Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Mama Cho's BBQ

    4.0 (436 reviews)
    ModerateBarbeque, Korean

    Order Mama Cho's BBQ Takeout or Delivery

    Mama Cho's BBQ Photos

    MAMA CHO'S BBQ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    More like Mama Cho's BBQ

    Recommended Reviews - Mama Cho's BBQ

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Ashley C.

    I've been searching for a Korean bbq burrito after my favorite one closed down so this place was a must-stop on our day trip to the East Bay. It's located inside of Lake Chabot Public Market to the right of the entrance. They sell branded merch that we were so tempted to buy! They also have a little grocery store section which is perfect if you needed to grab a few things. We ordered the kalbi burrito and bulgogi cheesesteak. She warned us of the wait time before we ordered, which we appreciated. She quoted us 20-25 minutes but it wasn't too long at all! We got our food in about 15 minutes but I appreciated their transparency. Had to take a bite of the French fries first - they tasted like McDonald's! My kalbi burrito was huge, and so good. The ingredients could be spread out a little better, I was eating just plain rice for the first 3 bites. And all of the kimchi was in the very last few bites on the other end. But otherwise the meat was tender, although could've been more of it! I also would've enjoyed some kind of spicy creamy sauce, maybe like a gochujang mayo. The size was plenty and I was able to take home half to eat for another meal. The burrito was closer to a 4 star but my review is going to be a 5 because of my husband's bulgogi cheesesteak. It was also very good size which is good since both were $15 each without any side or drink. The meat was so tender and there was a nice kick to the flavor. The tomato and lettuce were unnecessary since those aren't on cheesesteaks normally but I could eat those peppers all day. They were sweet and not overly spicy. I hope they read this review and tell me what kind of peppers those were because I need them in my everyday meals at home! Really great experience here - I'll definitely remember that cheesesteak!

    Bulgogi cheesecake
    Nareena V.

    Came to Mama Cho's after a day of fishing at Lake Chabot! Glad to find a place so close since we were starving. This place shares a space with other food stalls in the market. Mama Cho's also has a market where you can buy Korean groceries/drinks. I ordered the bulgogi cheesecake and Kalbi burrito. Not sure if it was because I was super hungry but the cheesecake was fireeee. I loved all the peppers in the sandwiches. The cheese and bulgogi went really well. I wish the bread was toasted though. The burrito was also good! I wish they had other sauce besides just tapatio but overall a good experience.

    Kalbi Burger
    Dominic V.

    This is my go to place whenever I'm not sure what I want to eat. When I'm depressed and can't stomach anything, my friends know to get me something here for some food. This restaurant is located in Lake Chabot Public market where there are different food items like Boba, ice cream and ramen too. There's a pretty decent sized parking lot where I've never seen really run out of space. If the front is full, there's another back parking lot with more spaces. You have to order the food first, and then grab food on the other side. Whether you call in, order online or order in person, the people working here are always helpful and a pleasure to talk to. There are a lot of picnic tables to choose from in the market from small tables for 2 to big tables for 12 people. My go to at Mama Cho's is the Kalbi burrito. It's the best remix of a burrito using Korean style marinated meat. I'll grab a picture of it soon. I also love all of the appetizers like the macho fries, highly recommend with pork; or try their sweet potato tots; Their regular garlic fries are worth trying as well. I was feeling like a burger today and I also got me the burrito to go (please don't judge me). The Kalbi cheeseburger hit the spot with the right amount of onions, pickles and slices of cheese on a Kalbi patty that adds a hint of sweetness to the savory. The tomato's are a hit or miss for me on a burger so to me, they were just there. As hungry as I was, the burger was not enough for me to be full. I broke into a quarter of my burrito as well and left completely happy and excited for my next meal to finish the rest of my burrito. This place is a must try and I mean everything on the menu.

    Korean Fried Chicken (5 PCS)
    Christine L.

