Burdell

We had an incredible dining experience at Burdell, a unique spot that offers elevated, technically soul food, though it felt more like a masterclass in flavor than your traditional fare. From the moment we sat down and sampled the boiled peanuts, we knew we were in for something special. The melon salad was a standout—each bite bursting with layers of flavors that created a symphony of goodness in your mouth. For our mains, we savored the duck and sausage, both of which were cooked to perfection, accompanied by flavorful greens and delicious cornbread. The dessert, a peach cobbler, had a great flavor but the crust was just a tad overdone—still a sweet ending to an otherwise flawless meal. Burdell has easily earned its spot in our dining rotation, and we can’t wait to come back!

+2

Date night in Oakland Temescal! After recently reading a bunch of fantastic things about this restaurant, my wife and I decided to have a date night to try it out! We can’t say we loved it enough!! Starter. We started by sharing the boiled peanuts in Miso broth! Omg, so delicious!! That dish is really incredible, and the sauce could be amazing on basically anything. I haven’t had warm boiled peanuts previously, but I’ll definitely have them again! Entrees. My lovely wife chose the Halibut with mixed vegetable succotash. She absolutely loved this dish. She was asking the waiter how often they change the dishes, so she can make sure to return before they change it out! I also tried a bite of this dish, and it was truly excellent! My lovely self ordered the house made bacon sausage, served with fingerling potatoes, roasted red peppers, cracklins, some raw greens, and what tasted like a mustard vinaigrette. This dish made for a really tasty bite, when all the components were eaten together. The roasted red peppers (small, about the size of Shishito peppers) were the real winner in this dish, and I would love to eat more of these!! My only minor criticism about my dish, was that the sausage ate a bit dry. It was flavored nicely, but there wasn’t enough moisture from the various components to offset that dryness of the meaty sausage. Probably a bit more fat into the sausage mix and it would be another amazing dish. I would honestly order this again, except that I very much so want to try some of the dishes we saw the other patrons eating! Sides. We shared the greens with hamhock. It was smokey, and spicy, and just the right amount of everything lovely! We both loved this dish and highly recommend adding a side of it to your meal, especially if you’re a fan of greens! It was enough to share for the two of us. Dessert. We shared the peach and blueberry cobbler for dessert! It was a perfect finish to our meal, and we both agreed that the crust was the star of the cobbler! Really fantastic! They have a 20% included service charge at Burdell, but the service staff was on point throughout, and we were happy to pay it. The service was perfect and friendly. We both loved this meal and we’ll definitely be back for more soon! Our only real concern is that it’ll soon be too popular to get a seat easily!

+1

Burdell is a must visit if you are in the Bay area! The chef put together an incredible menu and all the food is executed to perfection. We went with the family style dinner and we were blown away by the flavors. It was my first time having boiled peanuts and it was the perfect starter for this meal. The salad is somehow coated evenly in a tasty dressing and all of the vegetables were fresh. We enjoyed the BBQ shrimp which had one of the best sauces ever. The chicken was the juiciest I've ever had and it was accompanied with a hearty cornbread. Highly recommend some chocolate pudding to cap off the meal. The staff was friendly and professional plus they had a stellar playlist on the speakers. We had a great evening here and can't wait to go back again!

+6

Went with a party of 4. Tried almost everything on the menu. Brussel sprouts Ceasar was well balanced. Hush puppies with caviar was a pleasant surprise. Fried chicken cooked perfectly. Finished off with the apple in castiron skilet. Portiond were good sizes.

I give this review as a Southerner, someone who is well-traveled, and someone who has eaten at some of the best restaurants in the world; this was quite literally one of the best meals I've ever had. Standouts for me were the Petrale Sole, Okra Rice, and Cornbread. The staff went above and beyond, and ensured that this was a memorable experience. Also, make sure you leave room for the carrot cake, it's great!

Burdell is a special restaurant. The food is so intentional and curated, and you can really feel the love of the dishes from the chef. I’ve been for dinner and brunch and can say that both vibes are nice. I would personally attend for brunch for more everyday occasions, and dinner for special occasions. Nice wine list for dinner. Definitely try the kombucha! Their menu is seasonal so you should check out the menu before coming, but honestly everything we’ve had has been delicious. I highly recommend giving this place a try!

Burdell has been on my radar for a while, and finally this weekend my wife and I made it happen. We were seated in the bar area for brunch. On the website those seats are listed as a “high top” table but when we arrived we found seats and tables only slightly elevated from the rest of the dining area, which I was happy about. I was expecting typical bar table seating which I thought might be less comfortable. Glad I was wrong, we comfortable for the duration of our meal. Service was top notch, all the things you hope for. Friendly, fast, knowledgeable. As for the food, we ordered NOLA style beignets, barbecue whole shrimp with rice grits, fried chicken and cornmeal waffle with an iced coffee to drink. All of it was delicious. I have enjoyed those dishes elsewhere on many occasions, with nary a complaint. But something about Chef Geoff’s preparation of the same dishes feels (and tastes) different, in the best way. Our meal tasted and felt like a love letter and a welcome mat. A nod to a cherished memory and a statement on what soul food is and what it can be. My soul felt nourished and I felt grateful to witness such an intentional and thoughtful and delicious expression. My wife and I can’t wait to come back for dinner, and come back for brunch and dinner again…

Outstanding food. Loved the boiled peanuts and the BBQ shrimp ( the sauce was so yummy). The cornbread was the best I have eaten.

Burdell puts a sophisticated spin on traditionally "casual" (might be the wrong word) dishes. Even the simplest of the simple (e.g. the unbelievable cornbread) is elevated and delightfully complex. For those anxious about jumping all-in for the $85 fried chicken and caviar, don't be afraid. Arguably the best dish I have eaten in the last two years. Every other item was on point (including the exceptional cocktails).

Steve Archer

Went with a party of 4. Tried almost everything on the menu. Brussel sprouts Ceasar was well balanced. Hush puppies with caviar was a pleasant surprise. Fried chicken cooked perfectly. Finished off with the apple in castiron skilet. Portiond were good sizes.

