Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Garden Variety in Berkeley

5 (38) 1966 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704, United States

Categories

Restaurant

Location on the map

Berkeley, Alameda County, California, US

Phone: +1 510-647-8251
Site: https://gardenvarietybk.com/

Opening hours

Monday:11 AM–3 PM
Tuesday:11 AM–3 PM
Wednesday:11 AM–3 PM
Thursday:11 AM–3 PM
Friday:11 AM–3 PM
Saturday:Closed
Sunday:Closed

Edit info

Total reviews rating 5

38 Reviews for Garden Variety 2024:

Review №1

2022-01-31 22:16:50

I legitimately dont think youll find a better chicken sandwich anywhere else. It was incredibly juicy (thankfully they give lots of napkins!) and the breading is super crunchy, not soggy at all! They dont really have indoor seating, but the back patio has lots of space.

Review №2

2023-10-19 00:23:47

Jeff is friendly and understanding, as I was late to pick up my food but he kept it fresh for me until I came to pick it up. It was delicious and tasted like a sandwich made by my mom.

Review №3

2022-08-11 20:42:00

So stinkin good!! I happened upon the wonderful spot by accident and so glad I did... it is easily my fav spot. Everything I have tried is delicious but my absolute favorite is the grilled portobello sandwich and the Ginger 🍪! The good people running the establishment are so kind, funny and personable which make this new transplant feel great! Thank you,A forever Customer

Review №4

2023-06-19 17:43:48

The chicken sandwich at Garden Variety is hands down the best Ive ever had. The orzo salad and cole slaw are next level. The owner Jeff is super cool and he knows my order right off the bat. What a gem this place is. A modest little spot where its the food that packs the big punch. This is the best new spot Ive tried in Berkeley this year. The classic hiphop album covers just make me feel right at home and theres usually some pretty ambient beats coming from the sound system. Righteous!!

Review №5

2021-07-21 20:06:20

This place is an amazing addition to the Berkeley food scene. The chicken sandwich is especially amazing. No hyperbole, the best chicken sandwich Ive ever eaten. The entire family loved their food. The cookies and orzo salad are also my favorites. You can see the remnants of the chicken sandwich! Come stop by and order from here.

Review №6

2020-10-03 19:07:59

Awesome new little place.Food is delicious everything is made to order, service is great the owner is really nice and if you like you can eat in the back, theres a large rose garden where you can sit and enjoy your meal.

Review №7

2023-05-10 02:26:02

Wow! I was super impressed by the super delicious portobello grilled cheese and peanut butter banana cookie. Taste, quantity and portions all 5 stars. For anyone on the fence, come check it out!

Review №8

2022-06-29 21:42:19

Popped in for no reason for a late lunch. I was greeted very warmly. Chicken sandwich looked like it was featured on the menu so I ordered that with a green salad. Really hit the spot, and I believe I have tried every legit fried chicken sandwich in Berkeley and Oakland. Definitely planning to make this a regular, and to try the other tasty stuff on the menu. The rose garden seating is a great plus.

Review №9

2020-10-20 05:20:47

Their fried chicken sandwich was pretty good and their soba noodles salad was refreshing.

Review №10

2023-01-29 23:38:52

There is a chicken sandwich restaurant pop-up here on the weekends that is AMAZING. I wish I knew the name. Literally the best chicken sandwich we have ever had. Seriously. Go here on the weekend, they are open for business and it is SO SO SOO GOOD.

Review №11

2022-11-18 09:42:12

Im so mad at myself for not coming here sooner. The reviews are spot-on. Flavor packed food. Beautiful garden outdoor seating. Friendly staff. You cant go wrong with lunch at Garden Variety. My only wish is that they were open on the weekends.The fried chicken sandwich had a generous amount of crispy and juicy chicken, creamy garlic sauce, and crunchy slaw. They offer a choice of two salads with all sandwiches. I could have eaten a bowl of the potato salad alone. I was very kindly given a free tahini chocolate chip cookie when the staff found out I was a first-time customer. Ill definitely be back to try out their other menu items!Fried Chicken SandwichChocolate Chip Tahini CookieGideon T.Berkeley, CA049110/18/2022Updated reviewHad their Ginger Molasses cookie today, and, let me tell you, bakeries that specialize in actually baking things like cookies do not hold a candle to Garden Variety. Absolute perfection. Crispy and almost caramelized on the outside (best way to describe whatevers going on with the edges) and then decreased crunchiness leading to a moist center.I dont know why actual bakeries have such a hard time baking good cookies. Here is a salad joint that makes cookies on the side and they have absolutely nailed the practice. These are the cookies of the grandmother of your dreams!6/3/2022Previous reviewAbsolutely the best cookies to be found anywhere in Berkeley. Better than the highly touted bakeries in the area. Far better than any coffee house. Always freshly baked.The chocolate chip is my favorite, but the others are equally good. Always perfectly textured (crunchy on the outside; soft in the middle), bold yet nuanced with the quintessential aftertaste of a cookie from the oven of the grandmother of your dreams.Substantial, but not overwhelming . Incredibly reasonably priced. At two dollars, there isnt a better deal in the Bay Area!Read moreJeffrey Y.Elite 2022Seattle, WA5301392589/9/20221 photo1 check-inAmbience - 8/10 -- Excellent rose garden in backyard with ample chairs and shady umbrellas available. Decent unisex bathroom.Quality - 6/10 -- Decent salads, nothing special. Would have preferred darker greens. Grilled peach were a bit charred and removing the char was annoying. Expecting more of an experience at this price point.Service - 5/10 -- Friendly staff members, self-serve water. The cups were plastic glasses, and they were oily and had a distinct plasticy aftertaste. After trying a few different glasses, we notified the staff and they gave us two Solo cups instead. Good service, but sus quality water.Value - 6/10 -- $12-15 base salads are good for the area and salads are large enough, but Mezzo is not too far away with much better value for salads ($12.90 for a combo salad and soup, last time I checked). Good quality, higher end place for Berkeley.Overall - 6/10 -- friendly, good salad place with small hiccups. 3.5 starsRed Quinoa and Roast Chicken, GF Grilled Peach and Goat Cheese, with TofuJoniece H.Elite 2022Alameda, CA246821177/11/20223 photosLOVEEEEE Garden Variety!!! My coworker and I stopped by here on a whim one day and Im so glad we did! Whenever we get down time at work, well stop here for lunch so we can enjoy the gorgeous rose garden . The fried chicken sandwich is so good! I also got their soba noodle salad and fried rice before on other occasions and honestly you cant order a bad thing from this menu. Everything is fresh and made to order and the chef and cashier are just the two most fabulous people you could ever meet! Im so glad I stumbled upon this place as I truly feel I found a gem here is Berkeley keep up the great workEd U.Elite 2022

