Red Oak Cafe
3610 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213
Red Oak Cafe Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Pittsburgh for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
3610 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA, 15213 - Phone (412) 621-2221
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 7:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Monica J.
Alright, fine. I'm a huge snob and I don't want french fries on my sandwich (which apparently everyone does with Primanti's across the street). But Red Oak Cafe, and the later the box of Mike N Ikes, were the two best meals I had while staying in Pittsburgh all week. Though still greasy, I had a great breakfast sandwich here that really hit the spot. Looking around, others food choices looked good also and my husband was happy with his turkey sandwich. The cafe was crowded, so snuggle up close with some strangers and find a seat.
(4)C M.
I love this place! They have a wide selection of vegetarian (and non-vegetarian) options for breakfast and lunch, and everything is unique and delicious. My favorite sandwich is the Sleek wrap, and their homemade chips are seasoned well and very tasty. The only thing I didn't like as much were their soups- I tried 2 different ones and each one was a little bland. Overall, the flavors here are great, they have good vegetarian and good healthy options, and the prices are reasonable.
(5)Heather L.
I have been a patron of The Red Oak for years. They consistently provide fast, fresh and delicious food. Their menu has many healthy and vegetarian options. Those with lactose intolerance & who are gluten free can find great meals there as well! It is a must to go to in Pittsburgh, and those working in Oakland can make it in for lunch breaks. Get the roasted red pepper hummus wrap, it never fails. The sleek & brussel sprout has are also amazing. One of my favorite Pittsburgh spots.
(5)Favian S.
During lunch hour, this place is packed. I ordered the oak club sandwich and was hungry enough to try the highly recommended banana nutella pancakes. The oak club is a croissant sandwich, with ham, turkey, and thin cut bacon. It was a little dry, and wasn't really all that special. The potato side dish was not even seasoned and lacked any flavor. 2/5 The redeeming quality of this restaurant is probably its breakfast. The banana nutella pancakes was a unique dish. The banana is incorporated inside the pancake itself, and there is a generous amount of nutella on the pancakes. I personally think the pancakes taste better without maple syrup, as it overpowers the nutella. 4/5
(3)Vi L.
It's a cute and cozy dinning destination for lunch right in the heart of Oakland. The service kind of reminds me of Panera where you order at the counter and then pick up after yourself when you're done. It's a great spot for a casual lunch and the food is quite delicious too. I had the fish taco as a part of the special of the day. The entrée came with two fish tacos and a side of rice and beans. The fish tacos had a good balance of vegetable, flavors and fish. The fish was crispy and the vegetable on top was equally crisp. My only complaint was the excessive onions overpowering the other flavors. There was barely enough guacamole on my tacos to taste. The side of rice and beans was the filler. Overall, I really enjoyed my dinning experience at Red Oak. I will definitely return again in the future to try other entrees. The service was quick and efficient, and the food good and affordable.
(4)n k.
3.5 stars. An okay spot for a quick bite (especially if you're a broke college student) but I wouldn't come back here. Went here with two friends: one of them and I got egg sandwiches, which were okay. Nothing to write home about. My other friend got an egg scramble, was also decent, but the potatoes were cold and undercooked. We also got a smoothie and juice, and the staff forgot about it. Had to go up to remind them, and a second time because the juice wasn't ready during the first trip.
(3)Meghan B.
I came here with my mom and sister for my moms birthday last week. Overall awesome experience! We came around noon and it was packeddddd, I will plan better when coming next time. It's not very large in there and therefore it was quite noisy and crowded. But that was really the only downfall of the experience. I ordered a Cobb salad and their smokehouse turkey sandwich on their "pick two" combo. I placed my order at the counter, took my number and found a seat. The half portion of my salad and sandwich were quite large and satisfying! And for $8.75, you couldn't beat it! Everything was fresh, from the avocados in my salad, to the lettuce and tomato on my sandwich. Everything was tasty and I left feeling very full and satisfied:). The avocado vinaigrette on my Cobb was amazing. It was so refreshing to have a healthy, fresh meal in Oakland! I also tried a few spoonfuls of the cream of mushroom soup my mom ordered... It was packed with flavor! Mhm! I am excited to have found this little gem. I plan on returning this week! :) (Just a note: after paying, I noticed two receipts on the counter with slashes through the tip area, leaving me here to give the public service announcement to tip! Yes, you aren't ordering with a server... But your meal is still being brought to you. The servers might all run food during lunch in order to deal with the crowds and might split tips. Regardless, just tip, always- when you're being served! :) end rant !)
(4)Jared C.
Went here for lunch and ordered the sriracha chicken wrap with brussel hash. The wrap was fresh and perfectly spicy. The hash was a great unique taste that I definitely want more of. All together lunch was less than $10. Also the environment was casual and there seemed to be some cool drinks on the menu.
(5)Sarah W.
Sorry Pamela's and Chipotle, you ain't got nothing on Red Oak Cafe. They serve breakfast (egg sammies, omelets, pancakes etc), and lunch (sammies, wraps, salads). Every day they offer a Blue Plate Special, a balanced meal for the se price. I recommend Friday's fish tacos. They also serve tea, coffee, fresh pressed juice and smoothies. Service is friendly, food comes out quickly, and the portions are never too small. You must try the salmon avocado salad! The avocado dressing is tangy, spicy, and creamy! I swear I've never craved anything more than this salad. It also has dried cranberries, pecans and feta in it. I want to eat it every day. Although the bathroom needs serious improvement, Red Oak Cafe remains my only go-to for dining out and take out in Oakland during my work shifts.
(5)Amy S.
Really wanted to like this place, but the food was sub-par. Ordered a scramble which was lukewarm. The breakfast potatoes were actually cold. I sent back the plate to make it warmer and the potatoes came back less cold but by no means warm. Hopefully, this feedback will help the line cook improve service for future patrons. Even though I'm visiting, I would not return here if visiting Pittsburgh again.
(2)Laura M.
It's been awhile since I've been here, but when my lab was located on Forbes Ave., we came on occasion for lunch. My PI was a big fan of the blue plate special at the time (fish with avocado sauce), and I agree that it was pretty good--particularly the sauce, which was super-flavorful and really spruced up the fish, which was quite bland). This is definitely some of the healthier food you'll find in Oakland, although it will cost you a bit more than at other local places. While I was a fan of the blue plate special, the salads I've had from here have been just okay. Then again, I'm not a huge salad person, so perhaps salads have to be really original and delicious to wow me, and, to be honest, I have yet to find that in PGH (other than perhaps at Cure). My biggest complaint about this place is the seating area. As others have noted, there aren't many tables, and it can be difficult to snag one if you come in during peak lunch hour. I'd recommend getting your lunch to go and walking a block or two to the benches near Posvar Hall to eat it--or else taking it back to your desk. My lab used to come here during non-peak hours to avoid this problem, but at least once, we came later and the blue plate was sold out. I've come here more than once with a group and we've walked right back out when there was no seating for us. Overall, an okay option for lunch, esp. if you're looking for something on the healthier side, but assume that you won't be able to be seated if you come during peak hours and plan accordingly.
(3)Derry R.
Usually Red Oak is very busy. I went a little late for lunch and therefore the dining room was not that crowded. I was surprised that for so few patrons, the staff was a bit discombobulated. Having to repeatedly repeat my order. A party of 4 arrived after me and the staff completely messed up their orders. However, my food was very good and offered a very fresh taste to my palette. I loved sitting next to the window and watch people walk past.
(4)Jerry H.
My wife had an egg scramble with some brussel sprout mash and bacon, and I had some veggie scramble with avocado. Both were nutritious and tasty, but since we're so used to over-salted food in Houston, we found the food needed a little extra salt or hot sauce or something. Once we added those, it was all great. Portions were generous, the food was hot and fresh. My wife really enjoyed the bread. Service was courteous though a touch slow, but we did come at a quiet time, and we only saw two staff. Next time we're in Oakland, we'll come back and explore the menu a bit more.
(3)Bernadette U.
Two words Brussel Hash, so freakin' good! Was with a group of 7 for breakfasts, not the best place for a large party, but we lucked out that the big table was open. Everyone enjoyed their food. I got two eggs overhard w/ rye toast and the aforementioned hash. I would definitely go back on my own to try some of their breakfast sandwiches.
(4)Tony W.
I was in town for work and this was the place my U. Pitt colleagues took me for breakfast. It's a local breakfast and sandwich joint that everyone in the office likes to go to because it's owned and operated by an alum. And because it's good. The interior has a hippie/organic feel to it: cozy, and food specials written on slate in a myriad of chalk colors. And I'd like to highlight that the staff here is incredibly friendly and chatty. And honest. I was mulling whether or not to get the medium or large coffee and the server informed me that both sizes were the same price. Bam, done. Large it was. None of it is anything you haven't seen before, but IT'S ALL DONE REALLY WELL. I was referred to the breakfast sandwiches, all named after someone historic. I ate the 'Michelangelo': eggs, spinach, provolone and mushrooms on grain bread. Simple but fantastic. And the coffee here is good too. Good food and good coffee at the same place seems to be a rare occurrence these days, like a sasquatch riding a unicorn pulling a sled filled with leprechauns. When you find a place like this, latch on! My colleagues also enjoyed their food. The only mark agains this place is the ventilation. As I write this from a coffee shop in Portland, ME, I can still smell the restaurant on my coat. Please find a way to fix this and I'll pay rent and move in tomorrow.
(4)Alana E.
I had a half salmon avocado salad...I could barely eat all of it! So good though, I was a little disappointed by the amount of salmon on it, but I guess quality over quantity, right! I like the atmosphere of this little place, it has good vibes! Try and grab a window seat and watch the foot traffic on Forbes Ave!
(4)Hope P.
I got the Oak Club and it was one of the best sandwiches I have had in Oakland! It was a very messy to eat but totally worth it (I got it in gluten-free bread)! The only thing that I don't love about this place is that it is usually hard to get a seat but I always manage! I loved the fresh pressed juices over the iced tea but both were great!
(4)Chelsea S.
I can see why some love red oak, but I can also understand the disliking of it. Some plusses are local, organic food. It's very vegan & vegetarian friendly. The food is average. I'm going to have to try their pancakes next time. Some downsides would be the seating. There really isn't too much of it (from Oakland standard with hundreds of college students in walking distance) It really seems larger from the outside. So for newcomers (because we were totally lost & confused), you order at the front then they give you a number & serve your food. You grab you own salt packets, (I couldn't find pepper) ketchup & hot sauce bottles as well as your own water. I can see how that's a good thing rather than having bottles on each table. So again the food was ok.. bobby was feeling under the weather and asked for a suggestion on juices. She suggested the "ginger" one & said it has orange juice in it. Sounds refreshing right? She forgot to mention the carrots, which is fine but overpowered the flavor especially when you weren't expecting it. Bobby asked for a side of ice because the juice was warm.. What bothered me the most was bussing your own table (atleast I'm assuming that's what you do since the bussing bins are labelled. I wouldn't think the labels would be for the workers.. again I was totally lost) you dump your leftover food in the trash then plates have their own bin, silverware then cups in the 3rd. I ended up getting ketchup all over my hand which brought back terrible memories of being a server lol. I'll be back to try the pancakes but I'm sure ill be solo dolo. My s/o wasn't very fascinated
(3)Mackenzie B.
For breakfast items, Red Oak is great, but do not even bother with the smoothies. I had a cherry flavored OTY and it was quite possibly the most disgusting thing I've put in my mouth (and I'm a college student). I would ordinarily give a lower score, but the breakfast sandwiches and pumpkin pancakes prevent me from doing so. The atmosphere and color scheme of the restaurant is cozy, which is something I enjoy along with their hot teas. Bottom line, give Red Oak a chance, but if something seems too healthy to be tasty, it probably is.
