We have ordered from Cali Alley many times. By far the best item on the whole menu is the Fat Cat chicken sandwich. Delicious and a perfect blend of textures and flavors. The fried chicken never fails at Cali Alley either: the chicken and waffle is great too. I've had several of the burgers and they were always cooked just right according to the choice we made. Cali Alley is a great goto. One of these days, probably in the summer, I'll go by and pick up an order. I love they have the window and outdoor space to do that but I haven't used it yet. read more

Delicious! Popped in for a late lunch and everything was tasty, fresh, and clearly homemade with love and care. Had the mojo pork which was truly comfort on a plate and my partner had a burger which he quickly crushed. We will be back! read more

An Artisan Food Counter in the times of COVID-19 If I am not mistaken, Cali Alley opened in February, just before SIP hit us. A small Mom and Pop restaurant is hard enough during a normal thriving economy, but for Cali Alley they have the odds set against them right now. My husband and I went down last week to support a local business and what we found was a gold mine for interesting and exotic flavors to feed our family during this COVID time. Their menu is designed for individual servings as well as family style portions. The prices are reasonable for the quality and quantity that you are served. Each dish is accompanied with some sides to enhance the dish. We ordered three items: 1. The Cali Alley Burger. This Char grilled burger was created with ground brisket and short rib. Who does that? It was probably the best burger I have ever eaten. I'm not kidding. 2. Beef Barbacoa Plate. If you don't know what Barbacoa is.... it is Chipotle rubbed braised beef. OMG to die for. It included fried plantains, rice, coconut black beans AND tomato & grilled corn salad! Again, the best Barbacoa beef I've ever had. 3. Alley Bao Buns. These were the cutest little bao "tacos" you've ever seen. And not surprising....Yes, DELICIOUS! Flavors: cilantro, jalapeño, with a molasses ginger glaze. Something to note: The pick up window is outside and there is lots of room for social distancing while you wait...Their staff, now a team of just 4, have all been self quarantined for 28 days and will continue to wear plastic gloves and facemasks when operating within the company. Delivery service will be met with drivers wearing gloves and a protective mask. Here is a link to their COVID safety guidelines that they follow: https://calialley.com/covid-safety-%2F-donations I highly urge you to go and support Cali Alley and discover a new family run business with amazing dishes to explore. read more

The Cali alley burger is a go to for me love the blended patty. The fries are always fresh. Not a lot of seating but a very cool location.

Nice presentation but missed the mark on taste. A+ burgers are better. Service is ok. Ambiance is cool with Austin vibe.

We order from Cali Alley every week for us and my mother in law. And then we eat together via zoom. This is the covid life and this food is comforting, affordable and delicious. Mac n cheese is to die for. Salmon and fried chicken are also delicious. Huge servings too. You won't regret it!!!! So do it. Order from Cali Alley now. read more

Cali Alley - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

Mojo Pork ...Spectacular, delicious food. thank you guys in the kitchen for that excellent service and for making the food with love

Great service. Super friendly. Had mushroom with pepperoni. It was also reasonably priced. Thumbs up.

