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Alameda, CA
I know/knew this island once. Alameda's got some classics here and some GOOD eats! Dig in.
50 Places
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It’s German ya -
My review speaks for itselfDan’s 4-star review: As an Alamedian of 20 years, I can tell you Ole's is a restaurant embedded with the island's history. It's the place mom says, "I used to come here when I was your age." With that said, take into account the importance of preserving history (especially when it comes to Park Street) when you look at and walk into Ole's. This is not Gordon Ramsey's Waffle Shop, it's home-style comfort food with a bustling, shoulder to shoulder dining room; avert your eyes from the torn furniture, worn tables and long outdated decor (which mind you are a pet peeve of mine as a patron but I forgive Ole's). What you will find pleasing is the friendly servers who greet and treat you like mama. Safe to say, you'll be asked, "What can I getcha honey?" Maybe even a "darlin'" or "sugga." House coffee for breakfast is not your Starbucks venti drip-but again, history in a cup. Simply coffee. I honestly don't believe I've ever eaten one Ole's waffle. From the sight of them, they're nothing fancy however the clean plates say otherwise. Grits, gravy and bacon are my gluttonous sins at Ole's and have never gone wrong with the biscuits and gravy (then again when has gravy done us wrong let alone bacon?) I've also been delightfully surprised to find dinner at Ole's is just as enjoyably delicious as breakfast (and also just as popular). A Thanksgiving dinner comparable to your traditional family meal is delicious, and free from the awkward holiday family table talk (though likely a seasonal item). So if you don't mind a wait in line, historic, no-frills waffle shop give Ole's a shot! Tips: Parking on the main street (Park St.) is hard to come by but enjoy the town by parking around the corner. Bring your parents, your date...or sit at the bar and watch bacon sizzle. Be prepared to wait. Early mornings tend to be longer but avg. at least 15-20 minutes (by my experience). When you're done, get your fat n' happy belly up and pay at the register so other hungry customers can stuff their face. Now that you're full, walk it off and enjoy a stroll down Park Street. Enjoy! -
It’s not what it once was. In fact it’s closed :( -
An alameda staple sandwich -
La Piñata WAS the spot back in the day -
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Dan’s 4-star review: If you find yourself hungry on Alameda's West end and you're having trouble getting a table for breakfast on Park Street, and it's too cold for Jim's on the Course - look no further. To be honest, I scoffed at Southshore Cafe years ago. To be fair, it was adjacent to my childhood dentist. Obviously I was young, stuck in my ways, and this was before mom and I took an unexpected morning drive for breakfast at South Shore where I discovered the corned beef hash Benedict. Food: I think, "simple, down to earth, hometown cafe" sums it up nicely, with all due respect to Southshore Cafe. Leave it to another unsuspecting gem of Alameda's tucked away do-right dives! For me, it's right down the middle. No frills, no complaints about the quality of the endless coffee, or the food. From the fresh side of fruit, to the corn beef hash Benedict hollandaise sauce, or should I say gravy? You already know what I'm having! Just like grandma's decor, there's nothing wildly impressive here other than the prompt table-turning service. My go-to morning satisfaction if I'm feeling cheeky is the corn beef hash Benedict. Easily two meals, one plate if you stop to enjoy it for a second before inhaling and licking the plate. Recently in, the diet called for a simple chili and cheese omelette, or the "Ortega & cheese omelette" ($13.25) w/ a choice of fruit and sourdough bread. Although not pictured in this review, Ortega is fancy for non-spicy, green chili peppers. More sweet than heat. The meal was satisfying, but I am a critic when it comes to my eggs only because a home cook myself knows how quickly eggs go from fluffy, to SpongeBob. My menu suggestion: Nobody asked for it and maybe I've been living in Los Angeles longer than the bay I was born into, but would it kill the "classic breakfast" menu to add a bangin' Breakfast Burrito? Eggs, Ortega chilis, cheese, some veggies and/or potato. It's basically an omelette rolled and wrapped into a hand sandwich to go! Food for thought... Service: Late-morning arrivals and weekends should expect peak attendance and a brief (5-15 