Doublecheese burger is the top. They make a lot of different stuff here, not just cheesesteaks. I like them all. My favorite cheesesteak is a tie between the peppersteak and the bacon-steak. Nice girl at the counter. Remembers me everytime.
(4)
Amy W.
Sometimes fake is better.* The chili cheese fries at Ib's are some of the best I've had anywhere. The cheese is nacho cheese (which I LOVE!), and the chili is super processed and contains no trace of beans (which I HATE!). All that on top of perfectly crunchy-on-the-outside-mushy-on-the-inside fries = perfection. Just look at the picture. *Note: Does not apply to people, handbags, or boobs.
(5)
Brandon A.
Great food, poor customer service. Ever heard of smiling?
(3)
Justin F.
Ok, this place is seriously out of control (OoC). Seriously. I had seen this place before (it IS right next to AG!), but I always assumed it was some crappy burger place. I assumed WRONG. I HIGHLY recommend getting a large (TWO sandwhiches for less than 10 bucks. WOWWW.). It tastes good. Yommm. Getting one sandwhich is an o.k. deal. I haven't tried too many of the other things yet (but my friends love the fries), but they seem pretty solid well.
(4)
Rick C.
As I have come to this place more and more, I have come to really appreciate this place. The only thing I wish is that it would stay open later to satisfy my drunk munchies, seriously. I will pay your guys' rent if you do this! Just give me the cheese fries and hoagies to boot and we've got a deal!! My favorites are definitely the mushroom steak and pepper steak. For the sides, you cannot beat the garlic fries or the cheese fries. What I used to grab on the go were the chili cheese fries but the cheese fries are just so addicting even without the chili! What you have to do is grab a free lollipop on your wait and grab some peppers on your hoagie, seriously, it's the most wonderful thing ever. The melted cheese, the slices of steak, the chewy mushrooms, and the sharp taste of peppers is wonderful! The only thing that I dislike about this place is that they don't really have too many seats and the lines are often long and their queue for ready orders is just so unorganized sometimes. Also, what's up with your early closing hours, especially weekend nights? My deal for paying your rent is still open you know!!
(4)
Maryanne L.
the pastrami hoagie or sandwich or whatever is SO gooooood
(5)
Arturo F.
Bottom line: ChickenPepper Sandwich. It will make your mouth water with the succulent taste of an American variation of fajitas in a sandwich. I've had a couple of different sandwiches at IB Hoagies: Cheesesteak, Mushroomsteak, Bar-B-que, and Meatball, to name a few. Other than the ChickenPepper, I would recommend the Cheesesteak and Mushroomsteak. Also, recognize that this is NOT a deli. This is a "bomb ass hole-in-the-wall hoagie joint". It has AMAZING sandwiches and that's why people come here! =] P.S. It takes a while to get your sandwich because they put so much love and culinary talent into making it. haha.
(5)
Kathy D.
the cheesesteaks here are alright.. im not a big fan of their sandwiches.. i dont think the meat is top notch.. it can be pretty dry and dull.. BUT.. they get 4 stars because i come here all the time to get their SUPERDELICIOUS CHEESE CURLY FRIESSSSSSSS!!!! their curly fries are freaken gooood as helll!
(4)
Jamie L.
I hesitate to write an updated review after my eloquent and stirring first review, but here goes nothing: Best chili fries in town!
(5)
Will F.
Mmmmm. Greasy. If you hate your arteries, get the Reuben.
(4)
Betty P.
Thank you IB Hoagies for making me gain 15 lbs throughout my college years! Your cheese fries are so freaken delicious and cheesy that it makes me wanting more. The fries are cooked to perfection... Not to forget, the almight hot sandwiches.... ahhhh, you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu.
(4)
Lena K.
Had a great experience here. Great sandwiches, and such yummy nachos! The cheese had a tinge of spice and then there was steak on top. The owner was SO nice. Since it was our first time he helped us decide by giving us a smaller portion of nachos (which were huge anyway). The fries too are fried in a good quality oil, so it feels like they are barely fried in the first place. Great!
(4)
Melissa Z.
Was craving some protein to chew on while last-minute drafting my essay so swung down to I.B.'s and bought a mushroom steak ($5.43 with tax), which my friends highly recommended. First impression after tearing paper wrapping: stuffed to satisfaction. My sandwich was bursting with mushrooms and sauteed meat, drizzled with some sort of white cheesy sauce. I asked for no pickles and no mayo. It was sufficiently savory (not too salty- a complete turn-off in burgers) and the roll was soft and chewy. Less greasy than your Top Dog fix but not healthy all the same. A delicious bite I'd return for though on another sucky work-loaded day.
(3)
Din K.
This is the one place I don't get sick of in Berkeley. Their garlic fries/ curly fries/ cheese fries are AMAZING! omgg best place ever. Their cheesesteaks are a good portion for the price. It always lasts me for two meals. I love their mushroom cheesesteak. However, their garlic cheesesteak wasn't all that good to me. But it could just be my taste. Their hamburgers are giant and so juicy too. mmMmmmMmmm My only criticism...slight slight criticism is that they don't take credit card. I always have to walk to an atm before going to IB's. still totally worth it.
(4)
Eve C.
Visit #1 : food poisoned. Visit #2 : food poisoned. Two other friends' visits? Food poisoning galore. Does anyone see a pattern here? On a side note, I've only been food poisoned by cheese steak places in my entire life despite loving cheese steaks to death. :\
(1)
Simei Y.
Fries- nom nom nom. sweet potato, garlic, chili cheese - I've bought all their tubs. I was first introduced to this place by a classmate - I had evening classes from 6-9 one summer and every day during break this guy would dash out and come back with a hoagie. He'd eat it during class RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME and IT SMELT SO GOOD. Talk about product marketing - another girl asked where he got it and the rest of the class trooped on over to IB's afterwards. Their cheesesteaks, the mushroom steaks, garlic steaks (bring lots of mints) are nom nom worthy. Just don't eat it in front of a class of hungry college students, we may have to mug you for it...
(4)
Alex L.
Where cops meet ;-), great burgers, especially the mushrooms burger, I love it
(5)
Powd A.
Strolling down Telegraph, bent the corner and ran into this small spot. Got the Garlic steak and garlic fries. Garlic fries were on HIT, the garlic steak was damn good but didn't taste the garlic......my feelings are not hurt. Best cheese steak I've had in a minute!
(5)
Carlos A.
Is it a genuine philly cheesteak? Do I care? Whatever you want to call them these things are heaven on a bun. In my brief tenure at Berkeley I tried to limit my IB's hoagies consumption to 1x a month. My favorites were the bacon cheesesteak and cheese fries. For about $8 you can get a cheesesteak and a drink. The lines are about 15-20 min during the lunch rush. Forget about trying to get food here on football game days. These things are seriously tasty and affordable. Heart attack on a plate, no doubt.
(4)
Bryan S.
I.B.'s Hoagies is an indulgent alternative to Smart Alec's just down the street. No wonder I frequented IBH my first two years of college, and Smart Alec's more often as I got older. -------- Food: Out of four possible stars: one star. The cheesesteak sandwiches really were not all that impressive. The meat was often overcooked and dry, which was occasionally hidden by the melted cheese. I used to get the mushroom steak, but the mushrooms seemed to taste more like the steak than mushrooms. Plus, it really does not have the taste of a cheesesteak, mostly because of the large amounts of extras. The fries were better than the sandwiches, but not that impressive either, in my opinion. They were either overcooked or underdone and soggy, and they constantly missed the happy medium of crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. -------- Miscellaneous: Out of one possible star: one star. The place does look a bit dubious in terms of sanitation, but I think that is just more the general condition of squalor that is Berkeley under the rule of the incompetent city government. I have not had any problems with eating the food, and the service is fast and friendly.
(2)
Mark J.
Ahh, another one of my favorite places to eat at when I'm working a gig at Cal. The hoagies here are seriously awesome, and have never let me down each time I've been here. I usually get something different whenever I come to I.B.'s, and maybe I'll get to a certain point where I've tried everything on the menu here. (Hmm, there's an idea) But forreals though, I think their hoagies are really good. Every time I bite into one, my inner voice yells out, "DAAAAAAMN!", like Ice Cube and Chris Tucker in that one scene in Friday. Sometimes it can get kinda messy, but that's because they like to pack those hoagies up pretty fat. But hey, it's better than the alternative, where you have a nice and neat hoagie with nothing spilling out, right? If there is one thing that kinda sucks about I.B.'s, it's that there's not too many tables to eat at there, and the ones that are outside are on sort of an incline on the street. But other than that, I'd recommend this spot if you're down with tasty and greasy food. I know I am.
(4)
Anna V.
I.B. Hoagie is definitely college food meaning more bang for the buck! Occasionally when I'm feeling a little broke or I feel like being bad and getting something that might not be so good for me, I go to I.B's. They have two sizes on their hoagies, a regular and a large. The large is perfect to split amongst two other people but even a regular could suffice with filling up two people. I definitely am only able to eat at most 3/4 of a regular. Their cheese fries is also a bit of a heart attack! It's a large order of fries slathered with nacho cheese. My coworker who is a big eater died when he tried to finish a regular portion of a hoagie and the cheese fries to accompanied it! Be careful with the amount you order, it'll definitely get you!
(3)
Tushar K.
I don't come here TOO often because it's pretty fatty but if you're in the mood for a quality, greasy sandwich, this is the place. Every now and then we all need to indulge a bit. I'd recommend trying one of the chicken options with a side of curly (cheese) fries. Expected bill: $7-$10
(4)
Joseph A.
Hands down the best Philly Cheesesteak in the city of Berkley. I'm from L.A. and never ate a Philly Cheesesteak as good as the one at Hoagies. I went in here and for less then $6 got myself almost a foot long cheesesteak that definitely filled me up. The next day I went in and ordered myself a large sandwich this time and boy was I surprised. The thing had to be at least 1.5 feet long of deliciousness cheese and steak aaahhhhhh... Thank you Hoagies
(5)
Eileen L.
Was happy to see a cheesesteak shop in Berkeley but I was disappointed by their food . Their mushroom cheesesteak sandwich tasted alright . However , the beef was not tender enough and the sandwich itself lacked flavor . Their curly fries are pretty good ... they're perfectly deep fried . They also sell mini bottles of hot sauce for a dollar which is awesome . Don't underestimate their mini bottles of hot sauce ... they're pretty spicy believe it or not .
(3)
Shajee R.
IB Hoagies is legitimately one of the best sandwich places in the East Bay. Personally, the mushroom steak and the cheese steak are my go to choices. If you are feeling up for a challenge get the large sandwich, a huge 15 inch sandwich that is at least enough of a sandwich for two meals. Also, it recently became halal (although you should specifically mention for halal meat), so that definitely makes it a +1 star. Quick, fast, and delicious; it is amazing for college students.
(5)
Susanna W.
Traditionally, Berkeley is a mecca for yummy cheap eats. IB definitely keeps up that tradition with their delicious and filling cheesesteaks. My faves are the pepper and onion steaks (cuz I love peppers and onions, duh). I made the mistake of ordering the chili cheese fries once... and almost died from a heart attack. There was a lot of groaning/moaning and belly patting after I got about half way through the bucket (yes, they serve it in a bucket).
(3)
Michael P.
CURLY FRIES!!!! yummm, Fresh and crispy; perfectly fried. Only quick pit stop to satisfy your curly fries craving on southside. I haven't tried anything else, so can't offer any other insights besides that there are only 2 small high tables w/ stools to sit and eat at. You might need to head over to the asian ghetto to sit down and eat.
(3)
Holla F.
Best cheese fries EVER!! The cheese stays hot and plenty throughout the bucket of fries.
(4)
Jeffrey C.
This place has really good sandwiches. And is a recommended place to go to in Berkeley.
(4)
Nancy B.
OMG! This place is FABULOUS! -Bucket Cheese Fries are to died for! I always sprinkle it with black pepper! -the HOAGIES! SO SO so GOOD! -Prices are reasonable!
(4)
Sara V.
OH MY GOD!!! Baconsteak you rock my world. Chili cheese curly fries...you too... :-) I wish you were open late nights!
(5)
Andrew S.
Really like this place. The garlic steak sandwich was a miss but I'm excited to try out the rest. The curly fries are a really good deal. WAY better than manhattan steak + sandwiches. Seriously.
(4)
Brian K.
Really good hoagie's. But then again, I'm not from around here so I guess that's not saying much. But for an out of towner, it was really good. Shocking that it was made to order and not taken from some pile of beef and onions. Really good hoagie bread too. Mmm, thinking about it right now. Carlos A put it nicely: Is it a genuine Philly cheesecake? Who gives a f***. It's a good hoagie, that's what it is. =)
(4)
G J.
Was here with my pop before the Cal game. It's been our pregame tradition for years. This place has always had a great steak, but this time the quality and presentation was the best ever. We met IB himself, a true gentleman who genuinely cares about producing a great cheesesteak. Under his watch, the food is better than ever. Great steak, great pastrami, great fries. Can't miss with this place.
(5)
Jane S.
I just tried their cheesesteak hoagie for the first time and now am definitely feeling the food coma coming on. Anyway, it's a good sandwich, fatty yet satisfying, but nothing to call home about. I wish they toasted their bread a little bit; soggy hoagie = no good. Their fries, on the other hand, are fried to perfection. I haven't tried the garlic fries yet, but the curly fries are ace. From now on, IB's will be my outlet when I am feeling stressed and/or sad and/or need to indulge. I will be coming back for the fries more so than the hoagies.
(3)
Alyson C.
A cheesesteak. My favorite food hands down. Though the first and only time I only had a true original Philly Cheesesteak when I was 8 years old, I have to settle with the cheesesteaks that Bay Area has to offer. I.B's Hoagies are pretty damn good. Especially at it's price point. $5.49 for any of the hoagies and all come stock with Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo, Mustard, Pickles, cheese and Hot Sauce. I got the Shroom Steak and the Boyfriend got Teriyaki. We also got a side order of Cheese Fries and a tall can of Arizona Green Tea. Total came to roughly $16. I wanna say this is a 6 in. sandwich and it's packed really neat with minimal mess and a filling meal that I had half left over. The Cheese Fries ($2.50) were a heaping full and had tasty cheese in every bite. Definitely a good choice for a East Bay Cheesesteak Treat.
(4)
Catherine O.
I like to think the heavy brick weight greasy sandwiches here could actually cancel out the amount of calories I've consumed. I mean, the sandwiches could essentially be like lifting weights, therefore working off the fat while I lift for each bite... Yeah? .... Well even if my logic is whacky, I absolutely love the food here! I ordered a large Mushroom Steak ($7.99), which was insanely heavy filled with a generous portion of meat, mushrooms, and thick cheese! The cheese really makes the sandwich! Even I was full off half the sandwich (so a large is good for two!). Now the chilli cheese fries were to die for too! A HUGE portion (since they only have one size, it could be a meal in itself): thick cut fries, good hearty pieces of beef, and drenched in yummy cheese! Now the place isn't too big, with a few bar stools and tables, so it seems as though most take it to go. Don't let the car ride home be too long though, because things can start to get moist & soggy. Other than that, the service here was fast and friendly. And most importantly, cash only kids! Glad I don't live too close or I-B routinely having a sandwich workout to tone these guns *flexes arms* ;)
(5)
John M.
You can use it to hold paint, you can use it to hold water, you can carry water balloons in it. You can use it to carry every form of french fries in this universe? What is this magical container? WHAT THE BUCKET!!! Yes the BUCKET. The bucket is only one of the things that makes you want to go here. One of the best values in Berkeley is Quality fries (curly, regular, criss-cut, and garlic) in the bucket that is deeper than it looks (though I did like the old caldining-esque buckets they used to use better). You can get full just off the fries alone. BUT Nooooooooo.... Their sandwiches are HUMUNGALOUSHIOUS (rhetoric majors don't need to spell things right as long as they can back their etymology up... so suck it English majors, Though I do love you guys). The Burgers remind me of the traditional burger joint that doesn't fall under the cookie cutter template that most chains use. Order the Works with jalapeños and be amazed.... If you aren't down with IB's then I've got two words for ya.... EAT IT!!! I can go on a further rant but I'll stop right here Live Strong!!! John
(4)
Ada T.
I think their hoagies are just okay, but oh lord...their FRIES...I simply can't get enough...but I do try to limit myself. To only going three times a week. Just kidding. I think. They're always freshly deep fried so while you have to wait a few minutes, you are also rewarded with a highly satisfying crunch on the outside and a softness on the inside. IB's sure does know how to salt them too. After I purchase and receive my regular sized order of fries for $1.62 (inc. tax) to go, I inevitably reach into the brown bag to eat a few while hurrying down Telegraph to get home and savor the rest.
(5)
Mark W.
Actually, this is prob a 4.5 stars. You go in and wonder why you're about to drop $9 for a steak, until you get it and realize its as big as ur car. Biggest steak I've ever had, DELICIOUS and juicy too. I'd say it held its own against a cheesesteak i had in philly yesterday from a local favorite spot. Maybe the meat was a bit less perfect tasting than in philly (and thats being harsh) but for how much more you get, i'd go here 9 times outta 10. Steak is chopped FYI. Juicy. Huge. Dank.
(4)
Andy Q.
Good burgers, average service average price. Overall it was a really good place. I got their double cheeseburgers with fries and had no complaints but nothing that really stood out to make it spectacular. A good place to drop by to get dinner after a long day of classes.
(3)
W J.
What a disappointment. Half of my french fries were undercooked and cold/hard in the middle. My chicken cheese steak was so full of gristle that I found myself spitting out bite after bite until giving up halfway through the sandwich, as my appetite had disappeared. The flavors were good, which is why I left two stars; clearly the food has potential and could be delicious if cooked properly. But I wasn't so fortunate, and I definitely won't be coming back to risk another 10 bucks on a potentially crappy meal.
(2)
Kim L.
These cheesesteak sandwiches come with the worst food coma I have ever experienced in my life. Ever. Every time I go here, I get either the bacon or garlicky cheesesteak, and I can only ever make it through 2/3 of the damn thing before I collapse. At least the last 1/3 still tastes delicious when I wake up.
(4)
Joseph A.
I was taken here by a few friends and I didn't think I'd be impressed. Boy was I wrong! Not only are their prices cheap, their portions are huge! I ordered the large BBQ cheese-steak and could barely finish it, especially with all the fillings (lettuce, tomato, pickles, cheese, etc.). A friend ordered the garlic fries and I was shocked to see that he came out with a full Styrofoam box. My only complaint is that it was cash only. I can't wait to try this place again. My mouth's watering just thinking about it!
(5)
Sarah B.
I come into IB's once a week with my dog Happy and get the same thing every time, their cheesesteak. It is cheesy, the meat is fresh, and you can customize it with a variety of toppings. Best of all, it's only 6 bucks. Everyone is nice, but it's owner that keeps you coming back. How often does the owner of a store come and have a full on conversation with you on just about any topic. It's dog friendly Next to campus Great food Cheap and clean
(5)
C L.
Tried their cheese fries and onion rings. Of course I couldn't help but order another bucket of garlic fries as well. Onion rings are NON breaded, and I prefer it this way. Nice and light on the batter and crispy! Cheese fries were basically hot nacho cheese poured over their fries, and was yummy as well. Hard to go wrong with their french fries- it's always made and served piping hot.
(4)
Jenny L.
I like'em cheesesteaks! I.B.'s has cheap and good hoagies. I like to get a large and share with someone. Their fries are so awesome.
(3)
Ryan G.
Even better than I remember it from college. I got the cheesesteak with everything (peppers, onions, mushrooms), it was absolutely delicious. I noticed you can even use your Berkeley account to buy food there now; that would have been dangerous if that option were available when I was there...
