When we were planning our wedding, we had to decide on a red wine. We drank a bottle a night for weeks on end. We discovered during that period the beauty and complexity of the Bongo Persian Burger. As some reviewers note below, it's absolutely delicious. A lamb patty on a french roll. What could be better. We ask for it with feta cheese too! And it's absolutely out of this world- and it goes even better with a glass of red wine!!! I took away one star because the one time we ate the burger there, we asked them to cut it in half for us and they charged us an extra $1.00. HELLO?! What is that about?!!! To the owner's dismay, the next time I was there I just asked for a plastic knife and cut it in half myself (in front of her - yeah, I'm a brat like that). P.P.S. Hummus plate is alright. Not terrible, but definitely not the best I've had! read more

I am very patriotic when it comes to food. I ordered the cheeseburger. The meat was very good, and they got it right when I asked for no mayo (many places take this to mean EXTRA GROSS GOOP). I liked the crinkle fries--haven't had those in a while. My only suggestion is to cut down on the bun size--it was far too fat and large. Though I guess I should take a long look in the mirror.... Anyway, ladies, this place was crawling with male specimens of the young and impressionable variety. Come, take advantage. read more

Middle Eastern tho? Really? haha. Anyway.. this place is good. The combos are a bit pricey for lunch, but I guess it's not that bad for what you get since the servings are big. The fries are the best!!!! Mmmmmm Tip: Call order in ahead of time. It can be packed out the door during lunch rush! read more

4stars for having the same meal every Tuesday and Thursday for a whole year and never being dissatisfied. Turkey burger. Fries. Green Tea. Wait for next class and surf the internet. Win. read more

Imagine my delight when I found out there was a second Bongo Burger close to the CS department! Shorter walk for a Persian Burger...need I say more? read more

In the South Bay, burgers of restaurant grade will typically run you about $15-$25. For the quality of their ingredients, you really get an unbeatable price at $7. Reminds me almost of the baguette burger at Boudin. Definitely recommend giving this place a try. read more

I never come here for their "generic" burgers although I have to admit their mushroom burgers are pretty good and they are open late so it's a good place to have around to satisfy your late night cravings. I don't usually care for the decor of a chain restaurant as long as the food tastes good but man I have to say this place is UGLY. All these random posters everywhere...sometimes I just wish that I can rip them all down. The one thing that keep me coming back here is their Persian burger. It's a lamb patty and it just tastes really good with their choice of soft baguette as their "bun". You can get it with their fries which makes a great combination. 3/5 read more

Frequent this place for breakfast since it's quick, fast, and reasonably priced. I always get the eggs that come with toast and home fries. I wish sourdough was an option rather than just getting the wheat bread that's there. Home fries are solid. Sometimes I'll order the beef bacon which is also good if I'm looking to mix it up. read more

This is a 3.5 in my book - the burger is too small given the price - actually like their fries better than burger. I had the mushroom burger - while I enjoyed it - it was not memorable and it was definitely on the smallish side - In-n-out is same size at 1/2 the price. I guess if it is open (and nothing comparative was) and you are on campus it might be better than the burgers on campus but while I admire successful small business where I see owner behind the stand grinding it out to make business a success - the line can be very slow if more than a half dozen people (the cooking area is absurdly tiny - we beat a crowd of a dozen by less than minute and the difference in time would have been at least 30 minutes) - So even though 3 stars I would return if my son said he wanted to go but wouldn't be in my rotation if I was going to college for the next four years (as my son will be) read more

The burger is ok. And so are the prices. So little can be said about this burger place. I had forgotten about it until I saw it on Yelp. read more

The toasted sesame buns are delicious! The crinkle fries are perfectly cooked. And they have orange crush!! I like how the burger patties are pounded flat and cooked so the edges are a little crispy. read more

"When in Berkeley just go to Whole Foods." Was what I was told by a colleague. Well I'm more of a risk taker, an explorer. So I followed my nose to a small kitchen that serves Middle Eastern Restaurant. The parking you can forget it your best bet is to walk, bike, bus, or Uber/Lyft. I ordered the Falafel Plate.. I wasn't a big fan of it. Too much salt and very dry. However, my colleagues ordered the Persian Burger and an American Burger both were great and the fries as well. So when in Berkeley in search for a burger don't be to quick to pass up "Bongo Burger" it may be Middle Eastern but, the name itself tells you what they specialize in read more

