We had come for an early dinner and every dish was extremely salty, even to those of us who are used to salt. Burger, Reuben etc. Not sure what happened. read more

So good, great experience. Sat at the bar, limited seating due to Football Sunday but, a kind lady scooted down 1 chair to allow hubby and I a seat together at the bar. We watched football, drank cold beer, had a few shots of whiskey (they use big ice cubes, nice touch for a pub) and enjoyed some appertizers, and shared a sammy.....my only regret was sharing the sandwich, I wanted to eat the whole thing, it was super delicious! It was the perfect Sunday Football experience at a local pub. We will return for the fun environment, cold beer and good food! read more

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Stopped by for lunch because it looked fun. Sat outside, service was good. Food was delicious. Arancini appetizers was my fave. First time ever having it. Crunchy panko crust outside, creamy and perfectly seasoned rice and cheese inside. Topped with marinara sauce, YUM! The Oakland fried chicken sandwich was really good. Crunchy, flavorful chicken, topped with a creamy and tangy slaw on a brioche bun, served with more fries than I could eat. That's rare for me, lol. Hubby got a burger that was juicy and delicious. Friends got a grilled cheese which looked amazing and their fish and chips looked really good too. We also shared an order of onion rings, which were beer-battered and good, but I prefer the panko crust over beer-battered. The light local beer was perfect with the entire meal. read more

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Stopped in for the annual Pliny the Younger triple IPA and was pleased to immediately find a seat at the bar. Tried the grilled cheese sando with tomato soup. And it was a perfect combo with the beer. The thick bread was grilled to perfection and the soup was very flavorful. read more

Ordered the Philly cheesesteak. Pretty pricey so I expected a substantial sandwich. Instead I got a pepper and onion sandwich with a minuscule amount of meat and cheese. Even some of the little bit of meat was chewy and uneatable. Also, server never once asked how the meal tasted. I'm not from here and only been there the one time, so I sincerely hope that's not normal operation. Definitely not worth the price at all read more

I love it here! Simply put. I'm so glad that they've opened back up again in full force. I used to come here for my after-work night caps before the great pandemic hit, and I always had a good time here. Fast forward to now, and this place is still poppin' like it never even left! Came here about a month ago on a Friday night and the place wasn't too busy but still very lively. One thing that definitely hasn't changed is the fact that the food is still delicious and the bartenders sure know how to make a mean cocktail. I love the low-key casual vibes of this place. It's a great place to watch the games, catch up with friends, or just to decompress after a long work day. I also adore their patio parklet right in front! That was one positive thing that came out of this pandemic; more outdoor seating and dining opportunities! I hope that they'll be able to keep the parklet, but there's also a good amount of space inside to chill and cozy up too. The bartenders have always been fun and friendly here as have the other patrons. Many of the people who frequent this place are locals and it's always nice to see people from the community having a good time and enjoying themselves. As far as drinks go, they've got a little bit of everything here. A good amount of beer on tap, some wine, lots of spirits to choose from, and of course; great cocktails! I also can't forget to mention their awesome happy hour deals. Their happy hour was initially what attracted me to this place some years ago, but now I love coming during any time of the day. The food is legit! Ordered the cheeseburger and fries during my last visit and it was absolutely scrumptious! This ain't no regular bar food either. This burger was juicy goosey and super flavorful. It had a perfectly grilled bun and that lovable melted cheese. A true high quality full on restaurant burger. Hats off to the chef because they've been bustin' out some bomb ass meals for years (please bring back your wafflewich soon!). Aside from the typical bar scene, they also have weekly trivia, karaoke, and weekend brunch. It's just an all around solid spot for some delicious food, booze, entertainment, and good times! I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Ben' N' Nicks! read more

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We were in the area looking for somewhere to have dinner. We enjoyed the comfort food vibe this place offered. The pretzel was delicious so we ordered two. It was soft and crispy. We had fish and chips, tomato soup and grilled cheese, chili and patty melt. The bourbon drink was also so delicious. Service provided what we needed. Seems like a great neighborhood grill. read more

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This place is dope and consistent. Cobb Salad is my go-to. About 2-3 times a week and a pretzel when I'm being a fatass. Christian, Gabe, Bryan, Kaley & Natalia make it feel like home. And AC when it's hot! Get in here but not too often that I can't get a seat. Muaw read more