min.) wait, but the staff at Southshore Cafe have it down. They're as quick to turn tables as they are to top off your mug with hot coffee. You may not be met with a, "Mornin' sugga, what can I get ya?" but you won't wait long and your table will all be satisfied in no time. Tip accordingly and make room for the next patrons. Ambiance: Someone's welcome to call Queer Eye for a restaurant glow up and a day of pampering for the staff! When I said "simple, down to earth," I didn't mean neglected. Whitney Houston, we have a problem, but I, I will always love you Southshore Cafe. I have yet to stick to a seat, or find a new shade of lipstick on my glass - so there is soap in the kitchen. Like many other classic, "hole in the wall joints" as my dad would call them, it all adds to the charm. Don't be distracted, enjoy experience and your company, or the Alameda Journal. Parking: One of the main attractions for this hidden gem is its location. Off the beaten path, across from a rock covered building, (ye old dentist's office) with plenty of parking in a wide open (shopping center) parking lot. Sure, it doesn't have The City (bay view) Southshore restaurants should be offering their diners vs the hub of eateries IN the shopping center but hey, these businesses gotta keep their doors open too! Once you bill out why not burn some of that Benedict off by taking a stroll through the shopping center. Pass some time in Whales & Friends, or walk along the beach and take in that view. Alameda is without a doubt growing and changing with the times. I'm glad there's still some simple, hometown hidden gems like The Southshore Cafe to keep it grounded. Thank you, Southshore Cafe! -
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Dan’s 4-star review: When it's 11pm on a Thursday and every eatery in Alameda is already closed, you're not so sober, and you assume your only option is...a drive thru - WAIT! There's Nation's. The home of the Giant Hamburger has been my go-to for late night Alameda bites and/or the best banana cream pie in town, bar-none. Nation's was first introduced to me by my dad. Or was it mom picking up my sister's favorite pie for her birthday? Either way... First opened in San Pablo, CA back in 1952, Nation's Giant Hamburgers started with...a hot dog? Yup, that's the history! Today, Russ Harvey's giant burgers still feed an entire family, and there's a slice of pie for everyone! Plus breakfast for the early birds. That said Nation's is no frills, just a small diner feel. Come as you are. Seat yourself, take out, take a pie (or two) to go. Did I mention Nation's cheesecake? There's a berry variety, or good ole classic cheesecake made with Philadelphia Cream Cheese in a hand-pressed graham cracker crust, topped with a thin layer of their specially made lemon glaze. Food: Very satisfying. They call them GIANT for a reason. No small, empty burgers here. The Nation's cheeseburger comes packed with tons of sliced raw onions, tomatoes, and lettuce. Pickles? No pickles on these burgers, but try your onions grilled for some sweetness. I love Nation's fries, but these onion rings had a bad day. I'd love some FRESH dipped onion rings! I have yet to dine-in for breakfast but I'll always be home for dessert. Be it, pecan, pumpkin, lemon, key lime, a seasonal pie, or the fam favorite...Nation's banana cream with hand-cut bananas in crème inside a flaky pie crust with whipped topping. Service: Very satisfactory. From my days in sales, I always appreciate service with a smile - especially from a humble as pie burger joint. Alameda Nation's always delivers. Welcoming, friendly, fast, and through. I've called in orders and found pick-up to be a convenient breeze too. Thank you, Alameda Nation's! Ambiance: Very casual. There's history here at Alameda Nation's, you can see it on the walls now. It's not the OG San Pablo location, but there's a small town vibe here, you can feel it. If you're expecting a super fine-dining diner experience that's waiting on you hand and foot, this is not it. You found a diamond in the rough, a diner dive that is Nation's. There's ample parking on/off Webster, or across the street in the lot. In summary... I can't tell you a Nation's cheeseburger will knock your socks off, or that the overall experience is mind-blowing, but Nation's still does it right and I won't stop coming back unless they stop serving pie, and pie don't see that happening any day soon. That'd be bananas! Thank you Alameda Nation's for your friendly, fast burger slinging service. You are pie favorite! Pie will be back. -
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