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Aunt Mary's Café
Categories: Restaurants American (Traditional) Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch American (Traditional), Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
4307 Telegraph Ave(between 43rd St & 44th St)
Oakland, CA 94609
Neighborhoods: Temescal, North Oakland
(510) 601-9227
- Hours:
Tue-Sun 8 am - 3 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Breakfast, Brunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
480 reviews for Aunt Mary's Café
Review Highlights
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"...I'm gonna try the red flannel hash and the waffles with..." In 16 reviews -
"The Pain Perdue is un-effing believable." In 19 reviews -
"Go git yourself some cheesy grits, greens and a biscuit." In 86 reviews
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- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
480 reviews in English
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Review from Eric W.
Oakland, CA
5/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
Perhaps my favorite restaurant in Oakland. Worth a trip from elsewhere to try. The dishes are a combination of soul, Mexican, mom and pop diner and Berkeley health food. The wait staff are very nice, and the coffee is decent. If you want fancy, single-origin coffee, there is Remedy across the street afterwards. All of Oakland seems to come through this place on the weekends, so be prepared for a wait.
I recommend the brunch hash (it's not the usual corned beef hash) or the pozole.
They close frequently for holidays and aren't open on Monday, so call ahead if you wonder whether they'll be open. -
Review from L B.
Elk Grove, CA
5/5/2012
oh my goodness!!! I had heard a lot about this place and I can't wait until our next trip to Oakland to eat here again. We came in for Saturday brunch. Hubby had a steak sandwich and he said - it was off the HOOK! Our 4 guests were all satisfied as well and plates were cleaned. When my plate came it was not the most beautiful thing to see... in fact it looked like a plate poo. HOWEVER... it was the best plate of "poo" ever. Mole Negro with poached eggs over cornbread muffins with tasty chorizo surrounding the edges of the plate. Can you picture it - not too pretty? But it was the BEST! I am pretty picky about my mole and this was spicy with a just the right hint of sweetness. The menu warns of the spiciness and that description is accurate. My only critique would be something to make it looks less like a plate of poo... maybe a drizzle of crema (sour cream) &/or a sprig of cilantro. But that is purely aesthetics... regardless, that dish was damn good!
One last thing... they close at 3pm so get your butt out of bed to get some good grub! -
Review from Miss C.
Berkeley, CA
5/1/2012
I'm trying to explore the Temescal district more and am always glad to see new places (or new to me :-), was pleasantly surprised at this place. The food was good over all, but the service is not as dedicated, the area where the dining tables are is pretty large, so perhaps this is part of the reason?
I've been there a few times now, and the last time we were given coffee, but no spoons and the cream that was brought along with the coffee was nearly empty. We had to wait awhile to get the waitress' attention to get spoons, to which she replied that they were running out of everything this morning, so she seemed to be aware of the lack of spoons and was hoping we wouldn't notice?
I won't let the service deter me though, the food is pretty good, with some vegan choices as well. I like the chilaquiles verde though the tortilla chips are soggy and crisp ribbons of tortilla chips are sprinkled on top as a garnish. I judge most chilaquiles by not only taste, but crunch left in the tortilla, Aunt Mary's does not stand up to that, but the overall flavors are good, and I like the tortillas, black beans, and pico de gallo served with the chilaquiles.
The coffee not so good, bitter and not in a strong, good coffee way. The tea is better and they use Mighty Leaf Tea, I haven't tried other beverages there, but they seem to have a decent selection. They also offer wi-fi, so that is a bonus. -
Review from Independent We Stand I.
Virginia Beach, VA
5/18/2012
Saw this locally owned restaurant on Food Network's Dinners Drive-Ins and Dives. We stopped in for breakfast on our way out of Oakland and it surpassed our expectations. The atmosphere is laid back with a cafe feel and an exposed kitchen. They dish out huge portions of southern-style home cooking. Definitely worth trying if you're in the Oakland area and looking for an indie restaurant.
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Review from John F.
Oakland, CA
4/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
This is a preliminary review for the real review. From what my people tell me about this place, it should be much better than what I received. My wife and I both ordered the tomato and kale scramble.
