We came here for a Saturday dinner. They actually close at 9pm despite online saying 8pm! There were only a few of us that were dining in the diner, so there were plenty of tables available. Very cute diner aesthetic. We mainly ordered hamburgers & fries. A classic. I got to try some of their orange juice and it was indeed very fresh! The orders of our hamburgers actually took awhile... felt like it shouldn't take this long to assemble hamburgers lol. Once we finally got our burgers, they were definitely huge! Extremely filling. It was definitely a classic, juicy burger, with the lettuce and tomatoes making it very refreshing and crisp. Fries were also really good, nice and cripsy and toasty. Service was also quite attentive and friendly. Kept asking us if we needed ranch lol. read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - 1/3lb Hamburger - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

I been wanting to go here for years. On weekends its always too busy and a long line outside. So I was finally in the area on a weekday and no lines. Unfortunately I was not impressed with the food. It was ok but not meeting the hype. Don't believe the hype, like Public Enemy once said haha ( if you know you know ). The waffles is in the name of the business and it was literally my least favorite thing and I love waffles. For me I prefer Beligian waffle style, thicker and more substance in my opinion. The rest of the meal was average diner food. Ok, not bad but not great. The service was extremely nice and pleasant. I am a self proclaimed food connoisseur in my own right haha, and I am on a life long mission to find and eat amazing rememberable cuisine. So I might be picker than your average bear. I appreciate the kind service but I know too many places that excit me to return to mediocre dinning. With that said not everyone is looking for greatness. Some people are happy with average. Thats just not me. read more

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Since today was a holiday, I expected a line, and we ended up waiting about 20-30 minutes to get in. Once inside, we were seated and served quite quickly. I ordered the Waffle combo, and my kid had the mini pancakes. The bacon was perfectly crunchy, and the hash browns were great. Their freshly squeezed orange juice was delicious. Surprisingly, the pancakes were actually more flavorful than the waffle. I would have preferred the waffle to be a bit crispier/more well-done, but it was still fine. I'd definitely come back if I were in the area, but I probably wouldn't make a special trip just for it. read more

Oles is always a hit. It's usually busy in the morning, they were able to seat us quickly. We were a party of 3. I had the chicken and waffles, another had the pancake with bacon and eggs, another had the chili omelette with potatoes. Everything was good and fresh. We enjoyed the food, the servers were very friendly and attentive. This is a wonderful place to stop for breakfast whenever you're in town! read more

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I never knew this was the oldest waffle house in the US, but it made me appreciate the ambiance so much more. The service was sweet and quick, but the food was just okay to me. The waffles were a bit too soggy and the sandwich lacked some flavor. My favorite was the chocolate walnut waffle ($11.95) and I would definitely come back for that. My friend also got one of the scrambles and thought the flavor was just okay for the price. I would recommend here if you're interested in the vibes and want a quick waffle dish! read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Walnut Waffle with Chocolate Chips ($11.90) and Waffle topped with Peaches ($11.90) - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

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In my opinion, this place is the best choice for breakfast. We went on Mothers Day, and I'll tell ya at 7:30 in the morning this place was packed, there was only one open table when we got there. We took that as a good sign. We were sat right away, waters placed in front of us and we were asked if we want coffee right away. Within a minute we were sipping on hot coffee that was decent for dinner coffee. For our food: My partner ordered the Eggs Benedict with hash browns. She said it isn't the best she has ever had, it's a close second. They give a thick slice of Canadian back, the sauce was a tad bit salty, but overall really good. I ordered to the eggs, bacon, home potatoes, and Toast: the gave like 5 thick sliced of bacon. My eggs were cooked the way I like them. The home potatoes were so good, crispy and cooked all the way. It was exactly what I was craving. When going to get breakfast at a restaurant, I believe pancakes for the table to share is a must. So we ordered the short stack, which is 2 pancakes. These were the best pancakes I've ever had. Thick and fluffy but light and airy. They melt in your mouth. This is my new go to spot when I get that craving for a restaurant style breakfast. read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

A Classic Island Staple That Just Gets Better! It's been a minute since my last visit, but Ole's Waffle Shop is still the undisputed champ of breakfast in Alameda. It's got that timeless diner feel, but with some great new updates! * The Food: The waffles are just as delicious as I remembered. If you're craving classic, no-fuss breakfast food with huge portions and reasonable prices, this is the spot. * The Space: It looks like they've expanded! We were seated on the patio, which was super comfortable and airy. * Dog-Friendly! This was the best surprise--they actually have a dog food menu tacked right on the post! I didn't have my pups with me this time, but I'm 100% bringing them for brunch next weekend. read more