(3)Gabriel G.
I got a red pepper hummus wrap with a side of the vegetable of the day (zucchini and squash). The food was delicious, the service was quick and friendly, and, considering the choices in the area, the menu was refreshing and healthy. I hope to come back and try their smoothies soon!
(4)Dianna F.
I decided to go here for brunch/lunch today with a couple of friends from the department at Pitt that I work for. Today was probably the busiest I have ever seen Red Oak, but it made me even more excited to try their food for the first time. I ordered the Bach-a ham, egg, and cheese sandwich on a butter croissant, and a hot coffee, although I really wanted to try the banana nutella pancakes. The Bach was actually really good for being just a ham and cheese sandwich. Their croissants, as my friend told me, are delicious and I would have been okay with ordering just that! One of friends ordered a Carnegie with sausage and really enjoyed it. I'm excited to try other things here as everything is pretty fairly priced and the staff are friendly. I probably won't come back during prime time for lunch though (we went at 12 noon) because it's gets so crowded.
(4)Mara K.
Get your inner hippy out for a trip to Red Oak. This place is a diamond in the rough in the midst of a college campus. It's surrounded by fast food (think McDonalds, burrito joints, wings) and is a breath of healthy fresh air amidst the trans fat factories. They have a lot of neat options ranging from vegan wraps to grilled cheese sandwiches to tasty salads with lots of healthy and fresh vegetable combinations. I tried one of their smoothies for the first time - it was beet based and while I'm not one to typically order a shake made with raw beets I rolled the dice and I believe I left a healthier person. I felt like I earned my Birkenstock sandals. Red Oak is busy at lunchtime, and when school is in you're going to stand in line and then play musical chairs to get a seat. The middle of the restaurant hosts a large community style table and the opposite wall is lined with a counter and benches. There are several four top tables that are very tightly lining the other wall. This is not my favorite place to sit for lunch - but definitely one of my favorite places to EAT lunch.
(4)Jenny B.
I am a fan of Red Oak as it is one of the few healthier options in Oakland. Also, they are very veggie-friendly and I appreciate that even if their seitan isn't the best ever. I think that everything I have ever had here has been good, but I haven't ever had anything great. Service can be a little dodgy--the last time I ate here, my two lunch companions finished their salads before mine was delivered even though we all ordered at the same time. That being said, there is never a long wait even if it's crazy busy--which it often is. My favorites here are the sleek (kale/quinoa salad side dish) and any fresh juice from the juice bar. Yum! I'll keep coming back.
(4)Shekiaya G.
This is only a review of the $5 lunch for restaurant week on Tuesday: Sriracha bowl came out initially with literally an infinitesimal amount of chicken. I decided to give some grace and ask to speak with the manager before posting a review. He ultimately corrected it for me and I went on with life lol. So just beware of these instances during busy restaurant week! It was decent after the fix was made. I posted a pic of the meal before it was corrected and afterwards.
(4)David L.
One of the better lunch options in Oakland. Highly recommend the daily blue plate special. The pulled pork sandwich (on weds) and fish tacos (on fri) are first rate. And breakfast option all day are a plus.
(4)Tanja K.
I recently visited the Red Oak Cafe for the first time. While their menu looks quite inviting and also their interior seems to be nice, I didn't like the experience that I had here. I had the Asian chicken salad and a freshly squeezed juice. Staff seemed generally very unimpressed and bored except of one. But all in all they were quite confused and just couldn't be bothered. My juice arrived quite quickly and yes I really liked it, but there's not much that you can do wrong with juice. I then had to wait ages for my salad and even asked for it 2 times as all of my friends already went halfway through their meal. The portion-size was big, but the taste was missing. It was overly salty and it tasted like someone just poured quite an amount of soy sauce on top. With it came a tiny piece of toasted bread that tasted old. I was basically just trying to eat the chicken to get something for the amount of money that I paid. The pancakes my friends were having seemed to be popular and according to my friends were definitely delicious. But that for me is not enough to go back soon.
(2)Tara V.
Just a really solid little joint with great quality ingredients, low carb and gluten free options, and a great Pittsburgh vibe. I wish there were more places like this to get crafty sandwiches in the city. Whenever I visit from Seattle, I always want to grab a bite here. Try the Carnegie breakfast sandwich or the Sriracha chicken wrap. Also, my sister is a veg and she swears by The Melvin -- a seitan Reuben that doesn't disappoint.
(4)Denise C.
I came back since I had a good experience the last time I went, and I was excited to try a new dish. They advertise that they have vegan options, so I asked them what options they had but the cashier didn't know. She wasn't incredibly helpful either about asking other staff members. I just got the Melvin with no dressing and vegan cheese and my sister ordered the pumpkin pancakes. They were good, but my sandwich was probably the size of my hand and I'm am incredibly petite. I know asking for vegan food is a lot in Pittsburgh, but making sure your staff is knowledgeable in these situations would be a good idea.
(2)Christina D.
I've eaten here a handful of times and there food is fresh and delicious! I would recommend the salmon avocado salad and chicken sriracha wrap! Yumm!
(5)Bethany L.
I've been here quite a bit since starting my job at Pitt. I go every Friday and get the fish tacos. They are so good. It comes work 2 great sized tacos with rice, corn and black beans. There is a fresh slaw on top with Alvacado sauce. They usually run out by 1pm so get there early. Other than that, I've had the sweet potato and meat stew which was amazing, and the salmon Alvacado salad which was really disgusting.. It might have just been my taste, but the salmon tasted really awful, and I eat salmon a lot.. The overall atmosphere is cozy and the workers are super nice. It's a good spot for fresh healthy food.
(5)June L.
Always leave happy whenever I come here. When ever I'm in town (about once a year), I make my stop here for a great breakfast and coffee. Very consistent. Friendly staff. Wish I didn't have to drive 3 hours to get here.
(4)Christine P.
What did I just eat ?? I know that I ordered a cobb salad, but ewww. Just ewwww
(1)C C.
This place has a great atmosphere and friendly workers. My boyfriend and I walked in a few minutes before they closed, but they didn't say a word until my boyfriend asked about it. The guy at the register was very accommodating and friendly; he told us they would still make whatever we ordered. I got the Meatless Monday Blue Plate Special, which had lentils, potatoes, and kale. The food was decent--not anything fantastic, but it was good. My boyfriend's MMM sandwich looked yummy as well, and it came with his choice of a side. This isn't the least expensive place on campus (around seven or eight dollars), but I'd love to come back to try other menu items.
(3)Jocelyn K.
I've only found out about this place this past year. Like the other reviews say, their blue-plate special is definitely worth getting. The portion is sizable compared to the price. The special changes daily and I'm disappointed that classes prevented me from trying all their specials. The only one I've had is their BBQ pulled pork, which also comes with bread, a side of roast potatoes, and a side of vegetables. Their turkey mesquite is also quite good. They spread red pepper hummus on the bread. It comes with a pickle and a side of pita chips. The chips are a bit soggy and oily. I've never had a problem with seating since I always go after the lunch rush but I can see the restaurant is a bit small and might be hard to accommodate everyone during their busy hours.
(4)Liz K.
Delicious salads and sandwiches on Forbes. Counter service makes it perfect for a quick lunch.
(4)Kimberly B.
Today I experienced what I've been saying drives me crazy about this place. Inconsistency. I ordered the fish tacos, as I do every Friday for lunch. They used different tortillas today that were dry and hard and did not taste very good. Why, oh why! The slaw was a little different today, too. No surprises there, as the mango slaw always seems to change. It's always good, though. The avocado sauce was creamy and today I got much more than last week. The fish was the same as always. Delicious. The rice salad they serve with the tacos was hot today. Last week it was served chilled. Which is it, red oak? How should it be? I don't know what to expect! I mean, don't get me wrong, they were still good. I still love this place. But I just wish I knew what I was getting from day to day.
(3)Roxy S.
This place is great!!! Food is so good!!! My favorites: the fish taco blue plate special on fridays, the vegetarian chili, the roasted potatoes, and the yummy avocado sauce. They have great options for vegetarians. Everything tastes really fresh too. I will definitely be eating here on a regular basis. This place is VERY crowded at lunch time. They do a decent job managing the crowd, but it is difficult to get a table, as the place is small. We always prefer to get our food to go.
(5)Jeffrey M.
Very good fresh and healthy food. Smokehouse turkey with side of hash was excellent. Have brunch, juice bar and smoothies too.
(5)Andi F.
A nice breakfast café at Forbes Avenue in Oakland district. Here's all day breakfast as well as salads and sandwiches. The egg dishes are phenomenal as well as the pancakes (which is better than at IHOP or anywhere else). The servings are large and the prices are okay. I had the Eggscramblers "Bloomfield" (which would be more than enough for breakfast) and a small serving of pancakes (! 3! Pieces; i d like to know how big is a normal serving) with a coffee (for an american drip brew, it was quite good) and a natural orange juice for a total amount of $ 14. The decor is nothing special, but it's very cozy and the employees are super nice. This cafe is definitely on my list during my next visit.
(4)Megan E.
Vegetarians beware... I don't eat red meat, and ordered a cup of something the person working called "vegetarian chili" on the phone. I referred to it by the same name when I stopped in a few minutes later and ordered it to go, with no correction. Walked back to my office to find a bowl full of mostly meat (with a few carrots/peppers thrown in). Super misleading, and disappointing. I am giving it one star because I did eat in the restaurant once and had a good sandwich. Just don't get anything to go. This is very close to work, and I was excited to find something with healthier options, but not sure if I'll be back.
(2)Adam K.
Came here a lot in college so I decided to go on a Saturday for brunch. The portions appear to have gotten smaller. The breakfast potatoes were barely cooked and the girl at the cash register was pretty miserable it seemed. The LA Prima coffee was excellent however
(3)Lauren P.
This is a great lunch spot and I love all of their healthy choice options. The seating is very limited and it can get quite busy during the lunch hour so I recommend getting take out or getting there early to grab a seat. They serve 2-3 breakfast specials all day and then have options to order soup, salads, and many different wrap/sandwich choices. They have vegan and vegetarian options. I recommend the mosquite turkey wrap and buffalo chicken wrap. The food is always very fresh and is served quickly. You also can pick from a number of side options. I usually go with the vegetable of the day which in the past has been green beans, carrots or a vegetable medley. You can also choose from their homemade chips, fruit or slaw.
(4)Matthew M.
The Melvin -- a reuben with "pickled seitan" instead of corned beef -- is DEE-LISH. Also, when they forgot my pop order, they gave it to me for free. Sweet food, sweet folks.
(4)Sarah K.
Great place for healthy options in Oakland. I had the salmon avocado salad which was good. They also have a juice bar. Can be hard to find a table during peak hours because the place is kind of small. But they do take out if needed! If you're looking for a place in Oakland for lunch I would go here. All of the rest of the options on Forbes you can get any old day.
(4)Xia L.
had the best breakfast sandwich ever! good service, nice decor, only complaint is lack of wifi - but it doesn't matter much
(5)Dale H.