Bongo Burger - Burgers Near Me - Berkeley, California

I had the mushroom burger. My daughter had a plain burger. Burger: 3 stars--a well done piece of beef that turned into a hockey puck. The toppings and the bun were fine--the burger ruined it. Fries: 4 stars. Really good--crispy and served fresh. Service: 3 stars. The woman at the counter offered to cut my daughter's burger in half. We asked for water--they use an old coffee pot filled with water as their pitcher--ick. Not sure we would come back--but am curious about their Mediterranean fare. read more

The food is really tasty! However, its a little pricey for what it is. Not to mention the combos are limited, no free refills, the fries are funky and most of all the cashier looked like she was about to burst in to flames like beyond bad day angry stare. read more

This particular Bongo Burger is a block from my front door and I pass it every morning on the way to class, so you know I know what I'm talking about here. Euclid's a great location during the day (great coffee shops, thai food, etc), it just closes down earlier than most undergrads would like. Bongo Burger has an EXCELLENT spicy black bean burger. The persian burger is big, but delicious. Breakfast for $2.50 will probably kill you, but is worth it if you're hungry, poor, and have time to run fifteen miles afterward... or if you don't really care about your arteries. All in all, I love Bongo Burger. Yay, Bongo Burger. p.s. There is one very sketchy homeless guy who lives next door to this Bongo Burger. He enjoys spitting on young girls and growling. The faint of heart may opt for seating furthest away from the windows (which are super-cool and open to the street). Say Hi to the other homeless guy (usually found sweeping near 7 Palms); he's a sweetheart. read more

In the Spring of 2012, I was in the grips of a terrible addiction. Two, three, sometimes four times a week I would find myself here, ordering a bacon cheeseburger, and eating it before I realized what I had done. At $8.65 for a burger and fries, my Bongo habit was not cheap, or particularly healthy. The price is a bit steep for my budget, but it is a quality burger. Since then I've cut down my Bongo habit to a more manageable level, but I've got to admit, a part of me misses those days. Watch out though, last time I went, there was unacceptable bread; sesame seed buns instead of their, much superior and crispier bread. It looked like I was eating a whopper. Simply unacceptable. I haven't been back since, partly from fear that this has become their new normal. I'm hoping they just had a delivery issue and had to make due with cheap buns for a day. Also, they recently switched from Coke to Pepsi; I don't really care but I thought I'd let y'all know. read more

I got the Spicy Chicken Burger. First time at Bongo Burger and it was great. I love how it was the right amount of spiciness. It was during lunch time when I went but it wasn't that crowded. read more

For a burger, it's ok. I always get the mushroom burger with everything, light on the sauce, and sometimes fries if I feel like it. The burger's average, nothing too special. It's expensive for a burger though! The fries are good too, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, like fries should be. Pretty much just an average burger and average fries. read more

It's essentially a fast food place with a Mediterranean flare. The burgers are niman ranch, so slightly better quality. They also have some really good baklava. If you're looking for some basic food like burgers, kabob sandwich, basic Greek salad etc, this is a cheap and decent restaurant. read more

The standard Niman ranch beef burger ($4.25) or turkey burger ($4.50) are solid choices and never disappointed me. I just got bored of their food because nothing really set them apart in taste (seasoning is standard), but they did their stuff consistently. Burgers are solid, but I found their other Middle Eastern offerings quite lacking. Pretty cheap prices for a decent burger if you're in the mood for it, but it's nothing awesome. Meh, I've moved on. read more

The best dish at this restaurant is not on the menu! Get the bongo salad with chicken on top, it's very healthy, very low carb and tastes amazing! Most of the employees know me and know my invented dish, but just explain you want the grilled chicken on top and they'll know what you mean. read more

Best chicken burger I've ever had. Just drove through 2 hours of rush hour traffic from Palo Alto to be reunited with it. read more

Bongo Burger - Spicy chicken burger and fries (+sriracha and ketchup, try it) - Burgers Near Me - Berkeley, California

Bongo burger is a restaurant that caters to those who want classic American hamburgers or falafel/vegetarian alternatives for the vegetarian types. Their selection of hamburgers and french fries are nothing out of the ordinary, except they taste above average compared to other burger joints within a few miles. However, my choice for a meal was falafel, hummus, and a salad, which consisted of green lettuce, tomatoes, and other greens with light salad dressing, where the hummus wasn't memorable, then topped with dark falafel pieces with pita bread that seemed very average for a $7+ meal without a drink. The cashier who took my money and gave me my change did not smile nor seem happy when I asked for a small cup of water. When I went to get my food up it being ready, I wanted some more tartar sauce, but they smugly told me only the large bottle of ranch dressing was available, which they reluctantly gave me a small dipping cup for the ranch dressing upon me asking for one. Overall, I'd give this place 4 stars if it weren't for the service that I received. However, it is above 2 stars due to my friend loving their burgers, which is their signature product (not their vegetarian alternatives that I ordered). I won't be coming back anytime soon to this particular Bongo Burger, but I think overall this Berkeley chain serves the best overall hamburger in the area. read more