Review №12

2022-03-24 02:04:20

Hands down, they make the best crispy chicken on brioche sandwiches anywhere! Soups are kinda amazing - share a sandwich and order a bowel of soup. Had the Thai, lemon grass, chicken soup today and it was delicious. The owner and chef is friendly, and provides great customer service - just talk with him for a couple of minutes, and youll know what I mean.

Review №13

2020-11-05 22:23:18

My kids loved it; the noodles and especially the fresh baked cookies! Great tasty salads and soups that actually satisfy a hungry guy. Ive been a few times now, and its cool to see the addition of new seasonal items. As others have said, the back garden is a well kept and quiet sanctuary off the busy street!

Review №14

2022-08-22 22:00:33

I went there for the gumbo but they already sold out so I got the chicken sandwich instead. It was greeeeeeet! Will be back to try the gumbo. 😁 The rose garden in the back was beautiful and peaceful!

Review №15

2020-10-24 19:19:04

Best fried chicken sandwich! It’s juicy and crunchy, and the spicy slaw just perfects it. Their salads taste really fresh! I came here last weekend and had to come back for more today.

Review №16

2021-03-17 03:53:20

The food was delicious and the owner was incredibly kind! We had the chance to try the banana nut cookie and chocolate chip tahini cookie—let me tell you, I’ll be back for another one of those choc chip cookies! AMAZING. Please stop by and eat in the rose garden out back.

Review №17

2020-09-11 18:31:18

I’m happy to have this new place to pick up lunch after work on my way home. I’ve come back several times and so far all of the salads and soup I tried are fresh and full of flavors. my fav would be the Beluga Lentils salad and the Chicken Gumbo soup, can’t wait to try more on the menu!

Review №18

2022-02-14 22:42:55

Quality food, prepared well. Lovely spot to pick up a healthy lunch or to eat in the outdoor rose garden out back. And their cookies are delicious!

Review №19

2022-11-09 22:24:23

Kindest service Ive had in forever. They gave me a free cookie because google up-charges and its cheaper on their website!

Review №20

2021-01-27 03:47:44

Three of us shared three items -- Fontina and Black Forest Ham grilled cheese sandwich, Fried Chicken sandwich, and one of the salads. Everything was fresh and delicious. The chef then pulled out three tahini chocolate chip cookies out of the oven that were amazing. Reasonably priced and great outdoor sitting behind the restaurant. A great addition to the Berkeley lunch options.

Review №21

2021-01-10 19:20:50

Amazing chicken sandwich. juicy, crisp, yummy. superb music selection (early 90s hip hop, 70s soul) and a chill area to hang in back. great find.

Review №22

2020-11-09 04:18:00

This was the best meal i had in a very long time i tried the chicken sandwich is was delicious way better than chick fil a. If you go you need to get that chicken sandwich and the potatoe salad was on point also.

Review №23

2022-08-12 21:15:04

One of the best cookies Ive ever had (chocolate chip), beautiful outdoor seating, and friendly service. Must see!

Review №24

2022-12-07 23:04:11

Beat fried chicken I’ve had. I also liked the service.Give a raise to my man Diego!!!

Review №25

2022-09-14 19:26:32

Great service, cookies, and the back patio rose garden is so lovely!

Review №26

2021-02-19 21:28:07

Amazingly tasty food and super friendly staff. Garden Variety is everything Im looking for in a lunch spot!

Review №27

2020-11-09 04:21:57

The ginger cookies were bomb and the owner is a really cool guy, very accommodating as well

Review №28

2021-05-31 01:14:30

This place is great! I highly recommend it, especially their chocolate tahini cookie.

Review №29

2020-10-24 22:00:29

The food here is amazing and everyone is so nice! Great new place to try in Berkeley! ✨

Review №30

2022-09-12 21:41:37

Amazing service and hidden garden inside

Review №31

2021-02-23 20:06:31

Always fresh and delicious. I try something different every time, and Im never disappointed!

Review №32

2021-08-05 19:39:05

SO GOOD. Love the fried rice and chicken sandwich.

Review №33

2023-01-06 20:28:36

Amazing! very generous! Delicious!

Review №34

2023-09-19 03:54:54

Love the cookies

Review №35

2020-12-20 17:35:26

This place is awesome. Highly recommended for a delicious lunch.

Review №36

2020-11-06 19:51:55

Great music, super friendly folks, top notch food 👌

Review №37

2022-02-25 19:15:26

Cookies are delicious 😋

Review №38

2021-04-29 19:41:33

Would recommend