(5)
Troy M.
To do it right: $6 To do it big: $9 Oh man--these sandwiches are bricks. I mean that in a good way, I think. I happen to be capable of taking down a large cheesesteak in one sitting, but it physically pains me to walk back to work afterward. Seriously. The sandwiches aren't bad, but God are they awful for you. Fairly low quality cheese, OK steak, veggies are variable, age of bread is variable, calories are fantastically exorbitant. I know that lower quality ingredients are a hallmark of the cheesesteak, but they could do much better. At least it's not cheese whiz. Random fact: If you go during the summer, you might see the owner's pre-teen kids. It's got to be a violation of all kinds of labor laws, but they're cool and know how to work the register (more than can be said about Pancho's next door). Summary: If you don't have time for the next two meals, stop at I.B.'s.
(3)
Brent T.
I used to live down the street from this place and it would be my go-to spot for indulging when I'm starving. I used to order the mushroom chicken steak sandwich with a bucket of fries drenched in hot chili and cheese (recently, i went there again and they don't use the buckets anymore). I swear they put sleeping pills in their food cause after I finish this meal, I would pass out from food coma every single time. Hint: Get extra hot sauce for the sandwich and make sure to grab a fork for your chili cheese fries.
(4)
William S.
This place is just greasy and delicious. Pretty standard cheesesteaks but what gets me going there are the chili cheese fries. It's a little trashy cus they use the fake nacho cheese like you get at smart and final, but man when you're eating that kind of food, trashy is the way to go. whoever invented chili cheese fries should get some kind of award... for being the cause of our nation's obesity problem. just kidding i heart grease... but seriously go to the gym once in a while, please.
(4)
Sandy K.
Mmmmm.... Greasy burgers ready to give you a heart attack. Cash only, unfortunately.
(3)
Nick H.
According to the Yelposcale, two-stars means "Meh. I've experienced better." That is exactly how I felt today after eating a pepper-steak at Ib's Hoagies. It was one of those days where I was looking to maximize the calorie to dollar ratio, and Ib's did come through in that regard. But I've certainly enjoyed a gut-bomb a hell of a lot more than what I ate today. My main complaints are that the hoagie just didn't have much flavor, and that the meat seemed pretty low-quality. I could barely taste the grilled peppers/onions, and I kinda had to force my way through the last 2/3rds of the thing. "Better" hoagies I've enjoyed in the past typically had nice fresh chunks of grilled veggies, thicker cuts of quality meat that isn't overcooked, good cheese and a nice sauce. So Ib's gets good marks for calorie to dollar ratio and speed, but negative marks for flavor and quality.
(2)
Charlie N.
Mmm. Chili cheese fries and cheesesteaks. Yes, you know it can't be good for you. And with the portions they give, get ready for a week at the gym. But I.B.'s is my guilty pleasure and I'm proud of it. Their prices are cheap considering how much their food fills you up.
(4)
Kim-van T.
FRIES PEOPLE.. it's seriously all about the FRIES when you come to IBs. i'm not a big fan of the cheesesteaks actually - i would say i just plain don't like them. so this review is really about the fries (you know how much i love them!) they used to serve their fries in those big cups that you'd see at county fairs or festivals but now they've switched over to the biodisposable stuff (kudos to you). the garlic fries are REALLY yummy - they put tons of garlic on. curly fries, regular fries, chili cheese fries - you name it! it's all pretty good. the bf likes the tator tots (they call em "tator rounds" here) - you really can't go wrong. the prices here are pretty cheap too! mmmmm....
(4)
Kim P.
I've only ever tried the chilli cheese curly fries but I've come back for more at least a dozen times and counting. Before eating at IBs I was never a fan of chilli cheese but these chilli cheese curly fries have changed everything. They are a must try!
(4)
Eric L.
Cheesesteaks are hard to come by in Berkeley, probably because you can count the number of decent places that offer this type of sandwich on one hand. I.B's has a fairly large menu, but each sandwich differs only by one extra ingredient that you can choose, i.e. mushrooms, peppers, or bbq sauce. They also do burgers, but why get a burger at a place whose title includes "Hoagies and Cheesesteaks"? Prices are a bit high for what you get, but sometimes there's so much food you can't finish it all. The fries can be oversalted sometimes though. Unfortunately I haven't been able to try their garlic fries and curly fries with cheese because each time I ordered them, they forgot and gave me plain fries or plain curly fries and I found out too late.
(3)
Andrew K.
Best sandwich I've had in a while -- maybe since Ikes. The cheesesteak was perfecto in every way -- the steak was oh so tender and yummy, and the toppings and bread were spot on. MMMMM.
(5)
Ruben P.
IB craving these cheesesteaks and hoagies. IB stopping by here when I go to Berkeley for a Cal Football game. IB inhaling these hoagies. IB going here since college (and I didn't go to Cal!). IB impressed with this spot. IB never let down. IB giving IB hoagies 5 stars!
(5)
Annie P.
Great sandwiches! Great Service! Ordered 35 sandwiches for a group event and Sam was super helpful.
(4)
Katie W.
While a student at Cal, I.B.'s cheeseburgers kept me alive. Hard exam? Cheeseburger. Rough day at work? Cheeseburger. Feeling down? Cheeseburger. Add a side of fries and I was in heaven. I used to send prospective students and their parents over to I.B.s for lunch after the 10am tour (I was a campus tour guide) and got nothing but positive reviews from them, too. Thank you, I.B.s, for being the only place around campus that had cheeseburgers as good as In n Out.
(5)
David R.
Any place where the "Large" size is actually noticeably large, like, about 50% larger, is pretty awesome in my book. Also the food's delicious.
(4)
Catherine L.
CHILI CHEESE FRIES - enough said they put some fries in a paper cup, slather on the chili, put some more fries on top of that, and slather some more chili - then they glop on the critical ingredient......... CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESE - and not the natural kind mind you....... the nacho cheese cheeze whiz kind that's oh so bad for you but who cares i would've given it 5 stars, but by the time you've eaten 75% of your ccfries, the bottom of the cup has become a coldish congealed mess of chili and fries and NO MORE cheese.... =( but one time..... just once, mind you, they used STYROFOAM cups instead of paper..........and it was mind-blowing --- the chili was warm and since the styrofoam cups were wider to compensate for not being as tall, there was warm CHEESE at the bottom of the cup ---- yum! i've eaten the hoagies here twice --- they're good but i stopped eating them because i found them too small ---- didn't fill me up at all
(4)
Lisa H.
So GOOD but soooo BAD. I miss their curly chili cheese fries. Ohmigoodness, the fries are pure ecstasy in your mouth. One of the reasons why I was a chubby monkey in college.
(5)
Monica D.
Kim-Van T. and Kat C. = RIGHT on the money re: the fries. Kudos to KVT for pointing out about IB's switch from the random cup containers of fries to the new (and seemingly LARGER... maybe it's an optical illusion but it really seems like there's more fries now) biodegradable containers. Definitely cool. I do agree that their hoagies are just ok, and that they do wind up kinda soggy after some time in the wrapper. I think that there is just too much ish on it, to be perfectly honest. Yes, I know, you can request whatever you want (or don't want) on it, but it's too much going on. Lettuce, tomato, pickles, mustard, mayo, hot sauce, and the kitchen sink? Come on now. The three stars are basically for the fries (whether you get garlic, chili, cheese, or some combination of the above) -- they are guaranteed to be crisp and perfectly cooked, if a bit heavy on the salt. But that's ok. -1 star for the price (although you get a buttload of fries) -- I just don't feel it's a value for what you get. Also -1 star for the sandwich itself -- not a whole lot of meat and just not as tasty as I remember back in the undergrad days. Sigh.
(3)
Alex S.
The hoagies are good, but I'm a burger guy. I love the Bacon Cheeseburger w/ Seasoned curly Fries... The meat isn't dry and everything else is good. It could use some more bacon, but can't everything? ;) One of the better burgers in Berkeley...
(4)
Maria Z.
My friend is a lot crazier about this place than I am (she had the eggplant parm, in case you were wondering. I had the chicken sandwich); maybe because I don't like to pay this much for a sandwich, or maybe it's because being around so many southside kids makes me feel out of place. The sandwiches are good, and they are pretty huge. The curly fries are tasty, but I'd rather go elsewhere to sober up.
(3)
Charlie A.
I would go here when I had a craving for their fries and at the same time needed parking validation! While I lived on Durant, just a minute's walk to IB Hoagies, I couldn't always find a parking spot on the mean streets of Berkeley so I would end up parking in the Sather structure. Then there was IB Hoagies to the rescue... their food gave me my sodium intake I needed for the day, and at the same time the validation I needed. I've had the garlic fries and they were waaaay too strong for me. Their packaging also makes them soggy real quickly. But their regular fries are sooo addicting. They're salted just right, and have this great crispiness to them. As I'd walk back to my apartment with my IB Hoagies to-go in hand, I'd munch on my fries...yumms! I've had the first 3 cheesesteaks on their menu, the regular, the mushroom one, and the bacon one. Out of the three I'd usually order the mushroom cheesesteak. I think their cheesesteaks are delicious, but somewhat pricey for the size and what it is. I would think they'd be a little cheaper considering they're competing with so many other food places within walking distance.
(4)
Ritz D.
I haven't eaten here in a while but when I do I usually leave with a full stomach. They have very filling sandwiches and tasty garlic fries. I would always get the Philly cheesesteak with mushrooms. Affordable, greasy, and unhealthy; the perfect combination to gain your freshmen 15! If you want to feel a little bit better after eating one of their sandwiches, wash it down with a Diet Coke.
(4)
Vicki V.
The hoagie was good and all...but the GARLIC FRIES!! TO DIE FOR!! by far the best garlic fries i've ever tasted!! crispy, not too over bearing, just perfect! and free soda refills! I'd watch out for the bums though...they come outa nowhere..
(5)
Chuck N.
Heart-attack Hoagies, at least that's what we call it. I don't think there's anything remotely healthy on this menu?? Nevertheless, when you have a craving, you have a craving, right? Grilled, hot food toppings for a Hoagie served immediately is delicious. The sourdough rolls they use for their sandwiches/hoagies suck. They either put it in the oven for too long or they're using stale bread. Unfortunately, this has been a consistent deficiency for the items I've ordered here. Curly fries and cheesy fries are soooo good though. You can taste the grease from the frier, that's how fast it's being brought out. Final Call: For me, there are better alternatives for fried, greasy food elsewhere.
(2)
Ed C.
Cheesesteak with mushrooms, bucket of garlic fries, large sprite. Have TUMS handy.
(4)
Kevin L.
The new waffle fries they have are pretty amazing. I also tried the mushroom steak and the pepper steak. They are both great, but the pepper steak is SOOOOO GOOD. The mushroom steak is okay, maybe because i dont like mushrooms particularly.
(4)
Nuri K.
If you want fries, head over to Smart Alec's. I like a fry with a discernibly crispy-crunchy outside and a fluffy inside, and a good indication of this on a thick fry like those at IB's is to see if the outer layer has a bit of transparency. Nope, these are opaque. Avoid, unless you are craving a bit of potato, which I am all the time and so I inevitably order these, but not happily. If you want cheesesteaks, go to Rocky's. They are richer, more tender, better. But Ib's is good--nay, great-- for one thing: the veggie combo sandwich. Bell peppers, onions and button mushrooms tossed on the grill with some cheese, and then placed on a toasted bun with a nice amount of avocado and the regular sandwich fixins (the pickles and mustard give this sandwich extra oomp). What you get is a mouth-searing, molten, creamy mess of a good veggie sandwich. A much better (and comparable in terms of dollars and cents) alternative to the subs over at Quizno's and Subway on many days.
(4)
Casey L.
Despite all of the culinary diversity in the Berkeley, IB's will always be my favorite place to grub it up. I'm still not quite sure how I live to tell these tales after all of the bacon cheesesteaks (known as the "baconsteak"--man's greatest invention, and one of my all-time favorite word combinations) I consumed during my sophomore year, but I do. The people there are really cool, the cheesesteaks are greasy and huge and DELICIOUS, the chili cheese fries cannot be beat, and they even served tater tots (at one time, no longer). Also, if you ever want to prove your toughness to anyone, challenge them to eat a large of any of the cheesesteaks. At one point, a large was two regular-sized cheesesteaks, but I think they've gone back to just one gigantic bun. Oh, and a bucket of fries. If you can survive one of those bad boys, you're pretty intense.
(5)
Lynn P.
Whenever i come to Berkeley, I usually make a stop here for cheese fries. No other places can beat this.
(5)
Denton X.
This place is delicious but truly a guilty pleasure. I ordered the mushroom steak sandwich my first time and was so addicted I couldn't try anything new. I love adding copious amounts of their peppers and hot sauce to my already overstuffed sandwich. The meat is perfectly grilled and extremely addicting. I am a huge fan of chili cheese anything, so their fried potato selections can always ruin any attempt I have at eating healthy.
(5)
Azmina A.
Another essential stop on our Berkeley Food Tour. I'd give my right arm for a mushroom cheesesteak with a large bucket of curly fries and a giant soda... but then I'd have trouble eating with my left hand! The meat is tender, the cheese is melty and the bread is fresh. Can't ask for much else. Oh wait, there is more. The fries are crispy and also super fresh! I do wish the sandwich bread was toasted but that's a slight change in the face of such all-around greatness. PS: Don't offer to share the bucket of fries with anyone. It looks quite large but when you start dippin' those babies in ketchup, you won't wanna give any up!
(5)
Andrew D.
I was just recently informed the IB's card still exists! I'll be heading back to pick up a new one.
(4)
Tim G.
Criss-Cut Fries were super crispy and good. The large Cheesesteak was huge and pretty tasty. They offered a selection of peppers (sweet pickled bell peppers -- spicy jalapenos) that went well with the sandwich.
(4)
Yep R.
Cheese fries. Cheese fucking fries. With that ooey gooey nacho cheese sauce. The small bucket/big cup is enough as a meal for me. Now, leave me alone as I indulge and continue with my artery-clogging guilty pleasure.
(4)
Nathan M.
I.B.'s can only be considered good for want of a better alternative. The place doesn't quite cross the threshold of "bad," but the people who say it's good may have little experience beyond I.B.'s for cheesesteaks. The Cheesesteak is darn close to flavorless with too much bread and the fries, although indulgent from time to time are little more than matrices of crystallized grease. Vinnie's is a much better alternative.
(2)
Nadiyah S.
Good and greasy! I can never say no to their chilly cheese fries! Hoagies are also really good. YUM!
(5)
Ben T.
This place is a good stop for a quick bite. But the plague of all quick bite places is the mediocrity of its fare, and this place fell victim to it. The mushroom hoagie was appetizing on the menu, but after a couple of bites, I couldn't remember much of what comprised its ingredients list.
(2)
Bre Bre T.
If you've never had one then go get one. If you've had one before then go get another one. Invest in a cheesesteak with no tomatoes or hot sauce, a large onion ring and cherry coke!! Love the sidewalk seating and friendly staff!! What are you doing still reading this? Stop wasting time and get over there, quick!!
(5)
Ali C.
Cheesesteak baby! IB Hoagies makes a mean cheesesteak.. Yeah, it's greasy but what cheesesteak isn't?! This place is a starving student's dream come true! They are cheap and their sandwiches are huge making it ideal to come to for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Yum. And can I just say, the chili cheese fries are so good!! Chili, cheese, deep fried tators.. How can you not love that combo? I'm going to be honest because I've never had a hoagie here. I'm a cheesesteak kind of gal anyways..
(4)
Dori H.
Chili cheese fries. Tasty chili, cheese food, on either curly fries or tater tots. Deadly delicious.
(4)
Jimmy N.
Mushroom Steak. Good stuff, quick bite. Very quick. A little small for the price but it's close to campus. Not a frequent visitor but if cheesesteak is what I'm craving and I don't want to venture too far, this is the spot.
(3)
Mike L.
They're okay, not great. Everything tastes better if you get it with bacon; the chili cheese fries used nacho cheese instead of real cheese which made me sad. Have yet to try most of the sandwiches/burgers and i'm not sure if i'll ever get around to it, but i guess it's a pretty decent grease hole.
(2)
Sunny L.
IB Hoagies has yummy cheesesteaks on pillowy, slightly chewy bread. I ate here for the 7 years I lived in Berkeley. It's fun to watch all the frat boys trudge up the hill with their bags of IB Hoagies and Cheese 'n' Stuff in tow. The chili cheese fries are completely delicious. But be forewarned - if their sanitary conditions are anything like they were a couple years ago, IB Hoagies keeps the beef chili for the cheese fries in a metal container near the cash register - so it's an e.coli nightmare just waiting to happen. I know, because I got the worst food poisoning of my life after eating the chili cheese fries once. Don't say I didn't warn you. (Of course, I still went back a month later to get my fix of chili cheese fries, and microwaved the fries when I got home to make sure I killed all the festering bacteria - that's how addictive the chili cheese fries were!)
(2)
Jared W.
If you crave something greasy and full of meat, run, don't walk here. This hoagie shop makes some great cheesesteak type sandwiches and other fried things to handle your most dire need. You get a french roll loaded up with chopped meats and all the fixings and cheese. These are so good I have had people come up to visit from out of town with stopping here for lunch as one of their goals. Combine the hoagie with some curly or regular french fries and if your arteries survive, you'll be a happy camper. I used to get the 'mushroomsteak' when I was a regular here. I would argue to myself that mushrooms are kinda healthy, so this makes it ok to eat, or something? Either way, it's good, can get crowded during peak hours, but that's because people recognize good eats.
(4)
Betty H.
DUDE how did I live on the south side of Berkeley for TWO years and not eat here?! I finally caved in to the bacchanalian urges that college students are predisposed to: drinking and then late night eating - and ended up here when I saw that the line at Top Dog was too freakin' long. Forget Top Dog! For six dollars, IB Hoagies gives you enough sandwich for TWO meals, loaded with cheese, vegetables, and... EGGPLANT PARMESAN, which is honestly my favorite sandwich in all of Berkeley now. I asked the man behind the counter, "Is it good?" and he said, "With everything, it's amazing." I believed him. Bought it. Ate it. And believed him with a further intensity - it's seriously an amazing sandwich. I will probably need to eat one once a week.
(5)
Diana C.
I've loved the two things I've tried here - their cheesesteak and their chili cheese fries. I know, they're probably on the top ten list for the unhealthiest things I could possibly eat, but they're soo good. :-) You definitely get a lot for the price you pay, so come hungry.
(4)
Holt D.
Used to go here a lot as a student. It's not healthy, but there hoagies are so good. I love there bucket of fries and bucket of curly fries. You get so many fries for only a few bucks!
(4)
dates w.
Going to telegraph i always enjoyed eating at 3 diff. spots and they were all on the same street. Theres this joint, top dog across the street and this underground spot underneath the old tower records that served shitty pizza but u can play games and drink beers there. IB's is delicshshsh....always a hard decision on this and top dog since that pizza joint closed. Bucket of cheese fries or garlic fries with your cheese steak and ur set to go..... i usually go next door to the liquor store and get a different drink while they are making the cheesesteak cus the thirst quenching options are limited....not much room for seating here...oh and the hot sauce make sure to get some of that ....try grabbing the bottle and hogging it until someone has to ask u for it.... (theres this other cheesesteak joint on E....1 ...FO..... in san leandro that would be good competition for IB's if they ever had an iron chef "hoogies/cheesesteak" edition, Bobby Flay would get his ass kicked)
(4)
Tiffany R.
Who knew something as simple as a hoagie could be so delicious. I loved every bite. Portion size is HUGE and def worth going back to again..