You know, it's pretty interesting. Despite how I don't come out to Oakland nearly as often as I used to, my affinity for the Rockridge area only seems to grow with each trip I make out this way. On the one hand, I'm not entirely sure as to why, considering how the area hasn't changed dramatically over the years, especially compared to the parts of Berkeley around campus. Yet, on the other, it seems like every time I meet up with friends in the area, we end up discovering awesome places like Ben 'N Nick's! Maybe it's a just a sign I should start hanging out in Oakland more often... Now, considering how we were just looking for a spot to sit outside and grab some drinks, we weren't exactly expecting much from our experience (you could also argue we failed, as we ended up sitting inside, albeit next to a window. That being said, if we were looking for something more, it's safe to say Ben 'N Nick's has it. Not only does the bar offer a solid beer selection, but they've got an entire cocktail list to go with their stocked bar and a food menu that looked really tantalizing. Granted, it's not a very extensive list to choose from, but they've got all of the typical bar staples and fare that you could hope for (bar bites, burgers, salads, sandwiches, fish & chips, etc.). -- ONION RINGS with Paprika Aioli...$8 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ben-n-nicks-bar-and-grill-oakland-3?select=Tm4SpUBgztbwIQhsO8mSFQ) Not that I was expecting anything bad, but I was surprised by just how great these were (though I wish there was more)! At a glance, I was worried these would be overly battered, but they were perfect - just the right amount of a golden, crispy batter coating huge rings of onions. And the aioli? Delicious! -- GARLIC FRIES with Garlic, Parmesan, and Parsley...$9 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ben-n-nicks-bar-and-grill-oakland-3?select=JsUsyvfBQ_TscHimjJR8tA) Legitimately, one of the best garlic fries I've had in quite a while. The fries were crispy, not overly starchy/potato-y, and the parmesan and parsley complemented everything perfectly. Sure, it probably could've been a bit more garlicky, but that's true for all garlic fries. I'd definitely get this again! Since we were only looking for a couple of things to snack on with our drinks, I didn't get to try anything beyond the two sides that we ordered. However, I certainly would have liked to, especially after seeing what some nearby tables happened to order. In particular, the burger and reuben sandwiches looked really good, but the description of their fried chicken sandwich on their menu is what really piqued my interest (calling it "soon to be famous" certainly didn't hurt). Beyond the tasty snacks and drinks though, the other aspect of Ben 'N Nick's that I really liked was just the general vibe of the place - super relaxed and welcoming. Plus, the I loved how mixed and diverse the crowd was. Some kids from Cal, some older folks, some folks catching a game, a couple on a date...just a very eclectic collection of customers, much like the surrounding area. Given all of that, and despite how I say it about a lot of places, I really want to come back and check out more of what Ben 'N Nick's has to offer. If nothing else, I've definitely found my go to spot to chill in Rockridge! read more

Ben 'N Nick's - Garlic Fries with Parmesan and Parsley - American Near Me - Oakland, California

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Came for drinks before dinner and everyone loved the craft cocktails. Bartender is great.

A nice spot for a good supply of beers and some solid pub grub. The service is generally very good. The Reuben sandwich is better than most in the Bay Area - they cut the corned beef nice and thin like it should be. The onion rings and fries are super good and crispy; the patty melt is good and satisfying. Also they have a nice little kids' menu. There are about 3 tables outside, but there are also 3 tables by the bar where they generally keep the sliding window wide open, so it's the next best thing to outdoor dining. read more

Ben 'N Nick's - Reuben sandwich and a Pizza Port IPA - American Near Me - Oakland, California

Have to give a HUGE shout out to Ben 'N Nicks. This is my favorite neighborhood bar and I decided to buy out the bar for the evening to throw a party. It is old school with a beautiful and fully stocked bar, booths, tables and sheltered outdoor area. Oh and they serve very yummy food! Perfect for a big party. We worked with them to make it happen, the date, the menu and the price (super reasonable). All went SO smoothly - Christian was great to work with. Accommodated special requests, like I wanted them to bring back tater tots for the night. They used to have them a couple of years ago but took them off the menu for some reason. YUM! The party went off without a hitch. Everyone loved the food, and and the kitchen kept it coming with nachos, hummus plates, salads, deviled eggs, onion rings and tater tots to share and people could special order burgers, fish and chips, pot pies, and more. Plus, they enjoyed a full menu of beers from local breweries and any cocktail you might desire. Some had never been to this place and were all impressed and thought it was a perfect evening. Overall I couldn't have been happier! I highly recommend this bar if you want an after work drink with friends, or hearty and reasonably priced lunch/dinner, or to watch a game. Also, this bar doesn't crank the music like some, so you can actually have a conversation and relax! I want to give a shout out and special thank you to the crew who made the party happen: Christian, Nicole, Natalia, Bri, Lucinda and the amazing kitchen staff! You rock!!! read more

So much fun with Christian and Jessixa Sunday nights. Always good vibes and great service... six stars for Brian and his eloquent beer selection. read more

