Karmen&#x27;s

Always a great choice from a local favorite! I don't come that often and I should come more. The…read morestaff is very very friendly! The food is consistent. Caspers that hasn't changed their recipe ever since I can that's remember. Today I had the Casper's dog and a bowl of chili. Both are very yummy! There is some seating locations inside as well as a parking lot. If you didn't want to park on the busy street. This location has been here for as long as I can remember. And I love to see that they still keep their tradition going!

Yikes... two older white women working there and made a few racists comments. Just a bit…read moredisappointed... I was unimpressed with the food. It was ok. I wouldn't come back solely based on the workers.

Classic Casper Dog with extra cheese sauerkraut & pickle!

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Wienerschnitzel

3.7(109 reviews)

1.8 mi

This place opens at 9:30! The staff treats you like…read moregarbage! About the food I can't tell because I wasn't served even at 10 am

Keep in mind this review isn't based upon gourmet hot dogs or sausages but rather a review of a…read morevintage fast food restaurant selling in a value market space. I remember my Junior High days riding my bike downtown with my buddies to get corn dogs. I was driving home through Hayward and remembered that Wienerschnitztel has a Four Chili Dogs for $4 special on Wednesdays. I ordered a special. The chili has a little bit of spice, the buns are steamed and the hot dogs are semi-firm. For the price the hot dogs were good. I like the corn dogs which have a sweet batter, fries are pretty good (never under or over cooked) and both the chili dogs and chili cheese dogs are good. If you want fast food that hits the spot at a great value, Wienerschnitzel is the place.

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Kasper's Hot Dogs

3.8(96 reviews)

0.0 mi

The dogs are tasty and with the goodies on it awesome! The franchise owner sold the store mgr and…read morenothing changed in taste and tamales super too. New name is Karmens you have to try them we have been go to this shop for many years !

At first I was so sad this location closed too (so many Kaspers and Caspers in the Bay Area have…read moreclosed). However the franchise owner would not sell this location to Carmen who has managed it for many many years and so she kept the location and changed the name to Karmen's. The dogs, nachos, and tamales are still available! Can't wait to keep coming here

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Hot dog prep area

Halal Bites Of Chicago

4.4(119 reviews)

2.5 mi

Tonight at Concord Night Market, I ordered a rice platter with lamb. I was blown away by the lamb…read moreand the sauce he made for me. Everything was delicious, the salad, the rice, and especially the lamb. Gave a few slices of lamb to my wife and she loves it as well! Thank you for hooking me up with the drink at the end of the night. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for your truck to get another rice platter! Awesome!

I ordered a gyro and got nothing of the sort. It was a disgusting piece of bread with some packaged…read moresalad and terrible ranch dressing and some dried chicken bits. And that's it... no tomatoes or tatziki and not real pita. Someone needs to tell them that what they're making is an absolute offense to the Greek and doesn't even resemble a gyro.

Food Truck

Falafel Gyro

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Salad with beef gyro. @_emwong_

Val's Burgers

4.0(2.3k reviews)

0.7 mi

Come on now... This spot is a classic! This has been here multigene's and has the papa and the mama…read moreburger... perfectly cooked wavy fries soft in the middle crispy crunchy on the outside. They also have one of the best milkshakes in the East Bay! Great service, casual, quiet diner setting. This has been a staple for many years and hopefully it stays that way!

Val's Burgers in Hayward would easily be a 5-star spot if they brought the milkshakes back! The…read moreprices are a little steep, but the food is good enough that it's worth it. Highly recommended!

The inside looking in from the window.

Half-pound burger and fries.

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1/4 LB Giant Burger

3.5(416 reviews)

2.1 mi

I came here to get my family dinner. I hadn't been here in almost 20 years…read more The parking lot was clean. The menu was easy to read. They do have limited outdoor seating. The workers were nice. I ordered cheeseburgers and french fries for the family. We all loved the burgers. They were filled with flavor and the buns were soft, fresh and great. The burgers lived up to the hype. The fries however were just a little above average. No real flavor to them at all. Most were soft, and very few were any type of crispy.

I'm 50/50 about this place. I love their hamburgers. Old school style, greasy messy and delicious…read more Pineapple shake used to taste great but the flavor isn't there anymore. Not sure what they changed. We went a few days ago and the cheeseburger cost has gone up again. Unfortunately as yummy as they, for two burgers almost $16 plus tax. Service was normal, handed a vibey thingy to pick up the order.