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There is a huge line up front, but you may be able to skip it if you're willing to sit at the counter, which we did. Such good food! Probably the best pancakes we've had, not rubbery and served with real maple syrup. The waffles are good, too. They do not skimp on the butter, so beware. This restaurant was established in 1927, so it's approaching it's centennial. Not a lot seems to have changed either. The decor is very true to the moniker of Waffle House. Fast and friendly service. read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

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First time ever having Ole's and I can say I'm highly disappointed. The pancakes are super crumbly and just not tasteful at all. The bacon was extremely over cooked and lacked flavor. Now I don't know if it's because this was a take out order, Father's Day rush, but never again. My daughter has raved about this place and I'm not sure why. Omg even the syrup was tasteless, I had to pull out my own from home. read more

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Ole's Waffle Shop has a favorable reputation since they've been around for multiple decades. Not sure if there's a change in management or ownership, but I thought they were just ok. Line on a Saturday late morning moved quicker than I expected, turns out they also have a large outdoor back patio, which was where I got seated. I liked the vibe because the weather was nice. One part of the restaurant is dark, while the other is bright. Think the "dark" part is a different restaurant at night? I went with the basics of bacon, egg and waffle. The bacon and egg were fine, but the waffle was dry. Tasted similar to that from a frozen box from the grocery store. I had a few bites of the country fried steak, which was also disappointing. Service was so-so, they were very busy, totally understandable. I can't say I'll be back again soon as there are plenty of other options on Park St. #10/2026 read more

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Disclaimer: Breakfast is my least favorite meal of the day, with that said this is a pretty decent breakfast spot that offer many options. Got here on Mother's Day and was very luck to have a seat open and was seated right away. Service is very friendly and pretty on top of checking up on you and refilling your coffee. On weekends they only have Eggs Benedict which is my favorite so had to try it. It was decent, but nothing special, lacked flavor, but the Canadian bacon was thick. Also got pancakes and they were probably the best plain pancakes I have ever had. Since this visit I have been here one more time - got their taco omelette special. It was massive, but was not wowed. With that said I will try one more time, because with everyone eating here and so many options I feel there is something here for me. read more

The Team is very kind and tries their best to serve you quickly. It can get a bit busy, so watch out for those peak hours for tables. You can sit at the counter, which is first-come, first-serve. Waffles are great. A nice balance of crispy & fluffy. The classic syrup adds a nice sweetness. read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Waffle with Peaches - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

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This was my first time ever at this particular waffle house! My boyfriend said they had the best waffles ever! Goodness, was he right! As we found parking, we realized we were waiting at the end of the second restaurant patio area. I took a picture where you could at least see the sign and the wait time from there was about 30 minutes. Not too bad considering they were using their original waffle House restaurant, as well as the adjacent wine bar restaurant for a table seating. They were flipping tables pretty quickly, and everyone seemed to order their favorite dishes and we're on their way! They also have outdoor seating as well as a lot of tables for two. The coffee was French roast or something dark, I'm never a fan of dark roast coffee, but Americans always like it. Lol I added a bunch of ice cubes and it was fine for me. I was also very impressed with the pecans, waffle and the amount of pecans that were on top!! the waffle itself had a really good flavor. The bread was light and fluffy with crispy edges from the waffle maker itself. I was highly impressed!! My boyfriend got the Spanish omelette and even though I don't like eggs, the Spanish omelette was filled with enough toppings that I couldn't taste the egg itself. Lol the sourdough bread was really good and crispy so I was also impressed. I would definitely like to go back again, but perhaps later in the morning so we're not waiting in a 30 minute line when it starts to rain. Lol but the food was that good!! Oh down the way there's an amazing toy store if you're interested or if you have kids, perhaps, kids at heart!! Look for my review on that! Hee read more

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Service: quick and unapologetic. Old school diner Food: delicious, filling, exactly what one might expect. Ambience: small tables, not good for groups of 5+. Counter seating is first come first serve and single diners. I had the French toast combo, will be going back read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Classic mug - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