Ben 'N Nicks Bar & Grill has reopened following renovation. i can't tell what's changed. haven't been here before. everything inside looks oldish-unchanged. inside and outside dining available. offerings: appetizers, entrees, sides, salads, soups, sandwiches, burgers. eats: Real Deal Reuben (18) change fries to onion rings (+2) -"NY fashion brisket corned beef, sliced rye, swiss cheese, sauerkraut, BN sauce" -lots of meats, sandwich is oily/greasy, probably from butter used to toast outside of the rye bread. delish! 4.5 stars fab value. onion rings had too much grease within batter. batter wasn't crunchy. onion within was limp. read more

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Honestly wasn't expecting a ton from this restaurant since I'm kind of a brunch snob but I was pleasantly surprised. We mostly came here because there was no wait for weekend brunch. My friend and I split the eggs in purgatory and empanada trio. Although I think it was a little pricey for what we were given, it was pretty tasty. I especially thought the empanadas were pretty flavorful and just wish they were a bit bigger! Overall, I would return. read more

Ben 'N Nick's - Eggs in purgatory and empanadas - American Near Me - Oakland, California

Lots of good stuff to choose from and good to watch sports and just relax. I'd recommend the cheesesteak but make sure to have them not toast the bun so it's extra soft! read more

Far and away the best thing about his bar is the karaoke and trivia nights. I can't imagine coming here for any other reason

We got there and they weren't quite open but they let us sit ina booth to watch a game we wanted to see. When they were officially opened they were so accommodating and friendly. The food and service were great. I will go there again! read more

Ben 'n Nick's hosted a board game meetup that I attended, on a Monday evening. We were able to have one large table of games and several booths. They offer a very nice variety of brews and food. I would definitely recommend them for this kind of gathering, and I would come here on my own. Super conveniently located across from the Rockridge BART station and parking lot. read more

I've been coming to this place for a really long time. It's got a nice ambiance and a very good rotating list of beers. The staff is friendly and it's a great place to have a beer. I do have to say though that the food has become a lot more disappointing lately. Before the new ownership took over a couple of years ago, the food was a much higher quality, but that appears to have changed. Ben 'N Nick's used to serve solid pub food for a decent price, but now I'd say it's noticeably sub-par, while the price has increased. (While there is inflation all around, $20 can get you a lot more elsewhere on College Ave.) This is still a great place to come and hang out, but I think I'll be skipping having a meal any longer. read more

A proper pub. Good selection of beers including Pliny! Pub style food is excellent and god portions. Staff have always been great and fun. Highly recommend this place! read more

Fried chicken sandwich! Great presentation, a little brand without the buffalo sauce. read more

Great location! Awesome service!!! We got water and service immediately after sitting!!! Good food and wonderful drink menu! Not just a cute bar but good eats too! Hearty sized portions, but not too large! Love that! The fried food hit the spot with our cool drinks on a warm day! Street parking. One restroom. read more

Great food at great price. They have just added chicken pot pie, which we loved. The waiters are super friendly and accommodating :)

This place was a good find. Located on a busy street. We sat outside and watched people and cars go by. Very entertaining. Menu was decent. We started with onion rings and a Bavarian pretzel. Philly cheesesteak and the fried chicken sandwich. I wish the fries had been tossed in the garlic mixture to coat them instead of the mixture just being placed on top, but it was a good meal. Friend was not a huge fan of the coleslaw. read more

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I've heard mixed reviews about the burger here. I've heard that their burgers were fire. One Tuesday, went to trivia night and only drank l, but my friend got the burger and she didn't care for it. Then, I went to lunch and went for the Philly, as the waiter suggested. The Philly was not good. Luckily my friend split her classic burger with me, and it was actually pretty tasty. I didn't try the fried chicken sandwich but ny friend didn't care for it. If I go back I'll get a burger, the Philly cheesteak was very disappointing. Great beer selections, had the Pliny of course! read more

Ben 'N Nick's - American Near Me - Oakland, California

Definately the place for drinks and a quick bite of food. I had the fish and chips and thought ok, daughter ordered burger looked devine. Drinks... And drink menu extensive. Next time... I'll be doing the whiskey. Excellent service and nice evening. Thank you, Sharine read more

I love the place and the food. The service is great but closing at midnight? Karaoke was going, people were coming in and we had to stop. Hope this isn't a regular thing. read more

