Oscar’s
1890 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA, 94709
Oscar’s Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Berkeley for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
1890 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA, 94709 - Phone (510) 849-2164
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Drive-Thru : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Burgers
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
McDonalds is the most popular fast food burger restaurant serving different types of burgers in the United States. On the other hand, there are several restaurants such as Burger King are famous for serving the best hamburgers in the United States. Most burger restaurants in the United States often serve hamburgers with French fries and other condiments. If you have a liking for burgers in the United States, then you won't be disappointed. You can easily find the best burger restaurants in your city on our Restaurants Listings directory. Check the reviews and ratings of the top burger restaurants and savor yourself with the best hamburger in the city.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Pete L.
I don't get the 3 stars...this place makes a perfectly delicious and solid American-style, working class man's cheese burger. I got the double cheese with fries. Burger was a good size, patty was good and proportional, you can see the guy making it in front of you. The fries were mediocre, but decent. Service was barebones acceptable like any fast food joint. Restaurant hygiene was suspect but hey they're closing soon and I just wanted to get my burger in. Overall a solid and satisfying cheeseburger.
(4)Benny H.
Sometimes, things don't work out the way you would imagine they would. For nearly a year comic book icon Erik "the man" Larsen has been promoting this place like it's the best burger place in the world. That's what I call a huge endorsement. However, due to this place being located in Berkeley, it's not exactly a convenience for me to drive my butt over here. However, this past Friday, that all changed. Apparently Oscar's is going out of business. Not sure if the owner decided it was time to enjoy life, or it just wasn't making the money it should be making. Either way, Erik decided to give this place place a little plug with an exclusive limited edition cover for his Savage Dragon book that has Oscar's on the cover and can only be bought at Oscar's. Well, you know what that means? I'm driving to Berkeley! I give this place a call and someone answers with some sort of gibberish. I ask, "is this Oscar's?" and his reply is "Oscar's!". Hmm....not the most friendly it seems. I ask them if they have the comics in stock and he says they do. So off to Oscar's I go with the gf and cousin. About an hour into our journey we nearly get into an accident due to some freak who loses control of his car and merges into us in the carpool lane. Once he realizes how close he comes to killing us, he waves a sorry only to be flipped off by my cousin. About another 45 minutes later we finally arrive at Oscar's. The journey that took nearly two hours and nearly claimed our lives had come to an end and burgers and comics were in my near future. Well, not quite. Apparently Oscar's didn't have a quota as to how many copies someone could buy and some jerk off bought them all. So the journey that ate up two hours of our lives and nearly killed us and someone bought them all? The bald white dude who I'm assuming was the owner said "come back tomorrow. We'll have more of them then." I told him that it took me nearly two hours to come from San Jose and if there was something that could be done. Anything. He didn't give a crap. I ordered a cheeseburger which honestly tasted like a glorified whopper at Burger King. Yup. While not bad, it simply tasted like a Burger King burger for three times the price. Not worth $20 in gas. You know, I'm pretty friendly when it comes to my reviews and most business's have something called HUMAN COMPASSION. The fact that I drove to this rinky dink establishment to give them some business should have showed this dude something. I'm not asking for a freaking free meal, but how about a "I'm sorry for your troubles. Here is a soda" or something different than "next customer in line". Screw that. I went back up a second time and asked him if something could be done since he apparently had more copies close by. Nope. Guy wouldn't budge. I even asked him if he could mail me one from his house or anything along those lines. "Not worth the hassle" is what I'm told. Thanks dude for not having a quota. Now some Ebay scalper will enjoy selling those comics instead of someone who truly wanted it. Thankfully this place will soon be out of existence and will be forgotten in a matter of months. This place might have been something forty years ago, but now it's simply a joke. We went to Umami's in Oakland for some REAL burgers right after.
(1)Ryan D.
This place is finally closing down after many years of below average food. I don't think this place has been decent I since 1995.. No joke. The staff acts like they are doing you a favor. Oh, and I love the interview with the owner Scott where he say's " I am not a warm and fuzzy guy" Well, now you can go be miserable by yourself, because clearly he doesn't deserve a business. Burgers have zero taste Fries are Costco crap- Good Bye and Good Riddance
(2)Jason B.
Still on fire. On the door: "Blazin' in Berkeley since 1950." Apparently so considering my chicken breast was quickly consumed by flames on the grill. It was extremely fresh. And with shredded lettuce and tomato on a bun it was extremely good. Across the table: My good friend who also happens to teach Bikram yoga. Also an extremely hot and extremely good experience. He told me Oscar's and their no nonsense, yet quite friendly burger making staff will be closing forever soon. Catch this well worth it $6 and change fire while you can. It's still good.
(4)Toni M.
Though I went to Cal in the early/mid 60s, Kip's was my go-to hamburger place when I lived in the dorms. It's no longer what it was, but even when I lived on the north side Oscar's wasn't a frequent destination. Once its closing was announced, though, I wanted to go there one last time. So, it seems, did half the population of Berkeley. When Alan and I walked in about 12:45 today there was a line at the grill to order and many of the tables were filled, one w/ a large group, others w/ parties of 4, 3 or 2. The line moved quickly. Lots of double cheeseburgers, one chicken fillet. I asked the man behind the grill if it was possible to get a burger rare. He said yes. I ordered one, meaning to get a cheeseburger, but didn't remember to say so. Ordered fries, though I've been eating minimal potatoes these days. Alan ordered a steak sandwich medium rare and fries. I took a seat and after a relatively short wait Alan brought over our food. We had water to drink. The fries come unsalted so I added a little. My fries were crispy and good. I finished them. Alan's weren't cooked as crispy. I should have shared mine. My hamburger was good, but more like medium than rare. Val's burgers are bigger and juicier, but then they're down in Hayward. Alan reported his steak sandwich was OK. Rare enough but a little tough. Unlike some reviewers I'm not celebrating the closure of Oscar's, but unlike others I'm not grieving it either. It's been a Berkeley icon for decades but I find my sentimental attachment is more to the outside than to the inside. The owner is ready to be done w/ this phase of his life and I'm OK w/ that.
(3)Ashkan H.
In a nutshell don't come here if you have enough time (around 10 minutes) to walk around this area as there are many restaurants that are way better than Oscar's. Your options here are: Burger (with cheese, bacon, avocado, each for $1 extra), chicken breast, steak sandwich and fries. I've only tried their cheese burger, chicken breast, and hot dog. In general the sandwiches here are dry, and they lack any sort of taste. The fries taste very unpleasant (they have this burnt taste to them), and they are way too greasy. As far as the service goes, it's low quality (I found McDonald's to have better service than Oscar's, and I'm not exaggerating). Usually, the place is handled by 2 people, and one of them sometimes disappears, so for a cup of water you might need to wait for a couple of minutes. The sandwiches are very over priced. Really! The burnt and greasy fries is $2.75, and the not so good cheese burger is $7. Like I said before, with the price that you pay here you can get much better sandwiches at many other nearby places. The only thing that this place has is their good location, and their OK hours.
(2)Rinky N.
Oh no...Oscar's is closing. They will be closing in the next month or so. Sweetgreens, a small health food chain,will be taking over this space. berkeleyside.com/2015/05… I forgot to mention that Oscar's was also the place my late wonderful bestie friend, C, ate at after our ESL class. She was pregnant at the time and eating for two. I was eating for two too even though I was not preg. Nothing is better than having a burger and fries at 9pm. Ah yes those carefree days in our 20's and 30's when you could eat zillions of calories and they wouldn't add an ounce to your youthful body.
(4)Jenny W.
I now know why they are closing - the place is filthy - the hamburger was so-so, the milk shake was like a glass of milk and the staff was as disinterested in being there as I should have been...
(1)Allen C.
Kinda sad that a longtime Berkeley establishment is closing down. I first heard about this place in high school when one of my teachers (who lived in Berkeley at the time) gave me recommendations on places to eat around campus. I actually lived near this place for a year too, so I would always smell the burgers cooking as I walked home, which was nice after walking through certain other parts of Shattuck. My favorite thing about this place has to be that they write on their menu "We cheat Dodgers fans." Any place that bashes any LA-based sports team gets bonus points in my book. I like the double cheeseburger here. The burger itself is very tasty, but it's a bit more expensive than a place like Bongo Burger, especially once you add in fries or drinks. But Oscar's is arguably more delicious, which makes it a worthwhile stop if you feel like venturing out to this corner of campus. As for service at the front counter, the guys here are pretty relaxed, although their system could have been a bit more efficient. You order at the grill and then tell the cashier what you wanted, so it kinda creates a bit of chaos at the front counter. You can't bus your own table, but they have a guy who comes out somewhat frequently to clear tables of empty trays. It's unfortunate that a great burger place and iconic sight along Shattuck will be gone soon. The fact that it'll be replaced by a vegan/vegetarian place, of all things, is kinda like kicking it while it's down too.
(4)Regina L.
It's sad that I didn't hear about Oscar's until they announced that they were closing. This place has such an old-fashioned diner feel, which makes it the atmosphere very homey. It's unfortunate that we will lose this special place. First, I ordered a Cheeseburger and fries at the grill. Then, they sent me over to the cash register to pay. Both guys were very nice, but you could tell they were a bit sad that the restaurant was closing. My food arrived fairly quickly, and my friend's Steak Sandwich also came quickly. My friend loved their Chocolate Shake, because he said they made it the "right way," using vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup. The size and value and taste of the burger was decent. It was a bittersweet first and last visit.
(4)Missy C.
God I'm glad this place is closing. I heard it was a Berkeley icon and it's been around since the 50s, so I decided I had to go check it out before it closed. I was really excited to go, but the customer service was so terrible that I really wish I hadn't. The food was good, but I could make a burger like that without the dirty looks and bad attitudes. Everyone hates their jobs man, suck it up like the rest of us and stop acting like the world owes you something. Good luck and good riddance.
(1)Kelly S.
Noooo, Oscars! Why??!!?? I wish I had known they wanted to sell because I would buy this place and keep it going forever. Yummy burgers, fries and shakes. To be replaced by some sort out-of-state chain selling quinoa salads. If I wanted to eat that, I would go to Source. Which I don't. It's a sad, sad day.
(5)Stephanie L.
Oh, so it looks like Oscar's is closing. I'm sorry, but good riddance. You can't keep a filthy restaurant and be contemptuous of all your customers and then be surprised when your business goes, well, out of business. I understand Oscar's has been around a long time, I too am a Bay Area native, but just because something has been around a long time doesn't mean it is above reproach or that it is incapable of falling short of its previous glory. I'm not thrilled about the tiny, overpriced, grocery store I imagine is going in in it's place... but let's be real; the world is not going to end. Sorry to the folks who will be sad. I liked their burgers too.
(1)Hosanna W.
This place is a neighborhood birthright. And the yelp hipsters are shutting it down. Classic, unadulterated, cheeseburgers. Plain and simple. Just like they should be. I personally think that gourmet burgers are all fads and full of shite. That goes for most burger joints within the surrounding area and in the current popular burger market all over right now. Which is what makes Oscars so special. They're not trying to be something they're not. To put it plainly, the best burger I've ever had in my life was in NYC at The Burger Joint behind the Le Parker Meridien hotel. But I will put Oscars right up there with them as their Northern Californian counterpart. I'm a foodie and traveler to the core and understand great food is all around us. But burgers in my opinion should be left alone. New Yorkers get it, (ie burger joint, shake shack) I just wish my Bay Area folks would too. - DON'T FUCK WITH YOUR BURGER. No Gruyere cheese, no siracha, no kaiser roll bun, Leave it alone! Don't even put ketchup on it. Just all the fixings including the pickle. Mustard, Mayo, Pink in the middle and you're good to go. But alas, the yelp hipsters have ruined this place online and I just found out they are closing up shop for good in the next few months. Sad this gem will be gone from our lives. And all the out of town transplant students will never know the awesomeness that Berkeley has known for so many decades. When this places finally goes. I suggest you guys try the Red Onion in El Cerrito. Another great long standing mom and pop burger joint. But for now, go to Oscars and eat there before you can't anymore. Cheers. - H.
(5)Charles R.
So sad to hear the news of Oscar's imminent closing! Utterly unpretentious with no claim of being a "Berkeley institution" or "Open Since 1950" or anything. The place just is what it is - they never sought praise for being unchanged or for their food being good or for anything whatsoever. No attempt to "engage" the customer or other such silliness - just the confidence to keep making, without pretense or boast, some of the very best burgers and fries around. A lot of us are going to miss that.
(4)Michael F.
Old school burger joint in Berkeley; closing after 60+ years.Had to come here for High School memories
(4)Giselle C.
This is solely on the cleanliness and customer service of the place. We walked in, the guy didn't even acknowledge us but had his hands on his hips, looked at us, and then walked back to the grill and grabbed the hamburger buns without washing his hands and flips them.
(1)Marisa B.
How is this place NOT 5 stars?! Simple, rustic, amazing. When you are in the mood for a good old fashion flame cooked burger Oscars is your place to go. Great flavor, fresh ingredients....what more do you need. I live on the peninsula but happily make the trek across the bay for Oscars. I am heart broken it will be closing...catch it while you can!
(5)Bud P.
This place feels like a bit of anachronism with respect to the surrounding area, but it does an okay burger. Oscar's is a burger joint that's been in the area for a loooong time (with the old-timey photos on the wall to prove it). It's a small spot on the corner of Hearst and Shattuck with a parking lot in the back, plenty of seating (and it's almost always empty) and a simple burger/fries menu. It's pricier than an In N Out, cheaper than a Barney's or Eureka burger. It's definitely fast food, but as good as fast food gets. Hearty burger, loaded however you want it, and the fries are solid. Basically it's fine, go if you haven't got a better option.
(3)Tabitha O.
Burgers fries and shakes! Easy to come and go, reasonable prices. Don't come here if you're afraid of a little dust or a worn look. That's why this place is a landmark. It's been here a long time. My only complaint is the televisions... But it's a sport fan kinda place so I guess that's part of it.
(4)Thomas J.
Classic burgers, fries and shakes, these kinds of places are becoming rare. The burgers are classic and wonderful. They use thin burger patties with a lightly toasted bun. The fries are thin and delicious. Local sports and lottery results on TV for entertainment.
(4)Henry D.
This has been around for a number of years. I think the workers and owner watched too many episodes of Seinfeld, the Soup Nazi. They are rude and obnoxious but I think people try to ignore that since the burgers and fries are really good Hole-in-the-Wall food. The cleanliness of the place is a notch above a roach motel and the workers don't follow Health Department rules but again good Hole-in-the Wall food. Unfortunately, now that they are closing, they are being really cheap on the fries. They give you a little less than 2/3's of what they used to serve. It is sad that they want to close down on a low note. It just speaks to the Owner as a person who is crass and obnoxious. What is even more sad is that I'm try to hit this place a couple of times before they close then I'll have to find a new Dive. Normally, I'll give them a minimum of 3 stars but you can see no one cares and they have quit caring at all so it is shut-up and fork over your money worthy of 1 star at best. In their better days, 3.5 - 4 stars.
(1)Ryan S.
