Fat Apple’s

Great breakfast place! We came a little bit worried about some of the previous reviews but walked away happy and satisfied. Indeed, the service is a little bit lacking. We just had to work it a little bit to get what we needed. But the food was excellent! I had the Apple pancakes with a side order of eggs. She had the corn beef hash. The Apple pancake was like a really thin apple pie… Delicious! The corn beef was made in house and super good. I usually don’t like corn beef hash but the stuff was super good. The place opens at seven, even on a Saturday, and they have a large parking lot which is rare and helpful. This is now a go-​to spot for breakfast!

Ambiance is like a diner. The food is decent but nothing spectacular. This is a 3 star establishment. It gets two stars because the pies and quiche are 7.59 for a single, tiny slice. Ridiculously expensive. Not worth it at all.

They have terrific pies (but a bit pricey — $ 21 to
$ 27). A screw up every so often. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AT THESE PRICES.
Food is a quite pricey too. We have eaten here for 20+ years. Lately we’re disappointed every time we try again and we have given up and no longer eat here. Portions are on the small side. They must feel pretty damned good about themselves.

I’ve been going here since I was a kid, easily my favorite classic breakfast spot. Between their waffles, which are the only thinner and crispy style I can find anywhere in the bay, and the cheese puffs, it’s all a person should need for a good dough filled breakfast.

I wasn’t to happy. Ordered a tuna melt for me it was hard to bite and a lot of butter. Also a cheese burger that my friend ordered was okay I guess. Our check was 30 dollars which is high for lunch. Food was average and price was over average. Was given coleslaw even though I ordered fries coleslaw had zero taste. Will try them one more time for breakfast.

This may be the saddest Unilocal review I will ever write. Fat Apple’s was a staple of my life as a kid & teen in the east bay. From as early as the 5^th & 6^th grades, I was meeting friends for bfast at the Berkeley location up through high school, dates, social gatherings, etc. Having left the area many, many years ago, yet returning on occasion with my husband and son, I still have a special place in my heart for Fat Apples. The delicious burgers, curly fries, olalaberry pies & shakes… O. M. G.
Thus, it is with a heavy heart that I report for the THIRD time, we have been fully disappointed with not only the service (which was never really top notch) but the food as well. My husband’s meatball sandwich was a joke, soggy bread, barely edible. My kid’s spaghetti & meatballs… A meatball, yes, as in single, 1 meatball, not at all tasty nor was the pasta. We asked for no sauce, sauce came anyway. Asked for extra Parmesan cheese, forgotten. My kiddo didn’t eat any of it. Maybe 2 bites. Server never checked in with us after food arrived, which would have been a nice opportunity to explain he didn’t care for it and choose something else. But no go. So we got charged $ 6.50 for an untouched bowl of pasta. Overall, service was just terrible. As a former waitress, I tend to be forgiving, but this was awful. Ordered drinks, my hot tea was forgotten. Other tables’ orders arrived 1^st.
I donno what happened to this place but it was definitely a sad experience. This was the last chance. Never coming back again and will never recommend.

So I’ve posted here before, but I’m now inspired to post yet again.
$ 9.50 for a measly amount of pretty low-​quality mac and cheese… This is just ridiculous.
I previously gave this place a two-​star rating mostly because of the mediocre quality and high price for such quality. Ever since then, I’ve avoided going to this place as much as possible. Unfortunately, this week I haven’t been able to avoid it. I have only been eating a select few items from here as I’ve had bad experiences with some of the others – I had the portobello planks maybe four times already this week. They’re pretty good, but like other items on the menu here, they’re rather overpriced for the quantity.
I ordered the mac and cheese today because, unfortunately, I started getting tired of the planks. And sorry to say, but I’m very disappointed. The macaroni is definitely overcooked, the sauce isn’t too great, and again, such measly amount… For $ 9.50, I got less than what looks and feels like a few ounces. I expected at least double this amount. And now that I’m tasting the quality, at least triple the amount.
Despite this being the closest thing to my work all other food places being at least a half-​mile away, and me not having a car, I’m going to avoid this place as best I can.
To the few cashiers here that I think are cool, please find a better restaurant to work at. I like you guys and find it sad that I don’t like the place you guys work.

It’s nice to have a spot in the neighborhood, but the food here is just okay (though I do really enjoy their Monte Cristo sandwich) and the service is very slow and not especially attentive. It’s especially slow at the end of the day. Their menu is served semi-​à la carte, where many dishes don’t have any sides included, so keep that in mind when you’re placing an order.
I haven’t sampled a ton of their baked goods, but I’d consider what I’ve had (pumpkin gingerbread and a gluten free cookie) mediocre — both were a bit dry.
An okay spot to check out, but it won’t blow you away.
Patrons and staff are very friendly, though, so I’m happy to pop in when I can to support them.

I’ve been coming here since I used to go to Cal but have recently moved back here.
Everything is still great for breakfast. Our server remembered me and was happy to see me back again.
Since it’s Pi Day today, I got myself a berry pie, but their apple pie is fantastic too.
I always used to get those delicious cheese puffs which i see have increased in price but still worth it.

No more–
I’ve been coming to this place for over 10 years– over the past 2 the quality and portion control has become an issue.
I favorited the hamburgers and fries for years — but yesterday was the last burger Id ever come for. The fries were all stale and extremely greasy (fried twice? or under a lamp for hours?)
The burger was very undercooked and the meat had a weird freezer burn taste to it. After paying $ 20 for a burger and fries i think its time to say goodbye.
Maybe the 100’s of old folks will still enjoy this overpriced garbage but not me.