Miles Braddock

I give this review as a Southerner, someone who is well-traveled, and someone who has eaten at some of the best restaurants in the world; this was quite literally one of the best meals I've ever had. Standouts for me were the Petrale Sole, Okra Rice, and Cornbread. The staff went above and beyond, and ensured that this was a memorable experience. Also, make sure you leave room for the carrot cake, it's great!

Jay Gauthier

Burdell is a special restaurant. The food is so intentional and curated, and you can really feel the love of the dishes from the chef. I’ve been for dinner and brunch and can say that both vibes are nice. I would personally attend for brunch for more everyday occasions, and dinner for special occasions. Nice wine list for dinner. Definitely try the kombucha! Their menu is seasonal so you should check out the menu before coming, but honestly everything we’ve had has been delicious. I highly recommend giving this place a try!

Jarred Ditmore

Burdell has been on my radar for a while, and finally this weekend my wife and I made it happen. We were seated in the bar area for brunch. On the website those seats are listed as a “high top” table but when we arrived we found seats and tables only slightly elevated from the rest of the dining area, which I was happy about. I was expecting typical bar table seating which I thought might be less comfortable. Glad I was wrong, we comfortable for the duration of our meal. Service was top notch, all the things you hope for. Friendly, fast, knowledgeable. As for the food, we ordered NOLA style beignets, barbecue whole shrimp with rice grits, fried chicken and cornmeal waffle with an iced coffee to drink. All of it was delicious. I have enjoyed those dishes elsewhere on many occasions, with nary a complaint. But something about Chef Geoff’s preparation of the same dishes feels (and tastes) different, in the best way. Our meal tasted and felt like a love letter and a welcome mat. A nod to a cherished memory and a statement on what soul food is and what it can be. My soul felt nourished and I felt grateful to witness such an intentional and thoughtful and delicious expression. My wife and I can’t wait to come back for dinner, and come back for brunch and dinner again…

Shweta Shanbhag

Outstanding food. Loved the boiled peanuts and the BBQ shrimp ( the sauce was so yummy). The cornbread was the best I have eaten.

Seann Rooney

Burdell puts a sophisticated spin on traditionally "casual" (might be the wrong word) dishes. Even the simplest of the simple (e.g. the unbelievable cornbread) is elevated and delightfully complex. For those anxious about jumping all-in for the $85 fried chicken and caviar, don't be afraid. Arguably the best dish I have eaten in the last two years. Every other item was on point (including the exceptional cocktails).

Fresh ingredients, yummy food, great service. I’m a pescatarian but still had no problem finding enough to order. I had the beet salad, Petrale Sole, BBQ shrimp 🤌and Cornbread. The sole was cooked just right. Solid meal. Will return!

I'd heard of Burdell's and read up on the restaurants chef/ owner. Found a reason to take a friend out, who'd also never been. It's a very simple, clean atmosphere. Eclectic with mismatched silverware, wooden tables, built-in benches along the walls, and chairs. No effort at extravagant decor, but it felt as tho you were at grandma's house. The waitstaff is kind, knowledgeable, and so helpful with the menu and answering questions. The Food Was Delicious! The Brussel Caesar is an appetizer that is so flavorful and a warm dish. Surprise! We thought it was a salad... not! It's quartered Brussel sprouts, sunflower seeds, some cheese lightly grated over it and a tantalizing sauce drizzled on it. I had the petrale sole and my friend had the grits. We ordered a side of cornbread. It was unique and delicious with honeyed butter. The servings were more than enough. The one con was the temperature in the restaurant was chilly, but the restroom was meticulous and spotless. The icing on the cake is a wild plus! They don't do tips. They explain why on the tab... there is a 20% gratuity included in the bill to cover the staffs wages. C-L-A-S-S-Y!!! I'll be going back again and again, as long as they maintain the level of service and food! Thank you Burdell and Company!

We loved Burdell. The service was attentive, vibe is cozy and relaxed, and the food was amazing. We had wine by the glass, both white, both delish. The wine list by the bottle looked awesome too. We ate boiled peanuts, fava bean salad, cornbread and boiled red cabbage, chicken two ways (fried and roasted) and dungeness crab jumbo. Flavors were on point and the chef's family recipe potato salad will be on my mind for a long time. Yum. Found parking on the street directly across from the restaurant. Also heard about the service charge hub bub - we are so happy to support a chef bringing these important social issues to light.

The restaurant has a great atmosphere. The staff was great and knowledgeable about the menu. The only bad thing about the service was that they were so eager to remove plates from the table, that it felt they were rushing for us to finish sooner. In one opportunity, I asked them to leave the dish as I wanted to eat the sauce. The main plate was removed so fast while we were still finishing it. They were inflexible when I asked if I could order a plate from their family dinner (the dirty rice) and while I would expect that some restaurants would be OK with this, they weren’t, which was disappointing. Now about the food we ordered: 1. Boiled Peanuts: I understand this is probably the most popular item in the menu. The miso sauce is great, but the texture of the peanuts is strange. It gets mushy and as it is cooked for hours, it looses its structure and becomes almost a paste. It is kind of messy to eat this dish as it is cooked with the shell, so I wouldn’t order it again, but it was an interesting dish. 2/5 2. BBQ Whole Shrimp: Amazing dish. The shrimp is cooked to perfection and it matches so well with the buttery and spicy sauce. It also comes with one slice of white bread with butter that is perfect to eat with the sauce. The only downside is that the dish is on the smaller side, with only 4 shrimps and only one slice of bread, which causes the bread sauce proportion a bit off. We were expecting a bigger portion considering it was $26, but it was perfect that we didn’t mind. 5/5 3. Pork Roast: Amazing dish. We shared and it was OK for two people, while the portion is probably on small side. It comes with two slices of pork collar - cooked to perfection - very moist and flavorful. The sauce with the beans and mustard is very balanced and the crunch texture of the crackling is amazing and brings a nice combination of textures to this dish. Amazing! 5/5 4. Cornbread: Another staple from this restaurant. Amazing cornbread, buttery and the cultured butter that comes with it is perfect. It is probably more to the more dense side but it was the best cornbread I ever tasted. 4/5 5. Apple crisp with brown butter ice cream: Loved the apple texture and the ice cream was amazing, matching very well with this desert. It lacked a bit of a crunch texture and I honestly didn’t understand why it had some oats on top as they didn’t provide any texture or flavor profile to the dish, but it was very good. 4/5 I wish I could taste the dirty rice from the family menu and would probably order that as well, but we were pretty satisfied after sharing all of these dishes. Total: $150 including tax and service (20% automatically included in the bill) for all the plates above and shared by 2. Probably won’t return in the near future, but it was a very good experience.