For those of you in search of the best burger, or best chicken sandwich on this side of the Bay, might I suggest Cali Alley? Substantial portions, quality ingredients, and care for each element put these dishes in the "best"-conversation. Let's start with the burgers. They have an excellent bread to filling ratio on their take on the classic burger (The Cali Alley Burger). I'm nearly always in favor of brioche, so they get the thumbs up there. Moreover, the patty is substantial, tender, and juicy, with a pleasant char to it. I have yet to have an unripe tomato, or limp lettuce with my order (which means no deductions there). Garlic aioli helps the burger maintain moisture all the way through each bite; pickled onions hit the high bright notes, while the onion marmalade round the burger out. I, personally, enjoy the decadence of Pastralley Burger. It may not have the balance of the Cali Alley Burger, but I do enjoy treating myself to a burger with some of the qualities of a pastrami sandwich... As I write this, I realize this is a weakness of mine. The fries are great. They are crisp on the outside, with a soft pleasant chew to them, and they are seasoned well. **A note before moving on: Somehow, these burgers and fries actually travel well, and maintain most of their original texture when ordered out or delivered. To me, this is some frickn' wizardry that I hope nobody reports to the Ministry of Magic, because I still want to be able to order a juicy burger and crisp french fries to go. I also enjoy the Fat Cat, Cali Alley's fried chicken sandwich. I have seen reviews to the contrary, but my experience with the sandwich has been positive. The chicken has been simultaneously crispy on the outside, while being flavorful and tender within. I like my fried chicken sandwiches with some crunchy acidic elements, and the Fat Cat comes through with marinated cabbage, and pepperoncinis. Add some crispy shallots for more sweetness and fat, and I'm a happy camper. Other items of note: The family mac and cheese is large enough to share with more than two people if you are planning to order other things. I found it to be creamy, cheesy, and satisfying, with a nice balance between being mild and sharp. The chicken and waffles are pretty darn good in person. The waffle is crispy, while being tender within. Added points for the real maple syrup and cinnamon butter so one can figure out one's perfect bite. The chicken tender preparation is similar to the chicken sandwich, though maybe slightly less tender. It should also be noted that all bets are off, quality-wise, once this dish is boxed for takeout or delivery. The waffle just does not maintain its texture. Yet, to be fair, I am not sure if there is a good waffle in existence that could stand up to a ten-plus minute ride while being cooped up in a small take-out container. Some of the other items have been hit or miss. The street tacos are a bit pricey for three tacos, and while not bad, I prefer tacos elsewhere for a fraction of the price. The loco moco is okay, but I am more of a purist when it comes to loco moco. While the patty, and egg are executed well, and the mushroom gravy is an interesting choice; I find the addition of sauteed kale over fried rice to add textural components that I prefer not to have. All that being said, the service is great, and staff truly seems to aim to please. Moreover, the outdoor patio area is peaceful place to hang out and eat (though admittedly, I have not gone during peak hours). To make a long story short, most items on the menu are solid, while the items sandwiched in a brioche bun are standouts. I highly recommend the burgers and fries (even for delivery!), which, may be more expensive than somewhere like Super Duper, but less expensive than Barney's... and I personally feel that Cali Alley's burgers are better than both. read more

Good taste great! Burger is a very filling size and the fries and really good. The only thing is if you just want a burger it's the same price as burger and fries together so you end up wasting food or just over paying read more

I stumbled upon this hidden gem while on a quest to find more Black owned restaurants! To date, I've tried the Cali Alley burger, the beyond burger and the fried chicken. Much to my delight everything was great and the environment was kid friendly! read more

Chicken sandwich was transcendent, and surprisingly ungreasy. Same with fries. Tri-tip sandwich also excellent.

All the food is amazing at Cali Alley. The ribs, the burgers, all the sides. Every time I go, I try something new and have never been disappointed by anything! I think the ribs have been my favorite so far and had got a lot of envious eyes while eating them. I do like to come here for lunch and sit outside on weekdays. Always chill and always friendly service. read more

I had the chicken sandwich and a side of extra fries. A friend had just purchased lunch and was excited because the people were so nice and the food looked good. I also found the people nice. The fries seemed expensive at $7.00 but when I got them it looked like I had ordered for 3-4 people. The fries were excellent hand made and well seasoned. I recommend getting a side of fries. The chicken sandwich was huge. You wanted to like it but it was tough and hard to chew. I considered getting a burger there but the chicken looked so good. My friend had the same experience. If i would have eaten there i would have returned the sandwich and I'm sure they would have taken care of me. Again, the fries are some of the best around and the people are nice. I just can't experiment too much at $17 for a chicken sandwich when other options are within a mile away. read more

I just ate the best tri tip sandwich I have eaten in the east bay. I cannot wait to try the chicken an waffles. The vibe is excellent and the owner is a super cool cat. He's available to chat recipes and foodie life. Highly recommend. read more

I love the fried chicken with black beans and Mac n cheese! Sitting out on the patio with a good meal and tasty ice tea at Cali Alley is always a good time. read more

Our standby and favorite. Everything we've ever ordered is delectable. My pescatarian daughter lives for the Alley Beyond Burgers. The best!