I really like Red Oak Cafe! I love all the fresh, healthy and local aspects of their menu. I like the atmosphere and the decor, it's very warm and inviting. I like that Red Oak falls somewhere between "fast food" and "casual dining." What I don't like about Red Oak, as many other reviewers have said, is the inconsistency of the food. Don't get me wrong, the food is ALWAYS good, it's just that sometimes it's not what you expect. I usually get the Bach breakfast sandwich, which is egg, ham and swiss cheese served on a buttery croissant. Sometimes the sandwich is perfect to just pick up and eat on the go and sometimes it's just so messy that you have to knife and fork it. Also sometimes the ham they use tastes different, like maybe it's seasoned differently? Another item on the menu that is always a winner is the pancakes. Their pancakes are really good, but the size of them varies greatly. I also love the Southern Chicken Salad (mostly just for the Ranch dressing, I know i'm just your typical yinzer who loves the ranch sauce). All of the sandwiches and salads I've tried over the years have been good. They also have a sandwich for breakfast called the Dippy Dinosaur, so extra points for that. I love Dinos! I have a weird texture thing when it comes to certain foods/drinks, so sometime the OTY smoothies are a little weird for me, but the flavors are always great. It's a great meal replacement if you don't have time for breakfast on your way to work. The staff is always friendly enough and the place is clean. You'll pay a little more than you would at any of the chains nearby for certain items, but it'll be worth it! If you're looking for quality food and don't have time for a traditional sit down restaurant, this is definitely the place for you.
(4)Dani W.
This is a great little lunch spot tucked into a small storefront on Forbes Ave. in Oakland. Typically busy at lunchtime, but for a reason. The vegetarian fare is varied and consistently very good. Prices are reasonable if not particularly low. Finding a seat can be difficult, and you should be prepared to potentially wait, and to share a table with strangers if you're planning to eat in. Carry out is also available, food tends to take ~7-10 minutes to come out, depending on what you order. Sadly, no lunch delivery. I think they do catering, but with a more limited menu. I'm unsure as after several attempts to reach someone there who could talk to me about it, I gave up and found another place to order from for our weekly reading group.
(4)Ying W.
Love the food here! The portion is not big but always enough for me. I always like to order their today's special :), never disappointed!
(5)Laura S.
Poorly organized. Very long wait. All 4 staff hoped someone else would know what to do when chili was dried out and gross. Odd, cold cooked carrots for side veggie. Beef sandwich average. 3 of us left hungry.
(1)Ginger S.
Amazing food. I've had this placed bookmarked for almost a year and am kicking myself for waiting so long to go! The food was fresh, with unique flavor combinations that tasted fantastic!! Highly recommend visiting here. I had the 1/2 beef mushroom melt and 1/2 beet goat cheese salad. So good!
(5)Scott P.
Decent food. Tad overpriced. Had to write about my most recent experience here. Arrived at 10:45, ordered, waited 30-35 minutes for our food. Three of the three orders were wrong when the food came out. I ordered chocolate chip pancakes but they came out blueberry. I wasn't going to say anything but my GF and her roommate insisted I at least tell the waiter. I told him and he didn't believe me, so he picked up my plate, grabbed a pancake with his hand and tore open the pancake with his bare hand because he didn't believe me. This is not some college student, this was the manager. He saw that they were blueberry and rushed back to the kitchen. Didn't apologize or tell me he was going to make some new pancakes, which I now needed because he grabbed my pancakes with his bare hands. So I went back to the counter and asked for a refund. He did not apologize or try to offer an explanation. He grabbed $7 from the tip jar and said "Here you are." Needless to say, I will not be returning or recommending this establishment to friends.
(1)Lucretiz C.
Firstly, I overheard the cashier making very rude comments about a mentally challenged customer who had just left. Even if these were this employee's personal feelings I think it's in poor taste to express those kinds of thoughts in a tone that is audible enough for your other dining customers to here. I had to settle for Red Oak because the seating in both Starbucks and Caribou Coffee was all occupied. I ordered the banana and Nutella pancakes that were on special for $5.50. Just the pancakes no sides were included. I was hoping more then anything fruit was served with the pancakes..since the place appears to promote healthy food. When dining in Toronto two slices of fruit usually comes standard but the same is not true around these parts. Just a slice of honey dew would have been a cheerful addition to the pancakes but no such luck for me. The pancakes were cooked perfectly. I also got a blueberry mango smoothie that was really delicious and tasted very much of real mango and not of mango flavored syrup. What I did not agree with was the silverware system. I assumed which I shouldn't have that I would be given silverware. However you have to get your own silverware. I told the cashier when I placed my order this was my first time dining there it would have been nice had she pointed me in the direction of the silverware after learning that information. There is a reason why this place was practically empty when the surrounding restaurant were packed. The food is expensive. I saw on the chalk board menus that salads go for as much as $9.00 dollars there. I'd go back for another smootie but nothing more then that.
(2)Chichi E.
This place is pricey, but worth it in my opinion. I love coming here for breakfast. Their smoothies are amazing! My faves are the Carnegie breakfast sandwich and their banana pancakes. I usually go early in the morning (around 7:30) because there are fewer people. If you go around lunch (11:30-1) then I wish you good luck. It gets SUPER crowded, and their service is already pretty slow to begin with.
(4)Leanne L.
This is one of my staples. I only go here with a friend and usually run into people I know. It's a great little place for socializing and you have to take a friend in order to get the best bang for your buck. So here's what you should do! One of you order a sandwich (I prefer the Frick) and another should order a helping of the Nutella pancakes. Then you split those suckers in half and chow down on your 1/2 sandwich 1/2 pancake meal you just created and wallow in happiness. It's the perfect helping size and the perfect mix of savory and sweet. I can't attest for anything else (aside from the coffee of course!), because after doing this once, I never had the heart to order anything else and miss out on this concoction! Highly recommend.
(5)Will K.
Went here for lunch yesterday. The atmosphere is nice as well as the staff. I got the Ruben with Brussels sprout hash. It was really good but left me a little hungry which is why I am giving this place 4 stars. I don't want to be too hard on the red oak cafe because the food was good and the prices were reasonable. If you are in the area this is a safe place to land for a good meal.
(4)Kim K.
I ordered the Caesar salad to go. The salad came out on a regular plate, so I asked for a to-go container. The to-go container given to me could fit maybe 1/2 the salad? I'm not sure why I was given a baby-sized container for a full salad... The menu also indicates "House Toast" is included - it did not arrive on my plate. Taste: Overall, the salad was ok. Pro: - It was huge - good enough for 2 meals. - Lots of chicken Con: - Lacked flavor. More dressing would have been helpful. - About 1/2 the lettuce consisted of those middle-of-the-lettuce-head-white-crunchy-Âflavorless pieces. I also got the bottled Cranberry juice. The brand they supply is appreciated - all natural, not loaded with sugars & preservatives. Service: Girl taking my order was very friendly. I did witness a slightly awkward interaction. At ROC, there are a few tables / chairs outside. There were a few restaurant patrons sitting at one of these tables. Around 5:10 the wait staff went outside and asked the diners to leave so they could bring in the table/chairs (Closed at 5:00). Hmmm. Of course I understand the restaurant wanting to close down as quickly as possible - from a customer service perspective, it seemed awkward. Price: About $10 for the salad and drink. A little pricey for the quality, but average compared to surrounding restaurants.
(2)Gwen N.
Love the feel of this place and the fact that they serve healthier food (especially in Pittsburgh, the city of fries-on-everything). Can't go wrong with what you order, though it would be nice if the portions were a bit bigger for the price. Love the house-made chips and the OTY smoothies (especially the warm ones during Pittsburgh winters). Definitely a nice change of pace for the typical restaurant goer.
(4)Joseph T.
Red Oak is a great spot if you are looking for a change in the food that is typically served in Oakland. Red Oak avoids the greasy persona of the surrounding venues and offers a tasteful spin on more nutritious entrees. The restaurant offers daily specials which I am quite a fan of. Red Oak is very Vegan and Vegetarian friendly. Red Oak also offers a wide selection of sandwiches and wraps; however, given the scarcity of food that is tasteful, healthful, and served in a creative fashion, I reccomend ordering the specials here.
(4)Melissa W.
REALLY like this place! Got lunch here, did the soup and grilled cheese combo; the soup was vegetarian chili. (see picture!) Both delicious. When I first walked in, the girl behind the counter was waiting patiently for my order, so I explained it was my first time there, and I might be a few minutes deciding. Someone in the kitchen must have overheard me, so he came over with a sample of their OTY (pronounced O-TEE) and a pamphlet explaining. Basically it's a warm oatmeal, yogurt, nut, fruit, and tea smoothie. I think it definitely shows the character of a place when someone does that. The OTY was very good as well! Nothing like I've ever had before. Some people have mentioned that it's a little pricey, I personally don't find so at all. My soup and sandwich combo was only $7.50. Everything tasted SO fresh. Tip: parking can be a pain, but it's worth driving in circles a few times. ;)
(4)Eric G.
This is one of my favorite lunch stops in Oakland. The food here is fresh, the vegetarian menu is good, and the people serving the food are nice. The owner actually came out to the floor to offer all of the customers free samples of some homemade juices they were trying out. In regards to the food, I usually have the red pepper hummus wrap, which is really good. There are breakfast options that are tasty as well as the soups and chilis (the vegan chili is awesome). I've never gotten one of their salads, but a friend I went with once got the cobb salad and had good things to say about it. I would say the one drawback is that it can be a bit pricey for the amount of food you get (I still can't believe that some of these places sell a sandwich and chips for over 8 bucks), but you know the quality of the food will be good- and you hopefully will be able to sit inside the cool restaurant and make Forbes passersby envious of your scrumptious meal.
(4)Amy R.
I'm not a huge sandwich person, but this place was PACKED at noon on a Friday, so they must have good food. I got a grilled cheese, not realizing it was made with tomato slices inside. I can only imagine they're going for the grilled cheese and tomato soup aspect. Before I took a bite, I was skeptical. However, it was quite good - the tomato added a little something to the normal boring grilled cheese sandwich. It wasn't overbearing and added a different texture to something that is so simple that it generally appeals to 5 year-olds. I hear their smoothies are quite good too, but I did not partake today. Overall, very reasonably priced - my whole meal for $5 and some change.
(3)Julia R.
Visited this place with 8 folks for breakfast on a Friday morning in June. The owner/ manager was totally sweet! Upon entering, everyone ordered at the counter and then sat at one of the many tables. Lots of wood here, maybe 15 tables or so. Water is serve yourself from the counter, which was actually nice for us since we had water bottles to fill as well. A variety of dishes were ordered, including the banana-nutella pancakes that I went with. Oh man those suckers are good! I loved the pieces of banana inside. I would go back just for those pancakes, but the service was great as well, with the owner taking the time to get to know our group and give us some pointers on things to see near the U of Pittsburgh. Highly recommend this place, especially for those with any kind of special dietary needs- this spot had all kinds of awards on the wall for their vegetarian friendly menu :)
(5)Andrew M.
I'm not sure I was able to give this place a fair shake on my one visit... I ordered the club sandwich. (boo! hiss!) All-in-all, though, it was a great experience, and the place looked like a fantastic place to sit with your neighbors and have breakfast or lunch. The club sandwich comes on a croissant, and although mine wasn't particularly well put-together, the flavors were great, and it was pretty filling. I have to give special props to the curried carrot slivers that they offer as a side dish - they were addictive. My friend had a big salad with lots of goodies, and she seemed pretty satisfied at the end. Next time I'm in Pittsburgh, I want to try the OTY and other house specialties.
(4)blaise c.
Terrible seating situation. My family and I walked in and there were people standing all over the restaurant between tables because apparently the idea is you just hover over someone until they give up their seats since you seat yourself here. I was in a party of 4 and we had to have two of us at a table for 2 and two of us using half of a table for 4 because two other people were in the other seats. On top of this horrible seating method, there was no chocolate milk left when I ordered (which isn't really that big a deal it just didn't help with my liking this place), and they also ran out of coffee (which I actually thought was odd..), and there's only 1 unisex bathroom so you have to wait forever for it unless you're the only one in the restaurant that has to go. It was good enough that if they changed that awful seating method I would definitely reconsider going there again but until then I'm out.
(2)Read H.