I visited this restaurant on a Wednesday evening with friends, all of whom have backgrounds in the food industry. We booked an early reservation at 5 p.m. and were immediately struck by the venue’s understated yet stylish décor, featuring rustic touches and a soft pink, floral theme. The menu was promising, showcasing a wide variety of dishes, and we opted to try a little of everything. The quality of service matched the high standard of the food; the servers were attentive and genuinely kind, with the chef even personally delivering some of our dishes, which was a thoughtful gesture. Of all the offerings, the pork neck and the petrale sole were particularly memorable. The pork was remarkably tender and flavorful, while the fish, served with fresh vegetables and a puree, was crafted to offer a perfect blend of flavors in each bite. The pricing was on the higher side, but given the quality of the food and the overall experience, it felt justified. This restaurant offers a level of southern cuisine that is both fulfilling and exceptionally well-prepared. Highly recommended for a satisfying meal that won’t leave you feeling weighed down

+6

Great service here. The staff was very friendly and attentive. Food was mostly good a couple of the dishes we had were a miss for me but the pork tenderloin and the beet and citrus salad with chicory were very good. Atmosphere is relaxed and homey. Some aspects of grandmas house.

I liked Burrell, but as a vegetarian it felt quite restrictive. They wouldn’t make us a dish without the caviar even though they were out of another vegetarian dish. Lots of big flavors, everything was drenched (maybe a tad too much so) in butter or sauce. Overall probably great for non-veg folks!

I was very excited about trying this spot but it wasn’t as good as expected. The food was average, the service was amazing , everyone was attentive and took time to explain the menu. I would probably not go back here. But would definitely order the corn bread on DoorDash !Also there was a weird chicken smell when we walked in.

+4

First time at Burdell and overall the food was good but the overall didn't wow me... perhaps since I had set a high expectation considering the accolades given to Burdell. The salad, and the oxtail fries, were tasty! They were on point and I liked these. No problem with them at all. The mustard green side was on the saltier side but I manage by eating it with more of the mixed rice and beans which was delicious with a nice spice to it. The main entree, the pickle brine fried chicken was ok. The chicken was crispy and juicy but 1) not all pieces were marinated well as two pieces we had lacked flavor so it wasn't just how the chicken was, but inconsistency in marination, and 2) some pieces were overcooked leading a thick dry outer layer before you get into the nice juicy meat inside. Pieces that were marinated well were phenomenal along with the house made hot sauce, but due to inconsistencies, the overall was underwhelming. Service could have been better - primarily because when our water cups were empty, I expected them to fill it or ask to fill it but they came by twice but never asked or did so, until I asked for the water cups to be refilled. The ambiance of the place was on the upscale feeling though definitely did very well in keeping the southern feel to it with the dining wares used, and the decor. Maybe I'll give it another try during their non pre-fixe menu and see if the experience is better.

Made a reservation for a Wednesday night and it was packed! The place was a bit loud, which made it hard to hear and have a conversation. We got a table seat and could hear the different conversations on either side of us. Food wise, we order the family menu that had the duck as the main entré. My favorite of the menu were the cornbread and the duck; everything else was a tad too salty or messy (like the boiled peanuts with the shell on). For a party of 2, they served three slices of the duck. Everything came in portions of 2 except the duck. Two people finished all the food and no leftover. The food was pretty pricey and they added 20% gratuity charge. The restaurant definitely has a fine dining price tag, but lacking in the fine dining experience and taste.

Came here on a double-date for Sunday brunch, and the vibe inside is really cool (though it got rather hot and there was no AC). Super retro but trendy We did family-style and got the brisket sandwich on viet roll, chicken/waffles, shrimp & grits, beignets, and the banana pancakes. --Personal verdict was chicken/waffles and brisket sandwich were the best. --Banana pancakes had dried bananas on top (not fresh), which was an odd pairing imo. --Brisket sandwich had really good flavor but too salty if ate too much Service was attentive, and food comes out very slow (so expect to relax/spend a bit of time there). Not sure I'd come back for the price (plates are $23-27, beignets were $13(?) for 4 small pieces), but it was cool to try. I'd rate this 3.5-4 stars for the price and what you get for it.

Interesting take on soul food. The setting is very cute and nice but the waiter was a bit pushy. Overall, the food was great esp the shrimp and the cornbread. Loved the vibe.

The place is nice and casual it seems newly renovated with some quirky retro designs space. It’s not a cheap evening , but it was good and new type of cuisine for us. Our host was friendly and well informed about the food itself. Chef didn’t seem to enjoy dinners interaction but served tables which was a nice touch. It’s true, corn bread is the star of the show. The appetisers and sides in general were great. Liver waffle was my favourite. Probably not a place you go back to over and over again.

