitely give them a try if you like trying new foods. Side note: the white sauce that they have is soo good. Make sure to ask for some.

    Lawrence C.

    The Hot Shop is a burrito place that a couple of my friends had mentioned to me before and suggested that I check it out. I was around the Albany area with my gf, and we weren't too far from this place so we decided to give it a shot. The inside is decently spacious with a good amount of seating, so we were able to find a table pretty easily. You just order at the front, and you get your food within a few minutes so it's good if you want it pretty quickly. Here, the prices are pretty reasonable and much better than the ones in SF. The burrito my friends recommended was the Tropical burrito, as it has a curry sauce included in it which is pretty unique. I decided to get that burrito with steak in it, which came alongside tortilla chips and salsa. The burrito is pretty good and flavorful, although it's on the smaller side in terms of burritos that I've had. I do appreciate them trying out some different combos for their burritos to make some interesting flavors and I can see myself stopping here again if I pass by it. Overall, if you're in the Albany area then this is a pretty good restaurant to check out if you're in the mood for Mexican food.

    Steak Quesadilla

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    2 months ago

    Everything was delicious Lamb Cajun bowl, Tropical was yummy and service was great, recommended,

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    6 months ago

    Get the Cajun lamb burrito--you won't be disappointed! Mo, the owner, is so kind. Love coming here for a hearty meal

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    6 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Amazing burrito. I had the Cajun with Lamb and loved it. Good atmosphere and service.

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    3 years ago

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    7 months ago

    Excellent service and food I highly recommended it. And Nachos is really tasty. And the owner Kabir has an amazing personality.

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    2 years ago

    That chicken artichoke burrito with the added mixed vegetables and a spinach tortilla was SoOoo delicious #grateful

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    2 years ago

    The nachos are delicious and the service is excellent. We love this place. Mo is the best.

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    2 years ago

    Good food friendly service. Great vibe. The cajun burrito was top notch and I really loved the salsa.

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    Page 1 of 12

    The Hot Shop Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Hot Shop

    Is this place cash only?

    Updating to say they now take credit cards!

    Are all the meats here halal?

    Yes

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    Halal King kitchen - Beef Shawarma Plate

    Halal King kitchen

    4.8(75 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    I have been eyeing this place for a while so headed over for lunch while passing by. I ordered the…read morechicken mendi with rice and salad- no bread because I can't eat gluten. I used Google Translate to help me get that part right. The owner and employee were super nice and friendly and we got it figured out. The food was so, so good. The chicken was insanely tender and flavorful and it came with an amazing garlic sauce and a spicey green sauce. I wish I took a picture before but I couldn't resist digging in. Picture I posted is after I ate half!! I will be back to support these guys for sure. Amazing food!

    I discovered Halal King Kitchen through The Richmond Standard and was very excited to check them…read moreout. This place was stuck in my bookmarks list for quite awhile. I decided to order it for lunch one day through Door Dash and I've been back about 5 times now! I told my bf about it and it became his new favorite place! I've tried the beef shawarma plate, chicken mendi, and chicken wrap; while my boyfriend tried the chicken shawarma plate. It was all amazing!!! They even come with garlic sauce and spicy sauce, which are really good! The chicken wrap is super long and about the size of my bf's forearm! Everything we've had so far has been delicious and the portions are really filling. Their hummus also tastes very fresh; I love it! I tried to order their chicken mendi before, but it was sold out and wasn't available at the time I wanted to pick up. I guess it's only available at certain times throughout the day? I finally tried it a few days ago and it was so moist and tender; it fell off the bone! The owners are super friendly and they even give complimentary tea! Halal King is truly a hidden gem and I hope more people find out about it!