Wall art

Chili cheese

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Shucos y Mixtas Magi

4.5(6 reviews)

2.9 mi

Shucos y Mixtas Magi sells Mexicana & Guatemalteca eats. their speciality is Shucos (Guatemalean…read more"inspired" hot dogs) offerings: tacos, burritos, churrascos, mixtas, tortillas de Ajima, aqua fresca... eats: Shucos de Salchicha (8) strips of hot dog with cabbage, guacamole, mayo, ketchup, mustard in sliced hot dog style bun -tastes like an hot dog with small amount of protein. not worthy! -other proteins available... 3.5 stars take outs: -pricey rendition of Guatemalean eats -few proteins available... -food takes awhile to come out. definitely not scoop & go.

Really good food! The shucos were amazing and the garnachas were pretty good as well, not amazing…read morelike other places I've had, but still good. The only reason I'm giving this place 4 stars is because I don't know if it was because I arrived right when they had barely opened, but it took forever to get my food almost a 1 hour wait, Other's people food was taking too long as well. Definitely call ahead so you're not waiting so long.

Sods

Sodas guatemltecas

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Shucos y Mixtas Magi

Tacos Patron

4.7(20 reviews)

2.3 mi

Saw the taco truck while driving past and made a mental note to try it. I got the burrito bowl and…read moreit was decent. I chose the al pastor meat and it has pretty good flavor, even though it wasn't on the rotisserie for cooking. The rice was moist and had good flavor. Loved the side salad, but could use more salsa next time. Pretty decent in terms of flavor and price.

One of my favorite spots to get some Mexican food. Everything here is so good. Cant wait to come…read moreback and check in.

Special menu

Single birria with dipping sauce

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Menu

Nation's Giant Hamburgers

2.9(329 reviews)

1.1 mi

Nation's Giant Hamburgers is a Northern California fast-food and diner chain serving simple…read morebreakfast, burgers, fries, shakes and pies. Unfortunately, not all are the same but Castro Valley location hits the mark: friendly staff, efficient and food prepared fresh to order. I started visiting the Castro Valley location as my uncle is staying at a nearby care facility. I've placed orders at the counter and since I'm a regular (Uncle likes his pies, onion rings and chili) I downloaded the app to minimize the wait. Burgers and onion rings (there's an onion in there) are delicious and the pies hit the spot. Place is bright, clean, inviting with simple menu and clear view of those pies. I usually visit weekday lunch and Genesis and Victoria are always friendly and efficient. Overall, simple, fresh and delicious no-nonsense food. Plenty of free lot parking, indoor dining only. Everything made to order so expect a wait. Best to visit non peak hours. For to-go orders use the app - signing up gets you a free slice of pie (with entree) for your birthday!

We came here over the weekend and were very disappointed with the service. We ordered the French…read moretoast combination and the two egg plate and waited for 45 minutes for our food. We were surprised because at that point, there was only one other table and they had their food. Turns out they had a lot of to-go orders and were prioritizing those orders. I was surprised that we didn't get any update on our order but they also were not working on it. The food itself was not great. The best part was the eggs, but the bacon tasted like hotel bacon, while the hash browns were not crispy or tasty. The toast was not very good and even the orange juice tasted like the fridge. The inside of the restaurant was really cold and had a sterile environment. It was not a great environment and the time that it took to get the food really made it that much worse. We will not be returning to this place -- we would much rather support a small local eatery for brunch instead of coming here without much personalized service or care.

Pie display interior

Coconut crème & custard pies

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Mexican Street Food

3.8(13 reviews)

0.7 mi

Tacos were delicious especially the pastor tacos. It was $28 for 7 tacos and a large Horchata. But…read morelet me tell you: after my wife and I completely demolished our tacos, we noticed that the person serving the tacos used a knife to cut raw meat and then proceeded to using the same knife to cut avocados, pineapple, meat and everything. I don't know how to UNSEE what I SAW.....

Late night taco spot to check out. Carne asada would be better, less dry. But has a nice smokiness…read moreto it. Cabeza and tripas did not disappoint. Tender and crispy! I'd love to come back to try out the Al pastor! They put slices of pineapple!

Things to do in Castro Valley

Beef burrito

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Outside

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Rikky P.