Kenneth Tong

First time at Burdell and overall the food was good but the overall didn't wow me... perhaps since I had set a high expectation considering the accolades given to Burdell. The salad, and the oxtail fries, were tasty! They were on point and I liked these. No problem with them at all. The mustard green side was on the saltier side but I manage by eating it with more of the mixed rice and beans which was delicious with a nice spice to it. The main entree, the pickle brine fried chicken was ok. The chicken was crispy and juicy but 1) not all pieces were marinated well as two pieces we had lacked flavor so it wasn't just how the chicken was, but inconsistency in marination, and 2) some pieces were overcooked leading a thick dry outer layer before you get into the nice juicy meat inside. Pieces that were marinated well were phenomenal along with the house made hot sauce, but due to inconsistencies, the overall was underwhelming. Service could have been better - primarily because when our water cups were empty, I expected them to fill it or ask to fill it but they came by twice but never asked or did so, until I asked for the water cups to be refilled. The ambiance of the place was on the upscale feeling though definitely did very well in keeping the southern feel to it with the dining wares used, and the decor. Maybe I'll give it another try during their non pre-fixe menu and see if the experience is better.

My Hoa N.

Made a reservation for a Wednesday night and it was packed! The place was a bit loud, which made it hard to hear and have a conversation. We got a table seat and could hear the different conversations on either side of us. Food wise, we order the family menu that had the duck as the main entré. My favorite of the menu were the cornbread and the duck; everything else was a tad too salty or messy (like the boiled peanuts with the shell on). For a party of 2, they served three slices of the duck. Everything came in portions of 2 except the duck. Two people finished all the food and no leftover. The food was pretty pricey and they added 20% gratuity charge. The restaurant definitely has a fine dining price tag, but lacking in the fine dining experience and taste.

Jenna RxTravelBug

Came here on a double-date for Sunday brunch, and the vibe inside is really cool (though it got rather hot and there was no AC). Super retro but trendy We did family-style and got the brisket sandwich on viet roll, chicken/waffles, shrimp & grits, beignets, and the banana pancakes. --Personal verdict was chicken/waffles and brisket sandwich were the best. --Banana pancakes had dried bananas on top (not fresh), which was an odd pairing imo. --Brisket sandwich had really good flavor but too salty if ate too much Service was attentive, and food comes out very slow (so expect to relax/spend a bit of time there). Not sure I'd come back for the price (plates are $23-27, beignets were $13(?) for 4 small pieces), but it was cool to try. I'd rate this 3.5-4 stars for the price and what you get for it.

Shashanka Rao

Interesting take on soul food. The setting is very cute and nice but the waiter was a bit pushy. Overall, the food was great esp the shrimp and the cornbread. Loved the vibe.

Lilla Piotrowska

The place is nice and casual it seems newly renovated with some quirky retro designs space. It’s not a cheap evening , but it was good and new type of cuisine for us. Our host was friendly and well informed about the food itself. Chef didn’t seem to enjoy dinners interaction but served tables which was a nice touch. It’s true, corn bread is the star of the show. The appetisers and sides in general were great. Liver waffle was my favourite. Probably not a place you go back to over and over again.

With a few alterations this experience could have been much better. Here was our experience from an early Sunday night dinner reservation: 1. Took over an hour to get the entree. Although we got seated shortly after 5pm, there was a major delay in the kitchen and our main entree wasn't ready until closer to 6:30pm. 2. Main entrees were both too salty. The fish was too salty and the grilled chicken was too salty. 3. Apple crisp was charcoaled. In hindsight I should have asked the waitress to take the dessert back because it was so badly burnt, but I have baby brain and didn't think of it until I got home. I don't know how the runner even approved that dessert to leave the kitchen - the apples and the granola topping were black from being burned in the oven. 4. Cold temperature in the restaurant. They could have turned the heat up a bit, after sitting there for 2.5 hrs I was pretty chilly and its getting cold outside. (not a big deal but a comment) Pros: 1. Beet salad excellent, corn bread excellent, fried chicken very good not salty, potato salad excellent, the yams on the side of the fish dish excellent. This place has a lot of potential if they take time to read the comments and make alterations (many comments say the same thing). Once was enough for us.

The atmosphere is great and our service was fine. There was some highlights with the food (salad was tasty), but generally we were unenthused with the family meal considering for 2 people the total was $250 (it would have been over 350 had we done drinks). For some people maybe that’s not a whole lot of money but for us it is and the reviews kind of made it seem like this would be a special experience and we found it feeling rather average. They bring out the check with a 20% service charge as well. Might have had a better experience getting entrees and not the family meal but for the money I don’t think we’ll be back

I really wanted to love this place but sadly did not. My two friends and I were excited to try it as we'd heard how wonderful it was. We also wanted to support because it's black owned and I always want to support my folks. The pros- The ambiance/ decor was really nice and reminiscent. I felt like I was both in the south at a relative's house while simultaneously being at church. I thought they put a lot of thought into the decor. The cons - the food was just ok and was lukewarm. Growing up with southern grandparents and visiting the South regularly, soul food was a staple. This felt like soul food adjacent. I know it's supposed to be elevated but the flavors weren't there. If you're not accustomed to soul food, you might think it's really good. If you've grown up on it and experienced everything from home-cooked hole-in-the-wall soul food to a more elevated experience, you'll more than likely feel like it didn't quite hit the mark. Another issue was that the staff weren't that friendly to us. My one friend described it as feeling judged when we walked in. They didn't really pay attention to us and we got our food later than others despite coming in before folks. The owner was there but didn't say anything to anyone. Usually, they'll ask how things are but he just kind of watched folks. The other hard thing was that I have some dietary restrictions due to allergies and pregnancy and asked them to omit an item (asked to take off the runny egg from my shrimp and grits). The waiter just kept saying the meal would be incomplete and she needed to ask the chef. It took a while for them to get back to me. They finally agreed but it seemed like they weren't happy having to do so. If dietary restrictions are going to be an issue, they should note that somewhere so folks know not to come. Overall, if it were just about the food, I'd give it another try to see if other items were better but the treatment really left so much to be desired. All 3 of us said we wouldn't go back.

I was literally freezing inside; nearly everyone kept their coats on except for one brave woman. The food felt overpriced and underwhelming. The salad plate was small, and the main dish was forgettable, saved only by the cornbread, which was genuinely good. What bothered me most was the mandatory 20% service charge. I rarely tip below 15%, and 10% is my minimum for poor service. For me, 20% should be reserved for servers who demonstrate exceptional customer awareness and timing.