I had the Vegan Chili and the Smokehouse Turkey Sandwich. Both were great. The Smokehouse Turkey had turkey, Bacon and Gouda cheese on grilled Texas toast with sun dried tomato hummus, lettuce and tomato. A terrific combination. A bowl of the chili on a cold day would hit the spot.
(5)Jk A.
First of all they ARE open Sundays. Yelp says it's closed. This is a tasty diner type atmosphere with great pancakes, coffee, and fresh juices. I'd definitely come back.
(4)Sam J.
Red Oak is a great alternative compared to the other food in Oakland, for a great price. The food is much healthier than most Oakland options, and has a variety of options. They also offer breakfast all day long. Service isn't fabulous during lunch rush, but I have never had a problem. Their smoothies and juices are excellent!
(4)Grace H.
Awesome tasting, healthy, affordable food. Perfect for lunch in Oakland.
(5)Luke M.
Great place for vegetarians. Its often hard to find places that offer more than one or two options without meat. This place had quite a few, many of them healthy with options like quinoa, kale etc. I had a smoothie and walnut pancakes, both delicious. Some of the other reviews mentioned limited seating. I thought it actually had quite a bit of room. I do see how it could be annoying at certain times of day when the line to order runs through the seating area, but it wasn't bad during my visit. Will definitely stop here again when I'm in town.
(4)Rose C.
Really, really mediocre. Left feeling as if I could have made a better salad AND sandwich. Not enough dressing and the sandwich was really salty (had a pick two--Caesar salad and Texas turkey sandwich). Smoothie was good though, not too sweet didn't have a sugar overload like most places
(3)Jeremy M.
What a delight it was to discover this nice place. Located In the heart of Oakland, if you are interested in some healthy but approachable and delicious fare, why not give the Red Oak Cafe a try? I had the hummus wrap and the veggie chili which was very good. Although the wrap was vegetarian it was actually quite "meaty" tasting and really satisfied my hunger. The owner was very helpful with our rather large group. The vibe was relaxed and I'll be sure to come back again.
(5)T S.
LOVE the Oatie - and that I can now mix the Oatie and the fruit smoothie. you drink it and you are literally doing your body a big favor! The Oatie is a 3x per week item for me. The flavors change everyday, so you never know what you will get from day-to-day and I like it that way!
(5)Richard W.
Had lunch there 10/13. The place was packed. Good service. Food was ok, not bad but not memorable in any way. Fair price. Too many other and better places nearby to go back.
(2)Zach Y.
Solid sandwichs made quickly in a nice environment. A good place to go for a quick, solid sandwich.
(3)Lauren S.
I love their breakfast sandwiches and wraps! I also am a huge fan of the hot OTY (Oats, Tea, and Yogurt) smoothies! I hadn't seen these smoothies anywhere else before and I'm really glad I tried them. The prices are very reasonable and the food is great. I also really like how they serve breakfast all day.
(4)Daniel P.
This vegan gives a thumbs up. Friendly staff over the phone and in person. They modified a sandwich for me (adding crispy seitan from the blue plate to a king kong wrap). The king kong wrap with my added seitan was a texture and taste party in my mouth. Wasabi peas, crispy noodles, and delicious seitan. Sandwich name might be a bit oddly chosen, though. Only in town for a week from NYC, but I have a feeling I'll be back. The prices are reasonable, staff is courteous and helpful, and the food has impressive amounts of flavor and texture.
(5)M Z.
Nice lunch spot in Oakland. Very impressive soups and nice environment. Nutrition? Not necessarily better than other cafes. OTY? Innovative, but NOT for me!
(5)Shannon A.
The food is healthy, filling, and vegetarian/vegan friendly. They can cater to gluten free as well. I enjoy the vegetarian spins on popular sandwiches (e.g the Melvin instead of a Reuben). The owner goes out of his way to introduce himself and offer samples of new menu items. The staff are often very busy, but will smile and accommodate your concerns/questions/requests.
(5)Lauren B.
Went to this place for the first time for lunch today and it was delicious. I got the Blue Plate special which was an awesome deal for $5 which was a sausage and chicken jambalaya with cheese grits. It was delicious, though I have to say being a native of New Orleans that it was not true jambalaya (didn't even have rice!). It was more like a think gumbo or etouffee (also normally served with rice) but the flavoring was delicious and true to the Cajun style of seasoning. Most jambalayas are tomato based but this seemed to have more of a roux base and was soupy. The cheese grits were also fantastic. All the ingredients seemed fresh and of high quality. It seemed the grits was supposed to be instead of the more typical rice and it turned out to be a nice combination, although less authentic than the original Cajun version. The seating area is also very cozy and comfortable and the service was fast and friendly--you order at the counter and they bring it out and ask if you need anything.
(4)Molly D.
I'm so happy that there's a local, healthier option to be had amid the strip of Forbes in Oakland that offers a lot of decadent, fatty foods (you won't be hard-pressed to find chicken wings, oversize sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and fries in an area that caters to undergrads). Even so, Red Oak Cafe isn't exactly oozing with purity, either. There are still plenty of meat options, from sandwich fillers to toppings on salads, and cheese is a welcome paring with three quarters of the items on their menu. At the risk of sounding unnecessarily whiny, I'm bringing this up because they seem to take pride in their "healthy" menu and use it as a marketing tool, and I think it's fair to share varying opinions on what constitutes "healthy." I'm not saying a little meat and cheese negates healthy eating (everything in moderation!), but I wouldn't pretend I was doing my body a huge favor by eating here, either (if you want to get into healthy, clean, local eating though, run--don't walk--to Eden in Shadyside). Anyway! I think the breakfast menu, particularly when it comes to the egg sandwiches, is very reasonably priced ($2.95-$4.75). I've had the Michelangelo (egg, mushrooms, spinach, provolone, whole grain bread, $4.50), and it was very good. Their vegetarian chili (with house chips and avocado dressing, 8 oz. for $4.25) was good, but I've definitely had better. After a couple of satisfied trips in, I was in the mood to try one of their salads, and opted for a mesclun and romaine-based mix (I'm pretty sure it was the California Turkey, with mesquite turkey, avocado, carrots, tomatoes, radish, tortilla strips, honey lime cilantro vinaigrette, $7.50). One of the few things I'm really picky about with food is salad green quality (I prefer dark greens and generally think that any leafy "green" that appears yellowish or white is a cheap, bottom-of-the barrel cop out), and I was disappointed in theirs. It seemed much heavier on the romaine than the mesclun, and the romaine looked pretty devoid of color, making it an overall unappetizing salad. I would be very hesitant to get a salad there again. While the service there has generally been friendly, it seems like the staff might be spread a little thin. Lunch time there is crazy, but I've also been there at off-peak times and it's taken 20 minutes to receive my order, and once, they forgot about my order altogether. Overall, though, enough of the food that I've vetted there is very good, so I'm inclined to go back.
(4)Ashley B.
I'll start by saying that I have been eating at this restaurant regularly for about a year. I work nearby and often grab breakfast on the way or stop over for lunch. I typically go here because there aren't any other "healthy" restaurants in the area. Let's start with the quality- The other day I ordered a sandwich to go with a side of broccoli. When I opened my tin after leaving I found a SINGLE piece of broccoli. ONE. I once ordered a salad to go for 9.50 and it was nothing more than a handful of bagged lettuce with a piece of bread on top. I once ordered a poached egg "to-go" and after over 25 minutes of waiting they explained to me that the water wouldn't boil and that it would be just a little bit longer. Finally after 30 minutes I asked them to make a different kind of egg, which took them another 10 minutes. 40 minutes in total for a "to-go" order. Next the taste - Some of their food is reasonable when it comes to taste. Obviously, the more unhealthy the better tasting. The pancakes are very good (hard to screw up), sandwiches slathered in cheese and salads slathered in dressing are good too. If you are looking for something healthy, this is not the place to go. Everything is covered in oil. Eggs always come brown (if they are anything but scrambled) and taste gross, "healthy salads" essentially contain no ingredients, vegetable sides are more oil than vegetable, and vegan or vegetarian sandwiches taste like nothing unless they put hummus on it (which is their best-tasting item on the menu). Lastly, let's get to what put me over the edge today - their service quality. Firstly, I should say that they are INCREDIBLY slow regardless of time of day that you visit. Don't come here intending to get anything "to-go" if you really have to go. Anyway, this morning, I went in to order an oatmeal (which is just rolled oats heated with some water). This is something I do often. For God knows what reason, it takes them between 10-15 minutes to make a "to-go" oatmeal every time. They didn't have any bananas today, so I decided that while I was waiting I would go across the street to buy a banana for my oatmeal. This took about 3 minutes. Apparently, the guy working the register (who has never once been friendly to me and always seems to act as if I've killed his cat at one point or another) was upset that I left for 3 minutes. When my oatmeal came out about 5 minutes later, I left, took it to my office, and popped it open, only to taste it and find that he had put a large quantity of salt in there. Apparently I made him mad by leaving for 3 minutes while they took 10 minutes to make my oatmeal, and he decided to punish me. I was willing to put up with everything else until now, but I think this was the straw that broke the camel's back. The one good thing about this restaurant is that the owner is very nice. He seems to care about his customers, but he doesn't seem to care about the quality of fake-healthy food he feeds them. My conclusions are: Go here if: you have a lot of time to spare, you don't mind eating something fake-healthy or unhealthy, you don't mind overpaying for food, and if you're not that hungry so you have time to wait for your food to come out. Do not go here if: you are in a hurry, you want something actually nutritious, you want cheap food, or you want a lot of food.
(2)Valerie S.
Their food is good, and they have plenty of healthy options including an option for a veggie as your side instead of their delicious chips. I work in Oakland, so it's a good place to stop by and get lunch from with reasonable prices. I definitely couldn't afford to eat here every day of the week.
(4)Teresa T.
I have been to Red Oak Cafe twice in the last two weeks. The first time was hands down great and just to make sure it wasn't a fluke I returned again for lunch. Red Oak Cafe gets insanely busy during peak lunch times and rightfully so. This gem makes home style food in a healthy and affordable way. I've gotten a turkey sandwich and the roasted pepper sandwich with the home made chips. I wish I was eating some right now! Portions are good and you won't leave hungry. Red Oak Cafe is definitely a keeper though street parking can be a pain.
(5)William S.
I want to like this place. I love the salad offerings - they offer a good selection of salads that are always fresh, well-composed, and accompanied by a house-made dressing. The soups are still bland and usually under-seasoned. The daily specials are usually pretty good (sometimes under-seasoned) and a decent value. There still isn't anywhere else in Oakland that you can get what Red Oak offers - and that's the sole reason that I've returned, albeit with far less frequency that I'd like to return. The reason that I don't go there more often - the reason that I've always hated going to Red Oak Cafe - is the poor management that is reflected in consistently poor service. Every single time I go there, the service falls short, I usually end up waiting far longer than I should (in the middle of the workday when I have other things to do), and it's irritating to me. Really irritating. For example, I went there last week to order a salad for takeout. After ordering, I stood with three other customers and waited. An employee (who looked to be a local college student) was carrying on a personal conversation with the cook - less than three feet in front of waiting customers. After concluding his conversation, he started a new conversation with the cashier - asking whether a prior customer left a tip. After learning that the customer didn't leave a tip, the worker carried on a multi-minute diatribe insulting the prior customer, and preening himself in front of the growing crowd (who were also waiting for food). After this, he then had the audacity to ask us what we had ordered (all salads), and then proceeded to quickly throw together out salads - after we had all waited for him to finish his display of unprofessional behavior. He should have been fired on the spot. The man who appears to be the owner is frequently scrambling around filling orders and trying to do too much himself - while his lazy and undisciplined college student staff lounges around looking hapless and disinterested. Every single visit involves one or more displays of thoughtless and unprofessional behavior: the cutlery tray is empty - because someone didn't do his/her job to see that it was filled with clean cutlery; food is left on the takeout countertop while its customer waits because of poor communication with customers; customers wait while workers stand around looking clueless; workers have inappropriate personal conversations in front of customers; food ordered to-go is plated for in-house consumption, etc. It's a horribly run business. That's why I'm done with the Red Oak Cafe. It's too bad. I makes me wish that someone with better management skills would open another cafe to directly compete with Red Oak in their food offerings . They'd have me as a loyal regular customer.