In my mind it still sounds really good. But, no. while the taste of tomato was very much in the front of this dish, so was the very wet and soggy texture. It was not pleasant. I speak for both of us on this one. The one thing that may have saved it was the hint of Parmesan throughout. I speak for myself on that one. I tasted some potatoes off of my wife's plate - undercooked, under seasoned. EH... I should of followed my gut and went with the shrimp and grits. This is what happens when you second guess yourself.
But their is one thing I do know about this place. They can bake! The biscuits - off the hook. Light, fluffy and a good size for the price. I also had the chance to try there cornbread, which tasted like my mother made it; Ill also give that high marks.
Unfortunately, though, I must get back to another negative that I remember - our service. She started off slow and then fell to being non existent for the latter half of our meal. It was very easy to see that she became overwhelmed as the restaurant became busier. Her service was so bad that she even acknowledged it herself saying, "Please excuse my sub-par service." I somewhat understand the apology but in my opinion; I wouldn't of done that. I would of focused on how I can fix it; maybe knocking off something on the tab perhaps? (I am such a cheapo). I think I know why this place is so booming between 10-12 noon: all the good waiters and waitresses are working along with the cooks that know how to season food.
Ill try it again soon and hopefully it will be better. I really want to like this place like every one else... -
Review from Jess T.
Berkeley, CA
5/1/2012
We got the Bubble and Squat and Chorizo scramble the collard greens were delicious, and I am usually not a fan, just enough flavor, not too soupy...homemade breads are yummy. I enjoyed the chorizo scramble over the potato/greens patties.
- a lot of menu items sounded delicious and unique.
-service was quick and very helpful- even though we were the only table outside on a week day
DEF WORTH A RETURN TRIP!!!!! -
Review from Alana L.
Oakland, CA
4/9/2012
Aunt Mary's Cafe has charm. The decor is homey and inviting, the menu soulful and diverse, and the service.... well, you can't expect absolute perfection I suppose.
Came here on a Friday morning to meet a friend. She was already seated and had ordered her drink. When the waitress came to deliver her soy chai latte, I asked for a cup of coffee and was greeted by a look of puzzlement. Confused I thought maybe they had a self service coffee station set up but when I asked her if I should get it myself, she assured me this wasn't necessary and returned 5 minutes later with a cup. Normally this red flag would shape my opinion but I waved it off and we ordered our food.
I was excited by the offerings on the menu because they differed from the traditional items you see when brunching. I ordered the Bubble and Squeak, which is reminiscent of a benedict. In place of english muffins are potato and mustard green cakes. They were moist and had really good flavor. You can order your eggs any style but I went with poached medium. The eggs are usually topped with a pot likker gravy, but I asked for mine on the side. I highly recommend this approach as the dish also comes with southern greens and I don't think they are strained prior to plating, so there is a lot of liquid on the plate. The dish also comes with a super fluffy and flaky biscuit. My friend ordered the Chilaquilles Verdes with her eggs poached. The dish came with black beans, tortillas, fried corn tortilla strips, goat cheese, and a heavy dose of the spicy tomatillo sauce.
We were both eager to dig in, and completely dismayed to find our food was cold. Extremely cold. Cold enough for us to send both plates back. Our waitress wasn't happy with our request but I couldn't tell if she was pissed at us for pointing out the mistake or the kitchen for making it. At any rate, when she returned with our reheated food, it was absolutely delicious. Well my food was delicious, my friend's chilaquilles was a little too spicy but she didn't bother to ask for sour cream because again, the service wasn't exactly hitting on all cylinders. The couple sitting next to us experienced the same cold plates so I'm not sure what the problem was, but it wasn't isolated to our table.
The server was apologetic when she picked up our plates, and comped our drinks to make up for the mishap, which we appreciated. Prices were moderate, $10.50 for our food and about $2-5.00 for our beverages.
I'll definitely return, hopefully to a hot a plate. -
Review from Lady B.
Berkeley, CA
5/6/2012
Every bite of the buttermilk pie makes me feel like I'm coming in my mouth.