I've been wanting to come to Cali Alley for a long time. It was 100% worth the wait! The staff was so friendly and the scenery was fun! They had a great playlist going and super cute tables nestled in between garden boxes. It was fun eating my Fat Cat chicken sandwich with peppers and tomatoes next to a real live pepper and tomato plant. The coconut black beans had a delicious flavor and the sprinkle of Queso on top was perfect. The Mac and cheese was sooooooo creamy and cheesy and hot. I love this place. I'm coming back next week to get a burger. I forgot to get dessert. I didn't really see if they had any. Good job CA, so glad you're here. read more

I had the tofu bowl today when I found them accidentally just driving down the street. Amazing amazing food. Just soo good.

This food is the best, It is fresh and yummy. I ordered the Chicken Sandwich and I got more than my money's worth. The staff there are very personable and friendly. They also deliver. read more

Ordered take out tonight for the first time from this restaurant. It did not disappoint. From the thoughtful packaging and the super fresh foods...our fries were even crunchy which never happens with delivery. Everything was delicious as well. Definitely will be ordering again! read more

I've eaten here at least 6 times during the pandemic, and recommended them to 2 teacher friends. It is Teacher Appreciation week, so my principal ordered each of us lunch. I chose Cali Alley. I ordered: The Cali-Alley burger, medium, with Swiss Cheese, avocado, and the parmesan truffle fries. My God!!! Excellent! Wow! read more

Cali Alley has great customer service. Chef Dov reached out to me regarding my dissatisfied fried chicken dinner review and offered a redo! This redo visit I ordered the fried chicken dinner again. The fried chicken was not as dry as my previous experience and I was much happier. However, when I asked if I could sub the beans for fries in my order, it wasn't accommodated. Not sure if that was a communication error or if it just wasn't allowed for the order. Overall, I still support Cali Alley and want to try their other offerings! read more

Burgers are great, but don't try to plan ahead. I ordered the cold burger I am currently eating ahead of time, used their site to select a pickup time, and went back to work on the noisy shop floor where I don't carry my phone or have a computer. So when I go to get it , it had been sitting there for 1.5 hours. #lame #fail read more

I have only eating here once and the food was delicious! Unfortunately on my second visit I had to leave without my food because the chef was preparing food and not wearing a mask! The food deserves 5 stars but it's not worth the health risk! read more

The Cali Alley burger is quite delicious, especially with cheddar. The fries are tasty, but a little too salty this time around.

We picked up the Thanksgiving to go special for an outdoor socially distant feast and did not disappoint!! Every delish was delicious and the ordering/pickup process was very easy and a great value! Could be a new tradition read more

The best burger I've found in the Bay Area. The macaroni and cheese are also great, as are the fries, and small salad, and more. Everything is fresh and of outstanding quality. This place is the real deal!! read more

This place is incredible. I ordered the Alejandro burger and it was probably the best burger I have ever had. The side salad was fresh and lovely (not just a pile of greens as an afterthought, like many burger places) and the burger was cooked perfectly and held up well from start to finish. I ordered for curbside pickup and it was ready very quickly. Service was warm and efficient. I'm usually very picky about burgers, so I was delighted to find Cali Alley. I cannot wait to order again! read more

We had just delicious food at this offbeat little restaurant. Our burgers were great and salads were delicious. We enjoyed being in the back corner of this little part of South Berkeley. Staff were friendly. They answered questions quickly. And the food emerged hot and excellent. Tasty fries by the way read more

Their food is sooooo good! We got a variety of meals and shared them all. The flavor combinations were unique, yet still delicious. We had two different burgers, both delicious. Fries were perfect. Got a shrimp rice bowl and ate that the next day and it was still fabulous! Definitely ordering from here again! read more

Delicious! Drop what you're doing and pay Cali Alley a visit. You won't be disappointed!