(4)
Dee D.
IB's hoagies are just bleh. Maybe it's because I like my sandwiches with lots of veges and not a lot of grease. The Philly cheesesteak was just ok, nothing special really. HOWEVER, their fries are AMAZING. 8drools* Garlic, curly, plain. They are ALL good. I would skip having a sandwich and just get a whole bucket of fries. Do be advised: they don't take credit cards so have cash ready.
(4)
Anna S.
BEST CHEESESTEAKS. Period. Other sandwiches are filling, but overall, not even close to being as satisfying as an IB cheesesteak. I like their pastrami, but overall their meats are of pretty good quality. Also, you can tell they make your order fresh because the condiments have not sunk in yet, and hot sandwiches are indeed served hot. Sweet potatoes fries are too dry.
(4)
Marcus V.
I've been here a few times and I gotta say that this place is pretty damn good. I've tried their chili cheese fries, curly fries, and philly cheesesteak so far and they've all been pretty good. You definitely get your moneys worth. Their large sandwiches are freaking huge. Two thumbs up but only 4 stars from this yelper.
(4)
Christine L.
I ordered a mushroom onion cheese steak, which is the only type of cheese steak I ever get. It was okay. It hit the spot, but the flavor was a bit off, especially on the saltiness, and it just wasn't as good as other cheese steaks I've had. I'll have to keep looking...
(3)
David C.
Had an awesome cheesesteak sandwich today. Curly fries and a BUD LIGHT from the mini mart next door. Small place, limited seating. GREAT FOOD!!!
(4)
Antwaun L.
I have to give IB 5 stars. We drive from Vallejo for cheesesteaks. There are a few cheesesteak shops closer but its better here. Also good people watching while you eat. Live Performances!!!
(5)
Rachel C.
Excellent hoagies! YUM YUM! The cheesesteaks are the best, especially the mushroom cheesesteaks! On top of that, you have to eat their fries....ANY of them...regular, curly, garlic...YUM! I'm not a big chili cheese fries person, but they're pretty good! This is definitely a great place to eat out when you're in Berkeley! It can get busy during lunch time...
(5)
Mikolo R.
Their cheeseburger is DEELICIOUS! Worth every penny ---- just under $5. I just had my first experience at IB's, and I will definitely go back soon. The burger wasn't greasy like some of those other places, nor did it fall apart in any way. They even did a good job wrapping it, so I didn't even make a mess.
(5)
Patrick C.
Why did you have to wait til RIGHT AFTER I graduated Cal to start serving GARLIC fries, huh? hUH? HUH?!!!!! WHY?!?! You knew that's what I always craved and always dreamed of while snacking on your delicious bucket of fries. You get minus 1 star for depriving me of garlic fries and then shoving it up my face after I move away. The cheese steak sandwiches are aiiight... they just add some variety to a "healthy" college diet.
(4)
Sherelle V.
You know when you're super hungry, you want something fatty, fast, and cheap. When you get a Hoagie from here, as you unravel the beast that is the sandwich, you will start to notice how the paper is becoming transparent. It's great for splitting. Spend a couple dollars more and get a large and you'll have a 14 incher that you can split with a friend. I got the garlic fries, but they werent as good as I remember. Maybe it was because I came late at night and got the soggier than a fresh batch, but I was still a happy camper. Definitely fulfilled my craving.
(4)
derrick i.
dude. YES. i remember first coming to this place back when i was, i dunno... 18? i had never had a hoagie before, so needless to say that when i laid my first bite into this deceivingly simple hoagie roll filled with declicious meat and cheese, that it was so good i started crying... okay, i didn't really start crying, BUT it was reeeeaaaaally good! they nail philly cheese steaks! they dont' burdon you with gallons of grease... okay, there's grease, but it's not HELLA. but man, something' about that grilled steak and onions and peppers with that cheese melted all gooey-ly on it makes a brotha want to start drooling. here's to you IB's!
(4)
Heather G.
Oh man! Junkie comfort food at it's finest!!! I had a chicken hoagie my first time. It wasn't anything special, but still good. And then there was ...(duhn duhn duhn)... the cheese fries.... Oh the cheese fries! They were so yummy!! We got a bucket to share between 3 people and I had a hard time not scarfing them all down. *You know when your sharing something so yummy, you watch what pieces and how much the other people are taking, and you feel a twinge of jealousy when they take the pieces that you have been eying, and a twinge of disappointment as the supply dwindles.* I would make my boyfriend drive me to Berkeley at least once a week for a hamburger and cheese fries! The hamburgers were pretty decent. And I (hangs head in gluttonous shame) would often ask for extra cheese on the side and put that on my hamburger. Sooo good. I am lucky IB's wasn't close to my work, otherwise I would have had cheese fries everyday for lunch! Okay, enough already! Just go try them!
(4)
Kalyani Y.
I was having one of those hectic, messed up days and IB's Hoagies saved me. I had eaten no breakfast or lunch, and my stomach was planning a coup. I had about 5 bucks, so I chose their $1.99 bucket of fries and a smoothie. It was a good choice. The fries are large (they're practically wedges) and still steaming when you get them. They are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside...no wimpy, wilted slivers here. And the bucket is huge: I was starving and I couldn't even finish more than half. The smoothie was tasty, but for the price I expected a bit more fanfare. Whipped cream, or drizzled chocolate or something. True, I did see them blend the 'real coffee and ice cream' together, but I can't help the fact that I've become spoiled by Starbuck's. But my tastebuds were satisfied, and that's all that really matters.
(3)
lucy b.
Freakin YUM. had a pepper steak with everything. I am kind of a purist so I may have to lose the veggies next time. This was the bestest cheesysteak I have ever had the pleasure of eating. Try the chili fries! Outstanding.
(5)
Anna T.
THEIR FRIES ARE FREAKING DELICIOUS. I don't know how they make regular old french fries (do people still try to call them freedom fries? haha) taste so damn good. It must be the oil they fry with... The fries remind me of meat. I haven't had anything else there, so maybe I'll edit this after I do that. But I dream about eating IB's fries when I'm away from Berkeley.
(4)
Zeeshan J.
A quick greasy 6$ sandwich. This place is pretty good as far as taste goes. It isn't the best, but definitely good enough for a quick lunch or dinner.
(3)
Wayne K.
People from Philly pan the place and even I've had better, but IB's has the best cheesesteaks you'll find in Berkeley, perfect when you need something hardy. I usually get a mushroom steak with a bucket of cheese fries... they're definitely not stingy in terms of quantity. I wash it all down with a sugary Pearl Milk Tea from Sweetheart, just a few stores away. Wow, I'm surprised I haven't had a heart attack.
(3)
Bella G.
Everything tasted like warm salt. The food served as mere texture. I liked the bread and my dog really appreciated the curly fries I shared.
(2)
Mia M.
I am finally dedicating some precious time that I promised to put in a good word for this awesome Hoagie spot!! One afternoon with my Husband, we decided to hit up Berkeley and knew that we wanted to hit up I.B's!! We always enjoy your visit to Telegraph and once we sat down and ordered our Chicken with extra Mushroom hoagies and Sweet Potatoe fries, there was this man that was fixing the fountain soft drink machine. He over heard me enjoying my Sweet Potatoe fries and informed me that he used Rice Oil to fry them in so it's super healthier than any other frying oil. He and I started to engage in more conversation about healthier ways of cooking and organic products. Then he introduced himself as the Owner so we were stoked! Just knowing that we enjoyed his Hoagie spot so much-he handed us free passes for the next visit to BE ON THE HOUSE per the actual OWNER himself!! Can't beat that!! Sorry I.B it took such a long time to write this review but I just got married and it's been crazy! :) Now that we are settling in-we are definitely going to pay a nice visit again!!! Can't wait!! :) This IB Hoagie is better than the one off San Pablo Ave. ;)
(5)
Gabriel t.
Their bucket of fries/curly are usually okay, and CHEAP but today they gave me a bucket of fucken charcoal....wayyy overfried wtf?
(2)
eric k.
Awesome hoagies, reasonably priced. Good crispy fries too.
(5)
Angela H.
Okay, technically I have not experienced better because I've never had a real cheesesteak sandwich. Though, after watching countless hours of the Food Network featuring cheesesteak sandwiches, I think it's fair to say that at least my eyes have experienced better; as for my tastebuds, they really hope that the famous Philly Cheesesteak is actually 1,000 times better, or Philadelphia is just a big fat D for disappointment. Anyway, on with the food. I got the mushroom cheesesteak (since everybody raved about it on yelp). It smelled tasty, but after one bite...it totally lacked in flavor. It was bland. The flavors did not mix together to form the orgasmic tastebud experience that I had expected. The steak, although pretty tender, didn't seem to be marinated with anything at all. And the natural steak flavor did NOT come out. I tasted mostly mustard, bland grilled onions, very bland mushrooms, a hint of some pickle, and lots of lettuce. I also got the fries. They are thickly cut, and salted just right. The portion was just the right amount too (though I didn't finish). Most of it was crispy and served piping hot, which is awesome. I didn't finish because I felt like a blob at the end of my meal and the leftover fries were soggy (I am not a soggy-fry-lover). Service was fast and friendly. It was cheap, and I'm very full [of grease and gluttony].
(2)
Jenna H.
The best cheeseburgers in the area! So fresh and so cheap. The chili cheese fries rock, too. The wait is sometimes kind of long, but SO worth it.
(5)
Logan P.
My favorite 3 things here are Cheese Fries, Garlic Fries and the Curly Fries... They give you really good portion too! I just wish they had their own parking lot on their own corner or something.. I hate to have to pay for parking and then come here to order, but its still worth it. Fries are one of the best
(4)
Sherry G.
I didn't know what to get for my first visit here, and a lot of the sandwiches looked good. I eventually opted for the regular cheese steak with everything on it. I liked that they had a small self service area with jalapenos and peppers, which I added to the sandwich. The toasted bread was still soft and fluffy and the sandwich as a whole was really flavorful. I enjoyed it on the sidewalk at one of their tall tables. I had to remind them about the fries I ordered, but that was no big deal. The fries were nice and crunchy and well salted. No frills, no health benefits, no Berkeley pomp. It was a good change of pace.
(4)
B J.
I went here with friends because Yelpers raved about their chili cheese fries. They were OK -- standard canned chili and liquid cheese on curly fries. My chicken pepper sandwich was awesome -- plenty of condiments, fresh produce, and a generous size for only $6! Another person got a pepper steak sandwich and liked it also. But the basic cheesesteak was only so-so. My friends asked for the standard sandwich with the works, but it had no condiments and was bland. Overall, great prices, acceptable food, and convenient if you are around telegraph in Berkeley,
(3)
Alex Y.
I wanted to become a regular here, and for a short point in life, I came close. The stocky guy behind the counter seemed to have recognized me, but that's not why I wanted to go so often. All of my actions were motivated by that Hoagie card. Yes, that card which indicates that you've bought ten hoagies before and have reached "hoagie regular" in which they reward you with a freebie. Needless to say, I failed. I should've kept that card in my wallet, so that I would bring it there consistently. The quality of the sandwiches were not good enough for me to have that often, so eventually I lost my card too. Nowadays, to mask the pain of my failure, I slowly kill myself through the consumption of their chili cheese curly fries.
(3)
Nikki c.
Can't talk, eating. That's what their cheese steaks do to me. They render me unable to say anything other than "can't talk, eating" until I finish. When I was in college I had a routine of coming here for a sammich after every final and watching tv until I fell into a meat and cheese induced coma. The fries are yummy too. The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is that there's not a lot of places to sit and eat, and the fries don't travel well. FYI - A meal from IB's is best consumed within 15 minutes of when they put it in the bag. It just doesn't re-heat well
(4)
Melissa T.
Every one of their hoagies are delicious. I would especially recommend getting any kind with mushrooms. I'm a picky eater, so I generally take out most of the toppings that they offer, but it's still juicy and delicious. Although their tables aren't great to eat on, it's a good meal to buy when you're on the go. Just buy a sandwich and within a few minutes you're walking out with deliciousness in a bag. The service is pretty good too
(5)
Jay M.
Need a dose of deep fried junk food? Then get the Chili Cheese or just the Cheese Fries. The wait is at least 3 minutes because they cook everything fresh! You won't get caught with old and soggy fries like you do at McDonald's. The seasoned curly fries are good too. Seating here is limited, so expect to take your food on the go.
(4)
Matt H.
The sandwiches here are greasy and delicious, and the service is generally pretty quick. This is great place to go for comfort food. The challenge, of course, is the fries. Last time I checked, fries came in two sizes: "regular" and "bucket." The bucket is easily more than twice as large as the regular by volume, but costs only like $.25 (maybe $.50) more. Simple economics dictates that it is therefore irrational to buy regular fries. And yet very few people can eat an entire cheesesteak and a bucket of fries. This had led to an all-too common situation where a hapless customer, recognizing the economic ramifications, actually elects the bucket of fries as their meal, and foregoes the sandwich entirely. Apart from this logical conundrum, however, I greatly enjoy the sandwiches, and usually just skip the fries.
(4)
Andrew S.
Basically, all I get is chili cheese fries, extra cheese, with a serious scoop of sweet jalapenos. Great, thick flavor. Awesome!
(4)
Pam Z.
Five words: BUCKET. OF. CHILI. CHEESE. FRIES. Five stars.
(5)
Raheleh K.
OHHH BABBYY!!! I LOVE this place. Perfect for one of those really greasy nasty meals when you feel really hungover and want some good junk food. I loved their mushroom cheesesteak!! It definitely will stain the bag with oil if you take the food to go! They have reallly really good chili cheese fries and other types of side items that are all really fatty. I hated eating here though because homeless people will stand right next to you while you're eating in hopes that you will have some leftovers. I used to eat here in college, but now it would have to be a REALLY rare situation to eat here, because i'm not trying to be obese by the age of 25!
(3)
jamie c.
this place reminds me of a walking-distance version of smokehouse. i don't remember enjoying my meal much, but i do remember holding back my vomit. so why two stars instead of one? i like things that are bad for me.
(2)
A P.
Okay where can you get a bucket of fries for $2.75? And garlic fries at that with fresh diced garlic? IB's Hoagies caught my attention because I was in the mood for a Poh'boy sandwich. While they did not have a poh'boy they did have a yummy Philly cheese steak sammys! What a fricken deal! $5 for a big frickin sandwich. Ya gotta love coming into a college town, good cheap eats and lots o' options! Jr. had the curly chili cheese fries.....in a bucket of course...I'm having that next time!
(4)
Jane S.
Cheap. Fast. Good. Love their sandwiches and fries! I always stop by whenever I'm up in Berkeley!
(5)
Daniel R.
It's more of just a steak sandwich than a full-on philly cheesesteak sandwich, but it's decent and the fries are really good.
(4)
Katherine P.
Just took a trip to Berkeley today to eat their chili cheese fries! My boyfriend and I both went to school at Berkeley (though we didn't know each other then) and we both used to chow down at IB's. He had a craving for IB's today so we drove up and ate together there for the first time! We both got giant buckets of the chili cheese fries with jalapenos. MMMM. Nothing better than greasy comfort food! I love how hot the fries are, how gooey they get with the rich chili and nacho cheese sauce, and how the jalapenos add a little kick to the whole thing. When I was a student I used to eat these fries along with the hoagies (can we say delicious artery clogging goodness wrapped in buns??). The food here is great for whiling away time between classes, a late afternoon snack/lunch, and just when you have an uber junk food craving. The sad thing, is that the prices have gone up a lot since I was a student. There also isn't very much seating, so it's always a grab and go place.
(3)
sharon m.
i ordered their chili cheese fries before we went to drink at henry's for my very first birthday in norcal. it ended up in throwup-format on my bed by the end of the night. I still think their food is good!
(3)
Stephen M.
Ib's exists for those times where you don't know what to eat but you know it can't possibly be good for you. Some evening I will find myself in Berkeley as the sun is setting I will feel the hunger pangs in my gut as though I have become pregnant with the lord's child, and since I am a man and do not want to engender curiosity for being pregnant I will head directly to Ib's and attempt to kill the hungry one inside me with a cup of their chili-cheese fries. Which is to say, Ib's is delicious while you're eating it but has a gut rot factor that is directly proportional to how good it tastes. If only my stomach was made of the same metal that houses that deep frying oil, I would have nothing to worry about ever, well except for having a metal stomach.
(4)
Victoria N.
I used to think this place was really good, but maybe because food always tastes better at night. I finally had a cheesesteak in the daytime and realized that it's not really that great. It's on par to sandwiches at Quiznos or Great Steak & Potatoes. The sogginess of the bread bothered me. Sigh. What a disappointment.
(2)
Lisa S.
I adore this place. The cheesesteak is probably the best I've had. I'm not a cheesesteak expert, but I've had my fair share, and nothing compares. The seasoning is excellent, the size is amazing, and it's just plain old fabulous and a bargain. I wish they had one of these in Los Angeles. I still can't find a good one. :[
(5)
Jack D.
The mushroom cheesesteak I got from I.B.'s was SO amazingly tasty! I was visiting from L.A. and it's very hard to find a good Philly cheesesteak in Cali, but I.B.'s is one of the two best I've ever had! The meat was easy to chew and had so much flavor. I can't wait to get back to Berkeley so I can experience I.B.'s again!
(5)
Joon S.
I was spoiled with good fast food. I realize that "good" is subjective, especially in relation to fast food. Just as wine critics define and categorize wines with regards to body, the level of tannin, acidity, fruit, and overall balance (among other factors), there should be similar rubric to categorize and rank fast food. Would it be along the lines of salt, grease, flavor, and trans-fat? Rankings aside, IB's Hoagies provides a welcome contrast to Smart Alec's Intelligent Fast Food (vegetarian patties, etc.) just across and down the street. The hoagies are pretty good, as are the burgers. However, they can't approach the magnificence of a pastrami sandwich from the Hat (Alhambra, CA), nor can they approach the mythic status of heroes from Philly. The chili cheese fries are interesting. Instead of using grated cheddar cheese, they use nacho cheese. The process to create a bucket (yes, bucket) of IB's chili cheese fries is thus: (1) Scoop in one layer of fries (2) Pour layer of goopy chili (3) Pour layer of nacho cheese (4) Repeat two or three times I could have graduated with a degree in geology after going through so many layers.
(3)
eric k.
MMMMMmmmmm comfort food? Used to go here all the time when living in Berkeley... sure I think it did give me some lingering odd feelings once in a while, but I don't care. Mushroom steak? Pepper steak? mmm I even have a friend who has an ongoing order for 2 of these to bring back to him whenever I happen to stop by.
(4)
Eric G.
I recommend the cheese steak with hot peppers. This is not only delicious, but will kill any virus, germ, and cure cancer. If you don't want sizzling bung-O afterwards, add fries to the above as a buffer. Oh, and they had to discontinue their old 'frequent diner" punch card because some dickstick was counterfeiting them.
(5)
Jessica C.
I actually forget how their cheesesteaks tasted, but what I do remember was hot delicious their curly fries were. Hot and delicious.
(3)
Ryan Y.
most of the time they throw a good pastrami reuben - a couple of times it sucked - this was mostly on saturday mornings, so I don't get stuff from here on saturdays anymore. I love sauerkraut in reubens and polish dogs - this place does the former, and top dog takes the latter - sort of. They also have pretty good chili cheese fries.
(3)
Nikolas K.
this is my go to spot for some real comfort food. the kind of food to get me through finals week. hoagies and chili cheese curly fries for the soul.
(4)
Joyce D.
delicious chili cheese fries and curly fries without having to drive anywhere. +cheap +fast +YUMMMMMMMM +HOT +outdoor seating
(5)
Jennifer K.