Pros: The carrot cake slice was delicious. The service we received ftom Bro. Prejuan was SUPERB. He was so attentive, never missing a beat! The cornbread was delicious. The Lamb plate was delicious. The Fried chicken was delicious. Cons: All the other dishes were not good enough to be called soul food. The Sole was too salty. The Collard Greens were salty. The Boiled Peanuts didn't taste right. I have had boiled peanuts before and these just didn't taste right. Raw peanuts boiled in lightly salted water; that's it! The other dishes that my family ordered was not what they expected. Also the kitchen did not reflect the Soul food we were expecting. Overall: This new style of "soul food" does a disservice to the "traditional style". Call it something else, because it is not soul food.

This review feels a bit different from my last one. You know, this restaurant popped up in one of my absolute favorite brunch spots, Aunt Mary’s, which sadly closed down during the pandemic. So, when it opened, I was super hopeful, especially since the previous owner mentioned they’d found a restaurant to take their place. Sadly, I tried it back in late March 2025, and I wasn’t a fan. The flavors just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I brought my wife here to celebrate her birthday, and we had crab, salad, cornbread, and boiled peanuts. Considering the price, I was really hoping for something more. I’ll definitely give it another shot sometime and keep my fingers crossed that it’ll be better next time! The service here was incredible though!

We came in very excited, having read about the recent national awards and genuinely interested in the concept. When I stepped in, I immediately loved the lighting and decor. We had called earlier to see if we could add a 5th person to our reservation of 4 and the person who helped us on the phone was outstandingly helpful. It was a busy Saturday night at prime time. We showed up a bit early, intending to check in and see how much time we would have to grab a drink elsewhere before our table got ready. After standing at the host desk for an unusually long time and not being acknowledged, one of us asked the bartender if anyone was available to speak to us. One of the waiters reprimanded her for doing that, asked her to stay at the host desk, not speak to the bartender and wait for a host, and went back to serving his tables. After a few more minutes, the host addressed us. Even if my friend had done something actually out of line, she should have never been treated like that. This staff member was way out of line and I don’t wish to ever witness such behavior, especially in a hospitality setting. He never apologized to my friend. This episode clearly tainted my whole experience. We ordered lots of items from the à la carte menu. They were all good and nicely plated. My favorite was the BBQ shrimp and bread. My table mates loved the corn bread. Nothing was outstanding. Dishes came out slow. We often waited over 15 minutes between finishing one dish and getting the next. Our server was friendly. The wine list was interesting. Value was fine overall and I appreciate the service charge being included in the menu prices. Our table was next to the open kitchen. I love being able to look at the kitchen, but unfortunately in this case it was not a fun scene to observe: nobody looked like they were having a good time. We ordered the lamb and most of our party thought it was unappetizingly undercooked. It was also largely fat: there were three bites of actual meat on it at most. When we let our server know, asking if it could be cooked a bit more, they said that this is how it needs to be. I’m used to the places where I dine to ask about my preferences for meat cooking and at least try to satisfy my taste. Here, the sensation was that we had to adapt our taste to theirs. We ended up eating the lamb, but we would not order it again. Overall, I felt like management of this restaurant has a very well defined idea of what their guests should and should not do and like, and you better comply. That’s not what I expect from a place where I choose to dine.

Eddie Will Ashley III

This review feels a bit different from my last one. You know, this restaurant popped up in one of my absolute favorite brunch spots, Aunt Mary’s, which sadly closed down during the pandemic. So, when it opened, I was super hopeful, especially since the previous owner mentioned they’d found a restaurant to take their place. Sadly, I tried it back in late March 2025, and I wasn’t a fan. The flavors just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I brought my wife here to celebrate her birthday, and we had crab, salad, cornbread, and boiled peanuts. Considering the price, I was really hoping for something more. I’ll definitely give it another shot sometime and keep my fingers crossed that it’ll be better next time! The service here was incredible though!

Massimo Costetti

We came in very excited, having read about the recent national awards and genuinely interested in the concept. When I stepped in, I immediately loved the lighting and decor. We had called earlier to see if we could add a 5th person to our reservation of 4 and the person who helped us on the phone was outstandingly helpful. It was a busy Saturday night at prime time. We showed up a bit early, intending to check in and see how much time we would have to grab a drink elsewhere before our table got ready. After standing at the host desk for an unusually long time and not being acknowledged, one of us asked the bartender if anyone was available to speak to us. One of the waiters reprimanded her for doing that, asked her to stay at the host desk, not speak to the bartender and wait for a host, and went back to serving his tables. After a few more minutes, the host addressed us. Even if my friend had done something actually out of line, she should have never been treated like that. This staff member was way out of line and I don’t wish to ever witness such behavior, especially in a hospitality setting. He never apologized to my friend. This episode clearly tainted my whole experience. We ordered lots of items from the à la carte menu. They were all good and nicely plated. My favorite was the BBQ shrimp and bread. My table mates loved the corn bread. Nothing was outstanding. Dishes came out slow. We often waited over 15 minutes between finishing one dish and getting the next. Our server was friendly. The wine list was interesting. Value was fine overall and I appreciate the service charge being included in the menu prices. Our table was next to the open kitchen. I love being able to look at the kitchen, but unfortunately in this case it was not a fun scene to observe: nobody looked like they were having a good time. We ordered the lamb and most of our party thought it was unappetizingly undercooked. It was also largely fat: there were three bites of actual meat on it at most. When we let our server know, asking if it could be cooked a bit more, they said that this is how it needs to be. I’m used to the places where I dine to ask about my preferences for meat cooking and at least try to satisfy my taste. Here, the sensation was that we had to adapt our taste to theirs. We ended up eating the lamb, but we would not order it again. Overall, I felt like management of this restaurant has a very well defined idea of what their guests should and should not do and like, and you better comply. That’s not what I expect from a place where I choose to dine.