19

66

67

1 year ago

Karmen's Hotdogs, formerly known as Kaspers with a "K," is a delightful gem nestled in Castro Valley that has quickly become a favorite of mine. Under the passionate leadership of store manager Karmen and her dedicated daughter Tatianna, this establishment has transformed into a vibrant spot that pays homage to its nostalgic roots while offering a fresh and exciting menu. From the moment you step inside, you can feel the warmth and welcoming atmosphere. The decor may be outdated to some, but it is charming, evoking a sense of nostalgia that perfectly complements the classic hotdog experience. The staff is friendly and attentive, making you feel right at home as you peruse the menu. Now, let's talk about the food! The quality here is truly exceptional. While prices may be on the higher side, it's clear that Karmen's Hotdogs prioritizes quality over quantity. In today's world of rising operating costs and inflation, it's refreshing to know that you're getting a delicious meal that is worth every penny. I tried a tamale here for my first time, and it was nothing short of a revelation. I was pleasantly surprised by the generous portion size--it could easily serve as a full meal! The tamale was generously slathered with cheese, tamale sauce, fresh tomatoes, and onions, and the option to add chili took it to another level of indulgence. Each bite was bursting with flavor, and I can confidently say it did not disappoint. Of course, I couldn't resist ordering my go-to cheese dog, which has always been a favorite of mine. However, what truly sets Karmen's apart from its predecessor, Caspers with a "C," is their all-beef hot dog. The flavor profile is richer and more satisfying, making each bite a delightful experience. It's clear that Karmen's Hotdogs takes pride in sourcing high-quality ingredients, and it shows in the taste. In addition to the fantastic food, Karmen's Hotdogs offers a variety of options that cater to different tastes and preferences, ensuring that there's something for everyone. Highly recommend checking them out next time you are in town! read more

Michael V.

181

6

0

10 months ago

Big supporter and eater of hotdogs. I've been to Casper's before, and Karmen's brings that experience and more. Stopped in for lunch and got a chili cheese dog, Cajun dog and chicken tamale (comes in 2s). I'm a hot link guy so the Cajun really hit the spot. The chili cheese dog was consistent with my previous experiences and the hotdog casing snap was IDEAL. The tamales were fresh, delicious, and topped off with chili, cheese, and onions. The food tasted even better because it was complemented by Karmen and her daughter, Tatiana's (I hope that is how you spell it) spectacular service. They were easy to talk to and made it a great environment. Can't go wrong with Karmen's. Will be coming back soon for my hotdog fix and to support our local businesses! read more

Tony L.

6

2

0

6 days ago

Well great food and a big surprise for Carmen &Tati I was in line and I surprised them both today since I have not seen them in two years I moved away and was in ca visiting and I had to stop by to them Thanks I miss you guys and hope you have a wonderful day read more

Izzy B.

0

5

3

21 days ago

Wow. I am so happy that this woman-lead team has stepped in to what used to be Kaspar's. The dogs are delicious, they now take credit cards, and it has a light, inviting feel while still remaining much the same. Excellent spot for a lunch break. read more

Chris W.

0

1

0

1 year ago

Food is very good best hot dogs serving the Bay Area. Customer service is very good. The owners are very nice and respectful.

Karmen's - hotdog - Updated September 2026

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Caspers

3.9

(201 reviews)

Always a great choice from a local favorite! I don't come that often and I should come more. The…read morestaff is very very friendly! The food is consistent. Caspers that hasn't changed their recipe ever since I can that's remember. Today I had the Casper's dog and a bowl of chili. Both are very yummy! There is some seating locations inside as well as a parking lot. If you didn't want to park on the busy street. This location has been here for as long as I can remember. And I love to see that they still keep their tradition going!

Yikes... two older white women working there and made a few racists comments. Just a bit…read moredisappointed... I was unimpressed with the food. It was ok. I wouldn't come back solely based on the workers.

Val's Burgers

4.0

(2.3k reviews)

Come on now... This spot is a classic! This has been here multigene's and has the papa and the mama…read moreburger... perfectly cooked wavy fries soft in the middle crispy crunchy on the outside. They also have one of the best milkshakes in the East Bay! Great service, casual, quiet diner setting. This has been a staple for many years and hopefully it stays that way!

Val's Burgers in Hayward would easily be a 5-star spot if they brought the milkshakes back! The…read moreprices are a little steep, but the food is good enough that it's worth it. Highly recommended!

Boulevard Burger

3.5

(679 reviews)

Food is always fresh and hot. They stayed open late to let…read moreus still order. Awesome little spot, give it a shot. Chocolate Malt is the best

Haven't been to Boulevard Burger in a long time, but decided to go back and support a local spot…read moreinstead of hitting a chain like Nation's or Habit Burger We were greeted right when we walked in and the cashier was really attentive with our order. He even took the time to check the cookies for peanuts since my son has an allergy, which I really appreciated. He also came by a couple times while we were eating to make sure everything was good. Honestly, this visit completely changed my past impression of the place. The food was really good, and I didn't realize they also had a pretty solid selection of alcoholic drinks. Definitely planning to come back this summer.