You're either going to hate it or you're going to love it. It's definitely not fancy and might not be the cleanest, but it's really not any worse than anything in Asian Ghetto, it's just more empty. But it's empty in the sense that you can just come there with someone and watch sports for an hour or two without feeling like you need to leave. It's hard to describe, but it's inviting in the sense that it feels like going to a friend's house to hang out rather than eating at a restaurant. The burgers here are about on the same level and price range as Bongo Burger and Nation's. The unique thing about them compared to the others are that they're cooked on a grill as opposed to a flat top, which actually gives them a pretty good flavor. And for those of you that are all too familiar with outdoor "barbecues" where someone serves bland, dry, and burnt burgers to a large crowd, these guys have been grilling burgers every day for years, so they get it a lot better than some amateur at a 4th of July party. The ingredients are incredibly basic though and you don't have very many options. Even less than In-N-Out. But there's just something about this place that makes me like it.
(4)Jake C.
Please don't close. stAy!
(5)Vivian D.
Oscar's is my go to burger place in Downtown Berkeley. My only gripe is that the quality is never consistent. Some days I'll go and it s the best burger ever! Other days, it's just OK. The fries are also delicious. Skinny fries, crispy, what more can you ask for! My go to burger is chedder cheese and bacon. Ends up being $6.54. The open fire grill as you walk in tells you that you are going to get a good burger!
(4)Matt S.
Good food, bad customer service. Disappointed in this place. I used to come here semi-frequently for good burgers and fries. However I am hesitant to go back again because of the very rude staff.
(1)Steve P.
You can shove your "organic locavore-type restaurant serving fare like hummus tahina salad with kale, romaine, cucumbers, pita chips, feta, hummus, falafel and cucumber tahini yogurt" up your azz!!! If I wanted those, there are a million places I can go in the bay area. I'm going to keep eating at this place til it closes. Old school cheeseburger, fries, no frills. MURICA!!!
(4)Alaina M.
I used to go to Oscar's several times a week before moving out of the area. No fuss, none of the usual pretentious Berkeley eatery vibe. Just good food. It was hands down my favorite place to go. I'm really really sad to hear about their imminent closure and I hope you all will stop in as often as you can while you have the chance and don't forget to tip the guys working there! I'll definitely be making the drive out there for one last Oscar's hot dog. I'm glad I moved before having to watch it become a /salad/ restaurant. EDIT: I'm literally getting emotional reading all these reviews. I love this joint and I'm really sad to see it go.
(5)Alwin L.
Decent double cheeseburger, fries, and shake.
(2)Sharyn H.
Meh. I don't get it. Really? The crowd here seems to think that the burgers are SO GOOD. I take another bite...uh...it's aiite. Maybe I will try this another day. I must say that the customer service is abysmal.
(2)Pablo R.
"Dodger fans get cheated here" That's on the wall menu! Instant stars from a Giants fan. The best burgers are flame grilled and this place delivers. The burgers are good but I wasn't a fan of a patty that's noticeably smaller than the bun. The condiments were fresh and the meat tasted good. The fries were hot and crispy and the shakes are tasty. The prices are average for the area. The decor is way dated and the place has an ooold skool look and feel. Even down to the tube TV up on the wall. It give the vibe that you missed the hey day here. From the parking lot to the front facade it's all broken down. But you're here for the food and Oscar's delivers although I've had better. Parking is easy in their lot
(4)D K.
Unquestionably the best burger and fries anyplace in the world. I have been coming to Oscars for over 40 years and it has always been amazing! I moved away 30 years ago but whenever I visit I insist on at least one visit to Oscars. The idea that this place is closing to make way for a health food joint is sacrilege! Who cares if the place isn't healthy? Anyone that wants a healthy burger is kind of an asshole. One of the investors in this health food joint is David Chang who is famous for his pork belly buns and I would venture to say that those are twice as unhealthy as an Oscars delicious burger and their fantastic fries. If I can't return to Berkeley in time to dine on a delicious Oscars cheese burger with their perfect fries and their delicious apple pie I will forever be longing. BTW you Cal Berkeley students are a bunch of hipster jerkoffs for not spending every stoned moment and every finals study break at Oscars and allowing this healthfood chain to take over an amazing eating institution that has been churning out great food for more than half a century. This place is the foundation for the Gourmet Ghetto and I'm sure Alice Waters and Jeremia Towers spent many a night in Oscars enjoying a cheeseburger. HURRY OUT TO EAT HERE! Soon it will be another totally forgetable kale salad quinoa radish sprouts joint manned by hipster hippy types asking you if you want to donate to save the trinity bristle snail. DAMN YOU VEGANS!...WAKE UP PEOPLE, DO YOU THINK THEY NAMED IT SEITAN (SATAN) BY ACCIDENT?!!
(5)Jerry P.
This is a good little greasy spoon burger joint where you get a tasty burger with sides for a reasonable price. No, it ain't no Wagu Beef with artisanal blue cheese and chanterelle mushrooms for $35 place. You want that go somewhere else. And yes, the cook/order guys can be gruff. Know what you want when you get to the front of the line, and wait until they acknowledge you before you try to order. They are busy cooking burgers AND taking orders for Chris'sake can't you see that? It's charming. I love it. Now once you have your food, sit, eat, and get out. Oh and don't forget to bus your table before you leave.
(3)Dave Y.
Hamburgers. Yum. Fries are good, too.
(4)Lee X.
Best Burger in the bay are. I've been coming here since 90's and it's really one of the best burger experiences. I agree with some one the reviewers that it's not quite as consistent as chains like super duper burger, but I've never had a bad burger. The burgers I've had here range from great to amazing.
(5)Mar R.
CLEAN THIS PLACE UP, and learn proper food handling--no, picking buns out of the plastic bag after handling raw meet is uncool. Oh, and a fried bug with my French fries will NEVER make up for an otherwise solid burger.
(1)Andrew O.
Oscars is not fine dining. It's not romantic or full of ambiance. It's a burger joint. Nothing more. It just happens to have the best burger in Berkeley. You walk up the grill, order a burger, tell them what you want on it and pay. What you receive is a big juicy burger with cheese oozing off the sides. Now this may be too simplistic to some. If you are thinking man then you might head over to Barneys to enjoy some gourmet California cuisine. Not here. This is a burger stand that has survived for decades offering its simple menu. Will it get 4 stars from Zagats? no. But when I crave a burger this is where I go.I highly recommend them.
(5)Erin G.
What I ate: Cheeseburger (hold the onions and mayo), fries Visit date: November 2, 2013 First time? No. Oscar's is my go-to for a quick burger fix. The burgers are simple, but whenever I eat them I'm reminded of backyard BBQs and summer days (ahh...). The open fire gives the meat patties a nice char, but they're still juicy. They are generally topped with American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, raw onions, and mayo. I ix-nay the onions and mayo and add lots of mustard. The fries are crispy and served with salt on the side.
(4)Don H.
This place looks like it's been here for ages. The building hints to a favorite old burger spot that has the best burgers you ever had, unfortunately it's not. We went inside and the place was dead, with the exception of a (presumably) homeless guy eating a plate of fries and playing the lotto. It was my first time there and didn't know where to order, usually you order at the register but a rather rude middle eastern guy grunted "hey you order over here." Um, okay. So we went to the grill and ordered our burgers. After ordering a young college aged kid took out money, again rather rudely. We got our order and of course it was wrong, at least they are consistent lol. The burger patty was really thin and subpar. The fries were the skinny kind which aren't my favorite but they seemed like they were cooked in old cooking oil and they had a bad aftertaste to them. It was a really disappointing experience. Like I mentioned earlier it appears to be one of those iconic mom-and-pop burger restaurants that serves the best food and have been around for ages but from the customer service to the food it was really lacking. I definitely wouldn't recommend it nor would I return for a second visit. I think what happened to this nice little business was at one point it was a mom-and-pop restaurant and most likely they served great food and lasted the test of time, until The original owners passed on or sold it to someone who didn't have the love for the business that they once had. Recommendation, go to Nations hamburgers you're not that far away the food is 100 times better same with the service!
(1)Mzizt H.
Had the hamburger and fries with a root beer soda was very happy with this being my first time. Thanks to Parenthood I would have never found out how good this place was.
(4)Travis B.
Decent enough burgers and fries. Greasy and simple. Shakes in a place like this you'd expect to be good but they are just soft serve in a blender. Service was a bit surly and slow. I usually don't care about that if the food is good, but if the food is mediocre and the service is kinda meh, then I'm unlikely to come back.
(2)Eric B.
It's fair to say that Oscar's is in the physical position to be the Gateway to North Berkeley and the Gourmet Ghetto. At a minimum, it's a comfortable constant as the area has changed. What I can depend on is flame cooked burger goodness, in a casual space, and at a budget-friendly price point. Only Al's in Albany really compares.
(4)M. A.
This place is a dump. I wanted to try it out and wasn't sure whether to sit and eat or just order take-out. Needless to say, when I walked in, I decided to just take it to go (I didn't want to judge the food just yet). The server looked like he was about 5 seconds away from punching the wall. Not to mention that his bare hands that were touching the cash register (and lord knows what else) were also touching the food as he prepared it - NO GLOVES. To top it all off, the food was less than average. Gross. Never again.
(1)D L.
Sorry to see this place go. The world has enough organic healthy vegan rice bowls. This place is an institution. Go before it closes.
(5)cecil w.
So sad to hear this place is closing! My sons and I always ate here when we came to Berkeley at least once a month in the early 80s. You could always depend on the quality and quantity of the food. After moving away, I found I really missed the place. When I've been back, I always found that nothing had changed. No pretense, just good, honest food at a reasonable price.
(5)Edwardo R.
I just learned the sad news...the closing of Oscars. While I no longer live in Berkeley, CA, I have so many fond memories at Oscars. I was born and raised in Berkeley an Oscars is a staple amongst burger joints, and is and will always be the best burgers in town. I recently cut off fatty foods in my diet, but I MUST have one last double cheese burger and fries for old times' sake, and than go for a long walk and run at the Berkeley Marina!! :-(
(5)Natoya M.
finally went to try this place after passing it on Shattuck for years and they cooks sarcasm/horrible humor threw me off...we were asking simple questions like do they have grilled onions...like anyone may ask when they haven't eaten somewhere before. anyway his responses were rude and short as if he didn't wanna help us...and then he would grin like it was funny. I wanna walk out without trying it. but I'm sure the foods good. sad that ppl have to be idiots and ruin a meal. whatever.
(1)Thomas S.
A 3.5 star would be more appropriate. Grilled right before your eyes, the burgers are pretty good. The skinny fries are good! The hot dog was decent, maybe a little bland.
(4)Sion P.
This is the best burger within my east bay orbit. Charcoal broiled to perfection shredded lettuce tomatoes onion pickles mayo ketchup done. Nothing fancy. I have to drive all the way to this place from El Cerrito. And there's a plethora of burger joints and fast food here. They all suck. Grazzy sucks Nations sucks Burger King sucks Big Als... ehh it ok. Red onion ok as well. but slow. real slow. Oscars is just a reliable burger joint.
(4)Arthur Y.
Just an old school burger joint. Nothing fancy, just a solid generic burger cooked over a real fire. I can't lie, still love these burgers better than most. (Ie Barney's) It's not particularly special, but it feels like a place I wish existed in my hood when I was in high school.
(4)Lori S.
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PLACE! Not only does this have good food and great people, but good food and great people that have been around for AWHILE!!! I used to come here with my grandparents on our daily walks from their house to downtown where we would run errands and stop to have lunch or a snack! and WE STILL COME HERE WITH MY GRANDMA! my sister and I are married with children and we ALL come together! Burgers, Cheeseburgers, and Hot Dogs are wonderful. There are plenty other options, but these are my favs.... If you haven't been.... YOU SHOULD GO! Shakes are good too.
(5)Dontworry A.
The cook and the cashier have no people skills very rude.... They shouldn't be dealing with the public. What kind of burger joint doesn't offer grilled onions...
(1)Fike T.
Worst burger place I've been too probably ever, the restaurant smelled like a dumpster the servers were rude and cheap, they served me the soda with no cap and I had to ask for one, they also burnt my hamburger and it made it taste like absolute garbage.
(1)Brinson D.
Aldo treat me to dinner here. Exactly what you'd expect from a classic burger joint: Fries. Burger. Milkshakes. Done and done. And American Classics like baseball themes and tv with baseball. Hold the tomato and you have the famous Brinson Burger. Disgusting.
(2)Adam M.
Came here with a date after being ignored down the street at Cafe Gratitude for over 20 minutes (see my review there for that event). Oscar's is a burger joint and doesn't claim to be anything other than that. Had a great set of burgers and fries which we diligently inhaled.
(4)Kristina A.
I go to Oscar's if i don't feel like cooking dinner. Its a good go-to-meal. The burger and fries are just ok for my liking. Im a fan of their turkey burger. it is juicy and thick. I loved it with tomato and lettuce no onions please. If this is your first time to Oscars, you need to know where and how to place your order. You first give your order to the person on the grill then go to the cashier and pay. Cooks and servers varies. Sometimes they are very nice and sometimes they are cranky. Maybe a busy day or they just woke up on the wrong side of the bed lolz Nothing really special on their menu. This is just fast and way better than McDonalds. I am a regular.
(4)Matthew C.
The is the best hamburger place in Berkeley. Been coming here for years. Cheeseburger is always so tasty, fries are good and we can't forget the good milkshakes they make. I do wish they would redo the awful bathroom. Only 1 star about this place. Part from that I rate them 5.
(5)Ivan O.
Burnt charbroiled everything, the most basic thing is a hot dog and I'd still rather cook that at home.
(1)Bobby N.
Save it for BurgerMeister. I'll keep this short. I ordered the steak burger w/ friends and it tastes close to frozen food. Granted it has a subtle grill flavor but that's really all it has. The steak was dry and the lettuce overpowered the overall texture and flavor. I had to douse it in mustard for it to be decent. DULL! The fries weren't bad. For $2.50 you get a shit ton of crispy fries. I dare you to try and finish it. The burgers over at BurgerMeister are juicy and flavorful. There is one plus about Oscar's. They have a huge space for groups to meet, get rowdy, and watch games. It's dirty as heck so whatever you do to the place won't make a difference. Ah, a perfect place for a fraternity.
(2)Dessiray R.
Ok, first of all TERRIBLE !....My bf use to tell me about this place every time we came to Berkeley. He use to come eat here when he was young so we finally stopped and upon walking in i was NOT impressed, but then again the best places usually look shitty so we continued in. Next the cashier didn't seem to give a fuck about his job because we walked up he didn't even care to get off his phone. So we order our food and I don't see him go anywhere to wash his hands.....HE DOESNT EVEN PUT ON GLOVES AND HE'S MAKING OUR FOOD !!!!!!! But it doesn't stop there. Next comes in another customer and without missing a beat the cashier stops making my food, takes the new customers order, takes the customers cash and goes right back to touching my food with his nasty ass unwashed hands !!!......lastly there was NO SEASONING on the food at all !.....the ONLY good thing that came out of this food trip was the cashier made an extra side of fries and gave them to us free of charge. NOT A GOOD EXPERIENCE overall.
(1)Adrianna B.
If you're in the market for a good, greasy burger and a solid portion of fries, Oscar's is great. Is it fancy? No. Is it a little overpriced? Yes. But you knew what you were getting yourself into when you walked in to the greasy old-school burger joint on the corner.
(4)Bill G.
Tastes like cafeteria food, at $10 for a meal. And the grill guy really does handle the raw meat and buns together without washing his hands. What if there's bacteria on the meat? I wish I liked this local landmark. Maybe if it was half the price (and sanitary).
(1)Kabir K.
