Nations is an institution in the East Bay. I remember my brother-in-law John telling me about them years ago. He has always been a regular at the Fremont location. It was appropriate he joined me for the review. A somewhat seedy and dilapidated building, it nevertheless has an inviting charm. At a Friday lunch, there were bikers, skinheads, 49er fans, workers and families all happily sharing their slabs of meat.
This one has a local feel as one steps to the counter to order. The cheeseburger is $4.30, fries $1.50 and shakes in two sizes are $2.20 or $3.10. If I had not been on a burger mission, I would have been very tempted to take a crack at the tempting “grand” breakfast menu. Instead I grabbed my receipt and number and took a seat.
It wasn’t long before my number was called and I retrieved my sustenance. The griddle-fried burger comes piled high with fresh onions, tomato, lettuce and mayo-based dressing. The bun is griddle-crisp. All of it is a nice blending of all flavors in the classic style. The burger is only a small piece of the overall package claimed to be “3/4 pound or more with everything”.
The fries are medium thick, hot, lightly salted and unadorned perfection. This is how I like fries best - no skins, no coating, no pepper - just potato, salt and grease served piping hot.
The shake was also very good. It was creamy and cold with not too much syrup, flowing thick and smooth up the straw.
I have been to newer Nations locations that feel more chain-like, this one is one really makes one feel at home.
Burger 3.5 spatulas out of 5
Fries 5 spatulas
Shake 4 spatulas
Nations Giant Hamburgers
39180 Fremont Blvd.
Fremont, CA
510-797-3211
www.nationsrestaurants.com
24 locations in the SF Bay Area
Showing posts with label Berkeley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Berkeley. Show all posts
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Barneys's Gourmet Hamburgers - Oakland, CA
I headed off to Barney’s expecting a greasy spoon type place. Instead I found a hip and happening spot with marble floors, wood tables, leather seats and outdoor dining. Just up from Berkeley, the place has a college town feel. I wish I had brought my Birkenstocks.
Joined by my burger buddy Mark, we perused the expansive menu before settling on a Blackened Burger with Swiss cheese ($7.80) for me and Baja Burger with avocado ad bacon ($7.95) for Mark. I had heard the curly fries ($4.50) were awesome, so we ordered those, along with onion rings ($4.75) and a mocha shake ($4.25).
Our server was polite, well informed and speedy. She told us all the burgers are made with 1/3 pound of fresh ground chuck, except for the Big Barney’s Burger, which is a full pound. She quickly brought a spectacular plate of onion rings to our table. An onion had been halved and split into huge rings. These were battered and topped with parmesan cheese. They were crunchy and luscious. 4.5 spatulas out of 5. One order was more than two of us could eat. The curly fries weren’t as impressive as the o-rings, but held their one in crispness. (3.5 spatulas) Both were even better when dunked in the peppery ranch dressing that accompanied them.
As we were tackling the deep-fried delicacies, the burgers arrived. They were almost two beautiful to eat. (The kind fast food places photograph for ads before replacing with a microwave slab of gruel.)
My blackened burger was cooked to perfection - pink and juicy in the middle with a nice peppery crust on the outside. It was served with a tangy thousand island type dressing, which softened the late-hitting, zing of the pepper. It also came with lettuce and tomato and a soft sesame bun. I have to give this a 5 spatulas. I really enjoyed it. Mark was equally enthusiastic about his Baja Burger.
The Mocha shake was a very nice accompaniment to all the spice as well. A nice coffee taste gave it a little twist from the classic chocolate. 4 spatulas.
It won’t be long before I return to Barney’s. Maybe with a tie-die bib.
Burger 5 spatulas (out of 5)
Fries 3.5 spatulas
Onion Rings 4.5 spatulas
Shake 4 spatulas
Barney’s Gourmet Burgers
5819 College Ave.
Oakland, CA
510-655-7180
http://www.barneyshamburgers.com/
Additional Locations is Oakland, San Francisco, Berkeley and San Rafael.
Joined by my burger buddy Mark, we perused the expansive menu before settling on a Blackened Burger with Swiss cheese ($7.80) for me and Baja Burger with avocado ad bacon ($7.95) for Mark. I had heard the curly fries ($4.50) were awesome, so we ordered those, along with onion rings ($4.75) and a mocha shake ($4.25).
Our server was polite, well informed and speedy. She told us all the burgers are made with 1/3 pound of fresh ground chuck, except for the Big Barney’s Burger, which is a full pound. She quickly brought a spectacular plate of onion rings to our table. An onion had been halved and split into huge rings. These were battered and topped with parmesan cheese. They were crunchy and luscious. 4.5 spatulas out of 5. One order was more than two of us could eat. The curly fries weren’t as impressive as the o-rings, but held their one in crispness. (3.5 spatulas) Both were even better when dunked in the peppery ranch dressing that accompanied them.
As we were tackling the deep-fried delicacies, the burgers arrived. They were almost two beautiful to eat. (The kind fast food places photograph for ads before replacing with a microwave slab of gruel.)
My blackened burger was cooked to perfection - pink and juicy in the middle with a nice peppery crust on the outside. It was served with a tangy thousand island type dressing, which softened the late-hitting, zing of the pepper. It also came with lettuce and tomato and a soft sesame bun. I have to give this a 5 spatulas. I really enjoyed it. Mark was equally enthusiastic about his Baja Burger.
The Mocha shake was a very nice accompaniment to all the spice as well. A nice coffee taste gave it a little twist from the classic chocolate. 4 spatulas.
It won’t be long before I return to Barney’s. Maybe with a tie-die bib.
Burger 5 spatulas (out of 5)
Fries 3.5 spatulas
Onion Rings 4.5 spatulas
Shake 4 spatulas
Barney’s Gourmet Burgers
5819 College Ave.
Oakland, CA
510-655-7180
http://www.barneyshamburgers.com/
Additional Locations is Oakland, San Francisco, Berkeley and San Rafael.
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