Hoagy Steak

4.3

(455 reviews)

If you haven't been to Hoagy Steak in San Leandro, you are missing out. This spot consistently…read moredelivers amazing, high-quality chopped cheesesteaks and hot sandwiches that are packed with flavor. The bread is always perfectly toasted on the outside while holding up to generous portions of juicy, seasoned meat, melty cheese, and grilled veggies. Whether you go with a classic cheesesteak, the Deluxe, or hit it with bacon or BBQ, every bite hits the spot. Portions are huge, the service is fast and friendly, and they pay attention to special instructions. It's comfort food done right--a local gem that never disappoints!

This mom and pop hoagie place is one of the best in the Bay Area hands down…read more I always get the #4 Mushroom Steak Hoagie with Onions, Extra Meat and Nacho Cheese Sauce!! Always great tasting pack flavors. This time I got the same but without the bun and had them put the steak all over the curly fries, best decision I've ever had!!! LOL!!! Cant go wrong with this place!!! Its a must try. Friendly and quick service, what more can you ask for!!!

Classic Burger

4.5

(493 reviews)

This place made me say "got dayum" to my date, who smiled because they knew I would love the food…read more I had a mushroom cheeseburger, they had the classic cheeseburger. The charbroiled Smokey burgers were enough to make the meal, but the nice amount of large steak cut fries and pump ketchup really added to the meal. I grabbed a chocolate shake, which was nothing but the finest nesquick chocolate syrup. It was delicious. What set this joint apart from other spots was the charbroiled burgers, but they also have some dogs and a Philly cheese steak I wanna try next time. Give this place a go, you won't regret it. Take a seat by the beautiful mural, and enjoy the reasonably priced grub.

I've been wanting to try Classic Burger for a while. I found it through a Reddit post asking for…read morethe best burger in the East Bay. A bunch of places were mentioned and I looked up pretty much all of them, but this one looked the best based on the kind of burgers I like. I love a charbroiled burger where you can actually see and taste the char, a soft bun, and melted American cheese. I ordered the bacon cheeseburger with an extra slice of cheese, swapped the regular onions for grilled onions, and got the fries extra crispy. The burger was amazing. You could really taste the char on the patty, and they even char the bun, which I loved. Everything worked really well together, and it was so good without tasting heavy or greasy like some burgers can. The fries were good, but I personally prefer thinner fries, more like McDonald's size. If I changed anything, I would've asked for extra mayo on the burger. Definitely coming back!

El Charrascas

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I came through CV on my way home and was looking for something to eat. I searched Yelp and found…read morethis little truck with one single review, so I decided to check it out. The food here is great, and prepared by people who genuinely want to take care of you and give you an enjoyable meal. There's a selection of fresh veggies on the back counter which are cut and added to each meal with love and care. They even gave me conversation and a glass of fresh made Jamaica while I waited. I ordered Sopes with Carne Asada, which were freshly prepared, and a grilled chicken burrito which was packed full of flavor! I would recommend them to anyone. Don't be fooled this little food truck has BIG FLAVORS!!! They even have a seating area setup with Al Pastor roasting, if you don't want to take your food to go. 10/10 will be back asap

My best friend and I have been driving past this small taco stand for a while, and we finally…read morestopped to give it a try. The owner and his partner were so friendly and you could see they put their heart into their food. They have a tortilla press inside the small stand and you could see the freshly prepared masa waiting to be made into tacos and sopes! We also tried agua fresca and you can taste the freshly puréed melon. Highly recommend. And get the jalapeño sauce even if you don't like spicy because it's really good.

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Delicious food and great ambiance! My husband found the place on a whim and it has now become our…read morefavorite restaurant. A must to visit spot :)

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I am having them come out to have hot dog cart for my birthday party. They have lots of different…read moretypes of hot dogs and even vegetarian hot dogs. I am sure I will use them every year. Thanks.

Only place to eat under $20 on the San Leandro Marina. Brand new in business, 6 months getting all…read morethe government red tape, but finally in business! All to code at federal, state, county and city requirements. Chili cheese (1/4 beef dog), $5, sauerkraut dog, pico de gallo dog, cheese dog, deluxe dog ($4) and more, with large buns. Sodas and water. Great guy, great dogs.

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