I work down the street at Trader Joe's, and I come here because the burgers aren't smothered in mayonnaise and the buns/patties actually have flavor (unlike Nation's, which is a pretty harrowing experience other than the pies). However, the customer service is atrocious. One server with a Raiders hat and earrings looks contemptuous of every single one of his customers, and grimaces at you if you aren't paying attention to his dismal attempt to tell your food is ready (from across the room but as if he was talking to you across the counter). These guys make me feel unwelcome at a restaurant where I'm a regular. Boo.
(2)Shane L.
Service was friendly, food was fresh and quick. I liked the fact it was made where you can see. It was less greasy and easier to eat than Nations but the fires could have been better. Shakes are bomb though... well Malts I should say!
(4)Dylan C.
Pretty standard burger at first bite, but with a little salt and ketchup tasted great. The fries are really good if you like thin and crispy (I know I do), and the taste of their ketchup was somewhat tangier in a good way than standard Heinz. Need to try it some more with bacon next time.
(4)Alan G.
the burgers are good. I give them that. but the customer service and cleanliness is far from okay.
(1)Lisa C.
For "fast food" hamburgers they are great!! If you are looking for something simple and fast this is the place to go :)
(4)Sarah R.
I'm surprised no one here is talking about cleanliness. We were lured in by the architecture, fonts and light fixtures which are awesome. Once we got inside we could see the charm under all the dirt, but man, is there dirt. At first I tried to ignore it but you really can't escape the build up if your eyes are open. By the time we got our food I was wondering if we should eat it. The food was fine. Nothing special. The only noteworthy thing was our shake - it was super thick, just the way it should be. Not especially malty, but thick.
(2)Nate B.
I've been going to Oscar's since before I was born. Back in 1983, when my mom was pregnant with me, she would get a craving for a milk shake and hit up the drive-through. As a kid, my uncles and other family members would take me there to get my hot dog fix (plain on the grill please!) while they picked up their lotto tickets. I took my Berkeley High junior prom date there on prom night, and I was there when a motorcyclist held them up at gun point from the drive-through. Although I never really grew out of my hot dog phase, my go-to meal became a hamburger, fries, and coke (not a fan of american cheese). Now I know I'm probably somewhat biased because of the history I have with the place, but before you skip ahead to the next review hear me out. Here's what makes Oscar's the best: 1.) Grilled over the open flame (think about it, most places cook their burgers on a skillet) 2.) The perfect combo of the 1/3lb patty, bun, and shredded lettuce (along with the onion and tomato, for some reason it just goes together really well) 3.) The mayonnaise is delicious, too, now that I think about it. 4.) The big windows and corner location make for good people watching, or you can roll the dice and entertain yourself with a game of Hotspot (they have CA Lottery and Hotspot amongst other gambling options. Don't forget to order at the grill then pay at the register (you used to get in trouble if you messed that up)!
(5)Knickerbocker R.
This is an old place that you go there for what it is. I thoroughly enjoyed my steak sandwich and fries. My fiance enjoyed his burger and fries. It hit the spot. I will visit again.
(3)Michael O.
I am a burger lover, my mother fed me burgers in the womb and my grandmother fed me burgers as a toddler. It is extremely rare for me to not like a burger, something I unfortunately have experienced now twice in the bay area. Oscar's service is mediocre, not horrible but nothing special. They're usually out of bacon or shakes when I want to spice up my meal. Further more the food is no where near filling for its price. A double cheeseburger and fries cost nearly $11 (no drink) and I feel more hungry than before the meal. The taste of the actual burger is again... mediocre. Oscar's itself isn't bad but given that you have Barney's up the street and Bburgermeister down the street it just doesn't compare. I can spend around the same price and be 3 times as satisfied at either. I simply do not understand the appeal of this place.
(2)Joe Y.
I love this place...why? because... ... it is probably the most CONSISTENT burger spot I have yet to visit. ...it is damn darn delicious! ...it is very conveniently located off of shattuck. ...it reminds me of getting a burger during a snowboarding trip. ...they are incredibly efficient, busy or not. anyway...that's all i want to say about that! cheers!
(5)Liz B.
This place isn't fancy, weird people like to sit there for hours sometimes and generally speaking the people working behind the counter want to be there about as much I would if I were working there. However, these things don't change the fact that these burgers are goddamn delicious. I don't care that there is dust on the over-head lamps because I never eat there, I take my food elsewhere and enjoy my burger and fry deliciousness. They also get points for eventually remembering who I am and just making my order without having to say a word. Legit.
(4)Noah C.
My uncle went to this burger joint 25 years ago, so I thought it'd be worth checking out seeing that it survived long enough to still exist today. The place is a small and quaint looking restaurant with plenty of indoor seating. The grill is out at front so you know what you're eating, and everyone working there is extremely friendly. Like I always do when I first try out a new place, I went all out. I got the double cheeseburger with bacon, french fries, and the milk shake. The burger is DELICIOUS. Best burger I've had in Berkeley so far. It's easily better than Manhattan Grill and Bongo (all the fellow Cal students know what I'm talking about). The fries were good too. Only advice....don't get the shake. It was very tasty, but it was $3 and extremely small. This made my meal cost much more than it should have. Without the shake, it would have been perfect. Overall, let's just say I'm coming back to Oscar's.
(4)Julie C.
I'm almost ashamed to admit that yesterday was my first visit to Oscar's despite all the time spent in Berkeley over the last two-plus decades. Initiation complete! We almost got killed by a Lil Wayne lookalike and his crony driving in the wrong way in the parking lot(a parking spot is a rarity in Berkeley so an added bonus.) But we survived to walk into the old burger joint. Some tatted up dudes take your order right at the grill and proceed to cook up your traditional diner eats(including the buns) over an open flame . I had the turkey burger and the kid had a hot dog and we shared the fries. Cooked to perfection with that wonderful BBQ smell. Oscar's has been around since 1950 and that Cal banner near the bathroom looks like it's been there since then, too; it's practically gray and brown, rather than blue and gold. The bathroom is not pristine especially since homeless folks and even a postman drop in just to use the facilities. Nevertheless, I'm willing to overlook that for an old-fashioned lunch.
(4)Bill C.
Service is a bit rude. Burgers are great though. I get the feeling that this place has the feel of a old school burger joint. I recommend the burgers but don't be surprised if you aren't treated like a customer.
(2)Dorothy M.
FILTHY! Clean the black grime off of the plastic ketchup and mustard bottles, for one thing, and clean the floors, doors and bathroom at least once a year! Come out from behind the grill, stop scowling at people and pick up a mop! Eat here at your own risk!
(1)Denis A.
I got sick terribly! I was craving a cheeseburger, and my kid's mom was craving a veggie burger. We figured ok, so this place is similar to Nation's--wrong! I should've payed attention to my instincts when the bathroom at this establishment was so NASTY, my kid's mom came back from the bathroom saying she would wait till we got home to go. And if you got a little one that needs a diaper change, this is the last place you want to do it. Suggestion: If you plan to eat here, make sure you do not use the bathroom, you just might lose your appetite. Two hours after dinner, both my girl and me were sweating and nauseous. Stay away!
(1)N. R.
Was not impressed- at all. They weren't busy, and I now see why. Average food and unfriendly service. I really had my hopes up because I'm new to the Berkeley area, and love almost everything else about it. Very disappointed.
(2)Rachel C.
Looks like a dive from the outside but pumps out the best burger in Berkeley on the inside. I conveniently live down the street from Oscar's which is both a blessing and a curse. The smell from Oscar's ruminating from the street always gets the best of me when I'm hangry (anger brought on by hunger) and walking home from BART. Walk up to the grill, order a cheeseburger with everything on it and fries, you won't be dissapointed. This burger joint as been around for decades and their seasoned grill shows off why this place is still alive and kicking. Oscar's is my knight in shining armor when you're in the mood for a solid burger or when you're trying to nurse a hangover.
(4)Septima W.
Just a regular burger joint! I had a turkey burger and though big and juicy, a few times I did spit out some fillers! The male cashier was a little weird upon payment and he wasn't even around to give me or the three customers after me our food when it was ready! The cook had to do it.
(2)Michelle L.
I had the veggie burger, and sampled a friend's fries. Verdicts? Veggie burger: Delicious. Massive. Cheap. (not the horrible boca crap). In other words, everything I would ever want in a vegetarian burger. Fries: Disappointing, really. They were really thin cut and crispy, but seemed to be completely lacking seasoning; I guess they're all right for those who are watching their sodium intake (though if you're trying to be health-conscious, maybe a burger joint is not your best bet...?) Would come back again, but just not order the fries (fine by me anyway, that burger is more than enough to fill me up)
(4)Olga J.
I don't think I've been served a burger by ruder people. 1 star for the boys at the grill/till. But I don't think I've had a tastier burger either! So 5 stars for the filling, awesome-tasting burger. I only added some cheddar to the already perfect combination of tomato, lettuce, mayo and sweetest-ever onion. So overall 3 stars to be fair. But personally (and unless the rude guys actually punch me or smth!) I'll be going back cause now i'm a slave to that taste.. PS. Burger plus cheese and fries: short of 9$. Pretty fair!
(3)Henry T.
Decent burgers. Nothing special, nothing bad...just decent. I was already on Northside so I decided to stop by for a quick bite. They grill their burgers as you order and they come fairly quickly. Back in Long Beach you see these small burger joints having some special "house" sauce of some sort that makes them unique from your typical fast food burgers, or other burger joints. Oscar's has none of that. Just a typical decently-sized patty with chopped lettuce and sliced tomatoes. Also, very nice service and workers. That's always a plus in my books.
(3)Augusto T.
Decent fast food style burgers, disappointing fries and shakes, not cheap enough. Oscar's was the first restaurant I ever tried at Berkeley. It was the first restaurant I noticed when I arrived and I was starving. I did not remember to much about my experience, so I decided to check it out for a second time. The place is pretty casual; you order and pick-up your food at the counter. The food is made to order, so it is definitely fresh. My bacon cheeseburger was satisfying. Fries were disappointing because it is obvious they were at some point frozen and in a plastic bag. The milkshake was not particularly special. My meal ended up costing around $12 which was a bit steep for the quality of the food. If you want a burger that is a just step up from McDonald's, Oscar's is probably your best choice in Berkeley.
(2)Kevin E.
I've loved this place for over 20 years. simple, good burgers. no gimmicks.
(5)Kalun C.
Best bacon cheese burger with fires
(4)Cady T.
This was my go-to burger place while I was at Cal. Maybe that has to do with it being 3 blocks from my house, but this place has great grilled burgers, fries and shakes. Definitely ask for the fries freshly cooked and salt them right when they hand them to you--for some reason they do not salt their fries!
(4)Tortoise S.
Employees rude? Well, you could certainly take it that way, but indifference is more apt. I have been eating at Oscar's for about 30 years and remember the cool "Top Dog" kind of guys who used to work there. They are long gone along with the decent prices. But something happened there tonight which will make me never go back: The big cook who may or may not owner of the place goes to the back of the restaurant and takes a huge blow from his nose into a napkin. Ok, he has a cold and has to blow. Two things here...if I can see him, he can see me. If I worked in a restaurant anywhere west of Kabul, I would at least hide my snot activity and second I would wash my hands after the deed. He did neither, going back to the grill and handling some poor guys buns and veggies. I waited until he left (the guy scares me and Mr. Sunshine would have told me to F myself anyway) and mentioned this to his employee who took it all in but will probably never mention it to his boss. Which is why I am writing this. You can see by my reviews I don't like to give bad ones and I will miss Oscar's not only for their burger, but also the Hot Spot keno and my memories growing up in Berkeley. I have eaten food around the world handled by more questionable people that this idiot while flies buzzed all over it...in third world countries. Last time I checked Berkeley was not in that category. If I'm going to pay $4.50 for a medium sized burger I don't want germs in it. (PS, I've only had food poisoning twice in my life and one was from Oscar's back in the mid 80's under the former owner).
(1)Sandra C.
Yay! best american meal I ever ate! Cons: Not very friendly staff
(4)Alex H.
Better than Five Guys. Better than In-n-Out. I get the burger with fries and a vanilla milkshake every couple weeks on nights when I work late and don't feel like left overs or cooking. Always hits the spot!
(4)Jeremy G.
Plain and simple. And overpriced. 7.65 for a double cheeseburger. Just because you toast the bun on the grill does not mean you should charge me 2 dollars more. Was it better than a whopper? A little. The price really killed the taste for me. I should have been able to walk away with burger, fries and drink for under 10 bucks not almost 14. On the positive, the milkshake was made right in front of me and passed the test. Also the banter between the cook and the cashier was mildly entertaining.
(3)Gregory G.
Been going here since 1978 when I went to Berkeley. Is SUPER consistent. I come here whenever I come back to visit. Burgers, fries are the best. Love the vibe. I hope Oscar's is around longer than I am!!!!!!
(5)Maureen H.
I live around the corner from this place and am totally in love. I walked by it every day weighing my options but as a newbie to the Bay Area I thought I shouldn't waste my time on what is clearly a dive. BUT WAIT. One day in a fit of hanger and exhaustion I got a burger and low and behold it was all the things a burger should be. It was cooked to greasy perfection, with all the toppings I could possibly want. My roomate claims "they haven't cleaned the grill in 10 years - in a good way' I am totally won over. It's no super gourmet place, but for a comfort burger this place is the best. Also - drive up window? so awesome!
(4)John P.
Came for the lotto and stayed for the burger and fries. Price was good, but portion small and I got sick after. 2 stars instead of 1 because the owner is a cool character.
(2)Marakia R.
Consistent burgers. I can always count on Oscars tasting the same and having the same service.
(4)Heather S.
If you're looking for a burger (kinda like burger king) or a hotdog (kinda like Kaspers) I'd say drop in if you're in the area. Their fries are awesome, and the milkshakes aren't bad. It's just a quick place to grab a bite at a descent price.
(3)Rick S.
I was weaned here, but unfortunately it hasn't improved with age. The burgers are unique and good, but lately the have overpriced themselves. Service has always been meh or rude except by owner. I so wish this was my Berkeley goto burger place, but it isn't. 5 star prices, 2 star everything else
(2)Hilda Z.
I was hunkering for a dog. Oscars makes a a damn good dog too. After a trek around the downtown area I was feeling like I needed a hot dog and this place did not disappoint. The big hunks of tomato are the best. I recommend this place for a fast food experience without the the gross fast food flavor.
(4)Lisa N.
GREAT food. GREAT service. LOVE it when the guy grilling doesn't put up with morons and lally gaggers; you don't know what you want, the he skips you and won't return until everyone else is served. Hopefully this will weed out the stupid and those flower power, touchy feely types.
(5)Jennifer L.
I can't say that I fell in love when I had a burger from Oscar's, but it was a burger. That's right, I watched it being cooked, and I am sure that it was a 100% meat, with no corn syrup, soybeans, and other such things that make burgers, not really burgers.
(3)Tom I.
Decided to finally give this place a try a few days ago after passing by a couple of times. It doesn't look like much on the outside, but the burgers are actually really good. Definitely don't let the looks of the restaurant make you think it's not worth it, because the burgers are cooked just the way you like. I guess there's a reason why this place has stuck around for so long.
(4)Eugene H.