    Photos
    Halal King kitchen - The front counter

    The front counter

    Halal King kitchen - Chicken Zurbiyan

    Chicken Zurbiyan

    Halal King kitchen - Beef Shawarma Plate

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    Beef Shawarma Plate

    Afghan Burrito - Chicken burrito

    Afghan Burrito

    4.6(427 reviews)
    1.8 miWest Berkeley
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Grab-and-go

    Hello everyone, Sara here back at again with the real sh*t reviews! . Recently my son and his…read moregirlfriend went to tour Berkeley, because she's super smart and he's a great athlete (great couple .) So since we're in the city of culture I wanted to fully delve myself and my new family into this beautiful establishment. (Long story short my son's girlfriend is half Afghanistani and half Cubana) (She's spicy and we love her ) (Amazing addition to the family) We came here in honor of her beautiful mixed culture, might I say... I LOVED IT!!! So first of all, I ordered a burrito (since it's my review the kids' orderes' don't matter) this burrito was the best thing I've ever put in my mouth and I've put a lot in there. The meat was so tender and tasteful and tubular and tummy exciting I have to know the recipe for my future grandkids . Second of all the service was divine and the server was cute and polite might I add. Third of all, I just loved the overall expierence and I definitely will be coming back. Thank you Afghani Burrito.

    I was excited to try Afghan Burrito since that sounds pretty unique but ultimately it was extremely…read moredisappointing. I ordered in person for a to go order and there was no line, but ended up having to wait almost 40 minutes to get my burrito. I had to check at the window after 35 mins and they completely forgot to make it. Finally got my chicken and steak burrito and took it home only to find out there was no steak in the burrito.. So I paid extra for something I didn't get and had my time wasted. On top of that I left a tip after ordering even though I did a to go order. Hate to leave a negative review because the food actually tasted quite good but this was a terrible experience.

    Photos
    Afghan Burrito - Outdoor seating to the right of the cashier

    Outdoor seating to the right of the cashier

    Afghan Burrito - Veggie nachos! IG: @eat.w.alyssa

    Veggie nachos! IG: @eat.w.alyssa

    Afghan Burrito - Full house

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    Full house

    Fikscue Craft BBQ - 2 Dino Ribs, 2 beef back ribs, one sausage

    Fikscue Craft BBQ

    4.3(314 reviews)
    9.0 mi

    Ambiance - 5/5 Walking in I didn't have much expectation…read more But as I step foot into the place. I was fascinated but the wall art. The street art vibe with the cartoon style character. Super awesome. The kitchen is wide open. Everything was super clean and well put together. Service - 5/5 Great recommendations from the staff. The house slaw and banana pudding were clearly popular choices, and they definitely knew what they were doing when guiding the order. I told them it's my first time. These were what they recommended me. One of the staff actually gave a piece of brisket to try. Very nice of them to give a free sample before I order so I know what I'm expecting. Food - 4.5/5 Dish Ordered: Dino Rib, Brisket ( 1/2 lb), House Slaw, Banana Pudding 5/5 Dino Rib Wow. This was the highlight. The meat was unbelievably tender--every single part of it. Usually with ribs, especially the upper portions, you get some toughness or dryness depending on how it's smoked. Not here. This one was melt-in-your-mouth soft, juicy throughout, and you could practically pull it apart effortlessly. The seasoning was perfect--balanced, not too salty, not bland, just right. Every bite hit. 4/5 Brisket ( 1/2 lb) About two slices. Visually, it looked great--nice color, juicy, with a solid fatty portion. But after eating the Dino rib, it felt a bit underwhelming. Still good, just didn't hit as hard flavor-wise. Might be better appreciated on its own next time. 5/5 House Slaw This paired extremely well with the meat. Sweet, tangy, and refreshing. The hint of peanuts adds a nice nutty layer that makes it stand out. It cuts through the richness of the meat perfectly. 5/5 Banana Pudding Not your typical pudding--it's more like a banana cake. The sweetness not too overwhelming, smells amazing, and just hits the spot. A great way to finish the meal. Additional Comments The Dino rib alone makes this place worth it. It sets a very high bar, which honestly makes everything else feel secondary. The best Rib I have ever had in my life so far. Important thing to note is that the rib will be weighed. I don't think you can ask to get the portion you want like you can with the brisket. My Dino rib came out to be 1.6lb. The sides and dessert complement the meal really well and round out the experience. Price is bit is definitely in the higher end but the experience is definitely worth it.

    Son wanted to try so we are here…read more The line was long, the selection limited but the taste was good. There were many big orders, likely for parties. A $300 order can fit nicely into a regular paper grocery bag with room to spare, so make sure your wallet is mentally prepared so it does not go into shock. We had a sandwich. A pound of brisket and some baby back. My advice... unless you really want to suck the gravy off the bones or want to bring gift to your canine friend, don't get anything with bones as everything is by weight and I don't know about you, I can't chew on the bones. After close to $80, I had some meat off the rib and a piece of brisket, and craving some instant noodles ... The place is very transactional and noisy. But that is how it should be with a busy place where majority of orders are to-go.