Overall, the experience was okay. Some of the dishes they’re known for truly delivered — the chicken and cornbread were delicious and definitely the highlights of the meal. Unfortunately, the service was disappointing and took away from what could have been a really enjoyable evening. I went with a close friend and we were excited to catch up, but throughout the meal our server repeatedly came by asking if he could clear our plates or if we were finished, even when there was still food clearly left on them. While he was friendly at first, the repeated interruptions started to feel rushed and uncomfortable, as if we were being pushed to leave. At one point, he even gave us a “5-minute heads up” that he would be coming back to clear the plates, which we hadn’t requested. It felt very much like an attempt to turn the table quickly, despite the fact that it wasn’t near closing time. We stayed for about an hour and a half, which feels like a pretty normal amount of time for a nice restaurant when you’re enjoying food and conversation. Overall, the staff didn’t come across as very warm or welcoming, and the constant interruptions really soured the experience. If there was a time limit on seating, we would have completely understood — but to our knowledge, there wasn’t. If you’re going strictly for the food, Burdell does a good job. If you care about the overall dining experience, I’d go in hoping for better service than what we experienced.

Anna Krengel

Overall, the experience was okay. Some of the dishes they’re known for truly delivered — the chicken and cornbread were delicious and definitely the highlights of the meal. Unfortunately, the service was disappointing and took away from what could have been a really enjoyable evening. I went with a close friend and we were excited to catch up, but throughout the meal our server repeatedly came by asking if he could clear our plates or if we were finished, even when there was still food clearly left on them. While he was friendly at first, the repeated interruptions started to feel rushed and uncomfortable, as if we were being pushed to leave. At one point, he even gave us a “5-minute heads up” that he would be coming back to clear the plates, which we hadn’t requested. It felt very much like an attempt to turn the table quickly, despite the fact that it wasn’t near closing time. We stayed for about an hour and a half, which feels like a pretty normal amount of time for a nice restaurant when you’re enjoying food and conversation. Overall, the staff didn’t come across as very warm or welcoming, and the constant interruptions really soured the experience. If there was a time limit on seating, we would have completely understood — but to our knowledge, there wasn’t. If you’re going strictly for the food, Burdell does a good job. If you care about the overall dining experience, I’d go in hoping for better service than what we experienced.

Mrs. NuNu H.

Pros: The carrot cake slice was delicious. The service we received ftom Bro. Prejuan was SUPERB. He was so attentive, never missing a beat! The cornbread was delicious. The Lamb plate was delicious. The Fried chicken was delicious. Cons: All the other dishes were not good enough to be called soul food. The Sole was too salty. The Collard Greens were salty. The Boiled Peanuts didn't taste right. I have had boiled peanuts before and these just didn't taste right. Raw peanuts boiled in lightly salted water; that's it! The other dishes that my family ordered was not what they expected. Also the kitchen did not reflect the Soul food we were expecting. Overall: This new style of "soul food" does a disservice to the "traditional style". Call it something else, because it is not soul food.

We really wanted to like this place. My partner was excited to go here when we realized we were walking past it at 5pm, opening time. We were literally the first customers in the restaurant. We ordered: Cornbread- less than warm and oldish. The top was kinda over cooked. 1 out of 10. Shishito peppers- Delicious, but covered in oil. The pimento cheese was good under the peppers. Again, less than warm. These should have been hot. We were literally the first customers of the day. 6 out of 10. Duck- less than warm. 5 out of 10. Sausage- less than warm. 3 out of 10. A hot char would have made this delicious. Dirty rice with the some kind of meat- the meat in this was about 2 days old. Dried out like jerky. 3 out of 10. Golden rice- was creamy white, and the best part of the meal. Still less than warm, but tasty. 8 out of 10. Strawberry shortcake- the biscuit, again was atleast a day or two old. It was hard and inedible. This isn’t soul food. As a southerner, this feels like gaslighting. For 204$ this was a letdown. We used to come to this spot when it was breakfast focused, so we love patronage to local businesses.

I really wanted this to like this restaurant. It’s so highly reviewed, and it’s supposedly one of the best restaurants in the United States. First of all, I ordered the Jubilee drink, and it came in essentially an espresso cup. It was a teeny tiny little glass, for like $16. We also had the cornbread, greens, and grits, and I had the quail. The quail was extremely dry, and the breading was very oily, and honestly tasted like the breading you get at KFC. The cornbread was very good. The greens tasted like vinegar, and the butter that came with the cornbread also had vinegar in it. The grits were an absolute abomination. They were extremely watery and poorly flavored. They were clearly microwaved. I also ended up getting food poisoning from the quail. My husband got the tuna, which he said was very good. My brother got the andouille, which was good, but the portion size was quite small given the high cost. Altogether, we paid almost $300 for our meal, which honestly seemed like a lot given the quality of the food.

I'll start with all the things I liked. I really like the stain glass windows. I also liked the cornbread. Now for the things I did not enjoy... The chicken I got was REALLY salty and it was not cooked all the way. My wife got lamb and that was not cooked either. Nobody asked her if she wanted it well done or not. I'm from the south and I know everyone cooks everything differently, but I don't think I've ever had southern food like this. Lastly the service was very awkward. The server kept reaching over my shoulder to straighten my silverware. I don't really like people in my personal space and he definitely felt too close. I was just fidgeting with my utensils while waiting for the food and he readjusted them like 2-3 times. Then he over poured my drink and spilled it and wiped it up with his fingers... The price is definitely I'll never pay for again in my life. soul food where I'm from cost a tenth of this price.

The first time I went last year it was a fantastic experience. We were so excited so go back to celebrate a birthday. Unfortunately I just went again and it was incredibly underwhelming. Our server was incredibly pushy and borderline rude. She made us feel uncomfortable several times. There was also a strange interaction with another staff member that left us both bewildered. The rib chop was very overcooked and tough. The lamb was fine. The tomato salad and the shrimp were delicious. Our starters were definitely the star of the show. At the end of the meal they brought out a candle on a plate 💀😂 It was so bad, it would have been better if they just hadn’t done anything. I don’t think we will be going back, such a shame. PS, I’d like to point out our rez was flagged because our good friend is friends with the owner. They treated us this poorly even knowing that? Beyond bizarre. Reading the reviews it would appear as though there are quite a few similar complaints about service….