Mmmm...my mouth is watering as I think about a cheesesteak from IB's. The cheesesteaks are tasty! The meat is generally more dry than the average cheesesteak, but this also means that it's less greasy than other cheesesteaks. (which is good and bad, depending on what you are looking for) IB's also offers up all kinds of sides like fries, curly fries, chili cheese fries, and onion rings. The fries tend to be really hit or miss. Sometimes they are a bit undercooked - especially when they are very busy. I recommend that you eat there to get the best quality. Carrying it around only makes the bread get soggy. Table spaces are very limited, but walk next door to the Durant food court to find more seats. Or, take the quick walk to campus and sit on the steps of Sproul to enjoy you meal! Cheesesteaks are awesome. Fries are just ok.
(4)
Anh N.
One of the best hoagies in the East Bay. The quality is superb, price is affordable ~$5, and quick to cook. If you're limited on time and want a hot sub, then IB is want you want to get. Grill onions are awesome!
(5)
Katherine Y.
I was their first customers on the first day of July! I got a roast turkey sandwich and it was actually pretty good. Their sauces are definitely a plus!
(4)
Jennifer S.
#3 for my USC // CAL game review ... my LAST review of the day ... :DDDDDD but the next 2 after this are reviews on 2 bars i went to.. *** the mushroom hoagie ... now, that shit was off the hook!!!! get the whole works w/all the condiments splashed onto your one and only hoagie ... $5.49 for half and $7.99 for full ... take it from me, a gal who seriously will live and die for food ... the full is SO worth it!!! worth every damn penny ... it was between this place, zachary's pizza (i've been eating pizza too much lately and it's been so darn long since i had a bomb hoagie, that hoagie it was!) or cheese stop ... since this place was within distance from the 2 bars i was at, my friends and i stopped by to grab some BOMB DIGGITY HOAGIE ... and i'm talkin about the mushroom! damn! shooot! woooh, did your momma ever tell you that eating was definitely a sin? fo sheez ... damn ... this shit was sooo good ... sooo good that i seriously had to get me some hoagie on the way home ... even better, my TEAM, yes, USC ... spanked CAL's BUTT, on BEAR TERRITORY!!! =DDDD ... simply deeeeeeeeeelishhhhhhhhious!!! everything was perfect! service : friendly, quick, and personable! it's funny, next time i visit chicago, it's like, the first thing i wanna eat is potbellys, but now, when i come to berkeley, it's def IB's... food so good, you'll never hear the end of it from me ... :) wooh! and of course, we can't ever forget, the icing of the cake ... 24-17 ... U$C!!! :D
(5)
Andy M.
Purists probably wouldn't call these cheesesteaks, and even "hoagie" may be a bit of a stretch. Whatever they are, they are seriously tasty in the trashiest greasiest way possible. The garlic cheese steak is amazing, but it not a good idea to eat one if you plan on talking to anyone face to face for the rest of the day. For the seriously indulgent, go for the bucket o' chili cheese fries, and make sure you wash it down with at least 20 ounces of Dr. Pepper. After eating here, prepare to be in a greasy salty stinky haze of happiness - but don't ever think about what you are eating or doing to your arteries, or you'll kill the buzz.
(4)
Douglas P.
So I'm not from hog island or anything like that, but shouldn't a place that is called IB Hoagies serve hoagies? Hahaha... This place mainly sells cheese steaks and other variants (bbq steaks, pepper steaks, etc.) and burgers as well which I am sure are just as good as everyone says they are (or aren't). I walked into this place after reading mainly positive reviews on yelp and they didn't really have what I wanted. However, the staff was very friendly, helpful and accommodating, I ended up customizing what they had on their menu into a hoagie but not much of one at that (Italian combo sandwich plus ham). The sandwich size all though enough to fill me up not big like one would deduce from their logo (I know the sandwich is huge in the pic but still) and actually small in comparison to your standard hoagie They didn't have potato chips either just fries, you know to throw the chips into the sandwich and here them crunch (Philly style! no I'm not from Philly). I had to walk to Walgreen's and buy them to my heart's content. Overall, the ingredients were fresh, the staff was nice, and the service was quick--but the menu was lacking I thought this was pretty strange so I gave this a Meh, I've experienced better (I'm sure hoagie fans would definitely agree).
(2)
Steve K.
I highly recommend this place...that's all I have to say about that.
(5)
Sofi P.
3.5 stars REVISION due to enlightenment of Amatos Sorry but you got bumped down ever since I've had Amatos. Amatos also has bigger portions...and just totally wins hands down. The price ranges from 5-7. Its pretty cheap, a bucket of curly fries are just 2.50 and its huge. My girlfriend and I ordered a large mushroom steak and DANG it was decent! The size was about a 7 inches and extended past the paper bag. It really made us full. It is definitely the bang for the buck. Another thing the mushroom steak was absolutely Delicious it had yummy fresh veggies and the meat wasn't bland but exquisitely soft and seasoned. Our mushroom steak wasn't greasy or made you feel disgustingly bloated. I wish the bread was better though, its kind off stale tasting anyways I'd definitely visit this place again....if only gf didn't hate Berkeley so much ------------------------------------------ Sorry IB's but Amatos definitely has the better bang for the buck and larger portions and yummier meat and bread. Yups. 3.5 stars
(3)
Cris L.
I love these cheesesteaks, especially with bacon. Bacon combines well with everything. Love bacon. Must have more of it. Hummmmmm.... Sorry - this is not the place for that. Back to Ib's: These are the only cheesesteaks I've had, so I can't compare. I've heard they're so much better in Philadelphia (some day I'll make a trip to test that proposition), but no-one was ever able to tell me where to get better cheesesteaks around here. If only the seating were better...
(3)
Kat C.
This is anti-south beach diet and when I cheat I head here. My god, it's heaven and then some. If ever you are in the area, you must stop and have a cheese steak and some fries with a big sugar laden drink. Yum. Luckily the UC Berkeley gym is a block and a half down.
(4)
Tiffany H.
as we speak, i am chowing down on a mushroomsteak with everything. i don't even like half of the things that they put on it. hot sauce, pickles, and mustard-in what world do these go together? IB's!!!! :D i had been craving french fries and beef since 10 pm yesterday. as usual, i went onto yelp to search for potential eats and i came across ib's. fast forward to today, i have class from 11-3:30 and i don't eat breakfast b/c i enjoy savoring every bit of sleep i can get. 3:30 comes around and i'm famished. walk to ib's to order a regular mushroomsteak, which turns out to be humungous and is a great deal being the poor college student that i am. i can only imagine how big the large is. the fries came out perfect. fluffy and crispy. enjoyed them my entire walk back to my apt. definitely hit the spot. all for $8.21. damn i am happy.
(4)
MissNance R.
My college boyfriend worked here and always smelled like a hoagie to me.
(3)
Yeh F.
Probably some of the unhealthiest food I've ever eaten. And I love it! First introduced to them by way of their Chilli Cheese Fries, and eventually I tried their sandwiches as well, which is good too! It's probably better for my health that I'm nowhere near them now.
(4)
Melody L.
chili fries. can you say heart attack in a cup? it only gets three stars cuz they use nacho cheese instead of grated. but i think that's just a matter of taste.
(3)
Dave K.
This is the first place I ever ate at when I went to Berkeley as a student. Awesome cheesesteaks, chili cheese fries. Sweet Jesus I want some now.
(4)
Shyam P.
I got a Hoagie here the first time I visited the Berkeley campus back in my HS days. Since then, I've been hooked. The sandwiches were much cheaper back then but whatever. I've tried most of them and I absolutely love the bbq steak. It works really well with the spicy sauce they use to create a spicy/sweet combo. They put lots of meat and the buns are toasted to perfection too. If you really want a heart attack, get the chili cheese fries. They come in a huge bucket and you'll be full for days.
(4)
AZAM A.
Mainstay Place for Cheese Steak Fill I ate many cheese steaks at IB Hoagies the grease is good from the grill don't know exactly do but there is some good flavor in the Steak n Cheese Nice buns too
(5)
Angie C.
Way to bring on a food coma!!
(4)
Tom W.
I first went there after seeing a friend come back from class with a very large cheesesteak sandwich. I then decided to try one for myself, and I have to say, the sandwiches are every bit as good as they look. They're not too expensive for the amount of food you pay, and I definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Edgar G.
I love mom and pop shops like these. Anyway, I came here today and got the mushroom steak, and it was GOOD. I love mushrooms on my burger, so I assumed mushroom would be good on steak and it was. The regular size is pretty decent, and it filled me up. I'd come back if I'm around Berkeley.
(4)
Jason J.
maybe it's 5 stars b/c it makes me feel like i'm back as a student at cal. or maybe it's b/c its so damn good. probably b/c it's so damn good. nonetheless, saturday football trips to berkeley require a stop here for a hoagie, or chili cheese fries, or both. it's a 5 star solid hoagie, and i've never had anything bad from here in the 10+ years i've been going.
(5)
Jay H.
Chickensteak, Cheesteak, Mushroomsteak...all kinds of gooey cheese laden meats grilled then place on toasy bread with lettuce, pickles, hot sauce and tomatoes... YOU HAVE TO TRY THE CHILI CHEESE CURLY FRIES!!!! It is everything that is bad for you and everything that makes you glow from nasty greasy fatty fat fat.....mmm....fatty fat fat. PMS food of the gods... (get a soda to drink all the salt down)
(4)
Stacy F.
order the chili cheese curly fries. then go next door to johnston's and buy stewart's ginger beer. go back to ib's to pick up your fries. sigh. delish.
(5)
rachel r.
i haven't eaten at this place since i graduated, but now that i've been in the real world and tried many a hoagie (or cheesesteak, as it's popularly coined), i haven't found anything better. they're greasy, but the good kind of greasy, if you know what i mean. try the chicken with mushrooms for less guilt.
(5)
Charlie E.
Want a real steak sandwich? Go to the Cheesesteak Shop on University. Contrary to what their menu says, a hoagie is a cold sandwich, a point which I once passionately tried to argue with the staff to no avail. A hot hoagie is known as a grinder. Also, a steak sandwich does not come with lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, and pickles. That's called a cheese steak hoagie. Seems niggling, but there is a difference. Either way, I have to admit to buying these things every now and again. I just tell myself, "it's a cheese steak hoagie, it's a cheese steak hoagie," and it all seems okay, especially since they're not bad.
(3)
Marie Q.
hoagies!! :) used to get the cheesesteak that had mushrooms in it.. perfection!!! :) and fries!
(4)
Regina B.
After eating hoagies on the east coast for years, my husband moved to Berkeley and discovered IBs. He ate a hoagie every single day during his 2 year Master program. We now live in Germany and every year for the last 18 years we have landed at SFO and driven directly to IBs for lunch - regardless of jet lag or kids screaming, nothing comes between my husband and his hoagie. Now we are all addicted and love it. The fresh ingredients, the variety (meat, vegi or everything) and the yummy side of fries. And to top it off, the employees are really friendly. We'll keep coming as long as they keep serving. Thanks IBs!!!
(5)
Brian H.
Best hangover food I've ever had.
(5)
Jennifer K.
YUM! I ordered the cheeseburger and curly fries (for under $7!) and I could barely finish it! (Of course, I did and then could not get up or move around for a good 10 min). The burger was pretty greasy, but then again, have YOU ever eaten a cheeseburger that was not greasy, but delicious? I didn't think so. The portion of curly fries was definitely generous-- it came in a little bucket. The wait seemed to be a bit long for fast food considering there weren't many people there waiting, but I thought it was worth it. I wouldn't recommend eating here EVERY day unless you want to have a heart attack, but I like to pig out here every once in a while. :)
(4)
Jen C.
A girl can't have enough curly fries. By far the best curly fries I had in the bay area! Their mushroom steak sandwich is good too, but be ready to work out for the next few months!
(3)
janice l.
Our meeting was about to start after lunch and this one girl came finishing up her large cup of curly fries. I love french fries and I smelled the greasy seasoned goodness of them. Maybe she saw me staring at the fries...she said she was done and offered us samples. They were really really good! Did I already say I love french fries? Okay, so after that I found they were from Hoagies and went there after work to get some. I recognized the cup and bucket and ordered the cup of curley. Yum! These were the best I've had. Hot, seasoned and not hard like how sometimes the straight cut french fries are; perfect crunch to soft potato ratio. I didn't try the steak sandwich tho was tempted...next time! 5 stars for the best french fries I've had anywhere!
(5)
Aromy X.
I love hot sandwiches from here. Even if they're soggy in sauce and meaty juices, I don't mind. I can take it!
(4)
Harsh K.
Dodgey meat with cheese mushrooms bacon and tons of hotsauce. add a bucket of the chilli cheese fries and your mouth will love you while your heart gets pissed. For two straight years every sunday afternoon I would go to IB's to recover from my hangover, and I was never disappointed. The pastrami sandwich is also really tasty but it doesn't host a candle to the baconsteak+ mushrooms. Just remember not to compare it to a philly cheesesteak, it's a different beast, you eat it without wiz, and you dress it differently. Either way you'll have a hard time coming up with a better way to take the edge of a hungover rainy sunday afternoon
(4)
Nico A.
The curly fries here formed the greasy base of my food pyramid as a freshman. They don't skimp on the steak on the sandwiches at all, my only complaint is that I wish that they were open later on the weekends.
(3)
Ezra Justin L.
Totally overrated. Didn't have either meatball or the Chicken I wanted. I had their roast beef oven sandwich. Cheesesteak's underpar. If a little cheaper, would be worth bad-average taste.
(1)
adam m.
you can get deep fried tater tots, they call them tater rounds. I think they use canola oil, to bad its not lard. nothing quite like it anywhere close.
(5)
Dave N.
Their cheesesteaks are off the hook. And make sure your cholesterol and heart condition are leveled. Their chili fries are a must to supplement with your sandwich. There isn't much room for seating so you may have to stand around the "stand-like" store or bring it to the Cal campus and sit on the steps. Service is fast and it gets busy during school lunch hours.
(4)
Mark P.
The best cheesesteaks I've found on this coast. One wouldn't think making cheesesteaks -basically frying meat and onions- would be that hard, but I've lived on the coast for nine or so years and I've never found anything passable. These are heads above the rest.
(5)
moyar s.
The ingredients seem low quality, sometimes even gross, meat looks like squirl intestines covered in a cheese-product
(1)
Jeffrey R.
Way too soggy. I don't have anything else to say.
(2)
Tim X.
Ah. Berkeley. When I went to school here, I thought the food on telegraph and at the food court was gross. After spending some time away, though, I have grown to love some of the spots. IB Hoagies is definitely one of them. I can't say this is the best cheesesteak in the bay, but it's definitely the best I've ever had. I recommend calling your order in because there usually is a line (though not too big).
(5)
Travis V.
I love IB's! I used to eat here daily when I worked on Durant. My personal favorite is the Bacon Steak and curly fries. The ChickenSteaks are pretty damn good too. In fact I have a half a sandwich in the fridge and I think I'll have to eat it now.
(4)
Julie K.
The chili cheese fries there are so freaking good! They're made with cheese that's best for fries - nacho cheese!
(3)
Janelle W.
this is the CHEAPEST cheese steak shop ive been to especially compared to the ones in the south bay. i got a 15 inch (i think?) mushroom cheese steak with grilled onions for only $10. compare that to the cheese steak shop in san jose, i paid 10 bucks for like 7 inches. ive never tried anything outside of mushroom cheese steak. ill be sure to try something new the next time i visit.
(5)
Arun C.
I like the place because of the tradition of meeting there with friends and gorging before a Cal football game. As hot sandwich shops go, it's pretty good, but not something I eat very often.
(3)
Daniel Y.
I really like their cheesesteaks. Of course, that's what they specialize in, so it should be good, but the bacon steak and the pepper steak are my favorites. It's a little pricey, but its well worth it!
(4)
Claire B.
I ate at Ib's almost everyday during my last two years of highschool. They have amazing cheesesteaks and fries. I love their chickensteaks. mmmm. I saw Adam Lamberg(Gordo from Lizzie Mcguire) there once and I almost peed.
(5)
karma s.
I heart IB Hoagies BaconSteak. With grilled onions, cheese, and some hot sauce! If I was ever in prison, I might ask for this for my last meal.
(4)
Peggy W.
gah its like a heart attack in a sandwich. there are just some days that i just crave crave crave for an IB's hoagie. it just hits the spot like no other. I usually get the mushroom or bbq hoagie. it's big enough to share or save for dinner. their curly fries are awesome. burgers arent bad either. and cheap! but i suspect there are better hoagies out there since berkeley isnt exactly known for cheesesteak sandwiches so until i find a tastier version i can only give three stars because IB's is just okay.
(3)
Will M.
Be prepared to undergo a cardiac cath after eating the chili cheese fries... but freaken awesome. Good sandwiches too.
(4)
Srinivas R.
This is food made for the God's. I've never had a sandwhich so good in my life. Everytime I eat this sandwhich I'm thankful that I went to school at Berkeley. I dont' think I've ever eaten one while I was stoned, because I would probably die from the sheer ecstasy I would experience.
(5)
Big e.
it might have an off-day, right after a Cal football game. but it was not how i remembered it to be. the buns were tough and the inside was bland at best. i still like the curly fries though.
(2)
Andrew W.
OMG. This place is seriously bad for my health. The kicker is that the hoagies and chili fries here are more addictive than crack sprinkled with caffeine (wouldn't that be pretty addictive?). Seriously though, this is a must try when your down by Berk.
(5)
Ryo M.
A good place to eat incredibly unhealthy (yet tasty) fast food. The grease-factor is probably the reason this place never seems to attract a crowd as big as the fast food places next door, which is a shame. Oddly enough, I like their burgers better than their cheesesteaks -- both the garlic cheesesteak and the regular cheesesteak I tried tasted pretty bland. For $3 you get a big bucket of curly cheese fries, which I highly recommend.
(4)
Carrie C.
A heart attack waiting to happen, but definitely more than worth it in the end. :) The cheesestakes are incredible and the chili cheese fries? Ohhhhh, SO GOOD.
(5)
Brandon B.
Awesome cheesesteak place.
(4)
Nane K.
One day, after a midterm, I was sad. I came here and got the mushroom steak, bucket of fries and a soda. I was happy. The end.
(4)
Roshni R.
i was driving back from work a couple of weeks ago when my roommate left me a message saying, "hey, i forgot that you work late in berkeley some nights. can you please pick me up an ib hoagie?!?!?!" i was like, wtf??? what is an ib hoagie?? well, last week i finally picked up one up (yes, i got the roomie one too!) and i thought i was going to die driving back to sf that sandwich smelled so good. i had the garlic cheesesteak hoagie and it was super cheesy and wonderful :).
(4)
Eric S.
I have to admit I frequent this place. I still don't know why I keep coming back, I think it is related to the buy 10 get one free card. The cheesesteaks aren't terrible, but they definitely aren't worthy of any praise. I'll give them some credit, their curly fries are very good, but side dishes shouldn't be the only good thing you offer. I doubt I will return to this place once my buy 10 get one free card is finished (see Seinfeld's "The Strike" episode to further understand my reason to finish that card).
(2)
Sam L.
i'm just confirming what everyone else is sayin'... the chili cheese fries are freakin awesome. they used to come in a big cup, but now they're served in a standard lunch container. freshly fried fries, nacho cheese and chili on top... i've never had fries so good. i used to eat one as a meal by itself... now i get full after eating half.
(4)
Jill k.
another delicious cheap eat... well, except their cheese fries. those are kind of gross.