Ben 'N Nick's - American Near Me - Oakland, California

If you like Chicken Pot-Pie, then be prepared to fall in love with Ben 'N Nick's version. It's made with fresh thickly cut veggies, tasty chicken in every bite, and packed with a flavor reminiscent of Grandma's chicken soup. Oh and yes, with theeee most flaky, yet crunchy (in an awesome way) overlay of crust, this is a winner! Whewww weee, I've eaten plenty of pot-pies in my decades on earth. I'm clear, that on this sunny Saturday I happened upon Ben 'N Nick's, that I just had the best one I've ever had. My side salad was a treat too! It was cold, crisp, clean, dry romaine (usually green leafs- but I swap those to suit my pallette) with an awesome Cesar dressing. OMG- nearly forgot to tell you- this is not the average size serving, so if two of you are present (and in the mood to share) you'll both be satisfied! Disclaimer- I was not paid for this review by my awesome waitress- Persephone! read more

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I found Ben and Nick's on Door Dash a couple of days ago and saved it so I could try it when I had a chance. The biggest reason I wanted to try them... Their COWBOY CHILI!!! FINALLY!!!....somebody that makes chili the right way!!! I had 2 bowls delivered along with 2 orders of Texas toast. It was soooo freakin good! Big chunks of ground beef and just the right amount of spices blended in. It was topped with cheese and green onions and sour cream! I'm saving the other bowl for dinner tonight. I will for sure be back!! read more

Ben 'N Nick's Bar and Grill was a great place to stop for a good dinner after a long day. If you don't know what to order here, you can't go wrong with their onion rings and their chicken sandwich ("The Town"). I've never had onion rings like the ones at Ben 'N Nick's. The breading was very thick, yet the outside was crispy. When you bite into it, it's like biting into a crispy donut. The taste of the breading is inherently bitter because of the beer used in the dredge process. Their chicken sandwich was also quite a surprise as well. This restaurant has earned its place in the world of Popeyes chicken sandwiches, Chick Fil' A chicken sandwiches, and the whole 9 yards of other chicken sandwich restaurants. The bun felt freshly toasted on the grill. There was an ample amount of sauce in the sandwich, but not too overwhelming. And the chicken was fried such that there was not a thick breading, but not too thin of a breading either. In short, I felt it was an intricately built chicken sandwich which is on the top tier of chicken sandwiches. My only ask for the staff... I did go with my friends, and we had different batches of onion rings. One of the batches of onion rings we had was undercooked; the alcohol from the beer used in the onion ring dredge was not completely cooked off. I do think it's a challenging onion ring to make; the onion rings have to be fried such that you don't overcook them and make the breading really dry + burned, but you have to cook them enough so it is cooked through. Otherwise, besides that comment, I do think this place is great, and I would try returning here in the future. read more

Ben 'N Nick's - "The Town", their Fried Chicken Sandwich, plus Onion Rings. - American Near Me - Oakland, California

Teddy was an extremely helpful person for our night out. Natalia was also great. Want to come back here when they are here.

The nachos are back!!! After asking about them every time we visited, it was so exciting to see them on the menu. They were tasty and I'll definitely be back for more!!! read more

All I gotta say is mmmm delicious I had the French dip with au jus and fries. The meat was juicy and tender and the best part the French roll was crunchy outside but warm and soft inside. I have to call the restaurant and tell Ryan to who answered phone how great the sandwich was and I will be ordering more frequently. Great food guys! read more

Ben 'N Nick's - Ben & Nicks Pub French dip with fries. - American Near Me - Oakland, California

We went Saturday night after a party. The waitress was friendly and we got seated immediately. We got chicken wings and fries. The food taste good and we enjoyed it. The price is average for Rockridge area. read more

Great Service. Went for a bite, late on a Sunday night. Nice pub style meal. Fish and chips were perfection. The town sandwich my boyfriend had was juicy and delicious. Onion rings were scrumptious. Cocktails were also wonderful. read more

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Normally this a great place to grab a cocktail and watch a game, maybe have a bite. But service can be hit or miss, so check your glass for foreign objects before you drink. read more

Mid, maybe the most unfriendly less personable wait staff on College. Borderline rude most of the time especially for take out orders

Super casual place just down the street from the Rockridge BART station. Was starving on a recent Sunday and decided to check them out. Lots of indoor seating available with TVs in all the places so you can catch up with the game. Sort of seat yourself but the waitstaff keep really good tabs on all the customers. The beer list is great, you will not lack for a cold one with your meal. Pretty much burgers on offer, they end the brunch menu at 1pm which was kind of a bummer. We split a Real Deal Reuben and our server brought it to us on two plates with no hassle which was awesome. The sando was good but maybe a little fatty. The fries were plentiful and hot. Everything came out quickly. So bottom line, if you are looking for a laid back experience come on in. That fried chicken sandwich is next on my hit list. read more

One of my favorite bars. Excellent beer selection. One of the best patty melts in the Bay Area. Great hospitality.