Classic diner feels and I loved it! It's the funky old retro orange. The best way to enjoy the experience is to head straight to the seats at the countertop so you'll hopefully be helped by Rosa. She was awesome from the start all the way to paying the bill. She set the tone for good vibes on a rainy Sunday. I ordered the WAFFLE COMBO which includes 1 Waffle, 1 egg, and 2 slices of bacon. The WAFFLE is so good! Crispy, thin, but still fluffy! PERFECT. It was topped with a butter ball that was at the right temperature to smear it on the waffle. Points for that one because getting a butterball that you can't melt hurts my soul! Get yourself OJ because it's freshly squeezed in front of your eyes! You can view it from the counter top hahaha Ahhhhhh, so refreshing and tasty! I have to say that for a place that gets super busy, their team works efficiently so people get their drinks and food in a timely manner. Parking is street parking so I recommend when you are getting nearby to start looking and just park. read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice. - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

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My son proclaims the waffles at Ole's Waffle Shop "best in the Bay" and says he's never tasted better anywhere, not even homemade. Not surprising considering as of the posting of this review, Ole's, a historical landmark, is literally 99 years old, is still going strong and still uses the original waffle recipe used by original owner Ole Swanson. If, like me, you're not a big waffle person, they have all of the other yummy American diner food offerings you could hope for. Hurry up and get in here. You're welcome! Also check out this SF Gate review on them: https://www.sfgate.com/restaurants/article/Our-Retro-Favorites-Ole-s-Waffle-Shop-2948764.php read more

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A true Alameda staple- if you grew up on island then you should be familiar with Ole's (one of the oldest waffle shops in America). I went last month during a recent trip back home and Rosa was my server. Despite it being packed full of people , I did not have to wait for a table and was seated near the back of the restaurant. I ordered the chicken and waffles, a waffle with fresh strawberries, a fresh squeezed orange juice, and a side of bacon! Rosa kindly let us know that the chicken would take around 20-25 minutes to prepare but we didn't mind the wait. The chicken came out fresh and crispy, I do think it needed some crystal hot sauce but that's just me. Also I think most of the complaints are coming from people who are ordering the waffles plain- get some type of fruit on top! It makes them 100x better read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Waffle topped with Strawberries - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

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My wife and I flew into town to visit family for a few days and she wanted to see my various stomping grounds of when I lived in the Bay Area. She had mentioned seeing Ole's Waffle Shop through social media and wanted to visit since we'd be in town. So we got into the car and drove there. We got lucky and found metered street parking right across the street and paid a a buck or two for the max of 2 hours. But there's a public parking lot a short walk away if needed. We got lucky because we were sat down almost immediately. This place is definitely a local favorite as there's always a line out the door. Not long after we sat down people started to come and a line formed. Every glance I took at the front door had an average of 8-10 people waiting for the chance to come eat. We ordered the double cheeseburger, rib eye and a waffle. Everything was delicious and my rib eye and clam chowder were both among the best I've ever tasted. They're really that good! The waffle was also very good. It's thin and crispy and loaded with fresh fruit and whipped cream. And it has a hint of either brown sugar or cinnamon with every bite. Literally every one of the employees there was super upbeat except for our server, Jennifer. We often mentioned to each other about how we got the grumpy server that got out of the wrong side of the bed. She never refilled our drinks, came by to check on us and we had to ask our busser for assistance on a few issues as she was nowhere to be seen. Contrast to the server on the table next to us, who was making jokes with her table and had them laughing and feeling at home. Eventually we wanted to pay and had to flag down our busser who told us he'd get our server. When she still didn't come I finally got her attention and even then it took us about 15-20 more minutes to get the bill. Knocking off the 1 star due to this on what could have been a perfect review. We'd definitely be back, just hoping for a little more attentiveness. read more

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First time here, we decided to come because of the good reviews and nice inside looking. And for sure did not disappoint us! There was a wait when we got there. Staff super friendly! And the were so quick. From the coffee until we left! Coffee was always refilled, food came out so quick! And delicious... Fresh oj right at the moment you ordered! Little bar area and big dining room. Elizabeth was our waitress and she was awesome! Great service and food! Definitely will be back to try different dishes! read more

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This waffle shop had been recommended to me so many times, and I finally made my way here. I am so glad I did. The moment you walk in, it gives major old diner vibes in the best way possible. It feels cozy, nostalgic, and welcoming, and the hospitality really stands out. Everyone is so kind and makes you feel right at home. I ordered the hot cocoa waffle along with the sausage and biscuits, and everything was so good and comforting. I actually brought the sausage home, and my boyfriend absolutely loved them, which says a lot. It is one of those spots that truly lives up to the hype, and I can already see myself coming back again. read more

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Food was excellent. As was the service. I can't wait to go back and try other items on the menu. I don't know how I resisted the fresh squeezed orange juice. It was a diner type setting. read more