(4)
Angela K.
so the cheesesteak is not bad for the west coast. the bread is weak and they seriously need to lay off the mayo. i mean I love mayo as much as the next person but my cheesesteak needs to taste more like cheese and meat and less like mayo. but hey it's good and cheap.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Garage, Street, Validated Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Drive-Thru : No Caters : No
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Quinn C.
Doublecheese burger is the top. They make a lot of different stuff here, not just cheesesteaks. I like them all. My favorite cheesesteak is a tie between the peppersteak and the bacon-steak. Nice girl at the counter. Remembers me everytime.
(4)Amy W.
Sometimes fake is better.* The chili cheese fries at Ib's are some of the best I've had anywhere. The cheese is nacho cheese (which I LOVE!), and the chili is super processed and contains no trace of beans (which I HATE!). All that on top of perfectly crunchy-on-the-outside-mushy-on-the-inside fries = perfection. Just look at the picture. *Note: Does not apply to people, handbags, or boobs.
(5)Brandon A.
Great food, poor customer service. Ever heard of smiling?
(3)Justin F.
Ok, this place is seriously out of control (OoC). Seriously. I had seen this place before (it IS right next to AG!), but I always assumed it was some crappy burger place. I assumed WRONG. I HIGHLY recommend getting a large (TWO sandwhiches for less than 10 bucks. WOWWW.). It tastes good. Yommm. Getting one sandwhich is an o.k. deal. I haven't tried too many of the other things yet (but my friends love the fries), but they seem pretty solid well.
(4)Rick C.
As I have come to this place more and more, I have come to really appreciate this place. The only thing I wish is that it would stay open later to satisfy my drunk munchies, seriously. I will pay your guys' rent if you do this! Just give me the cheese fries and hoagies to boot and we've got a deal!! My favorites are definitely the mushroom steak and pepper steak. For the sides, you cannot beat the garlic fries or the cheese fries. What I used to grab on the go were the chili cheese fries but the cheese fries are just so addicting even without the chili! What you have to do is grab a free lollipop on your wait and grab some peppers on your hoagie, seriously, it's the most wonderful thing ever. The melted cheese, the slices of steak, the chewy mushrooms, and the sharp taste of peppers is wonderful! The only thing that I dislike about this place is that they don't really have too many seats and the lines are often long and their queue for ready orders is just so unorganized sometimes. Also, what's up with your early closing hours, especially weekend nights? My deal for paying your rent is still open you know!!
(4)Maryanne L.
the pastrami hoagie or sandwich or whatever is SO gooooood
(5)Arturo F.
Bottom line: ChickenPepper Sandwich. It will make your mouth water with the succulent taste of an American variation of fajitas in a sandwich. I've had a couple of different sandwiches at IB Hoagies: Cheesesteak, Mushroomsteak, Bar-B-que, and Meatball, to name a few. Other than the ChickenPepper, I would recommend the Cheesesteak and Mushroomsteak. Also, recognize that this is NOT a deli. This is a "bomb ass hole-in-the-wall hoagie joint". It has AMAZING sandwiches and that's why people come here! =] P.S. It takes a while to get your sandwich because they put so much love and culinary talent into making it. haha.
(5)Kathy D.
the cheesesteaks here are alright.. im not a big fan of their sandwiches.. i dont think the meat is top notch.. it can be pretty dry and dull.. BUT.. they get 4 stars because i come here all the time to get their SUPERDELICIOUS CHEESE CURLY FRIESSSSSSSS!!!! their curly fries are freaken gooood as helll!
(4)Jamie L.
I hesitate to write an updated review after my eloquent and stirring first review, but here goes nothing: Best chili fries in town!
(5)Will F.
Mmmmm. Greasy. If you hate your arteries, get the Reuben.
(4)Betty P.
Thank you IB Hoagies for making me gain 15 lbs throughout my college years! Your cheese fries are so freaken delicious and cheesy that it makes me wanting more. The fries are cooked to perfection... Not to forget, the almight hot sandwiches.... ahhhh, you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu.
(4)Lena K.
Had a great experience here. Great sandwiches, and such yummy nachos! The cheese had a tinge of spice and then there was steak on top. The owner was SO nice. Since it was our first time he helped us decide by giving us a smaller portion of nachos (which were huge anyway). The fries too are fried in a good quality oil, so it feels like they are barely fried in the first place. Great!
(4)Melissa Z.
Was craving some protein to chew on while last-minute drafting my essay so swung down to I.B.'s and bought a mushroom steak ($5.43 with tax), which my friends highly recommended. First impression after tearing paper wrapping: stuffed to satisfaction. My sandwich was bursting with mushrooms and sauteed meat, drizzled with some sort of white cheesy sauce. I asked for no pickles and no mayo. It was sufficiently savory (not too salty- a complete turn-off in burgers) and the roll was soft and chewy. Less greasy than your Top Dog fix but not healthy all the same. A delicious bite I'd return for though on another sucky work-loaded day.
(3)Din K.
This is the one place I don't get sick of in Berkeley. Their garlic fries/ curly fries/ cheese fries are AMAZING! omgg best place ever. Their cheesesteaks are a good portion for the price. It always lasts me for two meals. I love their mushroom cheesesteak. However, their garlic cheesesteak wasn't all that good to me. But it could just be my taste. Their hamburgers are giant and so juicy too. mmMmmmMmmm My only criticism...slight slight criticism is that they don't take credit card. I always have to walk to an atm before going to IB's. still totally worth it.
(4)Eve C.
Visit #1 : food poisoned. Visit #2 : food poisoned. Two other friends' visits? Food poisoning galore. Does anyone see a pattern here? On a side note, I've only been food poisoned by cheese steak places in my entire life despite loving cheese steaks to death. :\
(1)Simei Y.
Fries- nom nom nom. sweet potato, garlic, chili cheese - I've bought all their tubs. I was first introduced to this place by a classmate - I had evening classes from 6-9 one summer and every day during break this guy would dash out and come back with a hoagie. He'd eat it during class RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME and IT SMELT SO GOOD. Talk about product marketing - another girl asked where he got it and the rest of the class trooped on over to IB's afterwards. Their cheesesteaks, the mushroom steaks, garlic steaks (bring lots of mints) are nom nom worthy. Just don't eat it in front of a class of hungry college students, we may have to mug you for it...
(4)Alex L.
Where cops meet ;-), great burgers, especially the mushrooms burger, I love it
(5)Powd A.
Strolling down Telegraph, bent the corner and ran into this small spot. Got the Garlic steak and garlic fries. Garlic fries were on HIT, the garlic steak was damn good but didn't taste the garlic......my feelings are not hurt. Best cheese steak I've had in a minute!
(5)Carlos A.
Is it a genuine philly cheesteak? Do I care? Whatever you want to call them these things are heaven on a bun. In my brief tenure at Berkeley I tried to limit my IB's hoagies consumption to 1x a month. My favorites were the bacon cheesesteak and cheese fries. For about $8 you can get a cheesesteak and a drink. The lines are about 15-20 min during the lunch rush. Forget about trying to get food here on football game days. These things are seriously tasty and affordable. Heart attack on a plate, no doubt.
(4)Bryan S.
I.B.'s Hoagies is an indulgent alternative to Smart Alec's just down the street. No wonder I frequented IBH my first two years of college, and Smart Alec's more often as I got older. -------- Food: Out of four possible stars: one star. The cheesesteak sandwiches really were not all that impressive. The meat was often overcooked and dry, which was occasionally hidden by the melted cheese. I used to get the mushroom steak, but the mushrooms seemed to taste more like the steak than mushrooms. Plus, it really does not have the taste of a cheesesteak, mostly because of the large amounts of extras. The fries were better than the sandwiches, but not that impressive either, in my opinion. They were either overcooked or underdone and soggy, and they constantly missed the happy medium of crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. -------- Miscellaneous: Out of one possible star: one star. The place does look a bit dubious in terms of sanitation, but I think that is just more the general condition of squalor that is Berkeley under the rule of the incompetent city government. I have not had any problems with eating the food, and the service is fast and friendly.
(2)Mark J.
Ahh, another one of my favorite places to eat at when I'm working a gig at Cal. The hoagies here are seriously awesome, and have never let me down each time I've been here. I usually get something different whenever I come to I.B.'s, and maybe I'll get to a certain point where I've tried everything on the menu here. (Hmm, there's an idea) But forreals though, I think their hoagies are really good. Every time I bite into one, my inner voice yells out, "DAAAAAAMN!", like Ice Cube and Chris Tucker in that one scene in Friday. Sometimes it can get kinda messy, but that's because they like to pack those hoagies up pretty fat. But hey, it's better than the alternative, where you have a nice and neat hoagie with nothing spilling out, right? If there is one thing that kinda sucks about I.B.'s, it's that there's not too many tables to eat at there, and the ones that are outside are on sort of an incline on the street. But other than that, I'd recommend this spot if you're down with tasty and greasy food. I know I am.
(4)Anna V.
I.B. Hoagie is definitely college food meaning more bang for the buck! Occasionally when I'm feeling a little broke or I feel like being bad and getting something that might not be so good for me, I go to I.B's. They have two sizes on their hoagies, a regular and a large. The large is perfect to split amongst two other people but even a regular could suffice with filling up two people. I definitely am only able to eat at most 3/4 of a regular. Their cheese fries is also a bit of a heart attack! It's a large order of fries slathered with nacho cheese. My coworker who is a big eater died when he tried to finish a regular portion of a hoagie and the cheese fries to accompanied it! Be careful with the amount you order, it'll definitely get you!
(3)Tushar K.
I don't come here TOO often because it's pretty fatty but if you're in the mood for a quality, greasy sandwich, this is the place. Every now and then we all need to indulge a bit. I'd recommend trying one of the chicken options with a side of curly (cheese) fries. Expected bill: $7-$10
(4)Joseph A.
Hands down the best Philly Cheesesteak in the city of Berkley. I'm from L.A. and never ate a Philly Cheesesteak as good as the one at Hoagies. I went in here and for less then $6 got myself almost a foot long cheesesteak that definitely filled me up. The next day I went in and ordered myself a large sandwich this time and boy was I surprised. The thing had to be at least 1.5 feet long of deliciousness cheese and steak aaahhhhhh... Thank you Hoagies
(5)Eileen L.
Was happy to see a cheesesteak shop in Berkeley but I was disappointed by their food . Their mushroom cheesesteak sandwich tasted alright . However , the beef was not tender enough and the sandwich itself lacked flavor . Their curly fries are pretty good ... they're perfectly deep fried . They also sell mini bottles of hot sauce for a dollar which is awesome . Don't underestimate their mini bottles of hot sauce ... they're pretty spicy believe it or not .
(3)Shajee R.
IB Hoagies is legitimately one of the best sandwich places in the East Bay. Personally, the mushroom steak and the cheese steak are my go to choices. If you are feeling up for a challenge get the large sandwich, a huge 15 inch sandwich that is at least enough of a sandwich for two meals. Also, it recently became halal (although you should specifically mention for halal meat), so that definitely makes it a +1 star. Quick, fast, and delicious; it is amazing for college students.
(5)Susanna W.
Traditionally, Berkeley is a mecca for yummy cheap eats. IB definitely keeps up that tradition with their delicious and filling cheesesteaks. My faves are the pepper and onion steaks (cuz I love peppers and onions, duh). I made the mistake of ordering the chili cheese fries once... and almost died from a heart attack. There was a lot of groaning/moaning and belly patting after I got about half way through the bucket (yes, they serve it in a bucket).
(3)Michael P.
CURLY FRIES!!!! yummm, Fresh and crispy; perfectly fried. Only quick pit stop to satisfy your curly fries craving on southside. I haven't tried anything else, so can't offer any other insights besides that there are only 2 small high tables w/ stools to sit and eat at. You might need to head over to the asian ghetto to sit down and eat.
(3)Holla F.
Best cheese fries EVER!! The cheese stays hot and plenty throughout the bucket of fries.
(4)Jeffrey C.
This place has really good sandwiches. And is a recommended place to go to in Berkeley.
(4)Nancy B.
OMG! This place is FABULOUS! -Bucket Cheese Fries are to died for! I always sprinkle it with black pepper! -the HOAGIES! SO SO so GOOD! -Prices are reasonable!
(4)Sara V.
OH MY GOD!!! Baconsteak you rock my world. Chili cheese curly fries...you too... :-) I wish you were open late nights!
(5)Andrew S.
Really like this place. The garlic steak sandwich was a miss but I'm excited to try out the rest. The curly fries are a really good deal. WAY better than manhattan steak + sandwiches. Seriously.
(4)Brian K.
Really good hoagie's. But then again, I'm not from around here so I guess that's not saying much. But for an out of towner, it was really good. Shocking that it was made to order and not taken from some pile of beef and onions. Really good hoagie bread too. Mmm, thinking about it right now. Carlos A put it nicely: Is it a genuine Philly cheesecake? Who gives a f***. It's a good hoagie, that's what it is. =)
(4)G J.
Was here with my pop before the Cal game. It's been our pregame tradition for years. This place has always had a great steak, but this time the quality and presentation was the best ever. We met IB himself, a true gentleman who genuinely cares about producing a great cheesesteak. Under his watch, the food is better than ever. Great steak, great pastrami, great fries. Can't miss with this place.
(5)Jane S.
I just tried their cheesesteak hoagie for the first time and now am definitely feeling the food coma coming on. Anyway, it's a good sandwich, fatty yet satisfying, but nothing to call home about. I wish they toasted their bread a little bit; soggy hoagie = no good. Their fries, on the other hand, are fried to perfection. I haven't tried the garlic fries yet, but the curly fries are ace. From now on, IB's will be my outlet when I am feeling stressed and/or sad and/or need to indulge. I will be coming back for the fries more so than the hoagies.
(3)Alyson C.
A cheesesteak. My favorite food hands down. Though the first and only time I only had a true original Philly Cheesesteak when I was 8 years old, I have to settle with the cheesesteaks that Bay Area has to offer. I.B's Hoagies are pretty damn good. Especially at it's price point. $5.49 for any of the hoagies and all come stock with Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo, Mustard, Pickles, cheese and Hot Sauce. I got the Shroom Steak and the Boyfriend got Teriyaki. We also got a side order of Cheese Fries and a tall can of Arizona Green Tea. Total came to roughly $16. I wanna say this is a 6 in. sandwich and it's packed really neat with minimal mess and a filling meal that I had half left over. The Cheese Fries ($2.50) were a heaping full and had tasty cheese in every bite. Definitely a good choice for a East Bay Cheesesteak Treat.
(4)Catherine O.
I like to think the heavy brick weight greasy sandwiches here could actually cancel out the amount of calories I've consumed. I mean, the sandwiches could essentially be like lifting weights, therefore working off the fat while I lift for each bite... Yeah? .... Well even if my logic is whacky, I absolutely love the food here! I ordered a large Mushroom Steak ($7.99), which was insanely heavy filled with a generous portion of meat, mushrooms, and thick cheese! The cheese really makes the sandwich! Even I was full off half the sandwich (so a large is good for two!). Now the chilli cheese fries were to die for too! A HUGE portion (since they only have one size, it could be a meal in itself): thick cut fries, good hearty pieces of beef, and drenched in yummy cheese! Now the place isn't too big, with a few bar stools and tables, so it seems as though most take it to go. Don't let the car ride home be too long though, because things can start to get moist & soggy. Other than that, the service here was fast and friendly. And most importantly, cash only kids! Glad I don't live too close or I-B routinely having a sandwich workout to tone these guns *flexes arms* ;)
(5)John M.
You can use it to hold paint, you can use it to hold water, you can carry water balloons in it. You can use it to carry every form of french fries in this universe? What is this magical container? WHAT THE BUCKET!!! Yes the BUCKET. The bucket is only one of the things that makes you want to go here. One of the best values in Berkeley is Quality fries (curly, regular, criss-cut, and garlic) in the bucket that is deeper than it looks (though I did like the old caldining-esque buckets they used to use better). You can get full just off the fries alone. BUT Nooooooooo.... Their sandwiches are HUMUNGALOUSHIOUS (rhetoric majors don't need to spell things right as long as they can back their etymology up... so suck it English majors, Though I do love you guys). The Burgers remind me of the traditional burger joint that doesn't fall under the cookie cutter template that most chains use. Order the Works with jalapeños and be amazed.... If you aren't down with IB's then I've got two words for ya.... EAT IT!!! I can go on a further rant but I'll stop right here Live Strong!!! John
(4)Ada T.
I think their hoagies are just okay, but oh lord...their FRIES...I simply can't get enough...but I do try to limit myself. To only going three times a week. Just kidding. I think. They're always freshly deep fried so while you have to wait a few minutes, you are also rewarded with a highly satisfying crunch on the outside and a softness on the inside. IB's sure does know how to salt them too. After I purchase and receive my regular sized order of fries for $1.62 (inc. tax) to go, I inevitably reach into the brown bag to eat a few while hurrying down Telegraph to get home and savor the rest.
(5)Mark W.
Actually, this is prob a 4.5 stars. You go in and wonder why you're about to drop $9 for a steak, until you get it and realize its as big as ur car. Biggest steak I've ever had, DELICIOUS and juicy too. I'd say it held its own against a cheesesteak i had in philly yesterday from a local favorite spot. Maybe the meat was a bit less perfect tasting than in philly (and thats being harsh) but for how much more you get, i'd go here 9 times outta 10. Steak is chopped FYI. Juicy. Huge. Dank.
(4)Andy Q.
Good burgers, average service average price. Overall it was a really good place. I got their double cheeseburgers with fries and had no complaints but nothing that really stood out to make it spectacular. A good place to drop by to get dinner after a long day of classes.
(3)W J.
What a disappointment. Half of my french fries were undercooked and cold/hard in the middle. My chicken cheese steak was so full of gristle that I found myself spitting out bite after bite until giving up halfway through the sandwich, as my appetite had disappeared. The flavors were good, which is why I left two stars; clearly the food has potential and could be delicious if cooked properly. But I wasn't so fortunate, and I definitely won't be coming back to risk another 10 bucks on a potentially crappy meal.
(2)Kim L.
These cheesesteak sandwiches come with the worst food coma I have ever experienced in my life. Ever. Every time I go here, I get either the bacon or garlicky cheesesteak, and I can only ever make it through 2/3 of the damn thing before I collapse. At least the last 1/3 still tastes delicious when I wake up.
(4)Joseph A.
I was taken here by a few friends and I didn't think I'd be impressed. Boy was I wrong! Not only are their prices cheap, their portions are huge! I ordered the large BBQ cheese-steak and could barely finish it, especially with all the fillings (lettuce, tomato, pickles, cheese, etc.). A friend ordered the garlic fries and I was shocked to see that he came out with a full Styrofoam box. My only complaint is that it was cash only. I can't wait to try this place again. My mouth's watering just thinking about it!
(5)Sarah B.
I come into IB's once a week with my dog Happy and get the same thing every time, their cheesesteak. It is cheesy, the meat is fresh, and you can customize it with a variety of toppings. Best of all, it's only 6 bucks. Everyone is nice, but it's owner that keeps you coming back. How often does the owner of a store come and have a full on conversation with you on just about any topic. It's dog friendly Next to campus Great food Cheap and clean
(5)C L.
Tried their cheese fries and onion rings. Of course I couldn't help but order another bucket of garlic fries as well. Onion rings are NON breaded, and I prefer it this way. Nice and light on the batter and crispy! Cheese fries were basically hot nacho cheese poured over their fries, and was yummy as well. Hard to go wrong with their french fries- it's always made and served piping hot.
(4)Jenny L.
I like'em cheesesteaks! I.B.'s has cheap and good hoagies. I like to get a large and share with someone. Their fries are so awesome.