    This is located in a food cafeteria type place where there are multiple food options with seating in the middle. Lots of parking available. Korean Fried chicken - chicken wings that were big, juicy cooked perfectly and nicely crispy but the flavor tasted strongly of salt and sugar. For some reason the way the taste made me think of cafeteria food. They were good but a bit like it was made in bulk if that makes sense. Price was okay, if it was any more $$$ I would think it was overpriced. Radishes were a nice touch but they did taste a bit stale or just not as crunchy and fresh as BonChon. If I got this again I would get a different sauce option.

    Sign
    Dee W.

    Glad they were open because the 1st time I went on a Monday they were closed.. customer service was great ! My KFC was great I would definitely go back

    Wendy K.

    This is located in one of those Marketplaces. There are currently 5 vendors.. Mama Cho's BBQ is so delicious. I love the Oakland Kalbi Ribs. Yesterday I tried the Bulgogi for the first time and it was a hit. The regurla plate is $17 (1-19-23). The Oakland Kalbi is an additional $3 and the Bulgogi is an extra $2. They are both totally work the extra cost. The plates come with rice and kimchi. All the meat is made to order and every bite tastes fresh. Here's What I Think...even if you're not in the neighborhood, please visit Mama Cho's.

    10 piece fried chicken and garlic fries
    Dale S.

    My husband and I had lunch here this week. We ordered a 10 piece Korean Fried Chicken for $16 that came with steamed rice and daikon and added an order of Garlic fries for $5 to share. It was an adequate amount for both of us ad the chicken pieces are very small. The flavor on the chicken was light and crunchy. The garlic fries are really coated in the garlic so be ready; They pack a punch and I was pleasantly surprised. Not much in the way of drink options but they do have a small grocery area with a beer selection. They have some unique options like bulgogi cheesesteak that we will definitely try next time we come and they also have a bar with stools inside where you can sit and eat.

    Jason K.

    Food was good. Service quick. Lots of seating and workers were nice. Would come back again.

    Chicken nachos
    Jay G.

    Mama Cho's has been on my must try list for a very long time. Thankfully for food delivery services, I was able to knock it off my list. There were a couple items I wanted to try. I was in search of a new Korean fusion burrito. My regular spot I would go to had been gone for years. I see that they do Korean fusion burritos. Via a delivery app, I went on to place an order. I ordered the following: - Bulgogi burrito - Bulgogi taco - Chicken nachos The order took about 45 minutes from start to delivery. Everything was packaged very well and hot. The burrito was full of flavor and delicious. The bulgogi was tender. Kimchi, black beans, and rice all wrapped in a flour tortilla. For me, it was missing a fried egg. Unfortunately, there was no option for that, but would love to see it on the menu in the future. The chicken nachos were very tasty as well. The tortilla chips were crispy and chicken juicy and tender. All this topped with sour cream, guacamole, refried beans and cheese. The bulgogi taco was solid. Bulgogi meat topped with pico de gallo, cheese and sour cream. I most definitely will need to try the other menu items next time! A missing void for Korean fusion burrito has been fulfilled.

    Korean bbq
    Mari B.

    Mama Cho's is located in the public market which is a location that has multiple vendors. The food is pricy but the quality of meats and flavor are worth the cost, especially when Korean barbecue is not a common find in the area. Service is fast and food tastes fresh with savory flavors. The meat was tender and I really enjoyed everything on my plate. Seating indoor and outdoor offered, quick service and delicious food profiles. If you haven't tried Korean bbq yet, this is a great place to get you on board with some good food.

    Ruk G.

    The Kalbi burrito was good. I wished they offered spicy salsa instead of hot sauce lol. The taste is good. It was not a big as your arm but it was about almost two third of the arm. The price was a bit on the high side. It was a treat so I couldn't tell about service. It is one popular spot in Castro valley so give it a shot. They also have soju as well

    Bimbibap rice bowl with bulgogi beef slices $15
    Vi T.

    Located in a food court with about 4 other vendors, called the Lake Chabot Public Market. There's indoor and outside picnic table seating if you want to dine here after ordering. Plenty of parking on the private building lot too. I ordered the bimbibap ($15) with bulgogi beef and tried their Korean Fried chicken wings($10), which apparently only comes in a plate order that includes a bowl of rice and pickled/cubed daikon. Both dishes were tasty and good quality. I'll be back to try their kalbi beef short ribs the next time I am in the area.