(2)October R.
Delicious and healthy food just like your momma's.
(4)A C.
The food here is sometimes terrific, sometimes meh. The waits at lunch time are staggering- the staff is really wonderful and attentive. Always order the chips- their home mad chips are wonderful.
(2)Alexis S.
Red Oak is hands down the best place to eat healthy in Oakland. The owner is super nice and devoted to creating a great experience. The food is simply grown, but quite innovative. Try the OTY, a Red Oak classic, for an amazing health snack or early morning pick up. :)
(5)Shweta N.
My favorite spot for Lunch in Oakland. Being a creature of habit, I tend to order the same thing...but the California turkey salad is so delicious, it's hard to stray! Freshly sliced turkey (a healthy portion) and sliced avocado sits atop freshly chopped romaine and is garnished with crispy tortilla strips. All salads are accompanied by their house toast (essentially a large crouton) and delicious salad dressing (cilantro lime for the California turkey). I've also tried several of their vegan and vegetarian friendly sandwiches and chili (all of which were delicious), but I always end up going back to old faithful, the California Turkey. Red Oak Cafe also offers daily hot blue plate specials, which I have yet to try, but will be at the top of my agenda at the next visit! The service is quick and the dishes are inexpensive, which make it a perfect lunch stop during a busy workday. This is an absolute must try for all of you vegetarians!
(4)Lindsay P.
This place is a hidden gem. I put this in the deli section but this is so much more than a deli. - local and organic foods - daily specials - salad and sandwich or soup and salad combos - historic building where the preserved the original murals that are over 50 years old. My friend suggested this place for lunch - and it was perfect. I really like to have a salad with a small sandwich and the salad sandwich combo was perfect. The small salad was just the right size. I had the Asian chicken salad and it was great - not at all over dressed and not too many friend noodles. I love that they have rehabed an old bakery that was local owned. The Red Oak has kept the original murals that were installed in the bakery over 50 years ago. They also serve smoothies and a breakfast menu. I am very interested in trying an oatmeal smoothie.
(5)Dave M.
The concept of healthier food in Oakland is a good one, but this place doesn't deliver. The portions are small and overpriced. Despite the wonderful taste I always leave hungry.
(3)Shana H.
They have the best food here. A definite hidden gem in pittsburgh. The Oty's are soooo good. The breakfast sandwiches are amazing. The food is freshly made and good priced. I went here for breakfast and lunch when I stayed in Pittsburgh.They have a big variety on their menu. Very yummy place!
(5)Sarah K.
After previous bad experiences at Red Oak I'd stopped going there for a few months. Today I decided to give them a second try, hoping maybe the staff had changed over enough for them to have improved. Boy was I wrong! I ordered 2 salads, both of which came with old lettuce (a few pieces of romaine were red throughout the stem) and mine had a few rotten tomatoes (one was black for half of it). The final straw? While eating his Ceasar salad my friend cut his mouth on a sharp, hard piece of plastic. I called before walking back to the store and the guy on the phone said they would be willing to make things better. When I got back to the restaurant the manager walked up, pulled $7 out of the drawer, threw it at me and said, "have a good day" without even asking me what was actually wrong or trying to see what the problem was. My question to Red Oak after reading all the bad reviews here: How do you expect to make things better if you won't even listen to what is wrong?
(1)Kat S.
This is the only restaurant in central Oakland that is both tasty and reasonably healthy. Plus they make a big deal of using sustainably/locally grown foods whenever possible. I have to disagree with one of the reviewers' disdain for the soup -- the spicy gumbo is pretty good (though I always end up having to add extra hot sauce). My personal favorite things about Red Oak include: 1) Newly expanded hours (7 AM-9 PM), so I can usually get food when I'm hungry. 2) Blue plate special is a really good deal. My favorite one is jambalaya, but the pulled pork and the fish are also good. 3) Vegetarian blue plate option (beans + veg + grain) -- usually not terribly exciting, but definitely healthy and tasty in an unassertive way. 4) You can get vegetables as a side dish instead of chips. 5) Oatmeal smoothie should be absolutely disgusting by any standard of reckoning, but it is actually really delicious and can be a meal-substitute in a pinch if you're running really late and have to drink your breakfast out of a straw while you run to class. 6) All the sandwiches and salads are really tasty, and you can get a salad made into a wrap if you want. The things that kind of annoy me about Red Oak: 1) It gets really crowded over lunchtime, and if the short middle-aged woman who works there thinks you've taken long enough to eat your meal, she will tell you so. Best times to go are before or after the big lunchtime rush. 2) It's a bit more expensive than the other lunch restaurants in that part of town (but totally worth it, especially when you consider that the food is fresh and good for you, unlike the other restaurants in Oakland).
(4)Chad P.
A great place for a healthy lunch! You can get lunch for a decent price (~$10.00) The buffalo chicken wrap is TO DIE FOR. It's a nice place with good and healthy choices for lunch...a real gem in a land of McDonald's and fast food.
(4)Joseph S.
Red Oak is one of the few places in Oakland where it's possible to get healthy food. The wraps and salads are great, the food is locally sourced and organic, and the atmosphere inside is rather cool. It can get busy during the school year, but they're actually rather quick.
(4)Jessica W.
Being a vegetarian in Oakland ain't easy, but for a relatively quick (as opposed to table service) meal, Red Oak Cafe hits the spot. I've found all the vegetarian sandwiches to be tasty (though I fail at eating them neatly--so eat alone or with a friend who you're not too self-conscious around if you get a sandwich). I usually like vegetable chips, but I'm not a fan of the ones at Red Oak. Go for the vegetable of the day instead, as the vegetables are tastier (and better for you, too). The vegetarian bean & grains plate and veg-blue plate special are good, but as another reviewer said, they're not too exciting. The omnivores I've brought here like this place, too--my mother pronounced her corned beef reuben as one of the best she's ever had (not too shabby for a New Yorker). Maybe I hyped up the oatmeal smoothie in my mind too much, but I found it a little too fruity (grape/cranberry-ish?) for me. Still, not bad for a good-for-you breakfast in a hurry. Usually I have no complaints about the service, but I did feel awkward when I grabbed a bite to eat here one Friday evening. The employees were already cleaning the tables even though the place was open for another hour and a half, and chatting really loudly with each other. I felt rushed. I guess I can't blame them entirely, as it was a gorgeous day out and it was Friday.
(4)Ryan P.
Tasty, healthy sandwiches, wraps, salads, and soups. They also serve breakfast although I've never tried it. In general, when I'm in the mood for something on the healthier side, this is near the top of my list in the Oakland area. There are plenty of options available for vegetarians, but also for meat lovers. The restaurant is café style in that you order at the counter and wait for your number to be called. Seating gets a bit cramped around lunch hour, but that's just a sign of the quality.
(4)Jill G.
Great lunch and breakfast spot. Salads, sandwiches and blue plate specials. All organic, prepared with care and good sized portions. OATYs are great breakfast on the run on a cold day. The grilled cheese is yum-tastic. They also have pre-prepared foods that you an grab and carry out.
(5)r. h.
Arguably the only place within walking distance to Pitt that serves food that is not wholly unhealthy. The salad is big and has interesting ingredients (not just a heap of iceberg lettuce). The daily blue plate special is a good deal. It can get a quite busy during lunch time when classes are in session.
(4)Charles B.
Friendly service and vegetarian-friendly options. I had the Michaelangelo breakfast sandwich with a side of grilled veggies (different veggie each day), and another breakfast sandwich on the other day, and all was delicious. One clerk tried to interest me in the OTY, a oatmeal-and-tea concoction with a sample. It tasted good but the texture wasn't my thing.
(4)D S.
I work in Oakland and, as many other reviews have mentioned, this is one of the few places where you can get healthy AND tasty food in the area. I often order the Blue Plate and I am rarely disappointed (even when it has something like seitan in it). The staff - even if they ARE University students! - are friendly and I admire the co-owner for rolling up his sleeves and often working alongside his employees. It can get REALLY crowded during lunch. So, I recommend you go at/around 1130a. Enjoy!
(4)Lauren K.
This was one of my favorite places to eat lunch as a student at Pitt. I wish there was a place this good near my work place. All of the sandwiches and wraps are delicious, and some of my favorites are the turkey mesquite and the grilled gouda and tomato. The homemade chips are great, and they have really good, healthy sides for your sandwiches (the green beans are the best I've ever eaten). The prices are really reasonable, and the restaurant is clean and bright, though a bit hectic at times. I do wish they had more soup options, though. I've never had the breakfast items, but they have a large selection of breakfast foods on the menu.
(5)Brian E.
This place is outstanding. Dave always has the freshest ingredients and the staff is so friendly. The best breakfast in Oakland (yes, better than Pamela's)
(5)Michael H.
I like that Red Oak is dedicated to organic food and eating healthy, but the food is just hit or miss. It really depends what you get. I had a chicken wrap with hummus that was very lackluster but the blue plate specials are normally pretty solid. The place is normally packed during lunch but if you want to eat well I think it is a solid choice.
(3)Amy B.
This place is totally solid. I got a grilled cheese with tomato and it came with a side of unexpectedly good asparagus.
(4)Alex O.
Yummy sandwiches, and great chips!
(4)Bill P.
I've only eaten here once so far, but I had a good salad at a fair price, and I didn't need to wait long for it. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with Pittsburgh-themed photos, maps, and objects. I haven't made it back here yet, but I plan to sometime in the future.
(4)Leanne L.
This is one of my staples. I only go here with a friend and usually run into people I know. It's a great little place for socializing and you have to take a friend in order to get the best bang for your buck. So here's what you should do! One of you order a sandwich (I prefer the Frick) and another should order a helping of the Nutella pancakes. Then you split those suckers in half and chow down on your 1/2 sandwich 1/2 pancake meal you just created and wallow in happiness. It's the perfect helping size and the perfect mix of savory and sweet. I can't attest for anything else (aside from the coffee of course!), because after doing this once, I never had the heart to order anything else and miss out on this concoction! Highly recommend.
(5)Will K.
Went here for lunch yesterday. The atmosphere is nice as well as the staff. I got the Ruben with Brussels sprout hash. It was really good but left me a little hungry which is why I am giving this place 4 stars. I don't want to be too hard on the red oak cafe because the food was good and the prices were reasonable. If you are in the area this is a safe place to land for a good meal.
(4)Kim K.
I ordered the Caesar salad to go. The salad came out on a regular plate, so I asked for a to-go container. The to-go container given to me could fit maybe 1/2 the salad? I'm not sure why I was given a baby-sized container for a full salad... The menu also indicates "House Toast" is included - it did not arrive on my plate. Taste: Overall, the salad was ok. Pro: - It was huge - good enough for 2 meals. - Lots of chicken Con: - Lacked flavor. More dressing would have been helpful. - About 1/2 the lettuce consisted of those middle-of-the-lettuce-head-white-crunchy-Âflavorless pieces. I also got the bottled Cranberry juice. The brand they supply is appreciated - all natural, not loaded with sugars & preservatives. Service: Girl taking my order was very friendly. I did witness a slightly awkward interaction. At ROC, there are a few tables / chairs outside. There were a few restaurant patrons sitting at one of these tables. Around 5:10 the wait staff went outside and asked the diners to leave so they could bring in the table/chairs (Closed at 5:00). Hmmm. Of course I understand the restaurant wanting to close down as quickly as possible - from a customer service perspective, it seemed awkward. Price: About $10 for the salad and drink. A little pricey for the quality, but average compared to surrounding restaurants.