    Photos
    Fikscue Craft BBQ
    Fikscue Craft BBQ - Chicken balado plate, Beef rendang plate and Their famous brisket.

    Chicken balado plate, Beef rendang plate and Their famous brisket.

    Fikscue Craft BBQ - The line 30 mins before they opened.

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    The line 30 mins before they opened.

    Shawarmaji

    Shawarmaji

    4.2(730 reviews)
    5.8 miUptown
    $$
    Halal
    Vegan friendly

    Decided to come here one day after my dentist appointment. I ordered the chicken shawarma wrap for…read morepick up. It's a good size for the price, the chicken is very tasty and I really liked the garlicky sauce thing that came with it. Would definitely come back here the next time I'm craving another shawarma. Service was friendly too!

    With my Chicago bestie Sarj in town, we were on the hunt for *standout eats* only during his visit…read more Heard many good things about this spot, for which he received two separate recommendations from locals (and I had coincidentally bookmarked to try my location in Santa Clara). We ordered a mini lamb wrap, mini chicken wrap, rose tamarind drink and mint lemonade. The lamb was gristly and dry, so I preferred the chicken wrap, but was disappointed to find that it featured only chicken (well-seasoned and juicy) and did not have any tomatoes, cucumbers, or other vegetables like the lamb wrap did. The chicken wrap was only chicken and lavash. Perhaps it was an oversight on the staff's part, even though the restaurant was not busy during a Friday lunch. And it also still took some time to get our orders out even though we were the only ones in line and they were only two other parties eating there. Maybe there were tons of to go orders they had to fulfill? I'll be sure to check out the Santa Clara location as well in the future, but for this luncheon, we had to temper our disappointment by going around the corner to get some Gregory's.

    Photos
    Shawarmaji - Chef Mohammad "The Shawarmaji" Abutaha

    Chef Mohammad "The Shawarmaji" Abutaha

    Shawarmaji - A 6oz jar of our signature Toum

    A 6oz jar of our signature Toum

    Shawarmaji - Classic chicken shawarma wrap with a scoop of our signature Toum

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    Classic chicken shawarma wrap with a scoop of our signature Toum

    M Halal Mediterranean Food - Tzatziki Sauce

    M Halal Mediterranean Food

    3.9(127 reviews)
    31.3 mi

    I recently ordered catering for 20 people for a work event and the owner, AJ, was great. Very easy…read moreto work with and he and his team did a great job labeling and packing the dishes. AJ was very aware of different allergies and dietary restrictions, and all of my colleagues were impressed with the food. We had a variety of rice plates, salads, falafel, and shawarma. Everything was delicious, but my favorite was the lamb gyro plate. Definitely recommend

    It was freezing inside. I'm not saying a little chilly, but freezing. I'm not sure why we didn't…read morejust leave and go to the Thai place next store, but we didn't. Prices have gone up with the new ownership significantly. So be ware. The food is tasty, I ordered the gyro wrap. It was very tasty and filling. They no longer have a operating soda fountain. If you want a soda they offer canned beverages. As for water they offer bottled water or cups and you can use the back water dispenser and ice machine. The water dispenser has a hot and cold option. The cold lever gives out chilled water, not what you want when it's so cold inside. The hot lever gives you room temperature water, which was better under the circumstances. I doubt we will return in the wintertime again. I hope in the summertime they have adequate AC so it's not too hot, but I'm not crossing my fingers. They had a portable AC/Fan unit in the entry way so there is something telling me that there AC/Heating unit isn't working. Food is good, but expensive and the temperature is a bigger deterrent.

    Photos
    M Halal Mediterranean Food
    M Halal Mediterranean Food - Gyro Wrap

    Gyro Wrap

    M Halal Mediterranean Food - Grilled Chicken Wrap

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    Grilled Chicken Wrap

    Dave's Hot Chicken

    Dave's Hot Chicken

    3.8(116 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    Dave's Hot Chicken
    Dave's Hot Chicken
    Dave's Hot Chicken

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    The Hot Shop - mexican - Updated May 2026

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