<p>Somewhat random question haha. So I've seen a couple names thrown around the forums, but no real list...and I really want to try all the good places before I get stuck having to deal with 4172934 meal points to get rid of when I move in.</p>
<p>I've been to a couple of places (mandarin house, kips, lotus house, thai basil, smart alecs, top dog, naan and curry, tako sushi, la burrita...maybe a couple others...chipotle/subway don't really count haha) but the ONLY the place that I liked enough to go back more than twice was Gypsy's . Is there anything else out there? Am I getting the wrong dishes? XD</p>
<p>For a quick bite, I like the Tapioca Express near the BART station. In addition to the boba tea, you can order the side dishes like fries or crispy chicken or squid balls which are surprisingly filling and delicious.</p>
<p>Umm, did you say “squid balls”? LOL
Hilarious immaturity aside, I’d also like a list, because I haven’t gone out at all. I’ve only been to two places (Jasmine Thai and Urban Turban…you can guess where I live) and I’m pretty sure they’re not the best places around, haha. My loner out-of-state-ness prevents me from going out too much xD</p>
<p>Just added three new places to my list XD AH! Lemon! I feel you! I feel like such a loner when I go to eat at places by myself…so I just carry out haha…though I guess that’s kinda the opposite of what you said…</p>
<p>But really, you should try Gypsy’s - huge portions for under $8, and it’s good too!</p>
<p>It really depends on what you want by “best”. “Best” meaning cheap, but big servings of food? or “Best” as in a little more expensive than usual, but pretty good quality food. Most college students prefer cheap, big servings of food, so the places you have eaten at so far pretty much hit the spot. I usually go to Steve’s BBQ in Asian Ghetto for meat. It’s fake “Korean” meat made by Mexicans, but they do give a lot of meat for a decent price. For authentic Korean food, I actually have to venture out to Oakland</p>
<p>“Best” as in more expensive include Cheeseboard, La Note, Anh Hong (which is Vietnamese, known for its 7 courses of beef), Angelia’s Louisiana Kitchen (which is good, but not the best). If you want authentic Japanese food, there’s Norikonoko on Telegraph (really close to campus too), but it’s $20 a meal (for the fish…ramen is $8). It’s 100% Japanese, not sushi, but small fish and side dishes. It’s also owned by a old Japanese couple. Overall, just use Yelp to check for restaurants. However, most of the good quality restaurants are not around campus.</p>
<p>I second Pasta Bene as a good Italian place (@ Parker and Telegraph). Bongo Burger is the best place I’ve found so far in Berkeley for burgers. Indian Flavors Express on Bancroft has the best Indian food near campus southside. Vik’s Chaat has good, relatively cheap Indian food, but it’s really far out West Berkeley at 4th Street, so I don’t get a chance to go there very often. Urban Turbann northside has good and huge Indian wraps. I like the ramen at T-Toust (Korean place in Sather lane), but most of their dishes aren’t that great. Cheeseboard is always great for pizza, though a little overrated. </p>
<p>If anyone knows of any good Chinese or Mexican places (not La Burrita, Panchos, Chipotle, or Gordos) let me know! Also, anyone tried the Ethiopian places in Berkeley? How are they?</p>
<p>^ Try Great China at Kittredge Street. Also, what’s wrong with La Burrita in Northside especially when you order the Baja salad?</p>
<p>Also, I’ve been to FinFine which is one of the two Ethiopian restaurants I know of in Berkeley. It’s good to go in a group of 5~6 since Ethiopian food is served in a large plate and you want to have as many different types of meat and vegetables as possible. You eat similar to Indian food or Middle Asian food that you use a piece of naan bread (it’s called injera in Ethiopian and it looks like thing sponge, but certainly edible) to dip it in the sauce with some vegetables and meat. The food definitely won’t disappoint you so try it.</p>
<p>Thanks for the Great China recommendation, UpMagic! I’ll check that out, maybe as a celebration after finals. As for why I dislike La Burrita…ehh it just wasn’t that tasty when I tried it. Granted, I’ve only been once, but I got a regular rice+beans+cheese burrito and they managed to screw even that up, so I haven’t been back since. Have not tried the Baja Salad, nor have I been to the one Northside. Chipotle is good for fresh ingredients but not authentic food, Gordos is not really that remarkable but okay once in a while, and I like the quesadillas at Panchos, but not the burritos. So still on the search for good Mexican food in Berkeley.</p>
<p>And after checking out FinFine on Yelp, I think I’ll check that one over the other one, Cafe Colucci, just because it’s closer to campus. I’m excited for some good Ethiopian food, but I’ll have to wait for a day when I can get a bunch of friends together. But seriously, everyone, use Yelp. I think the reviewers do a good job of pointing out what’s good in Berkeley, and what’s not (also, I post reviews occasionally :D).</p>
<p>oooo Zabu Zabu looks good :D… granted, I probably couldn’t justify unlimited haha but I’ll be heading down there soon. Last time I was craving sushi I went to Tako’s…I kept it simple, spicy salmon, and yes. They messed it up. It just tasted…wrong…(I mean, how do you mess that up?)</p>
<p>The La Burrita next to Top Dog and the La Burrita at northside are owned by different owners and thus have different food. (honestly idk why they have the same name) Just give it a try (either the wet burrito or Baja salad, I love both of them) and if you still don’t like it, then try the Original Pollo near Bart station.</p>
<p>Gypsy’s is absolutely disgusting. Ridiculously greasy, overcooked noodles and the sauce is barely a step up from canned-reheat sauces. It has cheapness and proximity going for it.</p>
<p>When I crave that Italian that much, I’d make the walk to Pasta Bene.</p>