(2)Gwen N.
Love the feel of this place and the fact that they serve healthier food (especially in Pittsburgh, the city of fries-on-everything). Can't go wrong with what you order, though it would be nice if the portions were a bit bigger for the price. Love the house-made chips and the OTY smoothies (especially the warm ones during Pittsburgh winters). Definitely a nice change of pace for the typical restaurant goer.
(4)Joseph T.
Red Oak is a great spot if you are looking for a change in the food that is typically served in Oakland. Red Oak avoids the greasy persona of the surrounding venues and offers a tasteful spin on more nutritious entrees. The restaurant offers daily specials which I am quite a fan of. Red Oak is very Vegan and Vegetarian friendly. Red Oak also offers a wide selection of sandwiches and wraps; however, given the scarcity of food that is tasteful, healthful, and served in a creative fashion, I reccomend ordering the specials here.
(4)Melissa W.
REALLY like this place! Got lunch here, did the soup and grilled cheese combo; the soup was vegetarian chili. (see picture!) Both delicious. When I first walked in, the girl behind the counter was waiting patiently for my order, so I explained it was my first time there, and I might be a few minutes deciding. Someone in the kitchen must have overheard me, so he came over with a sample of their OTY (pronounced O-TEE) and a pamphlet explaining. Basically it's a warm oatmeal, yogurt, nut, fruit, and tea smoothie. I think it definitely shows the character of a place when someone does that. The OTY was very good as well! Nothing like I've ever had before. Some people have mentioned that it's a little pricey, I personally don't find so at all. My soup and sandwich combo was only $7.50. Everything tasted SO fresh. Tip: parking can be a pain, but it's worth driving in circles a few times. ;)
(4)Eric G.
This is one of my favorite lunch stops in Oakland. The food here is fresh, the vegetarian menu is good, and the people serving the food are nice. The owner actually came out to the floor to offer all of the customers free samples of some homemade juices they were trying out. In regards to the food, I usually have the red pepper hummus wrap, which is really good. There are breakfast options that are tasty as well as the soups and chilis (the vegan chili is awesome). I've never gotten one of their salads, but a friend I went with once got the cobb salad and had good things to say about it. I would say the one drawback is that it can be a bit pricey for the amount of food you get (I still can't believe that some of these places sell a sandwich and chips for over 8 bucks), but you know the quality of the food will be good- and you hopefully will be able to sit inside the cool restaurant and make Forbes passersby envious of your scrumptious meal.
(4)Amy R.
I'm not a huge sandwich person, but this place was PACKED at noon on a Friday, so they must have good food. I got a grilled cheese, not realizing it was made with tomato slices inside. I can only imagine they're going for the grilled cheese and tomato soup aspect. Before I took a bite, I was skeptical. However, it was quite good - the tomato added a little something to the normal boring grilled cheese sandwich. It wasn't overbearing and added a different texture to something that is so simple that it generally appeals to 5 year-olds. I hear their smoothies are quite good too, but I did not partake today. Overall, very reasonably priced - my whole meal for $5 and some change.
(3)Julia R.
Visited this place with 8 folks for breakfast on a Friday morning in June. The owner/ manager was totally sweet! Upon entering, everyone ordered at the counter and then sat at one of the many tables. Lots of wood here, maybe 15 tables or so. Water is serve yourself from the counter, which was actually nice for us since we had water bottles to fill as well. A variety of dishes were ordered, including the banana-nutella pancakes that I went with. Oh man those suckers are good! I loved the pieces of banana inside. I would go back just for those pancakes, but the service was great as well, with the owner taking the time to get to know our group and give us some pointers on things to see near the U of Pittsburgh. Highly recommend this place, especially for those with any kind of special dietary needs- this spot had all kinds of awards on the wall for their vegetarian friendly menu :)
(5)Andrew M.
I'm not sure I was able to give this place a fair shake on my one visit... I ordered the club sandwich. (boo! hiss!) All-in-all, though, it was a great experience, and the place looked like a fantastic place to sit with your neighbors and have breakfast or lunch. The club sandwich comes on a croissant, and although mine wasn't particularly well put-together, the flavors were great, and it was pretty filling. I have to give special props to the curried carrot slivers that they offer as a side dish - they were addictive. My friend had a big salad with lots of goodies, and she seemed pretty satisfied at the end. Next time I'm in Pittsburgh, I want to try the OTY and other house specialties.
(4)blaise c.
Terrible seating situation. My family and I walked in and there were people standing all over the restaurant between tables because apparently the idea is you just hover over someone until they give up their seats since you seat yourself here. I was in a party of 4 and we had to have two of us at a table for 2 and two of us using half of a table for 4 because two other people were in the other seats. On top of this horrible seating method, there was no chocolate milk left when I ordered (which isn't really that big a deal it just didn't help with my liking this place), and they also ran out of coffee (which I actually thought was odd..), and there's only 1 unisex bathroom so you have to wait forever for it unless you're the only one in the restaurant that has to go. It was good enough that if they changed that awful seating method I would definitely reconsider going there again but until then I'm out.
(2)Read H.
I had the Vegan Chili and the Smokehouse Turkey Sandwich. Both were great. The Smokehouse Turkey had turkey, Bacon and Gouda cheese on grilled Texas toast with sun dried tomato hummus, lettuce and tomato. A terrific combination. A bowl of the chili on a cold day would hit the spot.
(5)Jk A.
First of all they ARE open Sundays. Yelp says it's closed. This is a tasty diner type atmosphere with great pancakes, coffee, and fresh juices. I'd definitely come back.
(4)Sam J.
Red Oak is a great alternative compared to the other food in Oakland, for a great price. The food is much healthier than most Oakland options, and has a variety of options. They also offer breakfast all day long. Service isn't fabulous during lunch rush, but I have never had a problem. Their smoothies and juices are excellent!
(4)Grace H.
Awesome tasting, healthy, affordable food. Perfect for lunch in Oakland.
(5)Luke M.
Great place for vegetarians. Its often hard to find places that offer more than one or two options without meat. This place had quite a few, many of them healthy with options like quinoa, kale etc. I had a smoothie and walnut pancakes, both delicious. Some of the other reviews mentioned limited seating. I thought it actually had quite a bit of room. I do see how it could be annoying at certain times of day when the line to order runs through the seating area, but it wasn't bad during my visit. Will definitely stop here again when I'm in town.
(4)Rose C.
Really, really mediocre. Left feeling as if I could have made a better salad AND sandwich. Not enough dressing and the sandwich was really salty (had a pick two--Caesar salad and Texas turkey sandwich). Smoothie was good though, not too sweet didn't have a sugar overload like most places
(3)Jeremy M.
What a delight it was to discover this nice place. Located In the heart of Oakland, if you are interested in some healthy but approachable and delicious fare, why not give the Red Oak Cafe a try? I had the hummus wrap and the veggie chili which was very good. Although the wrap was vegetarian it was actually quite "meaty" tasting and really satisfied my hunger. The owner was very helpful with our rather large group. The vibe was relaxed and I'll be sure to come back again.
(5)T S.
LOVE the Oatie - and that I can now mix the Oatie and the fruit smoothie. you drink it and you are literally doing your body a big favor! The Oatie is a 3x per week item for me. The flavors change everyday, so you never know what you will get from day-to-day and I like it that way!
(5)Richard W.
Had lunch there 10/13. The place was packed. Good service. Food was ok, not bad but not memorable in any way. Fair price. Too many other and better places nearby to go back.
(2)Zach Y.
Solid sandwichs made quickly in a nice environment. A good place to go for a quick, solid sandwich.
(3)Lauren S.
I love their breakfast sandwiches and wraps! I also am a huge fan of the hot OTY (Oats, Tea, and Yogurt) smoothies! I hadn't seen these smoothies anywhere else before and I'm really glad I tried them. The prices are very reasonable and the food is great. I also really like how they serve breakfast all day.
(4)Daniel P.
This vegan gives a thumbs up. Friendly staff over the phone and in person. They modified a sandwich for me (adding crispy seitan from the blue plate to a king kong wrap). The king kong wrap with my added seitan was a texture and taste party in my mouth. Wasabi peas, crispy noodles, and delicious seitan. Sandwich name might be a bit oddly chosen, though. Only in town for a week from NYC, but I have a feeling I'll be back. The prices are reasonable, staff is courteous and helpful, and the food has impressive amounts of flavor and texture.
(5)M Z.
Nice lunch spot in Oakland. Very impressive soups and nice environment. Nutrition? Not necessarily better than other cafes. OTY? Innovative, but NOT for me!
(5)Shannon A.
The food is healthy, filling, and vegetarian/vegan friendly. They can cater to gluten free as well. I enjoy the vegetarian spins on popular sandwiches (e.g the Melvin instead of a Reuben). The owner goes out of his way to introduce himself and offer samples of new menu items. The staff are often very busy, but will smile and accommodate your concerns/questions/requests.
(5)Lauren B.
Went to this place for the first time for lunch today and it was delicious. I got the Blue Plate special which was an awesome deal for $5 which was a sausage and chicken jambalaya with cheese grits. It was delicious, though I have to say being a native of New Orleans that it was not true jambalaya (didn't even have rice!). It was more like a think gumbo or etouffee (also normally served with rice) but the flavoring was delicious and true to the Cajun style of seasoning. Most jambalayas are tomato based but this seemed to have more of a roux base and was soupy. The cheese grits were also fantastic. All the ingredients seemed fresh and of high quality. It seemed the grits was supposed to be instead of the more typical rice and it turned out to be a nice combination, although less authentic than the original Cajun version. The seating area is also very cozy and comfortable and the service was fast and friendly--you order at the counter and they bring it out and ask if you need anything.
(4)Molly D.
I'm so happy that there's a local, healthier option to be had amid the strip of Forbes in Oakland that offers a lot of decadent, fatty foods (you won't be hard-pressed to find chicken wings, oversize sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and fries in an area that caters to undergrads). Even so, Red Oak Cafe isn't exactly oozing with purity, either. There are still plenty of meat options, from sandwich fillers to toppings on salads, and cheese is a welcome paring with three quarters of the items on their menu. At the risk of sounding unnecessarily whiny, I'm bringing this up because they seem to take pride in their "healthy" menu and use it as a marketing tool, and I think it's fair to share varying opinions on what constitutes "healthy." I'm not saying a little meat and cheese negates healthy eating (everything in moderation!), but I wouldn't pretend I was doing my body a huge favor by eating here, either (if you want to get into healthy, clean, local eating though, run--don't walk--to Eden in Shadyside). Anyway! I think the breakfast menu, particularly when it comes to the egg sandwiches, is very reasonably priced ($2.95-$4.75). I've had the Michelangelo (egg, mushrooms, spinach, provolone, whole grain bread, $4.50), and it was very good. Their vegetarian chili (with house chips and avocado dressing, 8 oz. for $4.25) was good, but I've definitely had better. After a couple of satisfied trips in, I was in the mood to try one of their salads, and opted for a mesclun and romaine-based mix (I'm pretty sure it was the California Turkey, with mesquite turkey, avocado, carrots, tomatoes, radish, tortilla strips, honey lime cilantro vinaigrette, $7.50). One of the few things I'm really picky about with food is salad green quality (I prefer dark greens and generally think that any leafy "green" that appears yellowish or white is a cheap, bottom-of-the barrel cop out), and I was disappointed in theirs. It seemed much heavier on the romaine than the mesclun, and the romaine looked pretty devoid of color, making it an overall unappetizing salad. I would be very hesitant to get a salad there again. While the service there has generally been friendly, it seems like the staff might be spread a little thin. Lunch time there is crazy, but I've also been there at off-peak times and it's taken 20 minutes to receive my order, and once, they forgot about my order altogether. Overall, though, enough of the food that I've vetted there is very good, so I'm inclined to go back.