    Kalbi Burger add French Fries
    Moji O.

    Not going lie, I was expecting more from the burger. Flavors were sweet and strong. I guess for $13 I was expecting it to be bigger. I was still hungry after and will next time consider a double double lol This burger is an ingenious idea! Hats off to Mama Cho. Flavor was good so I will be back to try the take home meat.

    Oakland kalbi short ribs  Spicy pork  KBBQ Plate

    See all

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 2

    3 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 2
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jay G.
    558
    714
    1004

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Leme K.
    119
    614
    1644

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Closed! A massive fire yesterday means they are out for awhile at least. We hope the owners will rebuild. We miss you already

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alan D.
    223
    499
    1020

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cari A.
    212
    1112
    4128

    5 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lele Y.
    593
    833
    1385

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 14
    Thanks 0
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Justin Q.
    8
    279
    209

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 0
    Love this 14
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - Mama Cho's BBQ

    I know the store's closed but can I purchase their kimchi anywhere else? It's so good I knew I should've purchased it the last time I was there before the fire happened.

    I was desperate too and found Sodam market in Dublin. They have all the amazing ban chan and their house made kimchi (in the plastic containers, not the factory sealed) doesn't disappoint. Hope this helps!

    When do you expect to repair the fire damage and do you think you'll reopen?

    Unfortunately, we do not have a firm timeline on when we will be rebuilding as we are still working through insurance and exploring our options. All we can say is that we do plan on rebuilding in the future, most likely Spring 2025. Hope this… 

    For the owner, I'm trying to eliminate my use of plastic to-go containers. If I order a plate or bowl, can I get it in a container that I provide?

    Do any of the marinades contain MSG?

    Hi Sheila, Thanks for asking. None of our marinades contain MSG. Hope this helps!… 

    What banchan do they sell?

    Our ban chans vary depending on the season, but most of the time you will find: Jap Chae… 

    Does anyone know if the business is open during quarantine?

    Hi Samantha, Yes, we are open. Our Shelter in Place hours are: Mon - Sat: 11 - 6:30 pm.… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Southern Comfort Kitchen - First bite into the Fried Catfish

    Southern Comfort Kitchen

    4.2(2.5k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    This place always meets expectations and more…read more I remember everytime I would come to this area before the pandemic, there would always be a long line and it'd love quickly. We were there right when they opened on a Saturday morning and got the fried rainbow trout platter with brussel sprouts and salad, jambalaya and fried catfish with fries. Each dish was well made and so flavorful! The portions were also generous and hearty. I was with three people who were having it for the first time and it was amajor hit with the crew. I've been thinkjng about when we can come back for more!

    Went to lunch on a Sunday at Southern Comfort kitchen. Ordered jambalaya, catfish shrimp with…read morecheese grits, Brussel sprouts and beignets. Catfish shrimp and cheese grits were a 10/10! The batter and crunch from the fish and shrimp was delicious. I didn't finish my grist and had them the next day and just as good. Brussels sprouts could have been chopped in 1/4 to get more sauce on them or cooked a little more tender. The Jambalaya was seasoned perfectly for me. The beignets were very dense and not light on the inside, maybe skip those next time. The brown sugar lemonade was on point!! Would recommend for a brunch date on a the weekends. The staff were helpful and responsive. Food came out quickly and the music set the ambiance

    Photos
    Southern Comfort Kitchen - Eating outside next to parked cars

    Eating outside next to parked cars

    Southern Comfort Kitchen - The spicy fried shrimp over grits (spicy) - YUM!

    The spicy fried shrimp over grits (spicy) - YUM!

    Southern Comfort Kitchen - Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya!

    See all

    Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya!