Northside's Bongo sucks. I mean, the food is still excellent, but the service isn't as friendly. Dude actually tried to charge me for a refill -- I know it's their policy, but I've never had that happen at the Southside one. It's too bad I'll probably endup going to this one a lot 'cause it's so close to all my classes. Whatev. I can't get over how much I love their crappy fries. God. Also, get the mushroom burger. read more

This place is definitely my guilty pleasure. My normal routine is order a burger meal (#2 - bacon burger - or #7 - turkey burger) to go, sneak it back to my room, and it in solitude. Everyone I know makes fun of me for eating at this place. Sure, all their food is just reheated frozen patties and mediocre buns. But who said that's a bad thing? Their persian food isn't bad, and they definitely are one of the best restaurants on Euclid. I'm not really sure what they serve is from Niman Ranch. The burgers definitely aren't - I totally have the same frozen patties at the house I live in, and those things are cheap franken meat. Maybe the all-beef bacon? Overall, not a bad place. Greasy, cheap, and fast. read more

They basically take frozen patties, cook them on a grill and add some standard toppings with standard buns. Everything here is ok, it's not bad. The patties aren't super preserved like McDonalds but they aren't mouthwatering delicious like Barney's. For those Berkeley kids (especially you engineering majors who get stuck in Soda, Cory, and Etcheverry). This is the place to go when the good places in Asian Ghetto are closed, but you aren't desperate enough to want to go to La Burrita or TC Garden. read more

Fresh, delicious, and tender beef- good hummus- mild and fresh tasting tabbouleh- crispy fries. This place was surprisingly good and the staff was quite friendly. They have some really amazing original artwork on the walls. The only improvement would be to serve water out of a pitcher rather than a old stained coffee pot. read more

I love this place for the chicken plate. The chix is always juicy and tasty, and goes great w/the salad and pita bread it comes with. Plus the best part is the fresh fries. Good thing I don't live too close to this place, or I might get a heart attack soon from the fries... PS - Don't try to go to this location at Noon. It's always packed w/a line out the door. Try earlier or later. read more

The Black Bean Burger at Bongo Burger is out of this world. I can't remember the first time I had it, but the patty has actual whole black beans in it, and the entire burger--though it somehow takes 20 minutes to cook and assemble--is a true treat. Plus, it is a tried and true hangover cure, which has saved me on multiple occasions. The fries are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the falafel is extremely tasty--and they do not use hydrogenated oils. The prices are not that bad, though still a little much for me to spend on lunch, so I don't end up going very often. The big reason I don't end up going very often, though, is that the location on Euclid has HUGE LINES at lunchtime, every day, without fail. And even if they didn't, which happens if you get there early enough, it somehow takes them 20-25 minutes to get everything made and assembled anyway. If I get there at noon, I can expect to leave with my food to run back up the hill to my office AFTER 12:30, and I only get a 30 minute lunch break. I haven't been back here in months because I can no longer take liberties with said break, and it really is a sad thing. read more

To the people who always get a turkey sandwich here: You are not asking for the optimum taste of the place, so don't complain about the food. Get persian sandwich in pita bread: It is ground lamb slices grilled and seasoned perfectly! Mixed with tomato slices, lettuce and the hummus sauce. Get eggplant plate: Deep fried soft eggplant slices topped with a diced tomato/pepper sauce and melted cheese. I think melted cheese part is to look appealing for the american customers with traditional taste, I would put a yogurt sauce with a hint of garlic on it (like tatziki). Get all american buger: Best burger around campus! Delicious juicy beef patty topped with fresh stuff. For lunch on the north side of the campus, it is either Nefeli's (mousakka) or Bongo burger (with one of the above)...Great food for good prices. read more