My heart fills with joy when I see the little red basket filled with burger and fries. Sauteed mushrooms, aioli, blue cheese, and pineapple are not options on the menu, and I have no idea if the meat is organic/grass fed or where it came from. There are essentially only three options for your burger: cheese, bacon, more meat. Burgers are the 'smaller' 1/4lb patties that won't put you down for the rest of the day in food-coma--they're cooked on a grill and come out fast. The fries thin, crispy and awesome. This place is from an era when burgers were not fetishized and it's fantastic! It even has parking!
(5)George T.
Reliable for decent food and a lot of fries for the money. This used to be a student hang-out, but the crowd seems rougher and rougher.
(3)Lillian Z.
The restaurant is dirty - windows are dirty - floor is dirty. No one comes around to clean up the tables after people have left so there's trash on the floor, food left on the seats, etc. The veggie burger with cheese I ordered was pretty tasty - but I ended up with a nasty stomach later that night. I won't be going back to Oscar's.
(1)Wilhelm Y.
This scruffy looking restaurant on the corner of Shattuck and Hearst has been here forever. Well, maybe not forever but definitely for as many years as I've visited Berkeley. Yes, the building can use a bit of tidying up both inside and out, but this place kept me well fed back in the day. I returned to Oscar's recently just to relive some of those college memories. Nothing's really changed except for the food prices. You can order burgers, both single or double and with or without cheese. Good old processed American cheese is standard, but you can pay extra for pepper jack, cheddar, etc... Their burgers are good. There's nothing really special about the burgers, but they are definitely better than what you can get at the McDonald's one block over. You walk up to the grill and you place your order then you head on over to the cash register to pay for it all. Pretty easy! The burgers are flamed broiled and almost always broiled well. If you take your burger with everything it'll include mayo, shredded lettuce, sliced white onion and sliced tomato. There is usually an overabundant amount of lettuce so expect it to fall everywhere. If you order fries you'll usually get a generous portion. I like the fries more than I do the burgers. They're usually of the shoestring variety and they come out of the fryer crispy and unseasoned. I prefer my potatoes without salt or ketchup. The steak sandwiches are decent too. I never realized this place is actually called Oscar's Hot Dogs; I find it weird because they only serve one type of hot dog.
(3)James K.
Went for a group lunch with 12 people, happily surprised to find they actually had a lot of empty seats on a Friday at 12:30. Very simple menu: three burger varieties and fries. Sort of like In N Out but not actually as good or as cheap. Asian guy taking orders was perhaps trying to be funny, slightly mocking my request for no tomatoes/mayonnaise. (btw, I HATE MAYO). Then he actually got my order wrong and was still mocking me when I tried to get it corrected. Not funny dude. Turkey burger w/ cheese is OK. French fries are thin and crispy - definitely the highlight of the menu. Considering it only is tad better than MacDs, this place is expensive. It costs $11 for a cheese turkey burger + fries + soda.
(2)Jennifer W.
Straightforward menu with chicken sandwich, steak sandwich, veggie burger, cheeseburger, hamburger, hot dogs, fries, shakes, sodas, and not much else more. Everything on the burger means onions, tomatoes, and lettuce. Too bad no pickle. A typical meal consisting of a cheeseburger, fries, and a small fountain soda comes out to be $8.23 The burger patties are done right. It's not under or overcooked so there's lots of juice in it. Too much in fact. Too much oil too. Not long after I started on the burger, my hand was covered in grease and meat juice. They also use soft, light sesame buns, which I like. I always find it a little harder to eat when wheat buns are used. The burgers taste good overall. I love the fries. They are fresh and hot. They're cut real thin and I like slim fries. The place is relatively clean, the line is always short, and the food is always fast. They also sell California lottery tickets here.
(3)James B.
Yep, great burgers and quick service. Fries could be improved.
(4)Shahanee V.
It's been a hit and miss here at Oscar's. The veggie burgers range from really good to average at best. The best burgers come cranked out from the dude with the curly hair. Every other one has been blah. The fries are okay but I prefer Smokehouse's cheese fries. I didn't know there was a drive thru til recently which is something to keep in mind. All in all it's good. Come here if dude is working, and grab a veggie burger. It's more convenient to walk. Probably more worth it too if in the area, as the burgers vary.
(2)Charles F.
I love Oscar's. The burgers are my favorite anywhere. Fries can be hit or miss depending on how long they're cooked / how you like them. The chocolate shake with malt powder on top is a really good "secret menu" item. I could literally eat here several times a week without hesitation but I don't because that's just not right. All the guys who work here are very nice in a stoic burger joint guy sort of way. I hope to someday purchase my winning lotto ticket here so I can get on T.V. at Oscar's with my winning ticket!
(5)Kristy E.
This place has gooood burgers! It's the only one we've found YET in berkeley! However, if you go in late at night they run out bacon sometimes.. but They are still good without it!
(4)Adriana V.
I'm giving this place one star because of the poor hygiene/food safety standards. The guy flipping burgers (the burger flavor itself was a solid 2.5 stars) would put the Costco-type cheap burger patties on the grill (touching the paper/the raw meat) and then put buns on the grill, touching those with his hands. It's clear that if there's some sort of horrible bacterium in/on the meat, even if it's getting cooked, it's just hanging out on the bun. The service was neither friendly nor stand-offish, the price was a little, but not a lot, higher than I'd expect for what it was (about $8.62 for cheeseburger and a malted), and the atmosphere is alright. The malted wasn't great--the malt was lumpy and not well stirred in; the consistency itself was good and thick. I don't plan on going back, though, because of the food safety issue.
(1)Tiffany N.
I always remember passing by this place and thinking that it looked pretty sketchy. However, during our weekly lunch date, my boyfriend and I decided to try it out because he had been wanting to for a while. Personally, I enjoyed this little burger joint. It puts me back in time when technology wasn't what 80% of our focus was on all the time. As corny as it sounds, it's true. We made a simple order of two cheeseburgers, small fries, and a large lemonade. To order, you go straight up to the grill on the left, and then scoot on over to the register to the right. The guys behind the counter were casual, friendly, and got right to the point. If you like to go to BBQs with friends and family where you grill up some patties and hot dogs, you'd enjoy this place. The burgers were just that. It really felt like I was at a BBQ and was passed a plate with a cheeseburger. It was simple with the typical toppings - cheese, lettuce, tomatos, etc. I'm a simple burger kind of gal so it worked out well with me. The fries were good too. Crispy - just how I like them! I was practically in a food coma on my last bite. Very satisfying indeed!
(4)Elise M.
They have hot dogs? This place is all about the burgers... Thick, flavorful juicy burgers cooked up right in front of you by a dude that's been doing it for longer than I've been alive. They have the best fries in all of Berkeley, and a very very tasty (although pricey) chocolate malt. They also have one of the most annoyingly complicated and tiny parking lots and a ridiculous drive up window.
(4)AJ B.
Oscar's serves up a tasty burger fresh off a flaring grill. Fries and milkshakes round out my typical meal. The flavors are uncomplicated and delicious.
(4)Kimberly A.
Various kinds of burgers and stuff -- regular hamburgers/cheeseburgers, chicken burgers, hot dogs, steak sandwiches, etc. -- all grilled right in front of you after you order, so none of their food sits around. They also have shakes and malts, which are very tasty, but a bit small for the price. It's a very casual place. You order at the grill, then pay at the counter, then find a table and wait to go pick up your food. The ambiance is very 1950s/1960s, with old photos of Berkeley stuff on the walls. I like their burgers, because they are very fresh and not too greasy. I usually get cheeseburgers, and I like that they have various different kinds of cheese to choose from. Their fries, too, are less greasy than most, and I like that they allow you to salt them yourself, rather than assuming that everyone would like the same amount of saltiness. If you eat here often, you get to know the guys who work here, as there aren't many of them and generally only 2 work at any one time. The grill guy always greets us warmly (no pun intended, given that he's working over the grill), and it's a nice, homey, neighborhood kind of place.
(4)Dean M.
Too expensive for what you get and the table and condiment containers are always filthy. the most annoying thing is the fake ass "metal" vibe that a few employees give off. Bumping their shitty metal super loud while families line up for food. Such rebelswithoutaclue. I see a bright future at top dog for you guys.
(1)arun k.
I've been going here with my family since I was a tator-tot. This place serves the best damn burgers you're ever going to eat. There's magic in the grill and it gets cooked into the meat and then transferred to your taste buds when you eat it. Once absorbed it will travel to your bone marrow where it will slowly help to make you a better person. Eat here, you wont regret it.
(5)rosanna c.
There are those who fondly remember going to Oscar's since they can remember, and there are those like me who judge Oscar's for what it is: a no-frills hamburger stand. Everything is as you expect - meat, bun, tomato, onion, lettuce - that it's like eating a burger someone would barbecue at a house party. If you're in the area and are too lazy to cook a burger, head to Oscar's and you'll get a consistent, all-American burger. No truffle oil or duck fat here, but that's OK. Added bonus is that Oscar's has its own parking lot, and service is quick.
(3)David N.
They do have hot dogs. Foot long beef, flamed broiled, with basic condiments. Not too special, but ordering from the window is always a fun experience. Shakes, the basic trilogy of flavors: white, brown, and pink are good. Therefore, three stars, still.
(3)Derrek C.
I don't understand how this place stays in business. Simply stated, Oscar's is not very good. Their burgers are always cooked to a medium-well/well done, their fries are equivalent to slices of cardboard, and everything else you could pretty much make yourself for a well spent $3 (their steak sandwiches have some incredibly tough and low quality beef, comparable to leather, and their hot dogs . . . are just hot dogs). If you want burgers, head to Triple Rock, Barney's . . . anything but Oscar's.
(2)Jp K.
"Meh" about says it. It's not terrible, but for the price, In N Out wipes it out. Perhaps not fair, as INO is far from here, but, c'mon guys, a working stiff pays $8+ for a burger fries and coke, put some BOOP into it fer gawd's sakes. THAT's the biggest drawback to Oscar's - it lacks personality. Fries are good, but I had a weird experience; fries are meant to be LIGHTLY fried. Coooking them too much makes them hard. The first batch came out hard, I told them and they gave me some more, EXACTLY the same as the first batch. I gave up. It's like talking to someone who has no sense of another way. Lesson learned.
(2)Iknowasianfood C.
I love burgers and fries, if i had to choose a last meal, it would be a cheeseburger and fries. That said, this place gets an extra star bumping it up to three stars simply due to my love affair with grilled meats and fried potatoes. Otherwise, i was disappointed with the quality of the food i got here. I realize that this is a simple place, but i really thought that the quality of the meat could have been better. I liked the fact that they have a simple soft toasted bun as opposed to the fancier rolls some other places use, but i would probably choose to walk a few blocks further for a better quality burger. The fries i got were also a bit soggy. Overall, i would come back if i were too lazy to walk a bit further and really wanted my favorite meal, but hopefully, it's better the next time.
(3)Bryan S.
Oscar's is another place that requires you to readjust your mindset from "Iron Chef" to "Diners Drive-in and Dives". If you can do it (and it's easy for me), you will love this place. The perfect place for me to get a quick bite on Saturday mornings for College Football Gameday at home. All while hungover. -------- Double Hamburger with fries. I rarely deviated from that order, and for good reason. The perfect burger for me is charbroiled with two patties, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and no cheese. I once added the freshly fried french fries with salt on the burger, and that was probably the extent of my risk-taking with the burger. Really not much to say other than Oscar's makes really simple burgers for a low price and with great smoky flavor. -------- Miscellaneous: Out of one possible star: one star. The chefs memorize your order, and will often have it on the grill ready to go the moment they see you walk in. It has lead to mishaps on the couple of occasions I wanted a steak sandwich instead of a double ham, but they quickly put the right order on the grill. Also, if you get their late enough and they have a huge batch of fries that they need to get rid of, they will give you a brown bag full of hot fries on top of your order. That is, if you are a frequent enough of a customer. I used to live a house away from Oscar's, so you can imagine how many times this occured for me.
(5)Ron B.
This place is old school! I actually like the burgers here more than smokehouse. They aren't as fast as smokehouse but they are tastier. Fries are thin and crispy. They cook the burger all the way through but it still comes out tasty if your hungry or not hungry. This is the old fashioned turn and burn 1950's spot. Its got history. They have hot dogs also but the burger is the way to go.
(4)Jeff F.
Great Burgers and Fries! Have yet to try the shakes but I hear they godly in nature. The cook was a bit of a stiff but he cooked me up a delicious burger which satisfied my tummy. Food is reasonably priced and I will be back!
(4)Norman L.
The smell of grilled meat emanating from Oscar's makes me hungry every time I walk or drive by. You go in, you order at the grill, and then you pay at the register. Their burgers and hot dogs are not bad. The hamburger patties are cooked over a charcoal grill so you get that "barbecuey" taste. For the hot dogs you could get them grilled or boiled. You have your typical condiments: lettuce, tomatoes, etc. All in all it's a good place to get a burger. Note: There's parking. Yey!
(3)Jane H.
This place has great food, as long as you're looking for a diner-esque experience. The theme of their menu seems to be "greasy and bad for you, but delicious." Steak sandwich = not as good as the burgers; the steak isn't high enough quality to make it worth it. Fries = delicious and given generously (one order should be enough for two people). Burger = good, but nothing above average, really (but I think all burgers are delicious). I ordered a bacon cheeseburger but they didn't have much bacon, only crumbs. I suspect I would've enjoyed my burger more had they come through on the bacon... Service = average. The dudes I saw behind the counter seemed like nice dudes, a bit aloof, who probably don't cook much beyond making burgers at the shop. What I didn't like: they were selling cookies from Safeway (or some other grocery store), right out of the packaging they came in, with the price marked out with a pen. Come on, guys, bake your own cookies! Or at least disguise the fact that you just bought them from down the street for $5 when you're selling them for an inflated fee in your store!
(4)Mace M.
I came in with a couple friends for the first time last week. I had cheeseburger, fries and a shake and it was all good. It's the old school classic burger kinda place: burgers, hotdogs, shakes, fries. They keep it simple, but good. I heard the veggie burger is pretty good too, so I gotta check that out next time I'm there. Great service, good fuckin food, what else do you need?
(5)Peter J.
One of my fav burger joints in the east bay so far. Been eating here for the past 5 years and never a dissapointment. Been like 3-4 years since I eaten here and they have BACON!! Wonder if it was because I asked for bacon everytime I was there. Quick Flame Briled burgers A OK.
(3)Helen I.
French fries, extra ketchup, and a fatty ass chocolate milkshake. Essentially a done deal. The best milkshakes are the kind that are so thick your cheeks have to pucker in order to sip up any milkshake up the drinking straw. Puckered cheeks while drinking an Oscar's shake? You bet. I like to believe that any small, run-down place with smoke piping out the top of a roof is bound to satisfy my palate. Oscar's has not let me down.
(4)R. G.
Dig the indoor grill, it's fun to gander as my raw beef metamorphosizes into a burger. Every now and then I feel like my burger is a bit overcooked, but much like "Highlander" there can be only one grillmaster... and I ain't got the spatula! Tasty burger, easy to get a seat... much less hassle than most things here.
(3)Qyv S.
Lately I've been on a quest for the perfect burger, and short of doing it myself at home, this is it. The perfect retail burger. Fresh meat, over charcoal flame, choice of cheese, and real, thick bacon. You get older, you have kids, and the next thing you know,a decade has gone by since you haven't been to Oscars. It might have been a long time since I ate here, but after the burger I just had, it won't be long before I'm back. Even my picky daughter has replaced her favorite burger joint, with Oscars. We we're just there yesterday, and my kids wanted to go back today.
(5)Nance H.
