David M.'s Profile

While I certainly wouldn't eat here that often for my cholesterol, it's absolutely fabulous when I do. Fried chicken and waffles. Delicious when mixed together with some butter and maple syrup ... wow.

But wait, there's more! Best sweet tea I've had in Oakland thus far. Candied yams were great, so sweet (if that's your thing).

And all that for $12. The service is usually pretty slow, but a 30 min wait for a table at 9 PM on a Saturday wasn't too bad. I'll never get used to that Amtrak passing by, but it's totally worth it.

The ice cream may be good, but I echo the reviews below that the service is below average. My roommate is highly allergic to peanuts and was sure to ask the ingredients before she ordered. Half-way through the single, she found a peanut. Turns out she'd already eaten one.

We went in to warn them that there was cross-contamination, likely a peanut falling off one scooper into another tub. Honest mistake on their part maybe, but serious health concern for my roommate. Instead of apologizing, refunding, and asking what else they can, the management blamed her for not checking for peanuts in a sarcastic undertone.

Honestly? Has the Assistant Manager never heard of "the customer always comes first?" Even if this was our fault for not asking (which it wasn't), wouldn't you always offer your sincere apologies and try to rectify the situation? Instead he said, "what do you want me to do about it?"

Just plain horrible. While I'd debate that Mitchell's in SF may be better on taste, I won't know for sure since I'll never be going back to Fenton's.

Just got back from Saturday brunch and am a happy customer. I ordered the spinach and goat cheese omelet with a side of bacon. The omelet was nicely done and the bacon was perfectly crispy. The added fruit and focaccia bread was an excellent touch

My friend ordered a grilled chicken sandwich and also enjoyed it very much. For $22 it was excellent. I just started working in the area and really like the area. I'll definitely go back for lunch someday.

I'm always skeptical of Bay Area BBQ, but I just moved into the area and was craving BBQ. Cutting to the point, E&J was pretty good. By no means is it southern BBQ, but it's one of the best two I've had out here (Big Nates in SF is the other).

I went on a Friday night at about 10 PM and had no wait for a table of four. Our server was really quick with our refills and was good at checking-in with us, but he wasn't very nice or talkative. I'm pretty sure he lied to me when we asked if he forgot our cornbread and he told me that they were baking more, but I can let that slide.

I ordered the brisket, which was tender and smothered in sauce (beware: the medium has a kick to it. much moreso than other places). However, I can't help but think they made up for quality with quantity. For $14 they piled a ton of beef on the plate. I tried a friend's chicken too, one piece of which was eh but another was quite delicious.

I got the baked beans and macaroni salad, neither of which was too impressive. Again though I tried a friends' candied yams and boy were they great! The corn bread was good once I finally got it, but definitely wasn't hot enough to be fresh baked.

I disagree with previous reviews that the brisket was chewy or fatty. You need some level of fat to preserve flavor and this struck a pretty nice balance.

All in all, it was pretty good considering it was $63 for 4 of us (soft drinks, not alcohol) pre-tip.. I'd definitely go back to try some other things. Their menu is pretty basic, so I think I'd get bored easily.

I took a tour of the Uptown last weekend because a few friends had just signed a lease the week prior. I liked their place a lot and was really into the community amenities, so I asked my friends how much they paid (two separate units). With this information, I scheduled an appointment and took a tour.

After finding a unit we liked, we started talking price. At first the rental agent told us he couldn't match the price our friends had been given. He was an awkward man who didn't seem that prepared (took us to the wrong apartment, took us in a big loop, didn't know the answer to questions, etc). We had the following exchange which led us to not signing:

Me - "But our friends signed last week for $ 1,700 / month"
Him - "Oh, that is our teacher discount"
Me - "We're teachers too. That's how we know each other"
Him - "Oh, let me go see what I can".

We're feeling good now. He had originally quoted us $150 more per month than our friends pay -- $1850. He comes back and writes $1,740 on the brochure. While it's slightly higher, my roommate and I figure that it's close enough so we tell him we want it. Then we ask how much for parking ...

Him - " Let me go check".
... he returns after about 6-7 minutes ...
Him - "I can't offer you that price anymore. The discount ended yesterday. The price is now $1850."
Me - "But you just made us a written offer."
Him - "Sorry, but it was a mistake".
Me - "Well, it ended yesterday. Can't you extend it by one day"
Him - "Sorry, can't help you"
Me - "But my friend's entire floor is empty. Literally 9 of 10 units. Why would you end the promotion now?"

... This went back and forth for a few, but he never made any concession. His general demeanor was pretty rude too. We left and called to speak to a manager, thinking this would help.

We had a similar exchange with the manager, citing that his agent had made us a written offer. An offer, mind you, that was still more than a lease he agreed to just one week ago. I told him he should honor the deal or we were walking. Instead, he offered us a one time $250 credit ($21 a month compared to the $150 a month increase in rent).

It's sad because I liked the complex a lot, but how can you trust a leasing manager who makes offers and then renegs on them? I'm pretty sure a written offer is binding in CA, but it wasn't worth the hassle. I'd say buyer beware here. It's a nice place granted, but based on my experience and those of the other commenters, I would stay clear of the Uptown.

We ended up signing at the Allegro, which isn't nearly as convenient, but was much more affordable, had bigger units, and much better sales people (but also has the Amtrak next door, so plan carefully).

If you want a really dark, cramped place to get decent priced beer and watch the game, 4th st isn't bad. I hate having to find your own table, which ultimately leads to standing over people and then them standing over you when you're eating. Really, can't you have someone taking names?

Wings were decent, nothing special. Bucket of beers was a tad pricey, but not terrible for SF. TVs are awkwardly placed for a sports bar, which is the only reason I went in (tons of Warrior fans). If all you want is a place to watch the game, average food, and reasonably priced beer, and have no expectations of anything more, then it's worth your time (but not mine).

Four stars, but not for the food (although the lasagna was not bad at all and only $10 for lunch) which is average and overpriced. However, Jillian's is the best upscale sports bar in the city. Tons of nice tvs, pool tables, and what I've found to be a cheery staff.

Yes yes, drinks aren't cheap, but you can't try to compare the atmosphere to 4th street bar/deli across the street. If you're looking for cheap food and drinks and a loud, dark environment, Jillian's isn't your place. If you want a great hang-out place where you feel comfortable and don't mind having only a decent burger and beer for $17, Jillian's is solid.

To summarize the below reviews in ten words or less: good food, great drinks, and relaxed atmosphere, but HORRIBLE service.

I'd have given it two stars based on quality, but the fact that I paid under $10 bumps it up. I had the chicken curry with garlic naan, which was tasty but not memorable. If you're looking for unique fast food, it's worth a try.

Three of us got in without a reservation at five-thirty pm on a Friday night. We each had a pizza (generic Margherita, Gorgonzola, and Sausage) and  split the Fiji Apple and Gorgonzola salad. The pizza was good, but not the best I've had (maybe I'm being too stingy, comparing it to NYC pizza?).

Prices were pretty reasonable. I guess it was a little loud, but I didn't think  it was as big of a problem as was mentioned below. The staff was friendly, but I was a little annoyed when they took the red crushed pepper from our table "because another table needed it". Really? Couldn't spring for more than one home-made red pepper crusher (one for each table)?

I'd probably go again because it's walkable, but it wouldn't be at the top of my list.