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Review from Mollie D.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 5/14/2012
I went here on Mother's Day with a friend. We were the only group of two, so we were sat right away. She got the Mamacita's benedict and I got the Spring Veggie hash. I usually love this place, but I was not a fan of the new hash. It was just steamed vegetables with under-cooked potatoes. And they poached my eggs wrong, which isn't a biggie (most places don't get "medium"). However, I expected a lot more flavor from my hash, and better cooked potatoes. My friend enjoyed her meal, though she said it could have used some sour cream, and my biscuit was FANTASTIC. Just don't get the $14 steamed veggies; make 'em at home.
Listed in: Best Brunch
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/10/2012
I am in love with this place. I went here three times in March, which is definitely saying… Read more »
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Review from Yuka F.
San Francisco, CA
4/19/2012
Amazing brunch.
So many menus to choose from.
Good presentation and fresh food.
Not boring menu.
Fun and interesting southern and Mexican twist.
wanna come back and try other menus.
I had shrimp grits.
It was delicious.
Fried chicken and waffle was standard.
The service is very good too. -
Review from David W.
4/9/2012
Wow, what an amazing brunch. Came here with fellow yelper Kim K. after watching the Food Network story on them (http://www.youtube.com...). This place has got it going on.
The service was good, the place itself is light and airy, but what are you really here for? The FOOD! There were about 5 dishes that we could not decide between, so we went with splitting the **Southern Bubble and Squeak** and a deliciously crunchy and flavorful **grits waffle**. The Bubble and Squeak is two little patties of mashed potatoes with spicy greens, fried lightly on both sides, topped with eggs (get 'em poached!!) and gravy, served with another side of those spicy greens and a yummy biscuit. It was reallllyyyyy good, but we were glad we were splitting it.
Prices are about what you'd expect, and if you show up early you won't have a hard time getting a seat... if not, well, you'll see this isn't exactly the "best kept" secret in town, but it's delicious! -
Review from Roger G.
Berkeley, CA
3/20/2012 6 Check-ins Here
I don't know why I kept coming back, but I'm finally done with Aunt Mary's. A coupla years ago, back when they had the coven of slovenly hipster servers that looked like badgers lived in their hair, service was slow and neglectful but I had a few good breakfasts, so I let it slide.
Every time I've dropped in since then, my food has been terrible. Dried out ropy corned beef, hard-boiled poached eggs, cold toast.
Today was terrible breakfast #3, and it was bad enough to bring me out of semi-Yelp-retirement to gripe about it. (At least I knew to get good coffee across the street beforehand rather than waiting for them... or else I know I'd have been cranky enough to give them only one star!)
When the server was clearing my dishes, I pointed out the crumbly and dry poached egg, she didn't even say anything, she just took the plate and ran away. I had eaten the majority of the dish (other than the eggs), so I wouldn't have accepted anything being comped, but I'd have at least liked some acknowledgment that "hmm, yeah, poached eggs aren't supposed to look like that, let me talk to the cook."
Service has marginally improved, but its still pretty clear they don't give a crap. -
Review from Diana S.
Oakland, CA
3/22/2012
Their jam made me cry. It tasted like my grandma's and she's dead these 20 years, so I'll never taste her jam again, but the blackberry jam on cornbread tasted just like hers. Like I'm standing in a field picking blackberries on a sunny day in September.
The rest of the food was good too. -
Review from Madhuri K.
Castro Valley, CA
5/1/2012
Went there on a Thursday afternoon. No line and got a table immediately. Had the bubble squeak which was good but not sure I would need to try it again. The blueberry sour cream muffin was the best thing I tried.
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Review from Shianne D.
Bay Area, CA
3/26/2012
A MUST place to eat at whenever I'm in the area!
The place is pretty trendy:
hipster crowd, cute families of all shapes and sizes and languages (oh my!), rockabilly chicks, and bookish hotties alike will come, gather, and be merry at this eatery.
You will love their menu! It's "comfort food" enough, with just the right amount of quirky! I'm a big fan of any of their breakfast foods (any is good to order) but there's lots of other choices as well.