I was excited to try this food considering I love soul food and have been to New Orleans a few times. For the high price point I was expecting a lot but the only thing this restaurant had it going for it was the atmosphere. We walked into a nice ambiance and ordered the below: Two cocktails BBQ Whole Shrimp Oregon Lamb Fried Petrale Sole Greens Expecting to be blown away we were extremely underwhelmed. This was an anniversary dinner and we were better off just having stayed home and cooked at home. Nothing from what we ordered really stood out to us. Honestly, if you're on this block, Burma Superstar has much better food and you should just go there. The Petrale Sole was too salty and the lamb dish a mess and nothing really special about the cocktails or the other dishes. At the end of the meal they brought us a candle with a card to wish us a happy anniversary. After spending over $250 that felt pretty insulting to be honest. They couldn't even be bothered to just put the candle on a single scoop of ice cream or anything. I walk by this restaurant all the time as I live near Telegraph and the only thing I'll think of as I walk by this restaurant from now on is the really shitty experience we had here. 1.5 stars but rounding it to a 2.

Probably the best way to describe dining, staff, and food at Burdell is cold. I had one of the most disappointing restaurant experiences I have had in years. My wife and I booked a 7:00 pm reservation. We arrived early and were seated at the bar with water. No one checked in for the entire wait. We were seated twenty minutes past our reservation time. Staff were moving with purpose but there was no engagement with us while we waited. Once seated at our table, we ordered the pork Family Dinner immediately since we struggled to get attention from staff. It was really hard to grab anyone’s attention both at the bar and table. Service during the meal was disorganized. The wait between the salad and the pork entree was close to 30 minutes. Tables seated after us received their entree dishes before us. Our server passed by twice to say the food was coming shortly but nothing arrived. Similar restaurants offer a small bite or gesture in moments like this. Nothing was offered. The pork entree arrived cold. We ate it because we were hungry. We asked for the check as soon as dessert came out because we did not want to sit through more waiting. To add to the night, the dining room was freezing. Guests around us kept their jackets, puffers, and beanies on throughout their meals. My wife and I did the same. We spent $265 and left disappointed. The experience did not match the reputation or the price point. I emailed the restaurant with this feedback. It has been a week and a half, and I never received a response.

This was a huge disappointment. I HATE to write this review because I was really looking forward to trying what’s said to be the best restaurant in the US, especially since the owner is Black. However this was one of the most disappointing meals I’ve had in so long. The service from the servers was great & the interior is reminiscent of (a) grandma’s house, so that was nice. But the food…. The food left MUCH to be desired. Everything was mid. The food was not fresh, either lukewarm or almost cold. It was majorly lacking in flavor, but the restaurant demographic(not Black, which is fine) is likely not used to the flavors & essence of true soul food, so I believe that may be why this place is highly rated/awarded. The cornbread & butter is good - but just good, not great. There are several ethnic restaurants on that street that pack much MUCH more flavor(hello Burma Superstar!) and other soul food restaurants in town that surpass this one, like Town Fare. I’m visiting and I squeezed this in as my last meal, which honestly felt a bit wasted. IMO, not worth the hype at all. Oh and as another reviewer stated, I did find it odd that the owner was present - yet did not speak at all or greet guests to welcome them in or ask how they are enjoying their food. This is the norm when the owner is typically hanging around. Nonetheless, the other employees provided good service.

Cimma Sefat

Probably the best way to describe dining, staff, and food at Burdell is cold. I had one of the most disappointing restaurant experiences I have had in years. My wife and I booked a 7:00 pm reservation. We arrived early and were seated at the bar with water. No one checked in for the entire wait. We were seated twenty minutes past our reservation time. Staff were moving with purpose but there was no engagement with us while we waited. Once seated at our table, we ordered the pork Family Dinner immediately since we struggled to get attention from staff. It was really hard to grab anyone’s attention both at the bar and table. Service during the meal was disorganized. The wait between the salad and the pork entree was close to 30 minutes. Tables seated after us received their entree dishes before us. Our server passed by twice to say the food was coming shortly but nothing arrived. Similar restaurants offer a small bite or gesture in moments like this. Nothing was offered. The pork entree arrived cold. We ate it because we were hungry. We asked for the check as soon as dessert came out because we did not want to sit through more waiting. To add to the night, the dining room was freezing. Guests around us kept their jackets, puffers, and beanies on throughout their meals. My wife and I did the same. We spent $265 and left disappointed. The experience did not match the reputation or the price point. I emailed the restaurant with this feedback. It has been a week and a half, and I never received a response.

Matthew White

I'll start with all the things I liked. I really like the stain glass windows. I also liked the cornbread. Now for the things I did not enjoy... The chicken I got was REALLY salty and it was not cooked all the way. My wife got lamb and that was not cooked either. Nobody asked her if she wanted it well done or not. I'm from the south and I know everyone cooks everything differently, but I don't think I've ever had southern food like this. Lastly the service was very awkward. The server kept reaching over my shoulder to straighten my silverware. I don't really like people in my personal space and he definitely felt too close. I was just fidgeting with my utensils while waiting for the food and he readjusted them like 2-3 times. Then he over poured my drink and spilled it and wiped it up with his fingers... The price is definitely I'll never pay for again in my life. soul food where I'm from cost a tenth of this price.