(4)Ashley B.
I'll start by saying that I have been eating at this restaurant regularly for about a year. I work nearby and often grab breakfast on the way or stop over for lunch. I typically go here because there aren't any other "healthy" restaurants in the area. Let's start with the quality- The other day I ordered a sandwich to go with a side of broccoli. When I opened my tin after leaving I found a SINGLE piece of broccoli. ONE. I once ordered a salad to go for 9.50 and it was nothing more than a handful of bagged lettuce with a piece of bread on top. I once ordered a poached egg "to-go" and after over 25 minutes of waiting they explained to me that the water wouldn't boil and that it would be just a little bit longer. Finally after 30 minutes I asked them to make a different kind of egg, which took them another 10 minutes. 40 minutes in total for a "to-go" order. Next the taste - Some of their food is reasonable when it comes to taste. Obviously, the more unhealthy the better tasting. The pancakes are very good (hard to screw up), sandwiches slathered in cheese and salads slathered in dressing are good too. If you are looking for something healthy, this is not the place to go. Everything is covered in oil. Eggs always come brown (if they are anything but scrambled) and taste gross, "healthy salads" essentially contain no ingredients, vegetable sides are more oil than vegetable, and vegan or vegetarian sandwiches taste like nothing unless they put hummus on it (which is their best-tasting item on the menu). Lastly, let's get to what put me over the edge today - their service quality. Firstly, I should say that they are INCREDIBLY slow regardless of time of day that you visit. Don't come here intending to get anything "to-go" if you really have to go. Anyway, this morning, I went in to order an oatmeal (which is just rolled oats heated with some water). This is something I do often. For God knows what reason, it takes them between 10-15 minutes to make a "to-go" oatmeal every time. They didn't have any bananas today, so I decided that while I was waiting I would go across the street to buy a banana for my oatmeal. This took about 3 minutes. Apparently, the guy working the register (who has never once been friendly to me and always seems to act as if I've killed his cat at one point or another) was upset that I left for 3 minutes. When my oatmeal came out about 5 minutes later, I left, took it to my office, and popped it open, only to taste it and find that he had put a large quantity of salt in there. Apparently I made him mad by leaving for 3 minutes while they took 10 minutes to make my oatmeal, and he decided to punish me. I was willing to put up with everything else until now, but I think this was the straw that broke the camel's back. The one good thing about this restaurant is that the owner is very nice. He seems to care about his customers, but he doesn't seem to care about the quality of fake-healthy food he feeds them. My conclusions are: Go here if: you have a lot of time to spare, you don't mind eating something fake-healthy or unhealthy, you don't mind overpaying for food, and if you're not that hungry so you have time to wait for your food to come out. Do not go here if: you are in a hurry, you want something actually nutritious, you want cheap food, or you want a lot of food.
(2)Valerie S.
Their food is good, and they have plenty of healthy options including an option for a veggie as your side instead of their delicious chips. I work in Oakland, so it's a good place to stop by and get lunch from with reasonable prices. I definitely couldn't afford to eat here every day of the week.
(4)Teresa T.
I have been to Red Oak Cafe twice in the last two weeks. The first time was hands down great and just to make sure it wasn't a fluke I returned again for lunch. Red Oak Cafe gets insanely busy during peak lunch times and rightfully so. This gem makes home style food in a healthy and affordable way. I've gotten a turkey sandwich and the roasted pepper sandwich with the home made chips. I wish I was eating some right now! Portions are good and you won't leave hungry. Red Oak Cafe is definitely a keeper though street parking can be a pain.
(5)William S.
I want to like this place. I love the salad offerings - they offer a good selection of salads that are always fresh, well-composed, and accompanied by a house-made dressing. The soups are still bland and usually under-seasoned. The daily specials are usually pretty good (sometimes under-seasoned) and a decent value. There still isn't anywhere else in Oakland that you can get what Red Oak offers - and that's the sole reason that I've returned, albeit with far less frequency that I'd like to return. The reason that I don't go there more often - the reason that I've always hated going to Red Oak Cafe - is the poor management that is reflected in consistently poor service. Every single time I go there, the service falls short, I usually end up waiting far longer than I should (in the middle of the workday when I have other things to do), and it's irritating to me. Really irritating. For example, I went there last week to order a salad for takeout. After ordering, I stood with three other customers and waited. An employee (who looked to be a local college student) was carrying on a personal conversation with the cook - less than three feet in front of waiting customers. After concluding his conversation, he started a new conversation with the cashier - asking whether a prior customer left a tip. After learning that the customer didn't leave a tip, the worker carried on a multi-minute diatribe insulting the prior customer, and preening himself in front of the growing crowd (who were also waiting for food). After this, he then had the audacity to ask us what we had ordered (all salads), and then proceeded to quickly throw together out salads - after we had all waited for him to finish his display of unprofessional behavior. He should have been fired on the spot. The man who appears to be the owner is frequently scrambling around filling orders and trying to do too much himself - while his lazy and undisciplined college student staff lounges around looking hapless and disinterested. Every single visit involves one or more displays of thoughtless and unprofessional behavior: the cutlery tray is empty - because someone didn't do his/her job to see that it was filled with clean cutlery; food is left on the takeout countertop while its customer waits because of poor communication with customers; customers wait while workers stand around looking clueless; workers have inappropriate personal conversations in front of customers; food ordered to-go is plated for in-house consumption, etc. It's a horribly run business. That's why I'm done with the Red Oak Cafe. It's too bad. I makes me wish that someone with better management skills would open another cafe to directly compete with Red Oak in their food offerings . They'd have me as a loyal regular customer.
(2)October R.
Delicious and healthy food just like your momma's.
(4)A C.
The food here is sometimes terrific, sometimes meh. The waits at lunch time are staggering- the staff is really wonderful and attentive. Always order the chips- their home mad chips are wonderful.
(2)Alexis S.
Red Oak is hands down the best place to eat healthy in Oakland. The owner is super nice and devoted to creating a great experience. The food is simply grown, but quite innovative. Try the OTY, a Red Oak classic, for an amazing health snack or early morning pick up. :)
(5)Shweta N.
My favorite spot for Lunch in Oakland. Being a creature of habit, I tend to order the same thing...but the California turkey salad is so delicious, it's hard to stray! Freshly sliced turkey (a healthy portion) and sliced avocado sits atop freshly chopped romaine and is garnished with crispy tortilla strips. All salads are accompanied by their house toast (essentially a large crouton) and delicious salad dressing (cilantro lime for the California turkey). I've also tried several of their vegan and vegetarian friendly sandwiches and chili (all of which were delicious), but I always end up going back to old faithful, the California Turkey. Red Oak Cafe also offers daily hot blue plate specials, which I have yet to try, but will be at the top of my agenda at the next visit! The service is quick and the dishes are inexpensive, which make it a perfect lunch stop during a busy workday. This is an absolute must try for all of you vegetarians!
(4)Lindsay P.
This place is a hidden gem. I put this in the deli section but this is so much more than a deli. - local and organic foods - daily specials - salad and sandwich or soup and salad combos - historic building where the preserved the original murals that are over 50 years old. My friend suggested this place for lunch - and it was perfect. I really like to have a salad with a small sandwich and the salad sandwich combo was perfect. The small salad was just the right size. I had the Asian chicken salad and it was great - not at all over dressed and not too many friend noodles. I love that they have rehabed an old bakery that was local owned. The Red Oak has kept the original murals that were installed in the bakery over 50 years ago. They also serve smoothies and a breakfast menu. I am very interested in trying an oatmeal smoothie.
(5)Dave M.
The concept of healthier food in Oakland is a good one, but this place doesn't deliver. The portions are small and overpriced. Despite the wonderful taste I always leave hungry.
(3)Shana H.
They have the best food here. A definite hidden gem in pittsburgh. The Oty's are soooo good. The breakfast sandwiches are amazing. The food is freshly made and good priced. I went here for breakfast and lunch when I stayed in Pittsburgh.They have a big variety on their menu. Very yummy place!
(5)Sarah K.
After previous bad experiences at Red Oak I'd stopped going there for a few months. Today I decided to give them a second try, hoping maybe the staff had changed over enough for them to have improved. Boy was I wrong! I ordered 2 salads, both of which came with old lettuce (a few pieces of romaine were red throughout the stem) and mine had a few rotten tomatoes (one was black for half of it). The final straw? While eating his Ceasar salad my friend cut his mouth on a sharp, hard piece of plastic. I called before walking back to the store and the guy on the phone said they would be willing to make things better. When I got back to the restaurant the manager walked up, pulled $7 out of the drawer, threw it at me and said, "have a good day" without even asking me what was actually wrong or trying to see what the problem was. My question to Red Oak after reading all the bad reviews here: How do you expect to make things better if you won't even listen to what is wrong?
(1)Kat S.
This is the only restaurant in central Oakland that is both tasty and reasonably healthy. Plus they make a big deal of using sustainably/locally grown foods whenever possible. I have to disagree with one of the reviewers' disdain for the soup -- the spicy gumbo is pretty good (though I always end up having to add extra hot sauce). My personal favorite things about Red Oak include: 1) Newly expanded hours (7 AM-9 PM), so I can usually get food when I'm hungry. 2) Blue plate special is a really good deal. My favorite one is jambalaya, but the pulled pork and the fish are also good. 3) Vegetarian blue plate option (beans + veg + grain) -- usually not terribly exciting, but definitely healthy and tasty in an unassertive way. 4) You can get vegetables as a side dish instead of chips. 5) Oatmeal smoothie should be absolutely disgusting by any standard of reckoning, but it is actually really delicious and can be a meal-substitute in a pinch if you're running really late and have to drink your breakfast out of a straw while you run to class. 6) All the sandwiches and salads are really tasty, and you can get a salad made into a wrap if you want. The things that kind of annoy me about Red Oak: 1) It gets really crowded over lunchtime, and if the short middle-aged woman who works there thinks you've taken long enough to eat your meal, she will tell you so. Best times to go are before or after the big lunchtime rush. 2) It's a bit more expensive than the other lunch restaurants in that part of town (but totally worth it, especially when you consider that the food is fresh and good for you, unlike the other restaurants in Oakland).
(4)Chad P.
A great place for a healthy lunch! You can get lunch for a decent price (~$10.00) The buffalo chicken wrap is TO DIE FOR. It's a nice place with good and healthy choices for lunch...a real gem in a land of McDonald's and fast food.
(4)Joseph S.
Red Oak is one of the few places in Oakland where it's possible to get healthy food. The wraps and salads are great, the food is locally sourced and organic, and the atmosphere inside is rather cool. It can get busy during the school year, but they're actually rather quick.
(4)Jessica W.
Being a vegetarian in Oakland ain't easy, but for a relatively quick (as opposed to table service) meal, Red Oak Cafe hits the spot. I've found all the vegetarian sandwiches to be tasty (though I fail at eating them neatly--so eat alone or with a friend who you're not too self-conscious around if you get a sandwich). I usually like vegetable chips, but I'm not a fan of the ones at Red Oak. Go for the vegetable of the day instead, as the vegetables are tastier (and better for you, too). The vegetarian bean & grains plate and veg-blue plate special are good, but as another reviewer said, they're not too exciting. The omnivores I've brought here like this place, too--my mother pronounced her corned beef reuben as one of the best she's ever had (not too shabby for a New Yorker). Maybe I hyped up the oatmeal smoothie in my mind too much, but I found it a little too fruity (grape/cranberry-ish?) for me. Still, not bad for a good-for-you breakfast in a hurry. Usually I have no complaints about the service, but I did feel awkward when I grabbed a bite to eat here one Friday evening. The employees were already cleaning the tables even though the place was open for another hour and a half, and chatting really loudly with each other. I felt rushed. I guess I can't blame them entirely, as it was a gorgeous day out and it was Friday.