This place does everything on their menu right. The turkey burger has a healthy feel while still being satisfying. The bacon cheeseburger is a calorie splurge no doubt, but ohhh is it worth it (don't eat this every day though) The falafel is okay, nothing spectacular unfortunately, but considering the strength of their other offerings I don't fault them too much because some times you just want a filling meal without killing bambi or her friends, that is when the full falafel comes in. The breakfast special used to be the deal of the century but since has crept up in price. Still though two eggs toast and some tasty potatoes for around $4 is not too shabby at all. Finally the Persian burger, quite delish, with nice peppery grilled flavor with just enough lather of mayo on a french roll. Wonderful! read more

I like their mushroom burger and their lamb burger (I forgot the name). And trust me, I NEVER eat lamb--I just don't like the taste and smell of it. But this one was really good because it didn't taste or smell like the traditional lamb lol. I'm usually not a big sandwich/burger joint fan, but this place is pretty good! And I really think northside and southside one is about the same. read more

My go-to burger spot as a freshman at Berkeley. Their burgers are better than average, fries are okay and their ranch is really really good. I always take a ton to put on my burger and also dip them in my fries. I've been here many times, the people have always been nice and the service is quick. I've never waited more than 15 minutes. Bring your food out on a nice day and sit at Memorial Glade for a nice quick lunch :) prices are just a little high, but I've always left super full. My favorite thing to get id the mushroom burger combo. Don't forget the ranch! read more

Bongo Burger - Mushroom burger - Burgers Near Me - Berkeley, California

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this is such a good burger spot and it was so affordable...free condiments and came off grill hot read more

Bongo Burger - delicious!!! 10/10 would eat again - Burgers Near Me - Berkeley, California

Favorite burger place in Berkeley. Yes, far better than Smart Alec and better than Barney's Gourmet. This one seems to be larger than the other two bongo burger locations. The people are super nice and the price isn't too ridiculous. I always get the mushroom burger combo. I've heard that they have a great breakfast special but I never wake up in time. read more

They have really soft napkins :') oh and I thought their all American burger was pretty good! Definitely satisfied that burger crave. Good portions but their service isn't very fast (there were pretty busy though). Their fries looked good but I wasn't feeling like dropping four more dollars for it when the lady asked. read more

When I lived on northside I ate here often. Pretty good burgers, the turkey burger is definitely one of the better turkey burgers i have ever had (tasty seasonings). However I once made the mistake (early in my patronage of bongo burger when i was living near telegraph) to order a burger with bacon on it. HUGE MISTAKE. No pork here folks and what the hell is beef bacon anyways? Its just not right is what it is. So dont do it. They shouldn't confuse us bacon lovers like that, its just mean. Breakfast deals are pretty reasonable here too, although only had the egg plates a couple of times and one time it was pretty oily. the fries rule though! read more

I really like their burgers, especially the bacon one that I always get, and their fries are freshly fried to order. And you have to get the white sauce to dip the fries in, they are soooo wonderful. The buns are also toasty and delicious, it'll really fill you up, for about 9 dollars for the meal. The burgers are quite large and decent portions for a burger, not dry at all but not entirely juicy-but still quite good. I also tried the persion burger, but its more like a sandwich and it's not one of my favorites because it just doesn't seem to fill me up as much. read more

Whenever I eat a burger I always compare it to In-n-Out and nothing really matches that. In-n-Out, unfortunately, is a long drive from Berkeley so what can I get for a burger as a substitute? Bongo Burger! They offer a wide variety of different burgers and from my experience they all taste pretty good. I personally like it simple and get the #3 (cheeseburger with fries + a drink). You get to choose what type of cheese you want. The burger bun is pretty toasted which makes it nice and slightly crunchy. There's a lot of flavor to the burger and I find myself never getting bored of the burger midway through unlike a lot of other burgers out there. Their fries are excellent. One thing I recommend is you eat there as if you get it takeout the fries do get soggy and the burger is best enjoyed hot. I've had the one on South Side and they are both relatively similar. The one on North Side doesn't usually have too long of a wait and there's a lot of tables. read more

My first trip to Bongo burger it didn't make a strong impression, a decent burger. My appreciation has greatly grown since. It's a good cheaper dinner option for those working on the North Side of campus. The burgers have their own distinct style - a somewhat dense bun covered in seeds, and shredded iceberg lettuce instead of whole leaves. These combine with the seasoning of the burgers to create a somewhat unique flavor you will crave. If you're extra hungry, get the larger Persian burger which has a stronger taste. Fries are the crinkled cafeteria style, great for dipping in ketchup with Tabasco sauce, crisp and well salted. It'a good greasy food, much better than Oscar's. read more