Oasis Grill (Berkeley, CA)

2114 Center St, Berkeley, CA 94704

 

Oasis Grill is a local chain of Middle Eastern/shawarma restaurants, which has five locations in and around San Francisco. It is one of many small shawarma restaurants in downtown Berkeley. It serves shawarma, adana kebab, chicken, and falafel sandwiches as well as humus, and salads (including Fattoush).

I get a Falafel Sandwich ($7.85): three fresh falafel balls, tomato, tahini, pickles and some very spicy paste wrapped in Lebanese wrap, which is put for a short time on the grill. The falafels are perhaps a tad too moist, but fresh and tasty, and the paste gives a nice kick to the tahini. One of best falafel I had in US.

VERDICT: 91/100

Very good Middle Eastern fast food place

Top Dog (Berkeley, CA)

2160 Center St Berkeley, CA 94704
 

 

Top Dog is a hole-in-the-wall institution that has been in downtown Berkeley since 1966. It currently has four locations: two in Berkeley and two in Oakland. Top Dog serves a range of different type of sausages, pork or chicken: frankfurter, garlic Frank, bratwurst, bockwurst (mostly at $3.50).

 

 

I get the Bockwurst ($3.50), which is short but thick, soft, well prepared, and comes on a softish sesame bun. The dog has a good taste and the available condiments are good - particularly the sauerkraut.

VERDICT: 91/100

Definitely one of the better "gourmet" hot dog places, despite appearance.

Yankee Pier (San Francisco, CA)

Terminal 3, S. McDonnell Rd, San Francisco, CA 94128

 

Yankee Pier is a chain of casual seafood restaurants, which has only two locations: Lafayette (CA) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). It serves mostly seafood, salads, and sandwiches.

I get the Fried Shrimp Po-Boy ($17): juicy breaded shrimp with tomato, pickle, and spicy remoulade sauce on a ciabatta bun. The sandwich is tasty but heavy. The kettle chips are freshly made and tasty.

VERDICT: 87/100

Yankee Pier is a good casual bar seafood.