It gets pretty crowded so expect that, and parking is pretty lousy street parking! -
Review from Sarah H.
McLean, VA
3/12/2012 2 photos
This is a great place for brunch! I went here after my Dad saw it on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives...
The service was fantastic. We sat outside because the wait inside for a group of 6 was quite long, as expected on a Saturday morning. Fortunately, the heaters were on on the patio so it was quite enjoyable.
To start, the coffee was so good. I wish I would have asked while I was there, what kind they brew.
I ordered the Pain Perdue and the 20 minute wait for that was well worth it. The table also ordered the Southern Bubble and Squeak, Chicken Fried Steak, Basic Eggs and Whatnots. The side of pork sausage was incredible. Make sure you get that.
Will definitely come back!!! -
Review from angela l.
3/2/2012 1 photo
I can't believe I never wrote a review for this place!
After seeing it on triple D's, I ventured over. I opted for the shrimp and grits because it looked so good on the show, and my friend had the corned beef hash. Her dish was very good, with a nice amount of good corned beef. Sadly, the shrimp and grits were very disappointing. Watery, and lacking the big flavor I expected.
I've been back a couple of times, and all the other dishes I tried were excellent. The bubble and squeak is hearty and delicious, and the po boyster (fried oyster sandwich) and fried chicken sandwich were also yummy. Today, I came back with my coworkers and tried their pozole verde.
holy shit. holy shit, that is BOMB. packed with flavor, and it comes with a delicious masa cake.
the servers are always super friendly and down to earth, I'm definitely a fan! -
Review from Shannon K.
Oakland, CA
3/8/2012
What a great space. Comfy little patio greets you upfront, then when you walk in there is fresh coffee waiting for you when you put your name down on the list. And you will put your name down on the list. The wait is lengthy, but worth it. The interior has high ceilings, open kitchen with a bar to sit at and watch the chefs or plenty of tables.
I had the shrimp and grits and it is a bowl of goodness. The shrimp are grilled perfectly and nestled on top of grits flavored with a delicious Tabasco gravy broth of various peppers and tomatoes. I opted out of the bacon sprinkled on top and went for a side of corn bread on the side. The corn bread was not good, but the shrimp and grits made up for it. The biscuits are much better and I will pass over the corn bread for them on my next visit.
Some other items at our table included the orange ricotta pancakes with ambrosia. How amazing does that sound? I promise you not nearly as good as it tastes! I think I will order this next time or try the weekend fave of Pain Perdue, which is a beautiful creation that comes out of the kitchen with alarming frequency.
All in all, really great brunch spot with a wonderfully diverse crowd. Well done Mary! -
Review from D K.
Oakland, CA
3/6/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Talk about a complete difference in wait vs. breakfast yesterday. Walk in at 8:30 and only 6 tables occupied. This could be my hidden weekday oasis.
First, I love that the kitchen is open in the back. In this day of overemphasized "real food", it's clear that some establishments can prove it with this style of kitchen. I actually could strike up a conversation with the cook (but why would I disturb his craft?).
So in a Southern morning joint, what am I going to order? C 'n W (chicken and waffles)! Here, you have two choices: normal or grits. No work this week, so it's gotta be grits!
EDITORIAL NOTE: you need to know that I love Brown Sugar Kitchen's version. Cornmeal-based and chicken that takes at least half hour to prepare (which is why they prep in advance).
I asked the server how long the chicken would take as I saw no prepped chicken out; she replied, "10 minutes, maybe less." What?!? I was in a hurry today so I wanted to watch if it was possible. Unfortunately the European market was closing and I wanted to monitor the first Dow triple digit decline of the year. Eight minutes later my plate was brought to me...Wow!!! So I missed the whole process happening right in front of me (yet another argument for not using your smart-phone in a restaurant).