(3)Ryan G.
Even better than I remember it from college. I got the cheesesteak with everything (peppers, onions, mushrooms), it was absolutely delicious. I noticed you can even use your Berkeley account to buy food there now; that would have been dangerous if that option were available when I was there...
(5)Troy M.
To do it right: $6 To do it big: $9 Oh man--these sandwiches are bricks. I mean that in a good way, I think. I happen to be capable of taking down a large cheesesteak in one sitting, but it physically pains me to walk back to work afterward. Seriously. The sandwiches aren't bad, but God are they awful for you. Fairly low quality cheese, OK steak, veggies are variable, age of bread is variable, calories are fantastically exorbitant. I know that lower quality ingredients are a hallmark of the cheesesteak, but they could do much better. At least it's not cheese whiz. Random fact: If you go during the summer, you might see the owner's pre-teen kids. It's got to be a violation of all kinds of labor laws, but they're cool and know how to work the register (more than can be said about Pancho's next door). Summary: If you don't have time for the next two meals, stop at I.B.'s.
(3)Brent T.
I used to live down the street from this place and it would be my go-to spot for indulging when I'm starving. I used to order the mushroom chicken steak sandwich with a bucket of fries drenched in hot chili and cheese (recently, i went there again and they don't use the buckets anymore). I swear they put sleeping pills in their food cause after I finish this meal, I would pass out from food coma every single time. Hint: Get extra hot sauce for the sandwich and make sure to grab a fork for your chili cheese fries.
(4)William S.
This place is just greasy and delicious. Pretty standard cheesesteaks but what gets me going there are the chili cheese fries. It's a little trashy cus they use the fake nacho cheese like you get at smart and final, but man when you're eating that kind of food, trashy is the way to go. whoever invented chili cheese fries should get some kind of award... for being the cause of our nation's obesity problem. just kidding i heart grease... but seriously go to the gym once in a while, please.
(4)Sandy K.
Mmmmm.... Greasy burgers ready to give you a heart attack. Cash only, unfortunately.
(3)Nick H.
According to the Yelposcale, two-stars means "Meh. I've experienced better." That is exactly how I felt today after eating a pepper-steak at Ib's Hoagies. It was one of those days where I was looking to maximize the calorie to dollar ratio, and Ib's did come through in that regard. But I've certainly enjoyed a gut-bomb a hell of a lot more than what I ate today. My main complaints are that the hoagie just didn't have much flavor, and that the meat seemed pretty low-quality. I could barely taste the grilled peppers/onions, and I kinda had to force my way through the last 2/3rds of the thing. "Better" hoagies I've enjoyed in the past typically had nice fresh chunks of grilled veggies, thicker cuts of quality meat that isn't overcooked, good cheese and a nice sauce. So Ib's gets good marks for calorie to dollar ratio and speed, but negative marks for flavor and quality.
(2)Charlie N.
Mmm. Chili cheese fries and cheesesteaks. Yes, you know it can't be good for you. And with the portions they give, get ready for a week at the gym. But I.B.'s is my guilty pleasure and I'm proud of it. Their prices are cheap considering how much their food fills you up.
(4)Kim-van T.
FRIES PEOPLE.. it's seriously all about the FRIES when you come to IBs. i'm not a big fan of the cheesesteaks actually - i would say i just plain don't like them. so this review is really about the fries (you know how much i love them!) they used to serve their fries in those big cups that you'd see at county fairs or festivals but now they've switched over to the biodisposable stuff (kudos to you). the garlic fries are REALLY yummy - they put tons of garlic on. curly fries, regular fries, chili cheese fries - you name it! it's all pretty good. the bf likes the tator tots (they call em "tator rounds" here) - you really can't go wrong. the prices here are pretty cheap too! mmmmm....
(4)Kim P.
I've only ever tried the chilli cheese curly fries but I've come back for more at least a dozen times and counting. Before eating at IBs I was never a fan of chilli cheese but these chilli cheese curly fries have changed everything. They are a must try!
(4)Eric L.
Cheesesteaks are hard to come by in Berkeley, probably because you can count the number of decent places that offer this type of sandwich on one hand. I.B's has a fairly large menu, but each sandwich differs only by one extra ingredient that you can choose, i.e. mushrooms, peppers, or bbq sauce. They also do burgers, but why get a burger at a place whose title includes "Hoagies and Cheesesteaks"? Prices are a bit high for what you get, but sometimes there's so much food you can't finish it all. The fries can be oversalted sometimes though. Unfortunately I haven't been able to try their garlic fries and curly fries with cheese because each time I ordered them, they forgot and gave me plain fries or plain curly fries and I found out too late.
(3)Andrew K.
Best sandwich I've had in a while -- maybe since Ikes. The cheesesteak was perfecto in every way -- the steak was oh so tender and yummy, and the toppings and bread were spot on. MMMMM.
(5)Ruben P.
IB craving these cheesesteaks and hoagies. IB stopping by here when I go to Berkeley for a Cal Football game. IB inhaling these hoagies. IB going here since college (and I didn't go to Cal!). IB impressed with this spot. IB never let down. IB giving IB hoagies 5 stars!
(5)Annie P.
Great sandwiches! Great Service! Ordered 35 sandwiches for a group event and Sam was super helpful.
(4)Katie W.
While a student at Cal, I.B.'s cheeseburgers kept me alive. Hard exam? Cheeseburger. Rough day at work? Cheeseburger. Feeling down? Cheeseburger. Add a side of fries and I was in heaven. I used to send prospective students and their parents over to I.B.s for lunch after the 10am tour (I was a campus tour guide) and got nothing but positive reviews from them, too. Thank you, I.B.s, for being the only place around campus that had cheeseburgers as good as In n Out.
(5)David R.
Any place where the "Large" size is actually noticeably large, like, about 50% larger, is pretty awesome in my book. Also the food's delicious.
(4)Catherine L.
CHILI CHEESE FRIES - enough said they put some fries in a paper cup, slather on the chili, put some more fries on top of that, and slather some more chili - then they glop on the critical ingredient......... CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESE - and not the natural kind mind you....... the nacho cheese cheeze whiz kind that's oh so bad for you but who cares i would've given it 5 stars, but by the time you've eaten 75% of your ccfries, the bottom of the cup has become a coldish congealed mess of chili and fries and NO MORE cheese.... =( but one time..... just once, mind you, they used STYROFOAM cups instead of paper..........and it was mind-blowing --- the chili was warm and since the styrofoam cups were wider to compensate for not being as tall, there was warm CHEESE at the bottom of the cup ---- yum! i've eaten the hoagies here twice --- they're good but i stopped eating them because i found them too small ---- didn't fill me up at all
(4)Lisa H.
So GOOD but soooo BAD. I miss their curly chili cheese fries. Ohmigoodness, the fries are pure ecstasy in your mouth. One of the reasons why I was a chubby monkey in college.
(5)Monica D.
Kim-Van T. and Kat C. = RIGHT on the money re: the fries. Kudos to KVT for pointing out about IB's switch from the random cup containers of fries to the new (and seemingly LARGER... maybe it's an optical illusion but it really seems like there's more fries now) biodegradable containers. Definitely cool. I do agree that their hoagies are just ok, and that they do wind up kinda soggy after some time in the wrapper. I think that there is just too much ish on it, to be perfectly honest. Yes, I know, you can request whatever you want (or don't want) on it, but it's too much going on. Lettuce, tomato, pickles, mustard, mayo, hot sauce, and the kitchen sink? Come on now. The three stars are basically for the fries (whether you get garlic, chili, cheese, or some combination of the above) -- they are guaranteed to be crisp and perfectly cooked, if a bit heavy on the salt. But that's ok. -1 star for the price (although you get a buttload of fries) -- I just don't feel it's a value for what you get. Also -1 star for the sandwich itself -- not a whole lot of meat and just not as tasty as I remember back in the undergrad days. Sigh.
(3)Alex S.
The hoagies are good, but I'm a burger guy. I love the Bacon Cheeseburger w/ Seasoned curly Fries... The meat isn't dry and everything else is good. It could use some more bacon, but can't everything? ;) One of the better burgers in Berkeley...
(4)Maria Z.
My friend is a lot crazier about this place than I am (she had the eggplant parm, in case you were wondering. I had the chicken sandwich); maybe because I don't like to pay this much for a sandwich, or maybe it's because being around so many southside kids makes me feel out of place. The sandwiches are good, and they are pretty huge. The curly fries are tasty, but I'd rather go elsewhere to sober up.
(3)Charlie A.
I would go here when I had a craving for their fries and at the same time needed parking validation! While I lived on Durant, just a minute's walk to IB Hoagies, I couldn't always find a parking spot on the mean streets of Berkeley so I would end up parking in the Sather structure. Then there was IB Hoagies to the rescue... their food gave me my sodium intake I needed for the day, and at the same time the validation I needed. I've had the garlic fries and they were waaaay too strong for me. Their packaging also makes them soggy real quickly. But their regular fries are sooo addicting. They're salted just right, and have this great crispiness to them. As I'd walk back to my apartment with my IB Hoagies to-go in hand, I'd munch on my fries...yumms! I've had the first 3 cheesesteaks on their menu, the regular, the mushroom one, and the bacon one. Out of the three I'd usually order the mushroom cheesesteak. I think their cheesesteaks are delicious, but somewhat pricey for the size and what it is. I would think they'd be a little cheaper considering they're competing with so many other food places within walking distance.
(4)Ritz D.
I haven't eaten here in a while but when I do I usually leave with a full stomach. They have very filling sandwiches and tasty garlic fries. I would always get the Philly cheesesteak with mushrooms. Affordable, greasy, and unhealthy; the perfect combination to gain your freshmen 15! If you want to feel a little bit better after eating one of their sandwiches, wash it down with a Diet Coke.
(4)Vicki V.
The hoagie was good and all...but the GARLIC FRIES!! TO DIE FOR!! by far the best garlic fries i've ever tasted!! crispy, not too over bearing, just perfect! and free soda refills! I'd watch out for the bums though...they come outa nowhere..
(5)Chuck N.
Heart-attack Hoagies, at least that's what we call it. I don't think there's anything remotely healthy on this menu?? Nevertheless, when you have a craving, you have a craving, right? Grilled, hot food toppings for a Hoagie served immediately is delicious. The sourdough rolls they use for their sandwiches/hoagies suck. They either put it in the oven for too long or they're using stale bread. Unfortunately, this has been a consistent deficiency for the items I've ordered here. Curly fries and cheesy fries are soooo good though. You can taste the grease from the frier, that's how fast it's being brought out. Final Call: For me, there are better alternatives for fried, greasy food elsewhere.
(2)Ed C.
Cheesesteak with mushrooms, bucket of garlic fries, large sprite. Have TUMS handy.
(4)Kevin L.
The new waffle fries they have are pretty amazing. I also tried the mushroom steak and the pepper steak. They are both great, but the pepper steak is SOOOOO GOOD. The mushroom steak is okay, maybe because i dont like mushrooms particularly.
(4)Nuri K.
If you want fries, head over to Smart Alec's. I like a fry with a discernibly crispy-crunchy outside and a fluffy inside, and a good indication of this on a thick fry like those at IB's is to see if the outer layer has a bit of transparency. Nope, these are opaque. Avoid, unless you are craving a bit of potato, which I am all the time and so I inevitably order these, but not happily. If you want cheesesteaks, go to Rocky's. They are richer, more tender, better. But Ib's is good--nay, great-- for one thing: the veggie combo sandwich. Bell peppers, onions and button mushrooms tossed on the grill with some cheese, and then placed on a toasted bun with a nice amount of avocado and the regular sandwich fixins (the pickles and mustard give this sandwich extra oomp). What you get is a mouth-searing, molten, creamy mess of a good veggie sandwich. A much better (and comparable in terms of dollars and cents) alternative to the subs over at Quizno's and Subway on many days.
(4)Casey L.
Despite all of the culinary diversity in the Berkeley, IB's will always be my favorite place to grub it up. I'm still not quite sure how I live to tell these tales after all of the bacon cheesesteaks (known as the "baconsteak"--man's greatest invention, and one of my all-time favorite word combinations) I consumed during my sophomore year, but I do. The people there are really cool, the cheesesteaks are greasy and huge and DELICIOUS, the chili cheese fries cannot be beat, and they even served tater tots (at one time, no longer). Also, if you ever want to prove your toughness to anyone, challenge them to eat a large of any of the cheesesteaks. At one point, a large was two regular-sized cheesesteaks, but I think they've gone back to just one gigantic bun. Oh, and a bucket of fries. If you can survive one of those bad boys, you're pretty intense.
(5)Lynn P.
Whenever i come to Berkeley, I usually make a stop here for cheese fries. No other places can beat this.
(5)Denton X.
This place is delicious but truly a guilty pleasure. I ordered the mushroom steak sandwich my first time and was so addicted I couldn't try anything new. I love adding copious amounts of their peppers and hot sauce to my already overstuffed sandwich. The meat is perfectly grilled and extremely addicting. I am a huge fan of chili cheese anything, so their fried potato selections can always ruin any attempt I have at eating healthy.
(5)Azmina A.
Another essential stop on our Berkeley Food Tour. I'd give my right arm for a mushroom cheesesteak with a large bucket of curly fries and a giant soda... but then I'd have trouble eating with my left hand! The meat is tender, the cheese is melty and the bread is fresh. Can't ask for much else. Oh wait, there is more. The fries are crispy and also super fresh! I do wish the sandwich bread was toasted but that's a slight change in the face of such all-around greatness. PS: Don't offer to share the bucket of fries with anyone. It looks quite large but when you start dippin' those babies in ketchup, you won't wanna give any up!
(5)Andrew D.
I was just recently informed the IB's card still exists! I'll be heading back to pick up a new one.
(4)Tim G.
Criss-Cut Fries were super crispy and good. The large Cheesesteak was huge and pretty tasty. They offered a selection of peppers (sweet pickled bell peppers -- spicy jalapenos) that went well with the sandwich.
(4)Yep R.
Cheese fries. Cheese fucking fries. With that ooey gooey nacho cheese sauce. The small bucket/big cup is enough as a meal for me. Now, leave me alone as I indulge and continue with my artery-clogging guilty pleasure.
(4)Nathan M.
I.B.'s can only be considered good for want of a better alternative. The place doesn't quite cross the threshold of "bad," but the people who say it's good may have little experience beyond I.B.'s for cheesesteaks. The Cheesesteak is darn close to flavorless with too much bread and the fries, although indulgent from time to time are little more than matrices of crystallized grease. Vinnie's is a much better alternative.
(2)Nadiyah S.
Good and greasy! I can never say no to their chilly cheese fries! Hoagies are also really good. YUM!
(5)Ben T.
This place is a good stop for a quick bite. But the plague of all quick bite places is the mediocrity of its fare, and this place fell victim to it. The mushroom hoagie was appetizing on the menu, but after a couple of bites, I couldn't remember much of what comprised its ingredients list.
(2)Bre Bre T.
If you've never had one then go get one. If you've had one before then go get another one. Invest in a cheesesteak with no tomatoes or hot sauce, a large onion ring and cherry coke!! Love the sidewalk seating and friendly staff!! What are you doing still reading this? Stop wasting time and get over there, quick!!
(5)Ali C.
Cheesesteak baby! IB Hoagies makes a mean cheesesteak.. Yeah, it's greasy but what cheesesteak isn't?! This place is a starving student's dream come true! They are cheap and their sandwiches are huge making it ideal to come to for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Yum. And can I just say, the chili cheese fries are so good!! Chili, cheese, deep fried tators.. How can you not love that combo? I'm going to be honest because I've never had a hoagie here. I'm a cheesesteak kind of gal anyways..
(4)Dori H.
Chili cheese fries. Tasty chili, cheese food, on either curly fries or tater tots. Deadly delicious.
(4)Jimmy N.
Mushroom Steak. Good stuff, quick bite. Very quick. A little small for the price but it's close to campus. Not a frequent visitor but if cheesesteak is what I'm craving and I don't want to venture too far, this is the spot.
(3)Mike L.
They're okay, not great. Everything tastes better if you get it with bacon; the chili cheese fries used nacho cheese instead of real cheese which made me sad. Have yet to try most of the sandwiches/burgers and i'm not sure if i'll ever get around to it, but i guess it's a pretty decent grease hole.
(2)Sunny L.
IB Hoagies has yummy cheesesteaks on pillowy, slightly chewy bread. I ate here for the 7 years I lived in Berkeley. It's fun to watch all the frat boys trudge up the hill with their bags of IB Hoagies and Cheese 'n' Stuff in tow. The chili cheese fries are completely delicious. But be forewarned - if their sanitary conditions are anything like they were a couple years ago, IB Hoagies keeps the beef chili for the cheese fries in a metal container near the cash register - so it's an e.coli nightmare just waiting to happen. I know, because I got the worst food poisoning of my life after eating the chili cheese fries once. Don't say I didn't warn you. (Of course, I still went back a month later to get my fix of chili cheese fries, and microwaved the fries when I got home to make sure I killed all the festering bacteria - that's how addictive the chili cheese fries were!)
(2)Jared W.
If you crave something greasy and full of meat, run, don't walk here. This hoagie shop makes some great cheesesteak type sandwiches and other fried things to handle your most dire need. You get a french roll loaded up with chopped meats and all the fixings and cheese. These are so good I have had people come up to visit from out of town with stopping here for lunch as one of their goals. Combine the hoagie with some curly or regular french fries and if your arteries survive, you'll be a happy camper. I used to get the 'mushroomsteak' when I was a regular here. I would argue to myself that mushrooms are kinda healthy, so this makes it ok to eat, or something? Either way, it's good, can get crowded during peak hours, but that's because people recognize good eats.
(4)Betty H.
DUDE how did I live on the south side of Berkeley for TWO years and not eat here?! I finally caved in to the bacchanalian urges that college students are predisposed to: drinking and then late night eating - and ended up here when I saw that the line at Top Dog was too freakin' long. Forget Top Dog! For six dollars, IB Hoagies gives you enough sandwich for TWO meals, loaded with cheese, vegetables, and... EGGPLANT PARMESAN, which is honestly my favorite sandwich in all of Berkeley now. I asked the man behind the counter, "Is it good?" and he said, "With everything, it's amazing." I believed him. Bought it. Ate it. And believed him with a further intensity - it's seriously an amazing sandwich. I will probably need to eat one once a week.
(5)Diana C.
I've loved the two things I've tried here - their cheesesteak and their chili cheese fries. I know, they're probably on the top ten list for the unhealthiest things I could possibly eat, but they're soo good. :-) You definitely get a lot for the price you pay, so come hungry.
(4)Holt D.
Used to go here a lot as a student. It's not healthy, but there hoagies are so good. I love there bucket of fries and bucket of curly fries. You get so many fries for only a few bucks!
(4)dates w.
Going to telegraph i always enjoyed eating at 3 diff. spots and they were all on the same street. Theres this joint, top dog across the street and this underground spot underneath the old tower records that served shitty pizza but u can play games and drink beers there. IB's is delicshshsh....always a hard decision on this and top dog since that pizza joint closed. Bucket of cheese fries or garlic fries with your cheese steak and ur set to go..... i usually go next door to the liquor store and get a different drink while they are making the cheesesteak cus the thirst quenching options are limited....not much room for seating here...oh and the hot sauce make sure to get some of that ....try grabbing the bottle and hogging it until someone has to ask u for it.... (theres this other cheesesteak joint on E....1 ...FO..... in san leandro that would be good competition for IB's if they ever had an iron chef "hoogies/cheesesteak" edition, Bobby Flay would get his ass kicked)
(4)Tiffany R.