I didn't even know Oscar's sold hot dogs here, despite the name. The sign states they sell charbroiled burgers and I always thought that was it. Oscars=burgers. The burgers I've had here are mediocre. You want some burgers straight from a picnic bbq grill? Come here and you'll find some. The guy who rung me up seemed so unhappy to be there, I'd say he had a "customers piss me off" look. But, I didnt shy away, I ordered and sat down. The restaurant itself reminds me of an old western burger joint. One star for the sign outside that states they sell charbroiled burgers. I chuckle almost every time I see the sign, it's charbroiled just as the burgers are.
(2)Rachel A.
My soon to be ex coworker calls Oscar's the burger nazi. I ordered my burger with lightning speed. Oh the pressure of talking to the grill man then handing your money to the cashier man while the people behind you can't wait to get their burgers and the smoke is blowing in your face. This is indoor grillin! Take that Burger King and Bobby Flay! Mr. Cashier: Whatcha got? Moi: Turkey burger with cheese and an order of fries. [Next] Mr. Cashier: Whatcha got? Mon Amie: Cheeseburger and 2 small sodas. Mr. Cashier: No fries? Mon Amie: No fries. Mr. Cashier: You're only cheating yourself!! [BAMN!] [Next] Au contraire, mon frere! I bought the fries and my friend bought the drinks. You see we are like 2 peas in a pod, Forrest and Jen-nay, Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau, Lorelai and Rory, we got each other's backs. We like to share the fries. And while we both have the belly capacity to devour an order each, we like to save money and count carbs. Sharing is caring. Food also tastes better when it comes from someone else's plate. Bon appetit! Oui! Oui! ************************************************** edit: 10/11/07 I almost revised my review and gave Oscar's 5 stars but in the end they left out the bacon I ordered on my burger. After their orange glowing sunburst signs "Now serving BACON!!!!" mesmerized me- I was kind of disappointed. Each bite was good but in my head I knew it would be better with BACON! On a high note I watched the fry guy repeatedly burn himself as hot oil jumped out of the deep fryer. He kept saying to himself that whatever he was doing (refilling and frying fries) was not a good idea. Move over to the burger man and he is throwing his arm into the flames as he flips burgers and throws on cheese. Burning Man's got nothing on this guy. He also told us that he wouldn't not put lettuce on my friend's burger. Then he gives a sly smile. The serious guy can deliver a joke. Oscar's is always good for entertainment.
(4)Sheila S.
Greasy, yummy, goodness! I docked off one star because I wished the place was cleaner.
(4)F J.
I didn't even know they were called "Oscar's Hot Dogs" since I only get burgers here. Reminded me a ton of Blimpy Burger in Ann Arbor, MI. I kind of wish this place was a couple blocks down where the McDonald's was because the food and whole vibe just blows that place out of the water. There's even a drive-through - even the McDonald's here doesn't have that! I mean, it's not fabulous gourmet food or anything... but you're getting exactly what you want. Cheap (though becoming more expensive lately) and delicious burgers made right in front of you. If only they were open later.
(4)Ankl E.
Best Double Bacon Cheeseburger ever and the fries are always fresh & so delicious! The burger and the fries are a food coma guarantee for me. It's a genuinely juicy burger that will make your mouth water. I've had it twice in one week before and, just a little comparison for you in-n-out lovers (like me), Oscar's is WAY better. Whether you pre-order on the phone or order at the drive through window, you'll get your food in the same amount of time. I've never thought of this place as having fast service but it's probably because they're trying to give your food to you while it's fresh off the grill.
(4)Nehal N.
No frills, no bullshit GOOD OLD American burger joint. It looks like a burger joint from the 50s, but a little more run down! GET THE BACON CHEESEBURGER....it satisfies that dark deep craving for a damn traditional burger! They grill it on that open fire, and fry your fries in a vat of oil! No they don't serve Niman Ranch beef nor do they have sweet potato fries, this place serves MEAT like it was meant to be! Don't go into this place looking for a fancy-pants meal....and the only entertainment you'll get is the slow CA lottery screen rolling through numbers. A lot of the construction guys seem to roll through here for a hearty meal, so you know its good for workin days! This place is just good ol food, and if thats what you want.....its what you'll get!
(4)Pishi J.
Not impressive: The food (veggie burger & fries) was ok; however, the guy manning the cash register wasn't personable or very polite. He didn't crack a smile once to greet me and when I thanked him he was non-responsive. He apparently didn't get the memo about restaurants being a part of the *hospitality* industry. Aside from that, the place is a little grimy. The ketchup & mustard containers had a layer of grime, as did the chairs, which I might overlook if the price and staff were better. I paid nearly $10 bucks for a nothing-to-write-home-about veggie burger, fries, and medium soda. Food is fuel but we decide to dine in for the atmosphere and ambience. This place is lacking that so I won't be going back.
(2)jian j.
Rating only on French Fries. It was terrible. Not made of real potato chips. Hate it.
(2)Eric F.
[DOUBLE BACON CHEESEBURGER] Okay, this will be brief, because there's not much to say about Oscar's. Just your regular old diner--complete with pictures from when it first opened--with its regular old diner fare: classic burgers and hot dogs. You can see everything get cooked out in the open: the huge grill, the vat of oil for your fries. The food is pretty good if you're in the mood for it, alright if you're not, and kinda meh if you start thinking about how it's several dollars more than you'd usually pay for a burger/fries elsewhere. I found myself returning with takeout from Oscar's one night and getting a call from friends who were making an In-N-Out run at the same time. Sorry, Oscar, but no contest.
(3)Alicia C.
Fills a craving for traditional, greasy, American burger. The surroundings leave a little to be desired (worn out "decor," lotto kiosk, and sticky ketchup/mustard bottles), but the burger was fresh, the fries crispy, and the coca-cola cold. My honey and I both ordered a no-frills cheeseburger, a side of fries, and a large coke. Delicious, cheap, and fast.
(3)sunshine w.
i love this place. it is so old time it makes it fun. I go here every time i am nearby and always take my young cousin here for a cheap lunch. they don't care if she spills he coke all over the floor. The come out and clean it up with a smile.
(5)Sean T.
I've gotten both a double cheeseburger and a steak sandwich here. The double costs $6.85, the steak sandwich $6.50. Both taste fairly good, but the ingredients don't come together well. The meat and vegetables coexist instead of blending for a unified taste. There also isn't enough meat in either; I was still hungry after eating them. This is slightly mitigated by the fries, which are nearly flawless: nicely cut, not overly greasy, and crisp with good flavor. There's also a lot of them for $1.85, so you might want to split an order with someone else. Service is pretty efficient; you first line up to the left of the grill and place your order with the grill cook. The staff seems to be different for lunch and dinner; at lunch during my visit today, the cook was a bald asian guy. He was fairly nice and clear with getting orders, though a bit curt. After you order, the line moves towards the register. The cashier during the same visit was talkative and nice; he struck up a long conversation with an old customer about Cal football for five minutes while they were waiting for his food to finish being made. He was also pretty welcoming to someone who said she was visiting the area again after moving to South Carolina. The tables and overall place aren't the cleanest, as if there's a slight layer of grease and dust everywhere, but I did see a busboy cleaning off used tables with a wet cloth after people left. Check it out for the experience and decent food, but expect to be a little disappointed by the portions, too.
(3)Desmond N.
I can haz cheeseburger!
(4)Matt S.
Never had a hot dog at Oscar's, burgers are always good though. Limited menu, but they are cooked when you order. Like another user put it, "No frills, no bullshit GOOD OLD American hamburger joint."
(4)Joy C.
I can't believe I've lived in the bay area all of my life, and have never eaten here! My fiance finally convinced me to try it, and I love the food! Reasonably priced no-frills burgers, which are well done and tasty.
(5)Lane W.
Oscar's features a menu so simple a caveman could order from it---burger, fries, shakes, and the steak sandwich (more on that later). Inside, you are, um, magically transported back to a time when the cold war was still cold, McCarthyism was the new fad, and diners were apparently cool. The steak sandwich was underwhelming -- the bun looked like it had been purchased at Safeway, the lettuce wasn't fresh, onions were raw, and the steak portion was meager. At $6.50, I could probably find a better sandwich within walking distance for nearly the same price. The fries were ok -- but its pretty difficult to mess up anything that goes into a deep fryer. The shake, to be fair, wasn't tested on this trip. On a separate note, there was a Cal ice hockey jersey on the back wall....did anyone else know we had a hockey team?
(1)Cher T.
I went to Oscar's for lunch. I drove from Hayward due to my fond memories. The service was horrible. I ordered a hot dog and French fries. They serviced everyone around me. It took about 15 minutes for me to realize what was going on. The people that came in after me and ordered for 3 people, received their order. I was still waiting. I gave up and left. Sadly, I won't ever return there again.
(1)Mike C.
The prices have gone up considerably during the four years I've been going here but... Oscar's makes the single best chicken sandwich I've ever had. It might not be for everyone, but it's certainly for me. I get the chicken and swiss with the works, sometimes with bacon as well. Depending on who is working the grill, I rarely even have to order it. I walk in, nod, he nods, and the chicken goes on. Next, I get a medium Pibb, pay up, and I'm good to go.
(5)Nick G.
Decently ordinary, nothing special kind of burger. Regular bun, regular meat, kinda boring... Don't get me wrong, it isn't bad, but it's just so plain, like something I could grill with ease in my backyard. When I go out I look for something special and distinguishing in that place to bring me back, and there is none of that here... no personality... just a dependably good, well made burger at a slightly higher than usual price.
(2)S R.
I'm no health nut and I love a good burger, but Oscar's is the worst burger place I've ever visited. The burgers are flavorless, the price is wrong (maybe for 25 cents a pop it'd be OK), the dining area is filthy, and the place has a depressing bus-station feel to it. I don't get it. Is Berkeley is the one place where a business can get by on nostalgia alone? Are people so determined to give the finger to the uber-yuppiness of the Bay Area that they'd willingly return to this dump? Weird.
(1)Wendy L.
After walking by many, many times, my boyfriend and I finally decided to venture inside Oscar's and see what they had to offer. We were pleasantly surprised. :) Oscar's reminds me of Top Dog, because you order by telling the guy at the grill what kind of burger you want, plus any add-ons, etc. We both got veggie burgers, which were served with cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. Fries are about an additional $2; they were OK - nothing to write home about. However, for less than $5, you can get a fresh-off-the-grill burger with all the fixings. So walk that extra block from McDonald's...you won't regret it!
(4)Sagruilla P.
They put a meat hamburger instead of a veggie burger in the to-go order. This isn't the first time that they have messed up an order. The people who work there just don't seem to care. They also don't have onion rings on the menu, and the food lacks salt. Veggie burgers tend to be dry, and the meat patties do not taste like anything more than raw onions (this is from a secondary source). It isn't a bad place to have nearby, but there are other better options in the area. We probably won't go back again for a long time.
(2)Gaby R.
I've known since I was just a kid that Oscar's is for real; McDonalds couldn't tempt me with their stupid Happy Meal. These guys make basic chocolate shakes and awesome, crispy fries; the decor may be dingy, but I don't eat with my eyes. These days I'm in the neighborhood, so when the wind's my way I smell their burgers calling me...it always makes my day.
(4)Lauren S.
Wow unenthusiastic service on the grill... However, the food is good, and prices are extremely reasonable, so I'll be going back. I also kind of dig the old school nothing-fancy atmosphere of the place.
(4)Ashley R.
I don't know how they do it, but you can smell what's cookin' at Oscars from blocks away. And believe me, what they cookin' ain't bad neither. I pass by Oscar's on my way home from school and sometimes when I'm really hungry I'll just stare in the window at the grill like a sad puppy locked out in the rain. The I'll go home and grumpily eat a salad, or something, and wish I had just given in and gone to Oscar's. Today I was really upset and felt like said sad puppy so I was escorted to Oscars to get out of the rain with a little cheer-up lunch. Its a grungy little place with the classic fast food fare. There's nothing fancy about this place, but that's what makes it what it is. I don't think many people know it, but it actually has a drive thu! Its one of the only places on Shattuck with a parking lot which is pretty convenient for such lazy-ass city drivers, like myself. My burger and fries were fresh and warm off the grill. I downed my large diet coke like it was going out of style. I wasn't blown away with my food, but I left much happier and satisfied with my quick, tasty meal.
(3)Laura V.
The place is alright if you want to satisfy the craving but I wouldn't go back again if I had more time to walk a couple blocks further. Service: You wait in line and watch them cook the meat in front of you. I rarely see a crowd in there. Food: Low quality meat, greasy, but juicy.
(2)Robert R.
Scenario: Oscar's used to be along my walk home (no, not the walk of shame). I couldn't help but stop and eat here... the smell of grilled beef pervades a 3 square block area around it! Product: "Old-fashioned" char-broiled burgers. These babies are cooked over an open flame, no square patty greasy cess-pool burgers here. It tastes like a back yard burger would taste. They have extras, like bacon, but I think those cost a bit too much. They have chicken, which understandably takes a bit longer to cook properly. They grill the buns. Fries come unsalted for customization but I think the fries and shakes are a bit over-priced. Service: Cooked right before your eyes so you know it's fresh. Other than that it's a seat- and bus-yourself diner. Atmosphere: The wafting scent drags you in and if you're a Cal fan the memorabilia on the wall keeps you there. If not, the non-fast-food, better than Barney's burgers retain you. The place looks kind of dingy from the outside, like maybe it belongs in Chicago or NY, but inside it's a standard diner. Uniquity: You can't get lost trying to find the place... just follow the aroma.
(4)Jonas E.
I didn't know this place was called oscar's hot dogs but I went here after a Cal game and had a double cheeseburger with fries and a small drink. I really like the quality of the burger and the fries aint too bad either. The only thing that kind of bothered me is the guy who put the burger patties and buns over the flame grill. This guy had dirty hands. I was thinking I might have the runs after I ate this burger but I didn't. Anyway i would go here for a late night burger but theres a lot of places to eat in Berkeley and this one can be easily missed if you don't research your food places right because you might eat at Mcdonalds and see that there was a better heart attack option up the street.
(4)Kitty N.
It's a very good, old-fashioned, no-frills burger place. Had a bacon cheeseburger and soda, the burger was good, the tomatoes on the burger juicy & tasty, and the bacon was perfectly crisp. I snitched a few of my friend's fries, and they were ok - not too bad, but a little disappointing compared to the burger. The place should have big fat steak fries.
(4)Kim-van T.
This place is pretty decent when you're hankerin for a burger and fries. The portion is not crazy out of this world but it's not hobbit sized like In-n-Out either. The burgers here are delish because they're grilled and the meat has that yummy smoky grilled flavor. The fries are shoestrings - perfectly fried (although bland - i had to add a double dose of salt). At $1.85 Oscar's would have become my default fries stop - but lack of salt makes me say otherwise - sigh, the search continues! Perfect meal for lunch and there's practically no wait time! If you do have to wait - buy yourself a lotto ticket or have a quick chat with the staff - they're super friendly.
(3)Nuri K.