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Waffles Beats Pancakes Prices: $$ (40-60) Food: 4/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Ole's Waffle Shop offers amazing service and a nostalgic atmosphere. I love the old-school diner vibe--it feels like stepping back in time, where you can relax and enjoy a simple, comforting breakfast. We ordered the regular and pecan waffles, and I have to say: the waffles beat the pancakes. I usually prefer pancakes, but these were just okay. The waffles had far better flavor, while the pancakes tasted a bit bland. We also tried the waffles with fried chicken , and the chicken was incredibly crunchy and packed with flavor. I'll definitely be back to explore more of the menu. Support local mom-and-pop shops--they'll treat you better and serve you food that's far superior to anything at McDonald's. Don't forget to try the fresh orange juice!!! read more

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Have been multiple times as my kiddo loves their pancakes. The Tuna Melt was delicious and everyone who I've interacted with has been really nice. I really appreciate the vintage vibes, this spot is an original. read more

A blast from the past! I got a chance to try out Ole's Waffle Shop, a classic diner that has been opened for almost 100 years, using the classic same batter recipe since 1927. I got there at 6:30AM on Christmas Eve and they had were half packed, which is super impressive. Because the sun hasn't risen yet, the outside of the diner lit up and it was such a cool sight to see. And they also decorated for the holidays so that was lovely as well. Walked in and was immediately greeted, offering us to sit at any table. We went for an open booth, asked if we wanted coffee and gave us a menu to look over the items. Coffee arrived quickly within a minute and lowkey was giving old school diner vibes that you see in tv shows (I've never been to one so this was a cool experience). I'm clearly easily amused haha... Coffee was solid. The orange juice was so fresh and I saw there was a pretty large juicer near the front of the bar seats. We ordered the Waffle Combo - I got it with a sunnyside up and bacons, and my friend got the scrambled eggs with sausage patty. The meal itself was super solid and really tasty! I generally don't enjoy breakfast foods but this was pretty good. Service was fast, friendly, and good - curious how it is when it's super packed. The vibe of the shop is giving 1900s for sure. The food is solid, and the price is as good as it gets in this economy. Overall, glad I tried this place out, knowing that a 100 year old diner still exists and is in the bay and is part of Alameda history. I'd definitely go again! Solid experience :) read more

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Ole's Poem Old and beautiful vibes Loved all of the food here...and orange juice :) Especially the waffles...crisped to perfection Salt the chicken on ur own and you're set read more

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Come here for the waffles! Best tasty waffle you'll finish every morsel! Have been coming here for over forty years. Wish they still sold their signature pancake/waffle mix like they did during the pandemic. I could eat one every day! Also tried the Tammy's omelet and Bobby Max special. Thick slice of ham. Hash browns were slightly undercooked and crunchy. Coffee was weaker than I like. Friendly service. Always packed on the weekends with a long line. Got to sit in the overflow 'wine and waffles' seating area today which was beautiful décor but a little dark and chilly. Happy to be seated earlier tho! read more

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Came here on a Sunday late morning. All street parking so took awhile to find a spot. Waited about thirty minutes in line for five people. There is two sections of this place but it's super busy so there was a wait outside. This place has been here since I was in grade school. Nothing has been upgraded. Felt homie though. Old fashion seats. They have some bar seats to see the action in the kitchen. Friendly and helpful staff but always on the go. Prices are decent. Had their fluffy pancakes combo and asked for extra crispy bacon. Loved their bacon as it was good thick size. Their ultimate omelette eggs was pretty good, too and comes with a side of hash and toast. Their Benedict was decent. Their coffee was ok but not strong. Their waffle was a little disappointing as it was pretty thin but good enough. Had some sides too but I would stick to combos! Food was good and good size portions. I would come back here again if they were not so busy. Definitely get the pancake combo and omelettes. You won't be disappointed. [92R,2025] read more

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I was in Alameda for a morning meeting. After my meeting I met up with some friends for breakfast. When we entered the restaurant we were greeted by staff. We were seated and our waiter was very friendly. I ordered a waffle and chicken sausage. The waffle was fluffy and very delicious. The chicken sausage was cooked to perfection and was very flavorful. Ambiance is customer service friendly. The menu has some great food choices and at a reasonable price. This is a great restaurant to go to for breakfast or lunch. read more

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Everything was excellent. Food was great. Benjamin was our server and he killed it. We had a long day and this was just what we needed!