Alyssa Kay

The first time I went last year it was a fantastic experience. We were so excited so go back to celebrate a birthday. Unfortunately I just went again and it was incredibly underwhelming. Our server was incredibly pushy and borderline rude. She made us feel uncomfortable several times. There was also a strange interaction with another staff member that left us both bewildered. The rib chop was very overcooked and tough. The lamb was fine. The tomato salad and the shrimp were delicious. Our starters were definitely the star of the show. At the end of the meal they brought out a candle on a plate 💀😂 It was so bad, it would have been better if they just hadn’t done anything. I don’t think we will be going back, such a shame. PS, I’d like to point out our rez was flagged because our good friend is friends with the owner. They treated us this poorly even knowing that? Beyond bizarre. Reading the reviews it would appear as though there are quite a few similar complaints about service….

Ciara Johnson

This was a huge disappointment. I HATE to write this review because I was really looking forward to trying what’s said to be the best restaurant in the US, especially since the owner is Black. However this was one of the most disappointing meals I’ve had in so long. The service from the servers was great & the interior is reminiscent of (a) grandma’s house, so that was nice. But the food…. The food left MUCH to be desired. Everything was mid. The food was not fresh, either lukewarm or almost cold. It was majorly lacking in flavor, but the restaurant demographic(not Black, which is fine) is likely not used to the flavors & essence of true soul food, so I believe that may be why this place is highly rated/awarded. The cornbread & butter is good - but just good, not great. There are several ethnic restaurants on that street that pack much MUCH more flavor(hello Burma Superstar!) and other soul food restaurants in town that surpass this one, like Town Fare. I’m visiting and I squeezed this in as my last meal, which honestly felt a bit wasted. IMO, not worth the hype at all. Oh and as another reviewer stated, I did find it odd that the owner was present - yet did not speak at all or greet guests to welcome them in or ask how they are enjoying their food. This is the norm when the owner is typically hanging around. Nonetheless, the other employees provided good service.

Ordered the steak and eggs. Wasn't asked how I like my steak or eggs cooked. Managed to remember to tell the waitress I'd like my steak medium rare. Food took about 30 mins to arrive. The restaurant was not overly busy. The eggs arrived sunny side up, significantly undercooked. Half the whites were still runny/raw (ended up with a slight upset stomach). Steak was pretty tasty, but nothing outstanding. Cost me $51.84 for a plate of steak and eggs. Also mandatory 20% service charge. Won't be coming back, there's so much great food in Oakland for much less.

I’ve been to Burrell three times now. My first visit was a popup on MacArthur Blvd while the last two visits were at the newly opened restaurant. My first Burrell experience was great. The culinary innovation, execution, service and ambiance were all there. I don’t know what’s happen but my last two visits were not great. Everything from the food and service to the atmosphere and value/pricing were mediocre at best. In fact, my third visit I didn’t even eat because I walked out due to such bad service. Mandatory service fees that aren’t justifiable. Small food portions. Vibes aren’t good. Food isn’t good. Service was bad. Wanted to really like Burdell but I won’t return.

+6

Where dost thou begin?! First for context my Pops is from New Orleans and all we ate was Soul Food everyday growing up so when I heard we got a high end, highly touted Soul Food restaurant in Oakland I was nodding my head in eagerness! You need reservations and if you cancel you get charged handsomely. When you arrive and don’t like what you see on the menu you might as well stay and at least get an appetizer. Game for you. I had reservations at 8pm. Got there at 7:50pm. I ordered the boiled peanuts which ended up like a bean stew with shells on them. Interesting but not appealing. I was over them after 3 peanut shell openings. Next was the deep fried mushroom and onions and butter sauce. Those were good. But I was intrigued before I got there to try the chicken liver pate and waffle. Man, when it came up it looked like goop scoop from India sprinkled with day old KFC chicken skin leftovers and a delicious cornmeal waffle tainted with a vinaigrette. I tried and could not refrain from making a face of “What the Helly is going on here!” This ain’t it. If a bullfrog ate a cricket and then got stomped on and you sprinkled cinnamon on it, that was this. I see people writing high reviews for this, but you KNOW they the ones that love raisins in potato salad too, if you catch my drift. So 1.5 hours goes by and I finally get my beautiful undercooked lamb main dish. I used the steak knife given and still could not cut thru the raw cut. What is going on here? I managed a small bite but I was mentally done here. Soul Food where! There’s a 20% tip which is fine. I support the staff. But paying $200 for an insufferable long wait for caveman food justifies this review. The funny part was the waiter looked at my full plate of undone lamb and said, “Room for Dessert” 🧐 Bruh! Aunt Mary’s kitchen is surely missed. Cornbread was good 👍

+3

Mike Picot

Where dost thou begin?! First for context my Pops is from New Orleans and all we ate was Soul Food everyday growing up so when I heard we got a high end, highly touted Soul Food restaurant in Oakland I was nodding my head in eagerness! You need reservations and if you cancel you get charged handsomely. When you arrive and don’t like what you see on the menu you might as well stay and at least get an appetizer. Game for you. I had reservations at 8pm. Got there at 7:50pm. I ordered the boiled peanuts which ended up like a bean stew with shells on them. Interesting but not appealing. I was over them after 3 peanut shell openings. Next was the deep fried mushroom and onions and butter sauce. Those were good. But I was intrigued before I got there to try the chicken liver pate and waffle. Man, when it came up it looked like goop scoop from India sprinkled with day old KFC chicken skin leftovers and a delicious cornmeal waffle tainted with a vinaigrette. I tried and could not refrain from making a face of “What the Helly is going on here!” This ain’t it. If a bullfrog ate a cricket and then got stomped on and you sprinkled cinnamon on it, that was this. I see people writing high reviews for this, but you KNOW they the ones that love raisins in potato salad too, if you catch my drift. So 1.5 hours goes by and I finally get my beautiful undercooked lamb main dish. I used the steak knife given and still could not cut thru the raw cut. What is going on here? I managed a small bite but I was mentally done here. Soul Food where! There’s a 20% tip which is fine. I support the staff. But paying $200 for an insufferable long wait for caveman food justifies this review. The funny part was the waiter looked at my full plate of undone lamb and said, “Room for Dessert” 🧐 Bruh! Aunt Mary’s kitchen is surely missed. Cornbread was good 👍