I had the shrimp rice bowl and watermelon drink. He had the Cali burger and a coke. We shared a blueberry cheesecake. Everything was fantastically delicious. Service was gracious and friendly. I WILL be back!! read more

The best burger in Berkeley, Ca. I hate to ruin it with reviews and popularize it even more, but it's too good to pass up! A must try if you are in the area! read more

A delivery that actually arrived like it was being served in a restaurant. My burger was actually medium rare and the fries held up so well. I probably devoured it in about 10 minutes but it was that good! My boyfriend got the pork bao buns and was very happy. We got the fried chicken to taste and it was a winner as well. So happy to have found this place! read more

Super convenient and Covid friendly pick up. They deliver pretty far too. Food was absolutely delish. Went once, but plan on making it routine. read more

Cali Alley - Comfort Food Near Me - Berkeley, California

I ordered the pork bao. $17. Huge amount of food. I will be back to try the other offers- especially the fried chicken sandwich. It was so good!! read more

Order food from Cali Alley-- you won't regret it! I was tasked with getting food ordered for a socially-distanced company picnic for 25 people and chose Cali Alley because of their great reviews and varied menu-- they were able to accommodate vegetarians, non-red meat eaters, and even gluten-free diners. Jenn at Cali Alley was so helpful. She talked me through the process and even offered to individually label everybody's meal in separate boxes. The food was ready exactly on time and neatly packaged up, and as promised, each box was labeled for us. Most importantly, the food was out of this world. Several people at the picnic told me the food was delicious and asked how I found the restaurant and where it was. In fact, I thought my meal (fried chicken sandwich) was so delicious that just two nights later, I ordered takeout from Cali Alley for me and my husband because he was craving burgers. Not only did the food arrive in approximately 25 minutes (which is unheard of for delivery), but the burger was beyond delicious-- it had an amazing char-grilled flavor and was actually cooked to medium rare as requested. The fries are also super crispy and flavorful. I can't recommend Cali Alley enough. We haven't tried their outdoor dining yet, but I can only imagine the food is even better fresh from the kitchen. It will be a staple for us for takeout going forward: excellent food, quick delivery, and excellent customer service. read more

I randomly saw this restaurant driving around my neighborhood and made a note of it and randomly ordered a few nights ago. I'm SO glad I did!! I got the chicken sandwich w/ garlic parm fries and a side of Mac (don't judge!) and everything was outstanding. So much so that I ordered the next day and got the bigger Mac. Everything was perfectly seasoned (chicken, slaw, jalapeños (?) crunchies) and stood out in its own but together a masterpiece! So happy I found this little gem. I plant to patronize it often. read more

The Pastralley is without question one of the greatest burgers I have ever had. I am a burger fiend. For years, wherever I have traveled, I have sought out and tried the "best" local burger. The Pastralley is absolutely up there with the best burgers I've had at both fancy restaurants in in great food cities like NY, SF, and London, and tiny corner joints in suburbs and small towns. The patty itself is gorgeously meaty and super juicy (I got mine medium rare), and the toppings add just the right amount of complexity of texture and flavor without overwhelming the beef. Don't let the 16 dollar price tag scare you off. You can easily end up paying this much or more at the other popular "gourmet" burger places in the Bay Area, and none of them are nearly as good. Plus, it comes with a generous side of delicious crispy fries and a pickle. Do yourself a favor. Order this burger for lunch, and eat it at their super cute little physically distanced courtyard (or at least take a few bites there while it's still hot). Then walk down to the Berkeley Marina, lay in the grass, and take a nap in the afternoon sun. I guarantee that no matter how bad your year has been, it will be a great day. read more