Oscar's is your favorite picnic memory, on crack. After dozens and dozens of burgers consumed from this gritty joint, I finally stumbled onto that lightbulb moment yesterday. Why do I like Oscar's so much, even if I could pretty much get all of their products at my local Costco, even if said store-bought burger will cost me almost five dollars when Nation's can do it for about three, even if I'm pretty sure that the guys who work here don't wash their hands after their cigarette breaks? Because that grill takes you back to those favorite childhood moments of sun and fun. Except the burgers taste so much better, because Oscar's grill has something magic about it. I'm amazed to see how much juice can be retained in that standard, frozen patty. Compare to Barney's burgers, which consistently lack that special juiciness despite the fact that they are made from better quality meat and are always cooked medium or thereabouts. You get to sense just how amazing that one piece of equipment is even before you approach the corner of the block-- the smoke will be wafting along, thick and black. To some, that may signal health hazard, but it lets me know I'm home. Everything is old school-- a generous shmear of mayo, shredded iceberg lettuce, tomato slices, and a whole slice of onion that rubs up against the charbroiled patty and becomes something else in and of itself. Be generous with the ketchup bottle in the burger and with the salt shaker on the fries, which are thin-cut and nicely crispy; they'll need some extra love. But aside from the condiment adjustments, Oscar's is perfect to me. And I figure the cigarettes just add to the flavor.
(4)Joel W.
A Berkeley establishment. I have been going to Oscar's since I was a kid in the 1970s. Besides the addition of some flat screen TVs the place looks and tastes the same, which is a good thing. If you want a basic, but tasty burger this is the place. There's nothing like a char broiled burger with plenty of mayo. The one drawback is that the fries are cooked with little to no salt. A little salt and ketchup can quickly solve that problem.
(3)Mitsunori N.
The hamburger is cooked just after the order. It tastes really good!
(5)Jonathan D.
After going to the new location of Rocky's Burgers and Cheese Steaks on Shattuck in S. Berkeley, I had to return to Oscar's and while Oscar's is much closer to me, has a much, hmmm, simpler menu, and has a drive-thru which really multiplies the convenience factor I will probably stick with Rocky's for the foreseeable future. The only reason I might return to Oscar's without some mitigating circumstance would be if the situation demanded a double meat- double cheese kind of meal where grease is guaranteed to drip down both arms. Doesn't even sound appetizing at the moment, but I know me and I know there are times... I really was wavering between the 2-star and the 3-star vote, but I do like the fact that there are acceptable hamburger joints at either end of Shattuck so that I am never too far away from a burger fix and for that reason (relative geographic convenience) I moved it to 3-stars.
(3)Larry M.
Best burger in Berkeley!! My girlfriend loves the big hot dog!
(5)Rich H.
Summary: --*best* burgers at the price in Berkeley; gives Cafe Rouge a run for the money, too. Bistro Liaison across the street is not really competitive --very good fries, you can ask for them "well done" --takes Visa/Mastercard now, hooray! --parking typically easy in lot and also free, important in this area with parking enforcement hovering by your meter waiting for it to expire. --veg burger available --CostCo cookies (a positive thing) --if there's a typical Berkeley customer crowd, this is it (not to be confused with Southside Top Dog, which is a whole different demographic) --for those of you that don't think it has outdoor seating: uhh, there are tables and chairs on the sidewalk
(5)Joie P.
My bf introduced me to Oscar's a couple of years ago and I've loved ever since. It is located right on the corner of Shattuck and Hearst. It looks like something out of the 1950's. The place could use a makeover just to clean it up a bit. The bathroom is absolutely disgusting and I try not to use it if I can possibly help it. But I digress, I go to Oscars for the burgers, and oh do I love the burgers. They are consistently juicy and cooked to perfection on an open charcoal fired grill. The french fries are crispy and never too oily. We aren't in Berkeley often but when do go we always make a stop at Oscar's and you should too!
(4)Ryan Y.
This is as straightforward as 'good' burger joint gets.You order, they charbroil to your liking and get good fries. I'd imagine this is what burger joints were like before mcDs ruined it all with mass production service. It's no barney's but your wallet will know it well. it says hotdogs, but they're known for burgers. go figure
(3)Christopher G.
The food tastes pretty good, that's about all this place has going for aside from a decent atmosphere. Everything is overpriced, the shakes are small, and the food tastes good. Not worth the money, the long wait, or the meager sides. Though I did see a homeless man get yelled out of there while he asked for change. Halfway through he started saying what Oscar was going to say (guess it wasn't the first time!)
(1)Allison R.
I don't get the hype about this place. Is it the nostalgia factor? It felt more like an outdated, misplaced hang-out for transients. Maybe the prices? I mean, they're a little cheaper than some burger joints but good god, this place just reeks of... mediocrity. Same old kleenexy burger buns, same old tasteless veggies, same old burger patty as every other place. The fries are decent but, again, you could get the very same ones elsewhere. I will give them the credit of not reeking of week-old, burned oil like Bongo Burger does, but do yourself a favor and head down the street to Triple Rock for much tastier fare and even a beer.
(2)Howard C.
Average burgers and fries at best. The patty in my cheeseburger was dry, and the only reason I actually finished the burger was because I put ketchup on it before every bite. Fries were okay, a little overfried in my opinion. I would rather drive to Oakland for In-N-Out.
(2)Quantum L.
Wow!! Berkeley proves itself to be the fascist anarchist state that it is!! It's so far left that it comes back around and knocks on Mao Tse Tungs back door!! The people here prove it! I was hungry & running a little late today so I call my lunch ahead. I get there pay for my burger. The cashier guy gives me my change and was beginning to put my burger in the bag with the fries. He was fumbling around so I just told him to give me the burger. I was just going to unwrap it and chuck it down my mouth anyway... Well I suddenly became the target of a 25-ish yr old, tall lanky goofy twirp w/ tattoos all over his arms. He was 10 feet away flipping the burgers!!! Soon as this fascist moron heard me ask the cashier to just hand the burger over to me, he runs over: "Uh, excuse me you're going to have to take the burger in the bag." I'm like, "what are you talking about?" The sniveling goof ball fascist wad says: "Uh, we have to put the burger in the bag." I'm like "what?!!! What are you talking about?!!" He goes "you got to put the hamburger in the bag." Thoughts were quickly flashing in my mind, "why don't you just pay attention to flipping burgers, punk?!" What?!!!! What? Am I hearing this?!! What kind of idiots have inherited this f*%&#ing town, this earth?!!!! What a moron!! Then I ask, "so if I decide to sit down and eat my food real quick, I can't do it because I called in ahead?!!" Then this cocky, queer, anarchist, fascist punk has the nerve to say, "oh, never mind if you're just gonna be a dick about it." Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha,!! I couldn't believe my ears!! What an insolent punk f-wad!! I did nothing to provoke this punk masturbator to elicit such a comment, and look at him!! I was so blown away by the audacity of this imbecile!! Huh!! Maaaan, what an idiot!! I just said, "you have the job you deserve, punk!" He just smiled in a stupid sarcastic manner. Then I told him to take wrist yoga to because he's so stupid he's gonna be flipping burgers a long time!"
(1)Kristen D.
I would give this place zero stars if I could. Actually, I didn't manage to eat here. After waiting a good ten minutes for the grill guy to take our order, he skipped right over us. What the hell, grill guy? He looked at me and blatantly did not serve us. After realizing the food safety issues that others pointed out (he is handling raw meat and buns with his bare hands), I'm glad. I will never eat here.
(1)Nicole W.
This place has pretty good burgers and are priced decently. Once you get used to the slightly strange smell, burger joint grows on you. The smell is probably due to it being so old or something. They have outdoor seating and it's cool that it's been around for so long. They cook the burgers right in front of you too, which is always nice since you never really know what is going on in most kitchens.
(3)James Y.
Hot dogs? pfft, burgers, man...burgers. That's all you need from this place. Nothing else that's worth complimenting about this place, but if you want a straight up delicious, flamebroiled cheeseburger, then Oscar's is where you need to be.
(5)diana s.
OH my GOD, disaffected surly youth of today! If you don't WANT to work at Oscar's, DON'T work at Oscar's! Jesus! The milkshakes are $2.75. Ding! Worth it!
(3)Bella G.
This is a lo-fi, no frills burger joint, plain and simple. Maybe plain and simple is the problem, though. The cheeseburger, dressed with lettuce, tomato, onion and condiments, was underseasoned, if seasoned at all. The fries were abundant, but once again, the lack of salt made the fries taste flat. Unsalted fries are not a problem, though, since you can add the salt to taste, but the texture wasn't crisp, and that can't be remedied by sodium. For six bucks and some change, the meal was filling, and with a dash of salt here and there, you've got yourself a burger that falls short of In 'n' Out, but still a decent value.
(2)Greg J.
After a disappointing experience at Nation's, I saw this place and just couldn't pass up the opportunity to erase that experience from my mind. And with the amazing smell of grilled burgers and fries outside, how could I not go in? To really get a taste of the burgers, I ordered mine with nothing on it. A burger can't taste good if the meat doesn't. While I was disappointed to see that they served standard frozen patties, it was heartened by the fact that they were cooked over CHARCOAL and not on an electric griddle. The charcoal flavor made up for the frozen patty as the burger was quite tasty. The fries were of the shoestring variety (the only kind I'll eat) and were plentiful, hot, and crisp. They were nothing short of the perfect side for the burger. I almost liked the fries more than the burger, but not quite. My only negative is that they could do a better job of cleaning the place. The floor was really dirty. It made me wonder if they bothered to mop it every night or not. The exhaust system is amazing, as you don't smell much of the french fry oil or the burgers cooking. Its when you are outside of the restaurant that you really get the smell. Overall, its a great spot to stop for a quick burger. If I'm in the area, I'd definitely go again. Besides, I still have to try the milkshakes!
(4)Lina W.
For some reason, I was craving a burger. Nothing too fancy, just your simple meat-lettuce-tomato-onions burger. And that's exactly what I got at Oscars. It was a good decent-sized burger... the kind that fills you up but does not leave you feeling stuffed. And the fries were good! Crispy and fresh! What more can you ask for? And all the ketchup (and mustard) you want at your own table. They even have a small parking lot in the back!
(4)Salma R.
I love Oscar's! I have to agree with some of the other reviewers though that it isn't the cleanest place (I too, have never seen the griller use gloves). But, it's a good way to boost your immunity! I frequently get cravings for a cheeseburger and In'N'Out just doesn't do it for me anymore-has to be Oscar's. I get the cheeseburger although the turkey burger is surprisingly good too. There is nothing else like this classic burger-also, I like that there are no pickles. Sure, it's a little plain on the inside but that adds to the charm! None of the flashy decor and trendy furniture. Just plain, no-nonsense charm-I'm plenty happy with the burger so I don't need anything to catch my eye too. I'd have to say, not a big fan of the fries-I find them pretty bland. Maybe it's just me though, as my friends can't say enough good things about those crunchy taters. Also, once the griller gave my friend and I free fries on purpose! :)
(4)Heather Z.
I've been wanting to try out this Berkeley institution for some time but wish I hadn't subjected my poor out-of-towner parents to the experience. On the positive side, our chicken sandwiches, burger, steak sandwich, and fries were tasty, but there's a catch or two. First, the service (at least on this occasion) was really disinterested, if not unfriendly. As there are no hours posted on the windows or doors, we didn't know if the empty (except for a guy behind the counter) diner was open. We tried the door to find it locked and were completely ignored by the employee. After taking a little walk around Shattuck, we saw tables had been placed outside Oscar's and tried the door again to find it open. We happily entered but still were ignored by the guy. We didn't hold it against him, taking our time to decide on our order, but stood staring at him a long time before he finally took the order. I think the whole time we were there, he may have only uttered two sentences to us. His partner ringing us up at the register was no better, pausing and leaving the register throughout the time we tried to tell him our order (even though we were the only customers in the building). Second, the restroom was disgusting. There was no evidence of it having been cleaned recently, despite the fact that we appeared to be the first customers of the day. Perhaps we caught Oscar's on a bad day, but I think I'll try elsewhere the next time I get a hankering for burgers and fries.
(2)John L.
This place has been around since I was a kid and really hasn't changed that much. Some new stuff on the menu and a different crowd but still just as good and cosistant as ever. Stopped in last night for a quick bite with my girl and her friend and they had the chicken sandwich - always a favorite. I had some fries - one ff was enough for all of us - they were perfect. Thin and crisp, hot and delicious. Just needed salt and katchup! So good I'm salivating just thinking about it.
(4)dj b.
ive been coming here since junior high. in high school, everyone used to mobb over extra hard in order to get lunch here and make it back in our alotted 30 min break. or was it 45 mins... i forget. and digress. ... but i think it was 30. yeah. pretty sure it was 30. in any case. the food has been super consistent in the 15ish years ive been frequenting oscars. i don't really get why other reviewers say they could find a better burger in the area. WHERE? barneys? they got good burgers but it's just a different type.(and more expensive) mc donalds? please. nations? they don't fire grill their burgers, put way too many onions, and their mayo is a little on the sweet side for me. in n out may kinda compare but they are no where near being considered "in the area" and side by side, oscars is more bang for the buck. the closest spot in relative proximity to oscars that might be comparable in food is smokehouse... ive been going there for longer than ive been going to oscars. and that spot is a) on the other side of town. b) has not been as consistent and in fact has gone down in quality c) even on their best day (in the late 90s) wasn't as good as oscars. so for a solid-hold-me-down burger that never fails, oscars is the spot. east bay kids who know the cutty spots will agree w/ me. even heads from the sco will admit oscars is a damn good burger. use your fries to scrape the cheese off your burger paper.
(5)Tu V.
This place serves hot dogs?! I seriously did know that in the two years I have eaten here. Anyway, Oscar's is not a bad place for some non-McDonalds hamburgers in Berkeley. If you're into the Super Lotto, they also have it here. The steak sandwich is not bad, but I'd stay away from the chicken sandwiches. Bland, if you ask me. I personally like the staff here because they've been around for ages and always treat their regulars with respect and friendliness. Oh yeah, they also have a drive-through so that's another plus if you're a lazy bastard. Other than that, Oscar's is just another Berkeley burger shack worth trying and checking out.
(4)Ryo M.
I used to think of this place as an average burger joint -- until the time I came here and was told that they were out of fries. How did they run out of fries by 4pm? They could've at least bought some Ore-Ida ripoff from the Safeway few blocks away. They could've at least apologized that they were out. Instead, the patrons around me got a nonchalant "the fries are on vacation" comment from the guy at the grill.
(2)Jericho S.
I am a burger fanatic--I'm very particular about what makes the perfect burger, and Oscar's gets it 100% right, even down to their attitude. Attitude, you ask? Well, once I was with a pal who wanted some pansy-ass grilled onions, so I asked the guy grilling the burgers if they offered that. He glanced up at me, and then shook his head in disgust. Right on, brother. That's cuz a burger's not a burger unless it's got a clean slice of onion on it. That, a pile of lettuce and tomato, a smear of mayo, and that's all you need. The burger patty is juicy and just the right size, not to thin, not to big. Take the basket to your table and add mustard and ketchup to your taste. Pure hamburger perfection. To me, a burger is simple, working-class. A burger that costs ten dollars is personally offensive to me. Oscar's gets it right in taste, price, atmosphere, and service. It is my favorite burger in town.