    Emil Villa's California Barbecue - Pork Chop & Eggs

    Emil Villa's California Barbecue

    3.5(523 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    The food there is delicious! The ribs are meaty and tender the sides include a dinner salad,…read morecoleslaw, steak fries, a baked potato, beans or vegetables. We also go there for breakfast and their breakfast are very good. Servinging are literally big enough to split between two people ! Omelettes have all fresh vegetables. Their home fries are super good and my father likes the pancakes (and he is very particular about pancakes.) We love the waitress there ! The same waitresses have been there for a long time so-the management must treat them well. I will say - the ambience is not the greatest. I think the same posters on the wall have been there since I went there 20 years ago. I think they should have a workday where all the employees come in just paint the walls and hang new pictures or posters up. It would make a huge difference and would only take a day or so. Take out orders are really fast too. We call it in and it's ready when we get there. Definitely the best tasting rib place around in my opinion!

    Had to come back for the ribs and bbq beef sandwich! I'm just glad to see this place is still open…read moreand serving good food. The St. Louis ribs with BBQ sauce on the side are a must try. I also recommend the beef sandwich..it comes with one side, you can request how you want the meat cooked, and get au jus on the side. Good stuff! And the BBQ beans are amazing!

    Photos
    Emil Villa's California Barbecue
    Emil Villa's California Barbecue - Turkey melt with fries

    Turkey melt with fries

    Emil Villa's California Barbecue - Family style combo Full rack of ribs and Half Chicken

    See all

    Family style combo Full rack of ribs and Half Chicken

    Famous Dave's

    Famous Dave's

    3.2(1.1k reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$

    I saw my friend post pictures of his food on Instagram, specifically a close up shot of RIBS. Now,…read moreanyone that knows me, knows that I love me some ribs....mmmmm, mmmm! When I asked him where he got the ribs, he said Famous Dave's. I knew that I had to try them out for myself. It was always one thing after another, but finally, I had time on a Wednesday afternoon. I didnt want to deal with a crowd and when I went, it was perfect. We were seated right away. Our service was Yanira and she was awesome. So friendly, answering all of our questions. I got the ribs and meat meal since I also wanted to try their chopped pork. My sides were Mac and Cheese and Tater Tots. When my order came, I got their special fries and before I could even say anything, another server came with a bowl of my tater tots apologizing for the mistake. No complaints here since I got another side. Everything was delicious. The ribs were tender. I also loved their BBQ sauce. I was going to order water, but since it was a special occassion, i ordered a Dr. Pepper and I was surprised that it came in a large mason glass jar. The Dr. Pepper wasn't peppering.....if you know you know, it just didnt taste strong, but I did enjoy that the drink was ice cold. They dont have coke, but serve pepsi products. The cornbread was perfection, warm and buttery. Disclaimer, the Mac and Cheese had corn in it, just stating if you care about that sort of thing. It was more on the saucy cheesy side. I never had Mac and Cheese like that, but since I love Mac and Cheese and I love corn so it was hit in my world. Portions are huge and I had to take some food home. Prices seem comparable to other places that serve BBQ. Lots of seating areas and I can see on special occasions or on the weekends, this place could get packed. Plenty of parking. This restaurant is off Winton, in the area where Panera is at. If you go all the way to the mall you have gone too far. I know that I will be coming back, I am curious to try their burnt tips. They have a loyalty program. You can sign up before, it is simple, or sign up there as you are eating.

    It has been a long time since I've been here and it still is a great place to get bbq. The menu has…read morea lot to choose from, we went with the bbq plate for 2 but it's enough to feed 3 to 4. Excellent sauce flavor, plus on the tables they have an assortment of sauces to add a little kick. The chicken and ribs were cooked to perfection. The meat fell right off the bone. The pork was so tender it melted in your mouth. The beans and coleslaw had great flavors. The plate included some cornbread that was baked with honey and butter that gave it a nice crust on top. Utensils are provided but don't be afraid to use your hands..it is a bbq joint. Hand wipes are available at every table if you get messy. Plenty of tables and booths for your comfort and large parties. A full bar with big screen tvs for game day or just to chill with friends. Give them a try.