Figured it out though pretty quickly: they use boneless chicken. It's a relatively small portion (think 3-4 chicken strips), so it cooks quickly. This chicken and waffles is definitely different. The grit waffle yield a slightly, well, gritty texture--not "I just got dunked in the sand" but nice. The chicken tasted good with a hint of cayenne (would have appreciated a little more kick). The coating was a little thick, which could have used a few extra taps before going into the fryer, but not a dealbreaker. It's actually a perfect breakfast portion (gotta save room for lunch!). It's not as good as BSK, but it's also not as expensive ($5 less), so I think the value is with Aunt Mary's.
Aunt Mary's was on Guy's Triple D, so you know they can bring it. This was my third visit, and while the flavors didn't WoW me, they were solid and I appreciated the speedy service. In fact, I arrived before the rest of their crew at 9 am, so even more props on service. I did see the southern bubble and squeak go out which I will order next time (think biscuits and gravy meets a potato-greens cake and eggs). In looking at the menu a second time, I think lunch is when I will be really impressed; the po' boyster sandwich, shrimp & grits, pozole verde and Mac & cheese all left my mouth a little watery as I left in under 45 minutes. -
Review from Lloyd K.
Emeryville, CA
4/30/2012
A great breakfast/brunch choice. I would 4.5 if I could.
Aunt Mary's has quickly become one of our favorite places to go for breakfast or brunch. Its within walking distance for us, and they are open early.
I have never tried to make reservations, but on a weekend, after 10, you are playing with fiyaaa. :-) It can get crowded and you should be prepared to wait for awhile.
Parking is street parking. When its busy, be prepared to park down the street or on side streets unless the parking god's smile upon you.
The cafe is open and the outer area, accomodates dogs and owners. So you can eat with your pooch in the outer area. I think this is a great feature of this place for early morning dog walkers.
Service and wait staff have friendly. The menu is large and has a lot of southern flair to it.
Brunch is served only on weekends. So items like the Pain Perdue are ONLY on the weekends. I just wanted to highlight this because I have gone in on the weekday and not been able to get things I wanted that I ate on the weekend so you have been warned. I would recommend ordering off the brunch menu when you go to brunch so if you go other times, you can order whats on the regular breakfast menu and not have any remorse.
I have gone here with vegetarians and vegans and there has been something for them to eat and they liked the place.
The Pain Perdue on weekend brunch is a must - get one to share. The large orange juice is large! Portions are good - no one goes hungry.
They usually have some jams and jellies that they make themselves as well.
The only thing I have tried that I didn't go crazy over was the Huervos Benedictos, but it was still an interesting, unique offering. -
Review from Amy L.
A very busy spot in The Temescal District of Oakland.
Their staff is warm, and friendly, and is happy to oblige for any substitutions or omissions from their menu. When I asked for where the cinnamon is located so I can add some to my coffee, our waitress didn't direct me to it, but brought me it to me. She was so helpful and sweet it made breakfast that much better. Also, each person on their staff has a cute and kitschy apron...not sure if they are handmade by staff or by a local artisan but they sure are adorable.
My favorite things from Aunt Mary's Cafe: the shrimp and grits.
They allow people to add bacon to any dish...and their bacon is thick-cut and fantastic, a great compliment to the shrimp and grits. -
Review from Morgan W.
Oakland, CA
3/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
I had the huevos Benedictos (haha), a terrific tofu chorizo/poached egg/mole combo. I also had about four cups of coffee because despite the rush, the refills kept coming!
I was way more impressed by this place than any of the brunch places around here based on their creative combination of brunch cuisines and veggie options. Mama's Royal Cafe's Morningstar links were totally one-upped by soy chorizo, sorry!
Also, Funky Town was playing. -
Review from Beatla P.
Oakland, CA
3/9/2012
Hella good! I ordered the Southern Bubble & Squeak with tofu scramble (I can only tolerate eggs in brownies, or cake). The portions were sizable, saved left overs for an early dinner. Great service and as always I love a server who has an opinion on the menu. The wait staff had perfect timing, not too pushy, very laid back atmosphere.
Some of their bench seating are old school church pews. Nice touch! -
Review from Michael D.
Oakland, CA
3/15/2012
Came here for brunch, good location and restaurant layout.