Who knew something as simple as a hoagie could be so delicious. I loved every bite. Portion size is HUGE and def worth going back to again..
(4)Dee D.
IB's hoagies are just bleh. Maybe it's because I like my sandwiches with lots of veges and not a lot of grease. The Philly cheesesteak was just ok, nothing special really. HOWEVER, their fries are AMAZING. 8drools* Garlic, curly, plain. They are ALL good. I would skip having a sandwich and just get a whole bucket of fries. Do be advised: they don't take credit cards so have cash ready.
(4)Anna S.
BEST CHEESESTEAKS. Period. Other sandwiches are filling, but overall, not even close to being as satisfying as an IB cheesesteak. I like their pastrami, but overall their meats are of pretty good quality. Also, you can tell they make your order fresh because the condiments have not sunk in yet, and hot sandwiches are indeed served hot. Sweet potatoes fries are too dry.
(4)Marcus V.
I've been here a few times and I gotta say that this place is pretty damn good. I've tried their chili cheese fries, curly fries, and philly cheesesteak so far and they've all been pretty good. You definitely get your moneys worth. Their large sandwiches are freaking huge. Two thumbs up but only 4 stars from this yelper.
(4)Christine L.
I ordered a mushroom onion cheese steak, which is the only type of cheese steak I ever get. It was okay. It hit the spot, but the flavor was a bit off, especially on the saltiness, and it just wasn't as good as other cheese steaks I've had. I'll have to keep looking...
(3)David C.
Had an awesome cheesesteak sandwich today. Curly fries and a BUD LIGHT from the mini mart next door. Small place, limited seating. GREAT FOOD!!!
(4)Antwaun L.
I have to give IB 5 stars. We drive from Vallejo for cheesesteaks. There are a few cheesesteak shops closer but its better here. Also good people watching while you eat. Live Performances!!!
(5)Rachel C.
Excellent hoagies! YUM YUM! The cheesesteaks are the best, especially the mushroom cheesesteaks! On top of that, you have to eat their fries....ANY of them...regular, curly, garlic...YUM! I'm not a big chili cheese fries person, but they're pretty good! This is definitely a great place to eat out when you're in Berkeley! It can get busy during lunch time...
(5)Mikolo R.
Their cheeseburger is DEELICIOUS! Worth every penny ---- just under $5. I just had my first experience at IB's, and I will definitely go back soon. The burger wasn't greasy like some of those other places, nor did it fall apart in any way. They even did a good job wrapping it, so I didn't even make a mess.
(5)Patrick C.
Why did you have to wait til RIGHT AFTER I graduated Cal to start serving GARLIC fries, huh? hUH? HUH?!!!!! WHY?!?! You knew that's what I always craved and always dreamed of while snacking on your delicious bucket of fries. You get minus 1 star for depriving me of garlic fries and then shoving it up my face after I move away. The cheese steak sandwiches are aiiight... they just add some variety to a "healthy" college diet.
(4)Sherelle V.
You know when you're super hungry, you want something fatty, fast, and cheap. When you get a Hoagie from here, as you unravel the beast that is the sandwich, you will start to notice how the paper is becoming transparent. It's great for splitting. Spend a couple dollars more and get a large and you'll have a 14 incher that you can split with a friend. I got the garlic fries, but they werent as good as I remember. Maybe it was because I came late at night and got the soggier than a fresh batch, but I was still a happy camper. Definitely fulfilled my craving.
(4)derrick i.
dude. YES. i remember first coming to this place back when i was, i dunno... 18? i had never had a hoagie before, so needless to say that when i laid my first bite into this deceivingly simple hoagie roll filled with declicious meat and cheese, that it was so good i started crying... okay, i didn't really start crying, BUT it was reeeeaaaaally good! they nail philly cheese steaks! they dont' burdon you with gallons of grease... okay, there's grease, but it's not HELLA. but man, something' about that grilled steak and onions and peppers with that cheese melted all gooey-ly on it makes a brotha want to start drooling. here's to you IB's!
(4)Heather G.
Oh man! Junkie comfort food at it's finest!!! I had a chicken hoagie my first time. It wasn't anything special, but still good. And then there was ...(duhn duhn duhn)... the cheese fries.... Oh the cheese fries! They were so yummy!! We got a bucket to share between 3 people and I had a hard time not scarfing them all down. *You know when your sharing something so yummy, you watch what pieces and how much the other people are taking, and you feel a twinge of jealousy when they take the pieces that you have been eying, and a twinge of disappointment as the supply dwindles.* I would make my boyfriend drive me to Berkeley at least once a week for a hamburger and cheese fries! The hamburgers were pretty decent. And I (hangs head in gluttonous shame) would often ask for extra cheese on the side and put that on my hamburger. Sooo good. I am lucky IB's wasn't close to my work, otherwise I would have had cheese fries everyday for lunch! Okay, enough already! Just go try them!
(4)Kalyani Y.
I was having one of those hectic, messed up days and IB's Hoagies saved me. I had eaten no breakfast or lunch, and my stomach was planning a coup. I had about 5 bucks, so I chose their $1.99 bucket of fries and a smoothie. It was a good choice. The fries are large (they're practically wedges) and still steaming when you get them. They are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside...no wimpy, wilted slivers here. And the bucket is huge: I was starving and I couldn't even finish more than half. The smoothie was tasty, but for the price I expected a bit more fanfare. Whipped cream, or drizzled chocolate or something. True, I did see them blend the 'real coffee and ice cream' together, but I can't help the fact that I've become spoiled by Starbuck's. But my tastebuds were satisfied, and that's all that really matters.
(3)lucy b.
Freakin YUM. had a pepper steak with everything. I am kind of a purist so I may have to lose the veggies next time. This was the bestest cheesysteak I have ever had the pleasure of eating. Try the chili fries! Outstanding.
(5)Anna T.
THEIR FRIES ARE FREAKING DELICIOUS. I don't know how they make regular old french fries (do people still try to call them freedom fries? haha) taste so damn good. It must be the oil they fry with... The fries remind me of meat. I haven't had anything else there, so maybe I'll edit this after I do that. But I dream about eating IB's fries when I'm away from Berkeley.
(4)Zeeshan J.
A quick greasy 6$ sandwich. This place is pretty good as far as taste goes. It isn't the best, but definitely good enough for a quick lunch or dinner.
(3)Wayne K.
People from Philly pan the place and even I've had better, but IB's has the best cheesesteaks you'll find in Berkeley, perfect when you need something hardy. I usually get a mushroom steak with a bucket of cheese fries... they're definitely not stingy in terms of quantity. I wash it all down with a sugary Pearl Milk Tea from Sweetheart, just a few stores away. Wow, I'm surprised I haven't had a heart attack.
(3)Bella G.
Everything tasted like warm salt. The food served as mere texture. I liked the bread and my dog really appreciated the curly fries I shared.
(2)Mia M.
I am finally dedicating some precious time that I promised to put in a good word for this awesome Hoagie spot!! One afternoon with my Husband, we decided to hit up Berkeley and knew that we wanted to hit up I.B's!! We always enjoy your visit to Telegraph and once we sat down and ordered our Chicken with extra Mushroom hoagies and Sweet Potatoe fries, there was this man that was fixing the fountain soft drink machine. He over heard me enjoying my Sweet Potatoe fries and informed me that he used Rice Oil to fry them in so it's super healthier than any other frying oil. He and I started to engage in more conversation about healthier ways of cooking and organic products. Then he introduced himself as the Owner so we were stoked! Just knowing that we enjoyed his Hoagie spot so much-he handed us free passes for the next visit to BE ON THE HOUSE per the actual OWNER himself!! Can't beat that!! Sorry I.B it took such a long time to write this review but I just got married and it's been crazy! :) Now that we are settling in-we are definitely going to pay a nice visit again!!! Can't wait!! :) This IB Hoagie is better than the one off San Pablo Ave. ;)
(5)Gabriel t.
Their bucket of fries/curly are usually okay, and CHEAP but today they gave me a bucket of fucken charcoal....wayyy overfried wtf?
(2)eric k.
Awesome hoagies, reasonably priced. Good crispy fries too.
(5)Angela H.
Okay, technically I have not experienced better because I've never had a real cheesesteak sandwich. Though, after watching countless hours of the Food Network featuring cheesesteak sandwiches, I think it's fair to say that at least my eyes have experienced better; as for my tastebuds, they really hope that the famous Philly Cheesesteak is actually 1,000 times better, or Philadelphia is just a big fat D for disappointment. Anyway, on with the food. I got the mushroom cheesesteak (since everybody raved about it on yelp). It smelled tasty, but after one bite...it totally lacked in flavor. It was bland. The flavors did not mix together to form the orgasmic tastebud experience that I had expected. The steak, although pretty tender, didn't seem to be marinated with anything at all. And the natural steak flavor did NOT come out. I tasted mostly mustard, bland grilled onions, very bland mushrooms, a hint of some pickle, and lots of lettuce. I also got the fries. They are thickly cut, and salted just right. The portion was just the right amount too (though I didn't finish). Most of it was crispy and served piping hot, which is awesome. I didn't finish because I felt like a blob at the end of my meal and the leftover fries were soggy (I am not a soggy-fry-lover). Service was fast and friendly. It was cheap, and I'm very full [of grease and gluttony].
(2)Jenna H.
The best cheeseburgers in the area! So fresh and so cheap. The chili cheese fries rock, too. The wait is sometimes kind of long, but SO worth it.
(5)Logan P.
My favorite 3 things here are Cheese Fries, Garlic Fries and the Curly Fries... They give you really good portion too! I just wish they had their own parking lot on their own corner or something.. I hate to have to pay for parking and then come here to order, but its still worth it. Fries are one of the best
(4)Sherry G.
I didn't know what to get for my first visit here, and a lot of the sandwiches looked good. I eventually opted for the regular cheese steak with everything on it. I liked that they had a small self service area with jalapenos and peppers, which I added to the sandwich. The toasted bread was still soft and fluffy and the sandwich as a whole was really flavorful. I enjoyed it on the sidewalk at one of their tall tables. I had to remind them about the fries I ordered, but that was no big deal. The fries were nice and crunchy and well salted. No frills, no health benefits, no Berkeley pomp. It was a good change of pace.
(4)B J.
I went here with friends because Yelpers raved about their chili cheese fries. They were OK -- standard canned chili and liquid cheese on curly fries. My chicken pepper sandwich was awesome -- plenty of condiments, fresh produce, and a generous size for only $6! Another person got a pepper steak sandwich and liked it also. But the basic cheesesteak was only so-so. My friends asked for the standard sandwich with the works, but it had no condiments and was bland. Overall, great prices, acceptable food, and convenient if you are around telegraph in Berkeley,
(3)Alex Y.
I wanted to become a regular here, and for a short point in life, I came close. The stocky guy behind the counter seemed to have recognized me, but that's not why I wanted to go so often. All of my actions were motivated by that Hoagie card. Yes, that card which indicates that you've bought ten hoagies before and have reached "hoagie regular" in which they reward you with a freebie. Needless to say, I failed. I should've kept that card in my wallet, so that I would bring it there consistently. The quality of the sandwiches were not good enough for me to have that often, so eventually I lost my card too. Nowadays, to mask the pain of my failure, I slowly kill myself through the consumption of their chili cheese curly fries.
(3)Nikki c.
Can't talk, eating. That's what their cheese steaks do to me. They render me unable to say anything other than "can't talk, eating" until I finish. When I was in college I had a routine of coming here for a sammich after every final and watching tv until I fell into a meat and cheese induced coma. The fries are yummy too. The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is that there's not a lot of places to sit and eat, and the fries don't travel well. FYI - A meal from IB's is best consumed within 15 minutes of when they put it in the bag. It just doesn't re-heat well
(4)Melissa T.
Every one of their hoagies are delicious. I would especially recommend getting any kind with mushrooms. I'm a picky eater, so I generally take out most of the toppings that they offer, but it's still juicy and delicious. Although their tables aren't great to eat on, it's a good meal to buy when you're on the go. Just buy a sandwich and within a few minutes you're walking out with deliciousness in a bag. The service is pretty good too
(5)Jay M.
Need a dose of deep fried junk food? Then get the Chili Cheese or just the Cheese Fries. The wait is at least 3 minutes because they cook everything fresh! You won't get caught with old and soggy fries like you do at McDonald's. The seasoned curly fries are good too. Seating here is limited, so expect to take your food on the go.
(4)Matt H.
The sandwiches here are greasy and delicious, and the service is generally pretty quick. This is great place to go for comfort food. The challenge, of course, is the fries. Last time I checked, fries came in two sizes: "regular" and "bucket." The bucket is easily more than twice as large as the regular by volume, but costs only like $.25 (maybe $.50) more. Simple economics dictates that it is therefore irrational to buy regular fries. And yet very few people can eat an entire cheesesteak and a bucket of fries. This had led to an all-too common situation where a hapless customer, recognizing the economic ramifications, actually elects the bucket of fries as their meal, and foregoes the sandwich entirely. Apart from this logical conundrum, however, I greatly enjoy the sandwiches, and usually just skip the fries.
(4)Andrew S.
Basically, all I get is chili cheese fries, extra cheese, with a serious scoop of sweet jalapenos. Great, thick flavor. Awesome!
(4)Pam Z.
Five words: BUCKET. OF. CHILI. CHEESE. FRIES. Five stars.
(5)Raheleh K.
OHHH BABBYY!!! I LOVE this place. Perfect for one of those really greasy nasty meals when you feel really hungover and want some good junk food. I loved their mushroom cheesesteak!! It definitely will stain the bag with oil if you take the food to go! They have reallly really good chili cheese fries and other types of side items that are all really fatty. I hated eating here though because homeless people will stand right next to you while you're eating in hopes that you will have some leftovers. I used to eat here in college, but now it would have to be a REALLY rare situation to eat here, because i'm not trying to be obese by the age of 25!
(3)jamie c.
this place reminds me of a walking-distance version of smokehouse. i don't remember enjoying my meal much, but i do remember holding back my vomit. so why two stars instead of one? i like things that are bad for me.
(2)A P.
Okay where can you get a bucket of fries for $2.75? And garlic fries at that with fresh diced garlic? IB's Hoagies caught my attention because I was in the mood for a Poh'boy sandwich. While they did not have a poh'boy they did have a yummy Philly cheese steak sammys! What a fricken deal! $5 for a big frickin sandwich. Ya gotta love coming into a college town, good cheap eats and lots o' options! Jr. had the curly chili cheese fries.....in a bucket of course...I'm having that next time!
(4)Jane S.
Cheap. Fast. Good. Love their sandwiches and fries! I always stop by whenever I'm up in Berkeley!
(5)Daniel R.
It's more of just a steak sandwich than a full-on philly cheesesteak sandwich, but it's decent and the fries are really good.
(4)Katherine P.
Just took a trip to Berkeley today to eat their chili cheese fries! My boyfriend and I both went to school at Berkeley (though we didn't know each other then) and we both used to chow down at IB's. He had a craving for IB's today so we drove up and ate together there for the first time! We both got giant buckets of the chili cheese fries with jalapenos. MMMM. Nothing better than greasy comfort food! I love how hot the fries are, how gooey they get with the rich chili and nacho cheese sauce, and how the jalapenos add a little kick to the whole thing. When I was a student I used to eat these fries along with the hoagies (can we say delicious artery clogging goodness wrapped in buns??). The food here is great for whiling away time between classes, a late afternoon snack/lunch, and just when you have an uber junk food craving. The sad thing, is that the prices have gone up a lot since I was a student. There also isn't very much seating, so it's always a grab and go place.
(3)sharon m.
i ordered their chili cheese fries before we went to drink at henry's for my very first birthday in norcal. it ended up in throwup-format on my bed by the end of the night. I still think their food is good!
(3)Stephen M.
Ib's exists for those times where you don't know what to eat but you know it can't possibly be good for you. Some evening I will find myself in Berkeley as the sun is setting I will feel the hunger pangs in my gut as though I have become pregnant with the lord's child, and since I am a man and do not want to engender curiosity for being pregnant I will head directly to Ib's and attempt to kill the hungry one inside me with a cup of their chili-cheese fries. Which is to say, Ib's is delicious while you're eating it but has a gut rot factor that is directly proportional to how good it tastes. If only my stomach was made of the same metal that houses that deep frying oil, I would have nothing to worry about ever, well except for having a metal stomach.
(4)Victoria N.
I used to think this place was really good, but maybe because food always tastes better at night. I finally had a cheesesteak in the daytime and realized that it's not really that great. It's on par to sandwiches at Quiznos or Great Steak & Potatoes. The sogginess of the bread bothered me. Sigh. What a disappointment.
(2)Lisa S.
I adore this place. The cheesesteak is probably the best I've had. I'm not a cheesesteak expert, but I've had my fair share, and nothing compares. The seasoning is excellent, the size is amazing, and it's just plain old fabulous and a bargain. I wish they had one of these in Los Angeles. I still can't find a good one. :[
(5)Jack D.
The mushroom cheesesteak I got from I.B.'s was SO amazingly tasty! I was visiting from L.A. and it's very hard to find a good Philly cheesesteak in Cali, but I.B.'s is one of the two best I've ever had! The meat was easy to chew and had so much flavor. I can't wait to get back to Berkeley so I can experience I.B.'s again!
(5)Joon S.
I was spoiled with good fast food. I realize that "good" is subjective, especially in relation to fast food. Just as wine critics define and categorize wines with regards to body, the level of tannin, acidity, fruit, and overall balance (among other factors), there should be similar rubric to categorize and rank fast food. Would it be along the lines of salt, grease, flavor, and trans-fat? Rankings aside, IB's Hoagies provides a welcome contrast to Smart Alec's Intelligent Fast Food (vegetarian patties, etc.) just across and down the street. The hoagies are pretty good, as are the burgers. However, they can't approach the magnificence of a pastrami sandwich from the Hat (Alhambra, CA), nor can they approach the mythic status of heroes from Philly. The chili cheese fries are interesting. Instead of using grated cheddar cheese, they use nacho cheese. The process to create a bucket (yes, bucket) of IB's chili cheese fries is thus: (1) Scoop in one layer of fries (2) Pour layer of goopy chili (3) Pour layer of nacho cheese (4) Repeat two or three times I could have graduated with a degree in geology after going through so many layers.
(3)eric k.
MMMMMmmmmm comfort food? Used to go here all the time when living in Berkeley... sure I think it did give me some lingering odd feelings once in a while, but I don't care. Mushroom steak? Pepper steak? mmm I even have a friend who has an ongoing order for 2 of these to bring back to him whenever I happen to stop by.
(4)Eric G.
I recommend the cheese steak with hot peppers. This is not only delicious, but will kill any virus, germ, and cure cancer. If you don't want sizzling bung-O afterwards, add fries to the above as a buffer. Oh, and they had to discontinue their old 'frequent diner" punch card because some dickstick was counterfeiting them.
(5)Jessica C.
I actually forget how their cheesesteaks tasted, but what I do remember was hot delicious their curly fries were. Hot and delicious.
(3)Ryan Y.
most of the time they throw a good pastrami reuben - a couple of times it sucked - this was mostly on saturday mornings, so I don't get stuff from here on saturdays anymore. I love sauerkraut in reubens and polish dogs - this place does the former, and top dog takes the latter - sort of. They also have pretty good chili cheese fries.
(3)Nikolas K.
this is my go to spot for some real comfort food. the kind of food to get me through finals week. hoagies and chili cheese curly fries for the soul.
(4)Joyce D.
delicious chili cheese fries and curly fries without having to drive anywhere. +cheap +fast +YUMMMMMMMM +HOT +outdoor seating
(5)Jennifer K.