Oldie, but a goodie! This place gets PACKED so get there early, but I will say the line moves quickly. The place is a bustling dinner with and old school feel, and the service keeps up. Staff were friendly and available. A nicely thin, perfectly crispy waffle, can't go wrong. Next time I'll have to try one with their special toppings. read more

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Don't eat here if you want a great meal. It's just a dingy old diner that makes the worst waffles and often inedible omelettes. I honestly don't understand why anyone likes this place, except that it's been here for 100 years. It's the worst it's ever been and needs a complete makeover and new management and cooking staff. You want a decent diner meal? Go to Wescafe on Webster St, or for a great meal go to the Oceanview Diner in Berkeley or the Barefoot Cafe in Fairfax: those two places are excellent in every way. read more

I really like this place. It's been a few days now and I'm still reminiscing. Reminiscing so much that I had to write a review . I've already told my friends I'll get this place is now I must share it. . So The wait wasn't too long, they sat us in the back table, and then we requested changed seats again to the more comfortable booth on the side and they cleaned it up before seating us there. We ordered waffle combo, veggie omelette, and some fries with sides of freshly squeezed OJ. Now the waffle blew me away! It was thin, but still fulfilling. I had a great taste to it. Also, the stainless steel hot syrup , the old-fashioned design of the place, just felt nostalgic. Definitely can't wait to come back here on again. Everything was about 80 bucks which was pretty fair but the OJ being 7 something was pretty steep, but since it was freshly squeezed it was well worth it. Denny's, please take note! read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Receipt - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

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Good American diner experience with all of the solid breakfast classics! Loved the linguisa omelette with cheese--eggs were fluffy and had a good amount of toppings. Hash browns were quite lumpy/not crispy and were on the more lukewarm side. I liked the buttered toast a lot, and the pecan waffle was quite solid too...though I expected more pecans and a thicker waffle :/ I think this is the fastest that I've ever received my food--it took a few mins tops. Great service and friendly staff! read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Linguisa Omelette with Cheese, Pecan Waffle - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

We haven't been here in 20 years, so really enjoyed the food & service just like the old days. We would definitely go again. We will tell our friends about it. read more

Great breakfast. Sat out in the back patio which was surprisingly pleasant. It was enclosed somewhat & has heaters. Service was great!

This was my second time here! The first time I came, I thought it was good but this second time around was not good at all. I don't mind the line or waiting, it was the food. I ordered the chicken and waffles. I was excited after I saw the pics on yelp. Once I got it, I regretted my decision. The waffles came out cold, which sucks cause it should be hot! I put my butter on it and my butter never melted. I was able to send it back and get new waffles. The chicken was warm, but there was barely any flavor. I was expecting it to be hot and juicy but nope. The hot sauce selection was not for everyone, at least not me. Will I go back? Maybe...all restaurants can't be a hit every time and I get that, so maybe next time will work better! read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Waffle - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

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Had the chicken and waffles here this morning! Waited about 10-15 minutes for a table on a Saturday around noon. We were seated in the additional seating in the restaurant next door? Service was pretty quick. Coffee was surprisingly good for diner coffee. The waffle was perfect, thin and crisp but also soft? Chicken was moist and crispy. I get the hype for this classic spot. Would definitely return! read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Waffle with fried chicken thigh - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner. I had high expectations on flavors after seeing all the pictures on yelp and they blew them out of the water. I order chicken and waffles at every chance I get and these were by far the best I've had in YEARS. The crispiness of the chicken was perfection, then pair it with a classic thin waffle and quite frankly nothing is better. To top it all off the hash browns were divine, I would eat them everyday if I could. The staff were great and the ambiance matched the food. Nothing quite like a classic diner vibe to set your morning right. read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Waffle and Hash Browns - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

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Yeah... no. I went to Ole's Waffle Shop and got charged $15.45 for a waffle with strawberries that's literally listed on the menu for around $11. When I asked about it, the server (Rosa) straight up told me they "charge extra" but she doesn't tell people. I'm sorry... you don't tell people?? So basically you just let customers order thinking it's one price and then hit them with a higher bill after? That's not a misunderstanding, that's misleading. And what really got me is there was zero effort to fix it. No adjustment, no apology that actually meant anything, just "yeah that's how it is" -- and then asking about a tip on top of that. It's not even about the $4, it's the principle. If something costs more, SAY THAT. Don't wait until the bill comes out and expect people to just accept it. I've never had a server openly admit they don't tell customers about extra charges and still expect everything to be fine. Do better. read more

Ole's Waffle Shop - Diners Near Me - Alameda, California

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The waffle special is the best way to go. The waffle is light and yummy. There was a line outside to get in, the wait was about 15 minutes so not too bad. The coffee mugs are the classic diner ones, love that! So glad we went we'll be back. read more