I got the chicken and yeasted waffle, The waffle was really good ( i could get down on a yeasty waffle every morning) but the chicken was terrible...tough, dry, bland, boneless white meat (LAME RIGHT?? how you mess up fried chicken that bad is beyond me)....Definitely no Louis the pie queen here, but I suppose that's what I get for ordering that dish from a hipster cali brunch joint. Also its a little on the pricy side for what i feel i got. However, I would be down to give this place another try and check out the pain perdue which peeps seem to like. -
Review from Allie S.
Updated - 1/28/2012
Today we got two fried chicken sandwiches and the bubble and squeak. The chicken was overcooked... it was dry as hell and hard to bite off. Like rawhide. I've never NOT LOVED fried chicken before. HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE.
Also, my friend did not like the bubble and squeak, he has an aversion to very cooked vegetables... but I mean if you like braised greens the collards are delicious. So yeah. I was bummed.
On a better note, our server was absolutely delightful as usual.Listed in: Walking distance
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/30/2011
Every single time I come here my server is JUST SO PLEASANT. Doesn't matter who it is.
Today's… Read more »
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Review from Dela A.
Hayward, CA
1/29/2012
I think I've visited Aunt Marys 4 or 5 times over the past year. An acquaintance of mine claimed the pain perdue was the best he's ever had and he wanted to figure out how to duplicate the recipe. Instead of waiting for him to take me as he said he would, I decided to check out the place myself.
There is usually a wait when I've went which I don't mind much. Just don't go there hungry because there may be a 30 minute wait. When seated, the staff is really good about helping you with drinks and taking your order fast. I usually get scrambled eggs, bacon, cheddar cbeese grits and collard greens. Everything tastes wonderful. The first time I went, I had the pain perdue and I must say... It was good. They warn you on the menu that it takes 20 minutes to make.
Overall I like the place and I'll definitely be back. If I could change one thing, it would be that they stop using cheap napkins. Otherwise, they're a good place for breakfast. -
Review from Andrea D.
Oakland, CA
1/31/2012 8 Check-ins Here
This place rocks my socks off. I come here all the time. Whenever someone talks smack about this place I smack them across the face and tell them to take it back immediately!
Here are a few things you should know:
1. They have a different brunch menu on the weekends. It starts at 10. If you order something at brunch and love it SO MUCH BECAUSE IT IS AMAZING and come back on Wednesday, it might not be on the menu (famous Huevos Benedictos included)
2. There is a long wait on the weekends. Deal with it, or come early. They are kind enough to have coffee prepared inside next to where you put your name so you can drink some caffeine while you wait.
3. Biscuits are enormous and the jam they give you is mind-blowing.
4. Huevos Benedictos are the most delicious thing I have ever put in my mouth. They can come with VEGAN CHORIZO, wow, I love Oakland. (Pain perdue also amazing, so so delicious, also only on weekends)
5. If you go on a weekday I am a huge fan of soyrizo scramble or Greek Omelette. (my meat eater boyfriend swears by the pozole and corn beef hash)
Also, they were featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives on Food Network. Cool -
Review from Karen L.
My friend Ronald T. took me here for lunch, as recommended by Diners, Drive-ins & Dives. We had the bubble and squeak, grilled shrimp and grits (we also added bacon), and the mac and cheese. Everything was amazingly delicious! I would order all 3 again and again. The potato cakes from the bubble and squeak are so good, I can eat a whole plate of them. And the mac and cheese! Oh, it's no ordinary mac and cheese. Who knew sauteed veggies on mac and cheese could be so darn delicious?!
We came on a weekday, so the wait wasn't too long. I can't wait to come back! -
Review from John M.
Vallejo, CA
1/10/2012
The food here speaks for itself. Aside from my grandma's, I have never had better biscuits and gravy. The mac and cheese was good, the grits were good, the pumpkin cheesecake was good... it's all good. Compound that with the fact that the establishment has a very homey atmosphere and pleasant relaxed employees, and you've got a winning business.