(5)Garfield J.
you know, I often now realize I am become forgetful . I got reminded of that today when driving by Oscar's. For me, the smells eminating from Oscar's just wakes me up----drives me to the front door---it did again today and it was after eating a burger here did i realize that while the smells are encompassing, there is no taste to their burgers. first thing about me, i like my burgers, sandwiches , or pretty much everything as natural as possible, meaning I hate putting on stuff like Mustard, Ketchup, Mayo or other over-powering spreads on my food---I prefer to let the main ingredient take center stage---so I ordered a Turkey burger again, with just lettuce, onion, tomato today----there was literaly no taste to the burger, the most prevelant flavor was the bun. It took a single bite to recall that I had the same burger and same findings the last time I went to Oscar's over a year ago. one last thing, the vibe inside is way weird---I think the 2 owners may be the older asian grill guy and the older white dude cashier---they both don't seem like they work there for minumum wages.----would it kill you guys to crack a smile? their demeanor would fit in better at a Funeral home. ---I then watched as the white guy sincerely got pissed off at the young latino fry guy/dish washer/table busser for only putting in 1 order of fries, when there should have been two. ---he cursed something to the asian guy directed at the latino dude now clearing tables and threw in and dropped the fry basket hard into the oil----it was a pretty sad sight which added to the serious somber mood inside-----i wanted to say, dude, they are fries, chill out, you are paying the guy $8 to man the fryer and clean up disgusting tables----adjust your expectations to what you are paying the guy for----- so the one thing I will honestly remember after today, when I smell that sweet smell while driving by Oscar's to enjoy it, take it in, but keep on driving.
(1)Megan M.
Sometimes I feel like life is a treadmill, where you walk and walk but don't get anywhere. I usually get thoughts like that when I stop into Oscar's on my way home from 24 hour fitness....talk about two steps forward and three steps back....but sometimes you just crave a good burger and Oscar's is there to satisfy your needs.
(3)Charles L.
Diner food, and none of this Ruby's Diner bullshit either. This place will remind you of the greasy tried and true old fashioned burger that you want to indulge in from time-to-time and not cost you much either. They have the grill out in the open so you can check out your food. Cheeseburger is pretty solid (they usually cook it just fine, but sometimes it's been overcooked) with shredded lettuce (YES!), tomato, onions, and mayo. The fries are a must go along with the burger so you can enjoy your guilty pleasure. The food is simple and no frills. Come here to enjoy the old-school feeling and to eat some burger and fries after a night at the bars!
(3)Chanel K.
I came into this place excited to try them because I had never been...NEVER again will I step foot in this place again. I am also telling all of my friends not to eat here. When I walked in I noticed that the cashier was also the cook was grilling a disgusting looking patty with his bare hands after touching money and his face and hair and god knows what else. So I am standing there thinking...are you serious right now??? than it gets worse some unknown guy walks in from outside doesn't wash his hands walks directly to the grill and starts cooking. Do these people know how to wash their hands??. Than I am looking around and they have their meat sitting out on the counter and finger prints all over the grill.My question is how are they still in business? I really do not like giving bad reviews, but for health reasons I am is it seriously that hard to wash your hands, use gloves, keep the meat in the refrigerator and wash the grill? they are going to loose a lot of customers if they keep on going like this. Someone is either going to get sick and call the health department or the health department is going to shut them down.
(1)Erin W.
Plain STEAMED hotdog and fries. Thats been my order since I was like 4 years old...and I don't know if its the OG owners but the hotdogs and fries are the same! Yum! If your looking for super service or organic farmed in the back yard this ain't that kinda joint. (hmm organic would be great though!) If you want classic burgers fries hotdogs and shakes oscars stays true. Walk up order your food...WATCH it get grilled infront of you and then enjoy the delicious goodness that comes from this Berkeley landmark. ( steamed hotdog is apparently on the secret menu so you gotta ask ps.)
(5)Haz O.
Seeing the fire of the grill light up some patties in front of me, I rest assured that the burger being broiled is hand made with care; my hopes are not shattered. Amazing burgers!
(5)Debbie Chiou S.
taste was fine. nothing special. the place smelled a little funky when i was in there though.
(3)Amy J.
I have come to realize that I hate cheap griddle burgers, but the flame broiled kind is ok. I avoided this place for years until today when we struck out on all other cheap flame broiled burgers, due to that nasty close early or close all day on Sundays thing that seems to be in vogue around these parts. (Nations and Burger King don't even count) The hunt was on and by the time we got all the way to Berkeley, there was no turning back. The prices are not so cheap, except by comparison to gourmet style burgers, and that was just fine. The place is super grimy, but the burger with all the fixins plus fries really hit the spot. It's not a spot I want to hit on any regular basis, mind you, but once in a while would be ok.
(3)Bob E.
Ate here last month and forgot to review it. I've been to this joint a couple of times back in the day. I've always liked the joint. Great food. Their fries were a little iffy but i definitely loved my chicken grilled burger and strawberry shake. MMMMMMM. Had played some basketball earlier and the food here definitely satisfied my hunger. You order your food in front of the iron chef grill master who slaps that shit on the grill for you right there. Only one big downside to this place.....NO TV to watch any sports! Just a TV to play KENO. yay! pppshh wtf?!??! There's a drive through that the place has. It's old school and definitely outdated. Just a pull up and slide the window and order and wait for your food to cook. But that's still cool. And the second downside to this place is also the few homeless or drunk scavengers that will come into the establishment and get the scrapes that people have left or the numerous times that they need to use the bathroom in that joint. So eat your food with caution. I'm a nice guy an all but don't bother me when I'm grubbin' on my food homie! over all 3 out of 5 stars! Check this place out if you haven't already. Word!!
(3)Kevin C.
i love taking my 5yo here for a hot dog and lemonade. the hot dogs are kept in water and i have asked them to grill them in the past. they are not foot-long but certainly much larger than your average dog. the lemonade is perfect, just a bit tart and a touch sweet. i fee like the prices are a bit high for burgers and the condiments can be overpowering. so if you like a very beefy burger, go for the double. the service is prompt. the tables are hit and miss - depending on how busy they have been.
(4)Heather C.
Simple menu, simple decor. Good place for a good burger but nothing fancy.
(3)joe p.
If you want to satisfy your man hunger and happen to be in the area. Come here and order their tasty frame grilled cheeseburger.I suggest ordering your burger to go, the place gets too smoky and meaty the smell just lingers on you. Nothing pretentious about this place. Just your classic burger joint.It doesn't beat out IN-n-OUT but sure is way better than other burger places in the area.
(3)Jessica J.
I didn't know they were a hot dog place..i always get a cheese burger. This place is so good! I was homesick for a great burger when i moved to Berkeley, and when i found this place it was like finding home..haha. ok, but seriously, yum. The atmosphere is cool...people are just so caught up in eating their delicious burgers. the fries are so good, and they give you a lot too!
(5)Mike L.
I'd want to pay about 1-2$ less for what you actually get here. The staff is really laid back to the point of seeming like they just don't care. It's a very early 90's attitude that I guess you can't find anywhere else, but I certainly didn't miss it. Burgers and stuff are passable but not great, and not worth what they cost. Pretty dumpy.
(1)Jules W.
I work right down the street and when ever I need a junk food fix this is my joint. They have great veggie burgers.
(3)Christopher C.
Yeah, it's been there forever. The cooks dress consistently. It's a great location, grille has fire which is good. Food is , oh, meh. Not bad price, but there are so many other really REALLY good burger places, and this isn't really one of them in spite of all the cool stuff and history this place has. Maybe I went on a bad day. It's like the place wants to be really good but the building is depressed, like the toy story movie with Dustin Hoffman.. ok way off on a tangent now. The Iced tea was nasty and watered down, like someone stuck Lipton in water and called it ice tea. Drink choices are soda, lemonade, ice tea, no brewskies. Some orange juices and stuff I don't think would go with a burger per se. Pyramid isn't that far, they could set something up and have good beers and make their burgers better with better meat. That's probably why it wasn't as good as it could have been. And the fries, well they were fine, crispy, etc. I like salt and they didn't seen to have any. Yay Berkeley health nuts, grab the oil and use it for bio-diesel, but I like salt, that's all I am saying. Parking is decent. My smart car fit well in the last space on the corner. I want to give them a better review, but I need to have better food and a cleaner place first. This place wasn't filthy but wasn't too tidy either.
(2)Amy R.
All of their food is Kirkland Signature. The cookies, the patties, the cheese, the frozen fries. It's not a terrible thing to sell Kirkland Signature burgers, but it is a terrible thing to take credit for it.
(1)Beetle B.
I like 'em. Course, I have a good immune system.
(4)Shirley H.
Oscar's is on my list of top 5 best burgers. The shakes are great and so are the hot dogs. I don't order it much but the turkey burgers are decent. The steak burgers are kind of eh to me but that's because I usually don't like steak burgers. If you start going into Oscar's regularly, one of the cooks who works weekdays will remember your usual order. Nice little touch of customer service.
(4)Rocco B.
This is truly a jerkoff place. I LOVE burger joints, especially little ones that look like they've been around since the early 20th century. I found this place thinking it was a little gem of Berkeley. I can't remember the circumstances exactly, but the guy working the counter was on his cell phone for about 5 minutes before even acknowledging me. I accidentally tried to order from him rather than at the grill, and he gave me a ton of shit. Thereafter, it took forever for my burger and fries to come out. All of this soup-nazi-ism would have been fine if the burgers were to-die-for. But they were pretty damn average. I don't know how a place like this stays in business for so long.
(1)Adam D.
Maybe eating at Barney's one too many times has raised my expectations of what a hamburger should taste like. Perhaps if I eat at McDonalds more I'd be able to appreciate a place like this. Downtown Berkeley is usually pretty crowded after football games nad Oscars is a safe bet if you are too hungry to wait for a table elsewhere.
(3)E. O.
I love Oscar's. I know it's bad for me, but sometimes I just need a big 'ol flame grilled cheeseburger. With bacon. And fries. For less than $10. It is in so many ways the perfect burger joint. No pretense. No frills. Simple menu, grill from the dawn of time, and BACON! Oohhhh, bacon. I know their patties and fries aren't home made, but frankly I don't care. Their burgers taste better than several of the Niman Ranch burgers I can get in the same area for a lot more money.
(4)Kisha G.
THE BEST!! everything you need in a college town burger joint...if you expect anything eles, you will be disappointed.
(5)Z K.
Although Oscar's does serve hot dogs, it's renowned for its char-broiled hamburgers. And the hamburger has remained consistently excellent for nearly 60 years. This is a hamburger-joint hamburger, not some overwrought restaurant or bar burger. Their excellent 1/4-lb hamburger patty is topped with tomato, onion, and most importantly shredded lettuce. Shredding the lettuce gives the burger a little something extra. Together with a toasted bun, the combined flavor of the ingredients is superb. Those who need something more can top their burgers with cheese or bacon, and there's a vegi-burger on the menu for your non meat eating pals. There's also a steak sandwich available, but with hamburgers this great, why bother? The decor is '60s burger joint, which fits the food perfectly, and the service is quick -- burgers are cooked to order as you shuffle from the grill to the cash register. I used to give Oscar's six stars, but when they lost their crushed ice machine several years ago -- cubes only now -- I had to drop them to five stars. Still the best hamburger in town (or several towns, since we'll drive to Berkeley when we need a fix).
(5)Dela A.
Hands down, the best burger and hot dog place in Berkeley. Just pull up out front and you will see that the grill so much that half of their sign is black. No lie. My dad has been working at UC Berkeley for about 16 years and he fell in love with Oscars for his lunch breaks. They are fast and good. Of course one day, I decided to be his lunch date and this is where he took me. Ive also been in love ever since. I like a little bit of a burnt flavor and they accommodate me when I eat their dogs. I tell them to burn it and they take care of me. I love Oscars..
(5)Joyce D.
burger's from this place taste like you barbeque'd them yourself... just authentic... none of the 'special sauce' stuff (although i also like in-n-out)... this is just your basic burger with your lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles on the side... just very simple and normal and basic. the opposite of this place would be barney's. parking is easy right behind it... they grill to order so it might be a wait if there are a lot of people there. i would go whenever i'm craving that barbeque'd burnt taste that is carcinogenic but o-so-tasty.
(3)Kalvin K.
I guess it should be three stars on food quality, but it's got such character. Tasty burgers, generous with the fries, feels grimy. Do not use the drive-through; you'll regret it. Just go in.
(4)Mori Y.
Wikipedia: "The Maillard reaction is a chemical reaction between an amino acid and a reducing sugar, usually requiring the addition of heat... In the process, hundreds of different flavour compounds are created. These compounds in turn break down to form yet more new flavour compounds, and so on." It is also what makes flame broiled burgers ten times tastier than those fried on a griddle or nuked in a microwave. Oscar's has a deep understanding of this scientific process. Or maybe they just like fire. Burgers, fries, shakes. That's all you need to know. These are your good, no nonsense, backyard barbecue burgers. Sometimes I'll just get these junkie cravings for their burgers for no apparent reason, and then I'll go pig out at Oscar's, and then when I'm done I wonder what the big deal was. This repeats every couple of months or so. It's a mystery. What keeps me away from Oscar's is that it's always dirty, and you always feel kind of seedy while you're eating there. It's a shame, because it's a great location, the food is pretty good (although a little more expensive than say, In-n-Out), and that brick grilling pit is awesome. It just needs to be remodeled inside or show sports or serve beer or something to improve the atmosphere.
(3)milo a.
Oscar's has a big, free, dumb parking lot and that's why I go there which means not that often because then I'd have to be in my car, hungry and driving by because it's a not destination sort of place that you seek out. Oh yeah it also has a drive-up window that I never noticed which just adds to the weirdness. Okay burgers...not much actual beef flavor. Great fries. Not that cheap for what you get. 1 star for the parking lot - 2 star for the food.
(3)Justin S.
My office is right across the street from this joint, close enough to smell when they're cooking a fresh batch of bacon (worth the extra dollar if you want to do your burger right). I find it difficult not to eat at Oscar's once a week, although I know it's taking years off my life. The service is friendly, especially if you know the drill (order at the grill). Chicken sandwich!?! Who needs it when the burgers and fries are so good?!? I know they're trying to keep the menu simple, but the drink selection is a bit too limited: shakes, soda, or strange-tasting lemonade (I've been told that most people like it, but I don't).
(4)shelly m.
This si a family joint. I have been going here since childhood. I feel like the place could use a good cleaning- a bit grimy- but still a decent burger on the go.The fries are always fresh.
(3)Jimmy C.
service is terrible. you would think after being open 50+ years they would have a better system. burgers were nothing special and everything is really overpriced. didn't get a receipt and while i was eating i calcuated the total on my phone and they overcharged me 2 bucks. got charged for 3 full orders of fries and they just threw a handful beside the burgers, not the full basket. overall, pretty upset. enough to make a yelp account to write this review. wish i could post negative stars on here.
(1)Jaclyn W.
It is exactly what you would expect based on the appearance, and frankly I am grateful for this. You can get a greasy, flame-broiled burger with fries and a thick shake/malt and be totally satisfied.
(4)Jonathan P.
Oscar's reminds me of that old Al Franken bit from Saturday Night Live where Jack Handy tells his nephew that Disneyland burned down. The smell of the grill can make you float in off the street Pepe-le-Pew chasing the cat style. From there, it's downhill. It beats McDonald's, but with Bongo Burger, Amanda's, and Barney's nearby, you can find a place that can top it in any direction you walk. The biggest problem is that neither the meat nor the fries are well salted. The chicken and steak sandwiches are not worth mentioning for the same reason. The vegetables are relatively flavorless, although they do get credit for freshness. If you do decide to go here, the best solution is to bring a bottle of sriracha with you to flavor up everything.
(2)Erika M.