    Photos
    Famous Dave's - House BBQ Sauces

    House BBQ Sauces

    Famous Dave's - 4 bones rib plate with Cole slaw and fries

    4 bones rib plate with Cole slaw and fries

    Famous Dave's

    See all

    The Grill By Miss G - Opening Soon

    The Grill By Miss G

    3.9(298 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $

    Cool place! The barbeque was good, similar to my filipino family's bbq at home. Pretty convenient…read morewhen you want that grilled taste without all the preparation -- I saw groups that just grilled skewers and took them to go. The grill was as big as it could be, for the size of the restaurant. But I could imagine when its busy it would take a while to get space on the grill. Luckily when I went this weekend, it wasn't busy and we had a lot of grill space to cook our food quickly. Was impressed by the chicken isaw! It wasn't bitter so you know it was clean. Also, I liked the longanisa! The sweetness was good with the suka. I got the cantaloupe juice, it was good but didn't have any shredded cantaloupe. Would come back though, maybe on a night where they have a DJ. Vibes!

    Bruh, I was going to comment that the hours are silly on this Yelp page, went to go double check…read moretheir Google page and apparently it's permanently closed? I'm gonna check with my NorCal moots about this but sucks if that's true. I was going to comment on how this is one of few bastions of affordable, slightly more unique food in the bay area, but I guess that's not the case. I'm spoiled by having a Dollar Hits in SoCal literally down the street from me so I can't say this place compares, but it's at least an option for NorCal, you know? This definitely used to be another restaurant, but then retrofitted to be a grill. Super large grill in the middle for everyone to communally cook at indoors. This is a good combination between the outdoors grill it yourself and the indoors seating of both the SoCal Dollar Hits, so I thought that was nice. They have all the classics here, isaw (sometimes Dollar Hits doesn't have this unless you request -it's chicken intestines), large intestines, chicken skin, kwek kwek (battered quail eggs), and Tender Juicy bright red filipino hot dogs (a must). You can also order a side of rice and the sauces were self serve (made it a bit sticky). It gets a bit smoky in there even with the fans, but overall had an enjoyable time the time when I did visit.

    Photos
    The Grill By Miss G - Clean, Fast service, Good food.

    Clean, Fast service, Good food.

    The Grill By Miss G
    The Grill By Miss G - Sign from street

    See all

    Sign from street

    Moana Hawaiian BBQ - BBQ Chicken and Beef

    Moana Hawaiian BBQ

    4.4(163 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    a chicken katsu that measures out to two meals, great deal alert!…read more so I have been here many times, tried the chicken katsu, hawaiian bbq chicken, aloha bbq chicken, and white island fish, which is about half the menu, and always great and always filling so a chicken katsu comes with two scoops of rice, one scoop of mac salad, a small bed of cabbage, some steamed brocolli, and three crispy and juicy pieces of chicken. There are two dipping sauces, a plum based katsu sauce, and a soy sauce hybrid. The katsu sauce has a little bit of heat, but mild enough that my SO whom normally does not eat any spicy, can handle it. Which ever combo or item you pick, it's outstanding. Because the items have a lot of food, I usually skip the appetizers. So for either lunch or dinner, you have two meals out of any items. Service is great, I usually order on the phone and pick it up, but ordering in person or online is fast, staff is great and friendly. the decor is simple and the place is very clean. There are about seven tables and parking can be limited when the place is busy.

    Seems like the portions a generous but, when you underneath it's cabbage propping up the chicken…read morekatsu. Also had the hamburger steak lots of rice underneath the patties and not enough gravy. The beef patties were large but it no beef flavor; more breadcrumbs. Service was very nice the girl at the counter was cordial. The ambience was that of a cafeteria; a few tables white paint. I was hoping the food would make up for sparseness; I will try it again maybe different choices and maybe a better review.

    Photos
    Moana Hawaiian BBQ - Front Counter

    Front Counter

    Moana Hawaiian BBQ - Chicken Katsu

    Chicken Katsu

    Moana Hawaiian BBQ - 8/23/25 FYI. Menu

    See all

    8/23/25 FYI. Menu

    Mama Cho's BBQ - bbq - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...