Honestly I only came here because it's half a block from my girlfriend's place and she said it was good; I had no idea it was featured on The Food Network. Having had a good sampling of their menu, I can safely say that I'm not too surprised. -
Review from Ruth R.
3/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
First suggestion, go for breakfast on a random weekday. Absolutely no wait or rush. They we were waiting on us (we had a late comer to the table) - and didn't seem to mind.
My friends and I were looking for a good breakfast spot, and after I remember seeing this on DDD, I bookmarked it on Yelp, and have been wanting to go ever since. We finally made it this morning, and it was hella good, to say the least. Not only was there an appropriately small, but still multi-optioned menu, it was appropriately priced.
Since we had a little extra time to spend looking over the menu, I really thought about my choices. I ended up getting the tomato-asiago-chard scramble with a biscuit and fruit. I'm usually not one to get fruit as a side, but i was really craving balance on the plate, and always love fresh fruit. I'm also always looking for a good biscuit, and shit, it was fucking awesome. And with the jam? Even awesomer. The scramble itself was also good, with really fresh flavors from the tomato and the accompanying ingredients. Overall a really great plate of food for a reasonable price.
Not only was the food great, but so was the service! The staff are calm and casual, in a good way, and give off the appearance that they actually know what they're doing.
Overall, great food, great service, great ambiance, good pricing, i'll be back. Just during a weekday. -
Review from troy m.
12/12/2011
$18 for food.
I'll start this off by saying that I need to go back. The wait is stupid, service spotty (biscuits are not toast, coffee is not tea), and my food was, and I always hate saying this, bad.
There is an upside, however, a reason to go back. I tasted the food of those around me, and it was actually pretty decent. I got the sweet potato hash with leeks and pork belly. I strongly recommend that you do not. Everything was cut into large, juicy chunks and sauteed into a salty, soggy, soupy mess. The parts of my toast that dipped into the dish were inedible due to the saltiness and total permeation of soupy mess. This was doubly annoying because I had, in fact, ordered biscuits (a small oversight, I know). Anyway, I'm pretty sure that's not how you make a hash and my food sucked. The pumpkin cranberry pancakes and shrimp laden grits, however, seemed pretty good.
Add-ons cost a goddamn fortune here, so I also wouldn't recommend customizing. If you actually manage to get a biscuit, let me know how it is. -
Review from Damon B.
Costa Mesa, CA
2/9/2012 1 photo
Whilst hoofing it from MacArthur BART, and in the pursuit of some good home-style food, came across Aunt Mary's. Always in the mood to try new grub, I was super pleased by both the big menu, the veggie options, and (oops, that's three), the breakfast until 3:00p.
Breakfast it was, the soy chorizo scramble with goat cheese, and a side of potatoes. My friend had the chicken sandwich, which looked pretty darn awesome, too. Good stuff. The stuff that makes the Temescal neighborhood so dependable for flavorful home style grub. Big jar of ice tea, and super smiley waitress. See- Oakland isn't THAT bad!
Next time, mac and cheese. -
Review from ED F.
Discovery Bay, CA
Had their Chicken n Grits waffle. It was cooh, chicken was alright but the waffle was different but pretty good! I would definitely go back to try the other things on the menu.
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Review from Julie R.
Berkeley, CA
3/18/2012
WHY HAVE I NOT BEEN HERE SOONER!!!!!! A client of mine told me saturday she was gong to treat her hang over with an Aunt Mary's brunch. I thought Hmmmm I gotta check this out.
So after a really lazy morning , my girlfriend and I head there around 1pm. Of course it was crazy busy and we had a 20 minute wait but I find that to be promising. It was packed with happy people.( Also we were greeted by a super nice lady with a freaking awesome skirt). My GF ordered Pain Perdue and I ordered the winter Hash ( I was debating between the hash and Bubble squeak). It turns out they were out of the hash and I got the Bubble instead. One might have been upset but I found it to be a happy accident.
After about 20 mins our food arrives and It was soooooo yummy!!! I must admit hers was a bit to whiskey tasting for me but I still enjoyed it. My plate was so good, I'm thinking of reasons we could go back sooner!!!! Everyone was super nice and welcoming!!! -
Review from Patrick K.