Mmmm...my mouth is watering as I think about a cheesesteak from IB's. The cheesesteaks are tasty! The meat is generally more dry than the average cheesesteak, but this also means that it's less greasy than other cheesesteaks. (which is good and bad, depending on what you are looking for) IB's also offers up all kinds of sides like fries, curly fries, chili cheese fries, and onion rings. The fries tend to be really hit or miss. Sometimes they are a bit undercooked - especially when they are very busy. I recommend that you eat there to get the best quality. Carrying it around only makes the bread get soggy. Table spaces are very limited, but walk next door to the Durant food court to find more seats. Or, take the quick walk to campus and sit on the steps of Sproul to enjoy you meal! Cheesesteaks are awesome. Fries are just ok.
(4)Anh N.
One of the best hoagies in the East Bay. The quality is superb, price is affordable ~$5, and quick to cook. If you're limited on time and want a hot sub, then IB is want you want to get. Grill onions are awesome!
(5)Katherine Y.
I was their first customers on the first day of July! I got a roast turkey sandwich and it was actually pretty good. Their sauces are definitely a plus!
(4)Jennifer S.
#3 for my USC // CAL game review ... my LAST review of the day ... :DDDDDD but the next 2 after this are reviews on 2 bars i went to.. *** the mushroom hoagie ... now, that shit was off the hook!!!! get the whole works w/all the condiments splashed onto your one and only hoagie ... $5.49 for half and $7.99 for full ... take it from me, a gal who seriously will live and die for food ... the full is SO worth it!!! worth every damn penny ... it was between this place, zachary's pizza (i've been eating pizza too much lately and it's been so darn long since i had a bomb hoagie, that hoagie it was!) or cheese stop ... since this place was within distance from the 2 bars i was at, my friends and i stopped by to grab some BOMB DIGGITY HOAGIE ... and i'm talkin about the mushroom! damn! shooot! woooh, did your momma ever tell you that eating was definitely a sin? fo sheez ... damn ... this shit was sooo good ... sooo good that i seriously had to get me some hoagie on the way home ... even better, my TEAM, yes, USC ... spanked CAL's BUTT, on BEAR TERRITORY!!! =DDDD ... simply deeeeeeeeeelishhhhhhhhious!!! everything was perfect! service : friendly, quick, and personable! it's funny, next time i visit chicago, it's like, the first thing i wanna eat is potbellys, but now, when i come to berkeley, it's def IB's... food so good, you'll never hear the end of it from me ... :) wooh! and of course, we can't ever forget, the icing of the cake ... 24-17 ... U$C!!! :D
(5)Andy M.
Purists probably wouldn't call these cheesesteaks, and even "hoagie" may be a bit of a stretch. Whatever they are, they are seriously tasty in the trashiest greasiest way possible. The garlic cheese steak is amazing, but it not a good idea to eat one if you plan on talking to anyone face to face for the rest of the day. For the seriously indulgent, go for the bucket o' chili cheese fries, and make sure you wash it down with at least 20 ounces of Dr. Pepper. After eating here, prepare to be in a greasy salty stinky haze of happiness - but don't ever think about what you are eating or doing to your arteries, or you'll kill the buzz.
(4)Douglas P.
So I'm not from hog island or anything like that, but shouldn't a place that is called IB Hoagies serve hoagies? Hahaha... This place mainly sells cheese steaks and other variants (bbq steaks, pepper steaks, etc.) and burgers as well which I am sure are just as good as everyone says they are (or aren't). I walked into this place after reading mainly positive reviews on yelp and they didn't really have what I wanted. However, the staff was very friendly, helpful and accommodating, I ended up customizing what they had on their menu into a hoagie but not much of one at that (Italian combo sandwich plus ham). The sandwich size all though enough to fill me up not big like one would deduce from their logo (I know the sandwich is huge in the pic but still) and actually small in comparison to your standard hoagie They didn't have potato chips either just fries, you know to throw the chips into the sandwich and here them crunch (Philly style! no I'm not from Philly). I had to walk to Walgreen's and buy them to my heart's content. Overall, the ingredients were fresh, the staff was nice, and the service was quick--but the menu was lacking I thought this was pretty strange so I gave this a Meh, I've experienced better (I'm sure hoagie fans would definitely agree).
(2)Steve K.
I highly recommend this place...that's all I have to say about that.
(5)Sofi P.
3.5 stars REVISION due to enlightenment of Amatos Sorry but you got bumped down ever since I've had Amatos. Amatos also has bigger portions...and just totally wins hands down. The price ranges from 5-7. Its pretty cheap, a bucket of curly fries are just 2.50 and its huge. My girlfriend and I ordered a large mushroom steak and DANG it was decent! The size was about a 7 inches and extended past the paper bag. It really made us full. It is definitely the bang for the buck. Another thing the mushroom steak was absolutely Delicious it had yummy fresh veggies and the meat wasn't bland but exquisitely soft and seasoned. Our mushroom steak wasn't greasy or made you feel disgustingly bloated. I wish the bread was better though, its kind off stale tasting anyways I'd definitely visit this place again....if only gf didn't hate Berkeley so much ------------------------------------------ Sorry IB's but Amatos definitely has the better bang for the buck and larger portions and yummier meat and bread. Yups. 3.5 stars
(3)Cris L.
I love these cheesesteaks, especially with bacon. Bacon combines well with everything. Love bacon. Must have more of it. Hummmmmm.... Sorry - this is not the place for that. Back to Ib's: These are the only cheesesteaks I've had, so I can't compare. I've heard they're so much better in Philadelphia (some day I'll make a trip to test that proposition), but no-one was ever able to tell me where to get better cheesesteaks around here. If only the seating were better...
(3)Kat C.
This is anti-south beach diet and when I cheat I head here. My god, it's heaven and then some. If ever you are in the area, you must stop and have a cheese steak and some fries with a big sugar laden drink. Yum. Luckily the UC Berkeley gym is a block and a half down.
(4)Tiffany H.
as we speak, i am chowing down on a mushroomsteak with everything. i don't even like half of the things that they put on it. hot sauce, pickles, and mustard-in what world do these go together? IB's!!!! :D i had been craving french fries and beef since 10 pm yesterday. as usual, i went onto yelp to search for potential eats and i came across ib's. fast forward to today, i have class from 11-3:30 and i don't eat breakfast b/c i enjoy savoring every bit of sleep i can get. 3:30 comes around and i'm famished. walk to ib's to order a regular mushroomsteak, which turns out to be humungous and is a great deal being the poor college student that i am. i can only imagine how big the large is. the fries came out perfect. fluffy and crispy. enjoyed them my entire walk back to my apt. definitely hit the spot. all for $8.21. damn i am happy.
(4)MissNance R.
My college boyfriend worked here and always smelled like a hoagie to me.
(3)Yeh F.
Probably some of the unhealthiest food I've ever eaten. And I love it! First introduced to them by way of their Chilli Cheese Fries, and eventually I tried their sandwiches as well, which is good too! It's probably better for my health that I'm nowhere near them now.
(4)Melody L.
chili fries. can you say heart attack in a cup? it only gets three stars cuz they use nacho cheese instead of grated. but i think that's just a matter of taste.
(3)Dave K.
This is the first place I ever ate at when I went to Berkeley as a student. Awesome cheesesteaks, chili cheese fries. Sweet Jesus I want some now.
(4)Shyam P.
I got a Hoagie here the first time I visited the Berkeley campus back in my HS days. Since then, I've been hooked. The sandwiches were much cheaper back then but whatever. I've tried most of them and I absolutely love the bbq steak. It works really well with the spicy sauce they use to create a spicy/sweet combo. They put lots of meat and the buns are toasted to perfection too. If you really want a heart attack, get the chili cheese fries. They come in a huge bucket and you'll be full for days.
(4)AZAM A.
Mainstay Place for Cheese Steak Fill I ate many cheese steaks at IB Hoagies the grease is good from the grill don't know exactly do but there is some good flavor in the Steak n Cheese Nice buns too
(5)Angie C.
Way to bring on a food coma!!
(4)Tom W.
I first went there after seeing a friend come back from class with a very large cheesesteak sandwich. I then decided to try one for myself, and I have to say, the sandwiches are every bit as good as they look. They're not too expensive for the amount of food you pay, and I definitely recommend this place.
(4)Edgar G.
I love mom and pop shops like these. Anyway, I came here today and got the mushroom steak, and it was GOOD. I love mushrooms on my burger, so I assumed mushroom would be good on steak and it was. The regular size is pretty decent, and it filled me up. I'd come back if I'm around Berkeley.
(4)Jason J.
maybe it's 5 stars b/c it makes me feel like i'm back as a student at cal. or maybe it's b/c its so damn good. probably b/c it's so damn good. nonetheless, saturday football trips to berkeley require a stop here for a hoagie, or chili cheese fries, or both. it's a 5 star solid hoagie, and i've never had anything bad from here in the 10+ years i've been going.
(5)Jay H.
Chickensteak, Cheesteak, Mushroomsteak...all kinds of gooey cheese laden meats grilled then place on toasy bread with lettuce, pickles, hot sauce and tomatoes... YOU HAVE TO TRY THE CHILI CHEESE CURLY FRIES!!!! It is everything that is bad for you and everything that makes you glow from nasty greasy fatty fat fat.....mmm....fatty fat fat. PMS food of the gods... (get a soda to drink all the salt down)
(4)Stacy F.
order the chili cheese curly fries. then go next door to johnston's and buy stewart's ginger beer. go back to ib's to pick up your fries. sigh. delish.
(5)rachel r.
i haven't eaten at this place since i graduated, but now that i've been in the real world and tried many a hoagie (or cheesesteak, as it's popularly coined), i haven't found anything better. they're greasy, but the good kind of greasy, if you know what i mean. try the chicken with mushrooms for less guilt.
(5)Charlie E.
Want a real steak sandwich? Go to the Cheesesteak Shop on University. Contrary to what their menu says, a hoagie is a cold sandwich, a point which I once passionately tried to argue with the staff to no avail. A hot hoagie is known as a grinder. Also, a steak sandwich does not come with lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, and pickles. That's called a cheese steak hoagie. Seems niggling, but there is a difference. Either way, I have to admit to buying these things every now and again. I just tell myself, "it's a cheese steak hoagie, it's a cheese steak hoagie," and it all seems okay, especially since they're not bad.
(3)Marie Q.
hoagies!! :) used to get the cheesesteak that had mushrooms in it.. perfection!!! :) and fries!
(4)Regina B.
After eating hoagies on the east coast for years, my husband moved to Berkeley and discovered IBs. He ate a hoagie every single day during his 2 year Master program. We now live in Germany and every year for the last 18 years we have landed at SFO and driven directly to IBs for lunch - regardless of jet lag or kids screaming, nothing comes between my husband and his hoagie. Now we are all addicted and love it. The fresh ingredients, the variety (meat, vegi or everything) and the yummy side of fries. And to top it off, the employees are really friendly. We'll keep coming as long as they keep serving. Thanks IBs!!!
(5)Brian H.
Best hangover food I've ever had.
(5)Jennifer K.
YUM! I ordered the cheeseburger and curly fries (for under $7!) and I could barely finish it! (Of course, I did and then could not get up or move around for a good 10 min). The burger was pretty greasy, but then again, have YOU ever eaten a cheeseburger that was not greasy, but delicious? I didn't think so. The portion of curly fries was definitely generous-- it came in a little bucket. The wait seemed to be a bit long for fast food considering there weren't many people there waiting, but I thought it was worth it. I wouldn't recommend eating here EVERY day unless you want to have a heart attack, but I like to pig out here every once in a while. :)
(4)Jen C.
A girl can't have enough curly fries. By far the best curly fries I had in the bay area! Their mushroom steak sandwich is good too, but be ready to work out for the next few months!
(3)janice l.
Our meeting was about to start after lunch and this one girl came finishing up her large cup of curly fries. I love french fries and I smelled the greasy seasoned goodness of them. Maybe she saw me staring at the fries...she said she was done and offered us samples. They were really really good! Did I already say I love french fries? Okay, so after that I found they were from Hoagies and went there after work to get some. I recognized the cup and bucket and ordered the cup of curley. Yum! These were the best I've had. Hot, seasoned and not hard like how sometimes the straight cut french fries are; perfect crunch to soft potato ratio. I didn't try the steak sandwich tho was tempted...next time! 5 stars for the best french fries I've had anywhere!
(5)Aromy X.
I love hot sandwiches from here. Even if they're soggy in sauce and meaty juices, I don't mind. I can take it!
(4)Harsh K.
Dodgey meat with cheese mushrooms bacon and tons of hotsauce. add a bucket of the chilli cheese fries and your mouth will love you while your heart gets pissed. For two straight years every sunday afternoon I would go to IB's to recover from my hangover, and I was never disappointed. The pastrami sandwich is also really tasty but it doesn't host a candle to the baconsteak+ mushrooms. Just remember not to compare it to a philly cheesesteak, it's a different beast, you eat it without wiz, and you dress it differently. Either way you'll have a hard time coming up with a better way to take the edge of a hungover rainy sunday afternoon
(4)Nico A.
The curly fries here formed the greasy base of my food pyramid as a freshman. They don't skimp on the steak on the sandwiches at all, my only complaint is that I wish that they were open later on the weekends.
(3)Ezra Justin L.
Totally overrated. Didn't have either meatball or the Chicken I wanted. I had their roast beef oven sandwich. Cheesesteak's underpar. If a little cheaper, would be worth bad-average taste.
(1)adam m.
you can get deep fried tater tots, they call them tater rounds. I think they use canola oil, to bad its not lard. nothing quite like it anywhere close.
(5)Dave N.
Their cheesesteaks are off the hook. And make sure your cholesterol and heart condition are leveled. Their chili fries are a must to supplement with your sandwich. There isn't much room for seating so you may have to stand around the "stand-like" store or bring it to the Cal campus and sit on the steps. Service is fast and it gets busy during school lunch hours.
(4)Mark P.
The best cheesesteaks I've found on this coast. One wouldn't think making cheesesteaks -basically frying meat and onions- would be that hard, but I've lived on the coast for nine or so years and I've never found anything passable. These are heads above the rest.
(5)moyar s.
The ingredients seem low quality, sometimes even gross, meat looks like squirl intestines covered in a cheese-product
(1)Jeffrey R.
Way too soggy. I don't have anything else to say.
(2)Tim X.
Ah. Berkeley. When I went to school here, I thought the food on telegraph and at the food court was gross. After spending some time away, though, I have grown to love some of the spots. IB Hoagies is definitely one of them. I can't say this is the best cheesesteak in the bay, but it's definitely the best I've ever had. I recommend calling your order in because there usually is a line (though not too big).
(5)Travis V.
I love IB's! I used to eat here daily when I worked on Durant. My personal favorite is the Bacon Steak and curly fries. The ChickenSteaks are pretty damn good too. In fact I have a half a sandwich in the fridge and I think I'll have to eat it now.
(4)Julie K.
The chili cheese fries there are so freaking good! They're made with cheese that's best for fries - nacho cheese!
(3)Janelle W.
this is the CHEAPEST cheese steak shop ive been to especially compared to the ones in the south bay. i got a 15 inch (i think?) mushroom cheese steak with grilled onions for only $10. compare that to the cheese steak shop in san jose, i paid 10 bucks for like 7 inches. ive never tried anything outside of mushroom cheese steak. ill be sure to try something new the next time i visit.
(5)Arun C.
I like the place because of the tradition of meeting there with friends and gorging before a Cal football game. As hot sandwich shops go, it's pretty good, but not something I eat very often.
(3)Daniel Y.
I really like their cheesesteaks. Of course, that's what they specialize in, so it should be good, but the bacon steak and the pepper steak are my favorites. It's a little pricey, but its well worth it!
(4)Claire B.
I ate at Ib's almost everyday during my last two years of highschool. They have amazing cheesesteaks and fries. I love their chickensteaks. mmmm. I saw Adam Lamberg(Gordo from Lizzie Mcguire) there once and I almost peed.
(5)karma s.
I heart IB Hoagies BaconSteak. With grilled onions, cheese, and some hot sauce! If I was ever in prison, I might ask for this for my last meal.
(4)Peggy W.
gah its like a heart attack in a sandwich. there are just some days that i just crave crave crave for an IB's hoagie. it just hits the spot like no other. I usually get the mushroom or bbq hoagie. it's big enough to share or save for dinner. their curly fries are awesome. burgers arent bad either. and cheap! but i suspect there are better hoagies out there since berkeley isnt exactly known for cheesesteak sandwiches so until i find a tastier version i can only give three stars because IB's is just okay.
(3)Will M.
Be prepared to undergo a cardiac cath after eating the chili cheese fries... but freaken awesome. Good sandwiches too.
(4)Srinivas R.
This is food made for the God's. I've never had a sandwhich so good in my life. Everytime I eat this sandwhich I'm thankful that I went to school at Berkeley. I dont' think I've ever eaten one while I was stoned, because I would probably die from the sheer ecstasy I would experience.
(5)Big e.
it might have an off-day, right after a Cal football game. but it was not how i remembered it to be. the buns were tough and the inside was bland at best. i still like the curly fries though.
(2)Andrew W.
OMG. This place is seriously bad for my health. The kicker is that the hoagies and chili fries here are more addictive than crack sprinkled with caffeine (wouldn't that be pretty addictive?). Seriously though, this is a must try when your down by Berk.
(5)Ryo M.
A good place to eat incredibly unhealthy (yet tasty) fast food. The grease-factor is probably the reason this place never seems to attract a crowd as big as the fast food places next door, which is a shame. Oddly enough, I like their burgers better than their cheesesteaks -- both the garlic cheesesteak and the regular cheesesteak I tried tasted pretty bland. For $3 you get a big bucket of curly cheese fries, which I highly recommend.
(4)Carrie C.
A heart attack waiting to happen, but definitely more than worth it in the end. :) The cheesestakes are incredible and the chili cheese fries? Ohhhhh, SO GOOD.
(5)Brandon B.
Awesome cheesesteak place.
(4)Nane K.
One day, after a midterm, I was sad. I came here and got the mushroom steak, bucket of fries and a soda. I was happy. The end.
(4)Roshni R.
i was driving back from work a couple of weeks ago when my roommate left me a message saying, "hey, i forgot that you work late in berkeley some nights. can you please pick me up an ib hoagie?!?!?!" i was like, wtf??? what is an ib hoagie?? well, last week i finally picked up one up (yes, i got the roomie one too!) and i thought i was going to die driving back to sf that sandwich smelled so good. i had the garlic cheesesteak hoagie and it was super cheesy and wonderful :).
(4)Eric S.
I have to admit I frequent this place. I still don't know why I keep coming back, I think it is related to the buy 10 get one free card. The cheesesteaks aren't terrible, but they definitely aren't worthy of any praise. I'll give them some credit, their curly fries are very good, but side dishes shouldn't be the only good thing you offer. I doubt I will return to this place once my buy 10 get one free card is finished (see Seinfeld's "The Strike" episode to further understand my reason to finish that card).
(2)Sam L.
i'm just confirming what everyone else is sayin'... the chili cheese fries are freakin awesome. they used to come in a big cup, but now they're served in a standard lunch container. freshly fried fries, nacho cheese and chili on top... i've never had fries so good. i used to eat one as a meal by itself... now i get full after eating half.
(4)Jill k.
another delicious cheap eat... well, except their cheese fries. those are kind of gross.
(4)Angela K.
so the cheesesteak is not bad for the west coast. the bread is weak and they seriously need to lay off the mayo. i mean I love mayo as much as the next person but my cheesesteak needs to taste more like cheese and meat and less like mayo. but hey it's good and cheap.
(3)