Have been going for years because of the hamburger. Little on the steep side but willing to pay for the quality of the meat. I’ve watched a lot of cutting corners and reduced portions over the years but quality was always good. Quality gone and so am I.

Their pies doe.
We’ve been buying their pies for years during the Holidays. So hard deciding which is our favorite, they’re all amazing. Picking up 6 more next week can’t wait!

I actually was treated here twice by friends during my birthday month. I actually had not been here for at least a year but had a hankering for their onion rings. IMHO they make some of the best ONION RINGS! They are thinly sliced with a light crispy batter… super yummy!
On one visit I also had the chicken pot pie. The top is a puff pastry layer – light and flaky but I guess I prefer more of a pie crust topping. The chicken and vegetables were in a tasty creamy stew,
My friend, JT, had a turkey sandwich and salad combo.
We both had ice teas which were super large.
We shared two desserts, a chocolate éclair and a chocolate cream pie… yummy and decadent.
On my second visit my friend CKC and I had the onion rings and salads – I actually have forgotten what we ate — -this is why one should write their Unilocal reviews immediately after visiting a place. Of course we had two desserts — -mousse and apple pie… yum
The ambiance of Fat Apples is not very conducive to having a normal conversation.
When the place is full you have to shout to be heard by your dining companions.
I also am not fond of the table set up — especially the seats along the back wall.
Everyone seems kind of squished in and you can’t but overhear the conversations nearby or
vice versa.
The service is always friendly enough but often more cordial than warm.

I was told that this place has the best breakfast. I first tried dinner here and then recently tried the breakfast.
I had the spaghetti bolognese for dinner when I came. The pasta was cooked past al dente, but I like it that way. The sauce was yummy and tasted to me like good home-​cooking. Though I was not super impressed, it was a good dish. The dessert I got was a berry pie and that was an amazing slice of pie.
For breakfast, I tried their pumpkin pancakes. This was scrumptious. I also tried a bit of what others ordered — the egg, steak and bacon — and all were good. One of the people I was with commented that she felt «well-​fed and happy» and I echo her sentiments after eating breakfast here. I will definitely come back.

We stopped in for pie. The day we were there, they could have cooked pies just by setting them on the counter. It was such a hot day and there is apparently no AC but I’m imagining they don’t need it very often. The pie was delicious. The service had a weird Fargo-​like quality to it but I can’t say it was bad. A little creepy maybe. This is now my go-​to spot for Coen Brothers themed dessert experiences.

I go to Fat Apple’s about once per decade. Today I hit my quota for the 2010’s.
I didn’t want a burger, a stack of pancakes, or a sandwich for lunch. The omelets caught my eye, but my sister suggested the Baked Morning Frittata instead:
«Eggs, Parmesan Cheese, yukon gold potatoes, diced tomatoes, fresh herbs– scrambled together and baked in a skillet.»
So all the ingredients were mixed in with the eggs, unlike a traditional omelet where the home-​fried potatoes and sausages are on the side. It was just okay. I was wanting something fluffy and cheesy, but this was rather dense and not very cheesy.
My sister ordered the corned beef hash, with her eggs poached and dry toast, without butter. I tried some of her hash. It was also just okay, I’ve had better hash elsewhere.
The moment her sides arrived, the meal went off the rails. Apparently the cook left a napkin on her poached egg too long. So when the napkin was removed, some of it still clung to the top of the egg. Our server noticed it about the same moment I did. She said she would replace it.
Then my sister looked at her toast. It was buttered. When she pointed this out, our server was apologetic and let me eat the buttered toast. My sister said the replacement poached egg still wasn’t quite cooked how she wanted it. But at least this egg was napkin-​free.
I finished off my glass of water, and no one ever came around to refill it. When it was time to get the check, our server gave us the wrong ticket. It was the ticket for the previous customers at our table.
I didn’t feel like I got my money’s worth at Fat Apples. It will be at least another decade before I come back.

Standard olé brunch spot. Don’t expect the full on, blown away brunch.
Waffles were delightful.
Neighborhood is cozy and ideally for locals to eat at.

I can never go wrong with fat apples! I can always rely on this corner stop when I’m in need of a hearty, healthy salad or sandwich. (Their pumpkin pancakes are real yummy too!!!)
At the entrance is where you will notice lots of baked goods! Don’t skip out on it, especially the pies!

This review is for 3÷28÷15.
I arrived for an early dinner and was seated promptly. I took a gander at the bakery cases to scope out my dessert after my meal and was looking forward to a florentine but changed my mind…
My server was helpful in describing the different dishes of which I inquired and I ended up with the rose summer salad and a slice of bacon quiche. The salad came with two small wheat rolls. The salad itself was refreshing and colorful, with slices of yellow and red sweet peppers, carrot slivers, tomatoes, pecans, avocado and grilled chicken. The quiche was tasty and a good balance with all the vegetables. At nearly $ 12 I would say the salad was a little overpriced, but that’s okay as I would rather invest in a small business than a big chain restaurant.
For the dessert to go I purchased a chocolate chip cookie, which was crispy yet slightly chewy, just perfect! I also tried a slice of olalliberry pie: I highly recommend it, especially with some vanilla ice cream!

The waitress has a LOT of attitude and walks right by you to help another customer instead of combining several tasks in one trip.
That makes me feel really anxious: «Is she going to ignore me again this time? Damn»
My kid ordered pie ($ 5). She didn’t bother to ask whether he wanted it heated. Didn’t suggest ice cream either.
Don’t they train the staff?
Crowning moment: refilling his water she «accidentally» splashed it all over his book.
I’m starting to suspect they recognize me from my previous bad review.
Coffee is $ 3 and it’s cold!!!