Pacifica, CA
3/31/2012
This place has pretty good sandwiches. My wife had the fried chicken sandwich, which was very good, and I had the corned beef sandwich (it was a modern take on a reuben). The service was good and the atmosphere was chill.
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Review from veronica m.
San Francisco, CA
4/9/2012
Yum, yum, and more yum. Long wait on weekends, so don't go too hungry--or take a snack to see you through. But the food rocks--you can taste the freshness of ingredients and the flavors are real and taste as they should. Cheddar cheese grits, decadent; chorizo with goat cheese, hell yes!; and I love that y can choose your breakfast sides--nice touch! Pastries and pies made from scratch, so you do feel like you're at aunt Mary's. Please don't let quality go downhill--hate it when that happens at good places!
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Review from Nicole W.
Oakland, CA
5/8/2012
I had the grits and shimp covered in a tabasco gravy, for a moment while I was enjoying this scrumpcious dish I could imagine myself deep in the south sitting in the French Quarter.
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Review from Dana G.
Costa Mesa, CA
12/27/2011
I try to eat at Aunt Mary's every time I visit the East Bay. The wait is sometimes long but there are usually spots at the bar if you sort of wait annoyingly by people as they pay their checks. Last time I went here we went on a Friday around 1:30 (late Thursday night) and there wasn't any line at all and our food came out super fast! Try Aunt Mary's for a late brunch on a weekday if you want to avoid the lines
The coffee is great! The coffee cups are small which is a drag if the waitress is too busy to refill on a regular basis. I like to pound caffeine in the AM and I hate "bugging" the waitress over and over again for something he or she is supposed to do anyway (i.e., keep your coffee cup filled at breakfast).
I LOVE the food, but I have to confess I usually get the same thing: asiago eggs with chard and roasted tomato. It's so good. I am obsessed with healthy greens and it is delightful to have them in my breakfast eggs. Along the same lines I love the collard greens and grits on the side...guess that goes along with the whole Southern theme though. Great take on breakfast - we need more interesting places like this in Newport where I live :(
My sister is gluten free and has a bunch of food allergies and is generally pretty picky when eating out. They are more than happy to accommodate her dietary needs which also makes for a more enjoyable breakfast experience.
Check out Aunt Mary's for a yummy breakfast but be careful to schedule your meal around potential lines. You won't be disappointed! -
Review from Lo S.
Newport Beach, CA
5/6/2012
Two words: Instant grits. I don't feel I need to say more, but egg scramble was soggy and flavorless, biscuit was leaden, grits were pasty and flavorless, bacon was flaccid and barely cooked, and fruit accompanying granola was clearly not fresh. Our server asked us how we were doing immediately after we had gotten the food, so we weren't able to tell her all of this, because she never came back. But since it was across the board bad, what would have been the point?
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Review from Kylie L.
11/20/2011
Diners Drive in and Dives you totally are the reason I went over to Oakland and checked out Aunt Mary's Cafe.
Crazy busy on a Sunday so be prepared to wait but boy was it worth it.
smoked chicken, wild mushroom & leek pot pie w/gruyere puff
pastry -- Comforting like Mom's chicken soup with some soul to it. The puff pastry is buttery and delicious and all of the veggies are fresh and taste like they came right out of the garden and into my bowl. The chicken is tender and juicy and MMM MMM good.
grilled shrimp & grits w/tabasco gravy -- Never really a fan of grits until NOW! The Tabasco gravy gives the grits a tangy spice with some sour cream giving richness to the yummy grits and shrimp just waiting to be spooned and eaten.
grilled flat iron steak sandwich -- I have to admit I did not taste this one but it was at the table with me. The Hoagie roll looked delightful with perfectly cooked steak covering almost the entire plate. They certainly did not skimp on the blue cheese either! Definitely a must try on my list.
All in all I had a great time. Even though we waited for about 35 minutes to be seated, we were never rushed into leaving making it possible to see this as a spot that could feel a lot like being at home!