I've been coming here for 30 years and it has never changed! I mean that in a good way of course. The hamburgers, fries, and shakes are great! They are always great and have always been great. Hell, make it a double!
(5)John D.
Quite possibly the best burger joint in Berkeley. Old fashioned, non nonsense flame broiled burgers. I've never had their hotdogs because I always walk up Euclid to Top Dog for them.
(4)Eddie S.
All I have to say is yummy fries and burgers. A must eat.
(4)Billy A.
If this were the last burger joint in California, I would not go back. This is below Foster freeze (which is saying A LOT). First off, the service was straight-up rude. I've heard of places where the staff insults the guests as part of the restaurant's charm. To my knowledge, this place isn't one of them. Second up, they serve mediocre food and thirdly, the place is a complete dump. The burgers start frozen and are cooked in front of you, which does this place absolutely no favors. I'd recommend avoiding this place.
(1)EmyMig L.
I have gone here twice to get food to-go. The workers here are EXTREMELY rude. I was greeted with a nod (implying "OK. What do you want?") the first time I visited Oscar's and with a gruff "Whatcha want?" tonight. The workers use very few words to communicate and the little that they do say comes across as very unfriendly. I asked for a cheeseburger with no sauce. As the man was making the burger, he went to put mayo on the bun before realizing that I had asked for no sauce. He heaved a sigh before returning the spatula to the mayo container. He then proceeded to go to the fridge for more onions. I forgot that my boyfriend had asked for no onions. As he returned with them I said, "Oh, and no onions please." Again the worker heaved a sign and slapped the burger together. When I went to pay, the cashier slapped the receipt on the counter and threw down a pen. Having experienced Oscar's bad service before, I signed the receipt and slapped the pen back on the counter in return. The food here is decent, but the customer service is no good! Also, the place looks pretty grimy.... Somewhere to go in a pinch, but not for the dining experience.
(2)Jim K.
My dad lived at Normandy Village up the street back in the early 70's and he'd send me out to get burgers, dogs, fries and shakes for us at Oscars. Great memories of my childhood and pretty darn good food. Since those days I've moved all over the state, to Utah and Arizona and now I'm back in the bay area since the late 80's and I've been to Oscars maybe only 8 times in the last 10 years. It's changed very little in 35 years. Yeah, it's a little divey, not super clean, but the end result is solid food at a fair price. The skinny fries are great.
(4)Ian C.
man, this place blows chunks. at least my first experience here did. the customer service was very low. of coarse it was my first time and i didnt see the "make your order here" sign, so i was waiting at the cash register (i know, silly me) to order. the dude was extremely rude and just ignored me at first. i didnt get it. he kept ignoring me until i told him what i wanted, and he said i needed to move over and first give the cook me order. rude i moved over and gave the cook my order. this guy was relatively nice. i went back and sat down. a few min later i realized i was confused...should i have gone to the register directly after pay? or do i pay when i get my food? i waited a few min and then walked up to the register to inquire if i should pay now. before i could ask the guy, i blurted out "man, this place is disorganized". of coarse, the lady next to me in line says "actually, this place is very organized." well screw you lady, lol. the guy at the register says i can pay (WOW, the finally allow me to pay!) anyhow, i get my food. suprisingly, the burger is very good. too bad, b/c this place sucked. 1 star b/c...well, they serve food. they only get a 2nd star b/c their food is good. i dont think i'll ever go back to this shop. and i dont think i'll be missing out.
(2)Danielle B.
I really enjoy Oscar's when I want something quick and snappy, yet don't want to go the chain fast food route. I love the broiled flavor the burgers have, and they have great fries (and shakes!)...yay for yummy food in a hurry.
(4)Cris L.
These burgers don't taste bad at all. Every time I get one I'm surprised by that, to say the truth. Because it certainly does not look like a place where you can eat well. I'm glad I live close by and can take the burger to go. Sitting there to eat would just not feel right. I understand that this is the oldest place in Berkeley, that they've been around almost as long as the gold rush settlers. Now I'm sure that's an exaggeration, but they certainly have been around for quite some time.
(3)Victor B.
Less good of an Option now that Amanda's is downtown. Do yourself a favor and try there. Its nice to have a char-grilled burger, and Oscar's is great for that, but the prices aren't great and the air may give you a heart attack (some may consider that a positive.
(2)Beau H.
Oscar's is what it is: the greasy local burger joint. Freaking out that guys preparing the food don't wear gloves when making your burger? Get over yourself and go overpay at Bistro Burger. The burgers are plenty good, but the fries and shakes are frickin fantastic. One sore spot is that the prices are about 15% too high.
(4)Tim M.
I love Oscars. For $5.50 you can get one of the best full-patty double cheese burgers in existence. Everyone I've had (at least 20 now) has been cooked pretty damn close to perfect. sometimes the buns are more or less charred, but that's minor. The rest is melty, fatty, forbidden goodness. The ingredients are fresh. Oddly, the fries are not only tasty (worlds beyond In & Out, but that's not hard), but feel healthy as well compared to most places. Yes, the help is usually in its own world, but that's not the point. It's also less snippy than other Berkeley places can get like Elephant's or Yali's. In my opinion this blows the socks off Barneys, which is clueless about cooking a good burger in comparison (mine from there are usually burnt). No, they don't serve shi-shi Cali burgers with avacados. Just the basics done right. Barneys burgers are fancy toppings on a sub-par burger cooked dry in my experience.
(4)Joe J.
This place is everything in and out wishes it was.
(5)Jeffrey V.
It's where you go when you want a burger and fries. Not a great burger, not a bad burger, just a burger.
(3)Stephen H.
This place makes a pretty mean burger, of course that is expected, but still I've heard you can buy lotto tickets here. Hows that combo, burger and lotto, can't beat that with a french fry.
(3)John D.
I was almost hooked on the food at this place the first time I went. I wanted a burger, and I got a burger. I somehow also ended up ordering fries and a milkshake in the deal. The meal was good, but not *that* good. Then, when I tried to go again, the line was out the door and I had to give up waiting after 20 minutes because I hadn't even ordered yet. My annoyance led to introspection, upon which time I realized that I actually like the burgers as Peppermint Grill better. So, no more Oscar burgers for me. Yet, Oscar's has its purpose: milkshakes. Nowhere else can you score a soft-serve milkshake for $2 on your way home without entering a fast food chain. The milkshakes aren't terribly good, mind you, but they hit the spot after a long day.
(3)Jac L.
horrible service and worst burger place I have ever been to :( burger patties are tasteless... never wanna go back there
(1)ssf s.
The chocolate malt is scrumptious and the service is friendly!
(4)Gary L.
Having gone to Berkeley for four years, I was never terribly curious about Oscar's, but due to the urging of some friends, I came here today for the first time. It wasn't bad. This is as about as good a hamburger you can get when you're starting from a frozen patty. No frills, cheese, meat, mayo, lettuce, tomato and onion (boo... they were out of bacon). Fries were right out of the package, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Simple food served relatively quickly. Service is hit or miss. They're not going to go out of their way to make you feel at home, but I didn't have any problems. I doubt I'll be making any special trips out here for these burgers, but I wouldn't object if my friends asked me to head back over here.
(3)Linda M.
Decent hamburgers, really good fries. You have to get a large coke with this stuff to complete the meal. Oscar's has a good sized seating area so you don't feel to cramped like a lot of restaurants in the area. There are quite a few options - decide before you say a word to the cooks.
(3)Joe J.
I thought fries came with burgers....or not.. Bland burgers, fries unsalted. Get a liquor license and a flat screen...then ill be back.
(2)Cathy T.
OMG, I miss you Oscars!! Seriously the best burger ever. Better than anything I've had in the city. It's just wonderful grilled beefy goodness. You walk in and say one burger please and they flip a delicious meaty patty right onto the grill in front of you. Then you say no onions and pickles please (I like to keep my breath nice and beefy thank you very much) and then you move to the side and say one side of fries and one lemonade please. You wait five minutes for your burger to be put together and you enjoy the most delicious, fresh and beefy burger you've ever tasted.
(5)Latin M.
I hear people complaining all the time about the unsanitary conditions of this place, but never paid much attention to it, until we ate there and went home fighting to see who was going to be first on the toilet. No wonder the McDonald's down the street is doing well. Also, don't expect service with a smile.
(2)Pucktart T.
Not the pimply teen age late night chefs or the snobby little Cal students can keep me away from Oscar's. Their burgers are great, they have a great coke fountain - the mix is perfect! the fries are exquisite it' all really cheap and AND you can play lotto. You cannot go wrong with a cheeseburgerextracheesenoonionbutwithRELISH. Take that.
(4)Chris J.
I've never paid once for a burger there--turns out one of the employees knows me from way back and never charges me if he's there (no, I'm not saying who). Burgers are good--very good, I think--and the fries are...well, fries. Other complaints about the lousy attitude of the employees certainly seems to ring true, but hey--the place has been around for years so they must be doing something right, despite Yelp's parade of reviews that aren't so good.
(3)Jeff C.
These burgers are pretty tasty. Every time I go though, I feel a little bit pressured or rushed into my order. The staff seems to want to work fast, when all they need to do is just relax. The fries are ok, but they are plentiful. I think I paid a little over $8.00 for a burger and fries without a drink. Way too expensive. Also I think I may have gotten sick from eating here. A whole night of pain and discomfort. Be prepared to pay the price for this tasty burger.
(3)Leslie H.
Great, cheap, basic burgers and fries. Atmosphere: counter-service, dirty linoleum, and lots of men dining solo. I've eaten here half a dozen times and can't manage to remember that mayo comes standard. But once I scrape that off, I've always enjoyed their lean, no-frills burger (or turkey burger, if I'm feeling a little guilty) and pile of thin, crispy fries. Also good lemonade. Their veggie burgers are a little bland, and that's basically the extent of the menu.
(4)Pat T.
Decent flame broiled burgers and shakes. Not great, mind you, but better than most burger joints and cheap. No pretentions here. The big drawback (for me) is the lotto TV display. A place like this should have a cheap AM radio playing, or, if it's got to be TV, a Cal football game.
(3)S H.
Bought a couple of burgers for me and my friends and i would say it is below average and overprices for the small amounts of efforts they put into it. Burger is very plain and I would rather walk down to Mickey Ds to get some food.
(2)Mollie M.
i dont want fancy. i dont want gourmet. i dont want the trimmings. i just want meat. and cheese. make that double meat. and double cheese. and a bun. toasted. that's all. and some fries. just meat and cheese and a bun and fries. and ketchup. and i want it smokey. so just meat and cheese and a bun and fries with ketchup and i want it smelling smokey. When this is all i want i hit up Oscars.
(3)Zeke S.
This is probably bad yelp form because its been a couple years now since I have been here, so take this as what you want. But Oscar's served me well through many many drunken high school nights, holding my belly together with its perfect blend of meat and grease and cheese. The lady behind the counter, bless her heart, looked like she ate a burger for everyone she served... and I respect a person that believes in their establishment enough to give their arteries to it.
(4)Jonathan Y.
Yes they prolly have the best burgers near campus. Yes, sanitary conditions are questionable, staff is friendly, and its a great burger joint design. However the prices are a No, as my bacon cheeseburger was about $6 alone!
(3)ML N.
i ordered the double hamburger, but switched it up with one beef patty and one turkey patty. i liked it enough. service was good. fries were okay.
(3)Ben C.
Love this place. Great American greasy food. A drive through to boot. Hope you try them out.
(5)Jeffrey R.
I ordered a turkey burger here and it was not so good. Definitely your standard low end burger joint (although the price doesn't match the low quality). They get frozen patties from some distributor and just toss them on their grill when you order something. This I could forgive if they charged McDonald's prices, but it is relatively expensive and as others have mentioned, the place is kind of a dump.
(2)Donald S.
very unhygienic and dirty, saw cook drop my burger patty on counter before putting it in the burger. unfriendly also
(2)ray e.
the most alluring thing about Oscar's is the grill. but when one has a grill, one also would need to know how to grill, right? so when i come to a place that has a real-honest-to-goodness grill as the main cooking utility, I'd expect some pretty damntastic burgers. not an overcooked, bland and quite soulless parts cobbled together and indifferently wrapped up, bagged and handed over to me. nope.
(1)Sarah L.
the worst steak sandwich is made here. it had the cheapest steak ive ever eaten... it was like eating a piece of leather. i ended up taking the steak out and eating everything instead.
(1)oscar t.
Sure, this is not the cleanest place I have eat at.But look, the friendly staff and the real flame broiled burgers(not the fake ass burger king burgers)make up for any bad feeling about this place,And yes you must order at the grill,THE SIGN SAYS SO! I like to sit and eat my lunch and play hot spot...ITS FUN...gourmet ghetto dude!
(4)Gourmet G.
A misnomer, considering the emphasis is on burgers with standard toppings - lettuce, tomato, onion, and mayo - or cheese and bacon for those who like them fancy - plus steak sandwiches, crispy fries, thick shakes, and pies. Close your eyes to the grime and dig in.
(4)Kelly P.
Yay! I'm so glad I finally went into Oscar's. I walk by it all the time (and it always smells AMAZING), but I had never gone in, partly cuz I try not to eat burgers too often. ;) Anyway, the prices are great - I think it was under $5 for my cheeseburger, and my friend and I split an order of fries for less than $2, which turned out to be this huge basket that was more than enough for both of us. The taste was not anything out of this world, but it was quite good - your standard burger fare (and in my opinion, way better than overpriced, overhyped Barney's). As mentioned in other reviews, they cook the burgers in front of you, so you know they're made fresh. The fries were hot and yummy. I'll definitely be back!
(5)Rob M.
A throwback burger joint on the edge of the gourmet ghetto which is refreshing. Unpretentious to the extreme, reminds you of a simple hamburger stand found in anytown USA with simple ingredients (no chipotle mayo for your fries at this place) and the focus is burgers (which is odd considering they use the word "hot dog" in their business name) but their burgers are great. I didn't find, as some have stated, that the staff is surly but that's a matter of perception sometimes. I don't need service people to kiss my ass when I go into a place or give me a big phony smile and pretend to be my friend when all I really want them to do is take my order and give it to me. And that is what they do.
(4)Janet K.
this is one of those classic berkeley places...don't expect "thank yous" or "pleases". sanitary conditions may be questionable and if you go at the wrong time, the wait sucks. but all of that doesn't matter when you have one of their burgers. classic burgers with all the fixin's and the fries are the way to go...i would stay away from their other options, ie - steak sandwiches or things w/bacon. drive thru service is pretty good if there's no one in front of you. and yes, the staff is not friendly, the key is to just state your order and get out of their way, just pretend that it's the soup nazi and you'll be fine.
(4)Corporal Jigsore I.
Oscars is 'known' for delicious hamburgers and surly service. i don't find the service to be all that surly, but beware ordering at the cashier instead of at the grill. there is a big fucking sign informing you to order at the grill - pay attention! I've eaten at Oscars hundreds of times - cheeseburger, no mayo and fries. I don't have to order it anymore, the burger-masters just ask me 'for here or to go'. the burgers are delicious - they are very thin and cooked over a charcoal grill. the cheeseburgers have standard american cheese (although you can upgrade to chedder or swiss if you are going to bitch about it), lettuce, an entire onion slice, tomatoes, and mayo standard. you can get bacon on the burgers as well. Problems: buns not toasted enough, sometimes the burgers are a bit underdone (depends on who is making them...), and if it is busy your food might sit out on the counter for a while getting cold.
(4)