(4)Ryan P.
Tasty, healthy sandwiches, wraps, salads, and soups. They also serve breakfast although I've never tried it. In general, when I'm in the mood for something on the healthier side, this is near the top of my list in the Oakland area. There are plenty of options available for vegetarians, but also for meat lovers. The restaurant is café style in that you order at the counter and wait for your number to be called. Seating gets a bit cramped around lunch hour, but that's just a sign of the quality.
(4)Jill G.
Great lunch and breakfast spot. Salads, sandwiches and blue plate specials. All organic, prepared with care and good sized portions. OATYs are great breakfast on the run on a cold day. The grilled cheese is yum-tastic. They also have pre-prepared foods that you an grab and carry out.
(5)r. h.
Arguably the only place within walking distance to Pitt that serves food that is not wholly unhealthy. The salad is big and has interesting ingredients (not just a heap of iceberg lettuce). The daily blue plate special is a good deal. It can get a quite busy during lunch time when classes are in session.
(4)Charles B.
Friendly service and vegetarian-friendly options. I had the Michaelangelo breakfast sandwich with a side of grilled veggies (different veggie each day), and another breakfast sandwich on the other day, and all was delicious. One clerk tried to interest me in the OTY, a oatmeal-and-tea concoction with a sample. It tasted good but the texture wasn't my thing.
(4)D S.
I work in Oakland and, as many other reviews have mentioned, this is one of the few places where you can get healthy AND tasty food in the area. I often order the Blue Plate and I am rarely disappointed (even when it has something like seitan in it). The staff - even if they ARE University students! - are friendly and I admire the co-owner for rolling up his sleeves and often working alongside his employees. It can get REALLY crowded during lunch. So, I recommend you go at/around 1130a. Enjoy!
(4)Lauren K.
This was one of my favorite places to eat lunch as a student at Pitt. I wish there was a place this good near my work place. All of the sandwiches and wraps are delicious, and some of my favorites are the turkey mesquite and the grilled gouda and tomato. The homemade chips are great, and they have really good, healthy sides for your sandwiches (the green beans are the best I've ever eaten). The prices are really reasonable, and the restaurant is clean and bright, though a bit hectic at times. I do wish they had more soup options, though. I've never had the breakfast items, but they have a large selection of breakfast foods on the menu.
(5)Brian E.
This place is outstanding. Dave always has the freshest ingredients and the staff is so friendly. The best breakfast in Oakland (yes, better than Pamela's)
(5)Michael H.
I like that Red Oak is dedicated to organic food and eating healthy, but the food is just hit or miss. It really depends what you get. I had a chicken wrap with hummus that was very lackluster but the blue plate specials are normally pretty solid. The place is normally packed during lunch but if you want to eat well I think it is a solid choice.
(3)Amy B.
This place is totally solid. I got a grilled cheese with tomato and it came with a side of unexpectedly good asparagus.
(4)Alex O.
Yummy sandwiches, and great chips!
(4)Bill P.
I've only eaten here once so far, but I had a good salad at a fair price, and I didn't need to wait long for it. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with Pittsburgh-themed photos, maps, and objects. I haven't made it back here yet, but I plan to sometime in the future.
(4)Monica J.
Alright, fine. I'm a huge snob and I don't want french fries on my sandwich (which apparently everyone does with Primanti's across the street). But Red Oak Cafe, and the later the box of Mike N Ikes, were the two best meals I had while staying in Pittsburgh all week. Though still greasy, I had a great breakfast sandwich here that really hit the spot. Looking around, others food choices looked good also and my husband was happy with his turkey sandwich. The cafe was crowded, so snuggle up close with some strangers and find a seat.
(4)C M.
I love this place! They have a wide selection of vegetarian (and non-vegetarian) options for breakfast and lunch, and everything is unique and delicious. My favorite sandwich is the Sleek wrap, and their homemade chips are seasoned well and very tasty. The only thing I didn't like as much were their soups- I tried 2 different ones and each one was a little bland. Overall, the flavors here are great, they have good vegetarian and good healthy options, and the prices are reasonable.
(5)Heather L.
I have been a patron of The Red Oak for years. They consistently provide fast, fresh and delicious food. Their menu has many healthy and vegetarian options. Those with lactose intolerance & who are gluten free can find great meals there as well! It is a must to go to in Pittsburgh, and those working in Oakland can make it in for lunch breaks. Get the roasted red pepper hummus wrap, it never fails. The sleek & brussel sprout has are also amazing. One of my favorite Pittsburgh spots.
(5)Favian S.
During lunch hour, this place is packed. I ordered the oak club sandwich and was hungry enough to try the highly recommended banana nutella pancakes. The oak club is a croissant sandwich, with ham, turkey, and thin cut bacon. It was a little dry, and wasn't really all that special. The potato side dish was not even seasoned and lacked any flavor. 2/5 The redeeming quality of this restaurant is probably its breakfast. The banana nutella pancakes was a unique dish. The banana is incorporated inside the pancake itself, and there is a generous amount of nutella on the pancakes. I personally think the pancakes taste better without maple syrup, as it overpowers the nutella. 4/5
(3)Vi L.
It's a cute and cozy dinning destination for lunch right in the heart of Oakland. The service kind of reminds me of Panera where you order at the counter and then pick up after yourself when you're done. It's a great spot for a casual lunch and the food is quite delicious too. I had the fish taco as a part of the special of the day. The entrée came with two fish tacos and a side of rice and beans. The fish tacos had a good balance of vegetable, flavors and fish. The fish was crispy and the vegetable on top was equally crisp. My only complaint was the excessive onions overpowering the other flavors. There was barely enough guacamole on my tacos to taste. The side of rice and beans was the filler. Overall, I really enjoyed my dinning experience at Red Oak. I will definitely return again in the future to try other entrees. The service was quick and efficient, and the food good and affordable.
(4)n k.
3.5 stars. An okay spot for a quick bite (especially if you're a broke college student) but I wouldn't come back here. Went here with two friends: one of them and I got egg sandwiches, which were okay. Nothing to write home about. My other friend got an egg scramble, was also decent, but the potatoes were cold and undercooked. We also got a smoothie and juice, and the staff forgot about it. Had to go up to remind them, and a second time because the juice wasn't ready during the first trip.
(3)Meghan B.
I came here with my mom and sister for my moms birthday last week. Overall awesome experience! We came around noon and it was packeddddd, I will plan better when coming next time. It's not very large in there and therefore it was quite noisy and crowded. But that was really the only downfall of the experience. I ordered a Cobb salad and their smokehouse turkey sandwich on their "pick two" combo. I placed my order at the counter, took my number and found a seat. The half portion of my salad and sandwich were quite large and satisfying! And for $8.75, you couldn't beat it! Everything was fresh, from the avocados in my salad, to the lettuce and tomato on my sandwich. Everything was tasty and I left feeling very full and satisfied:). The avocado vinaigrette on my Cobb was amazing. It was so refreshing to have a healthy, fresh meal in Oakland! I also tried a few spoonfuls of the cream of mushroom soup my mom ordered... It was packed with flavor! Mhm! I am excited to have found this little gem. I plan on returning this week! :) (Just a note: after paying, I noticed two receipts on the counter with slashes through the tip area, leaving me here to give the public service announcement to tip! Yes, you aren't ordering with a server... But your meal is still being brought to you. The servers might all run food during lunch in order to deal with the crowds and might split tips. Regardless, just tip, always- when you're being served! :) end rant !)
(4)Jared C.
Went here for lunch and ordered the sriracha chicken wrap with brussel hash. The wrap was fresh and perfectly spicy. The hash was a great unique taste that I definitely want more of. All together lunch was less than $10. Also the environment was casual and there seemed to be some cool drinks on the menu.
(5)Sarah W.
Sorry Pamela's and Chipotle, you ain't got nothing on Red Oak Cafe. They serve breakfast (egg sammies, omelets, pancakes etc), and lunch (sammies, wraps, salads). Every day they offer a Blue Plate Special, a balanced meal for the se price. I recommend Friday's fish tacos. They also serve tea, coffee, fresh pressed juice and smoothies. Service is friendly, food comes out quickly, and the portions are never too small. You must try the salmon avocado salad! The avocado dressing is tangy, spicy, and creamy! I swear I've never craved anything more than this salad. It also has dried cranberries, pecans and feta in it. I want to eat it every day. Although the bathroom needs serious improvement, Red Oak Cafe remains my only go-to for dining out and take out in Oakland during my work shifts.
(5)Amy S.
Really wanted to like this place, but the food was sub-par. Ordered a scramble which was lukewarm. The breakfast potatoes were actually cold. I sent back the plate to make it warmer and the potatoes came back less cold but by no means warm. Hopefully, this feedback will help the line cook improve service for future patrons. Even though I'm visiting, I would not return here if visiting Pittsburgh again.
(2)Laura M.
It's been awhile since I've been here, but when my lab was located on Forbes Ave., we came on occasion for lunch. My PI was a big fan of the blue plate special at the time (fish with avocado sauce), and I agree that it was pretty good--particularly the sauce, which was super-flavorful and really spruced up the fish, which was quite bland). This is definitely some of the healthier food you'll find in Oakland, although it will cost you a bit more than at other local places. While I was a fan of the blue plate special, the salads I've had from here have been just okay. Then again, I'm not a huge salad person, so perhaps salads have to be really original and delicious to wow me, and, to be honest, I have yet to find that in PGH (other than perhaps at Cure). My biggest complaint about this place is the seating area. As others have noted, there aren't many tables, and it can be difficult to snag one if you come in during peak lunch hour. I'd recommend getting your lunch to go and walking a block or two to the benches near Posvar Hall to eat it--or else taking it back to your desk. My lab used to come here during non-peak hours to avoid this problem, but at least once, we came later and the blue plate was sold out. I've come here more than once with a group and we've walked right back out when there was no seating for us. Overall, an okay option for lunch, esp. if you're looking for something on the healthier side, but assume that you won't be able to be seated if you come during peak hours and plan accordingly.
(3)Derry R.
Usually Red Oak is very busy. I went a little late for lunch and therefore the dining room was not that crowded. I was surprised that for so few patrons, the staff was a bit discombobulated. Having to repeatedly repeat my order. A party of 4 arrived after me and the staff completely messed up their orders. However, my food was very good and offered a very fresh taste to my palette. I loved sitting next to the window and watch people walk past.
(4)Jerry H.
My wife had an egg scramble with some brussel sprout mash and bacon, and I had some veggie scramble with avocado. Both were nutritious and tasty, but since we're so used to over-salted food in Houston, we found the food needed a little extra salt or hot sauce or something. Once we added those, it was all great. Portions were generous, the food was hot and fresh. My wife really enjoyed the bread. Service was courteous though a touch slow, but we did come at a quiet time, and we only saw two staff. Next time we're in Oakland, we'll come back and explore the menu a bit more.
(3)Bernadette U.
Two words Brussel Hash, so freakin' good! Was with a group of 7 for breakfasts, not the best place for a large party, but we lucked out that the big table was open. Everyone enjoyed their food. I got two eggs overhard w/ rye toast and the aforementioned hash. I would definitely go back on my own to try some of their breakfast sandwiches.
(4)Tony W.
I was in town for work and this was the place my U. Pitt colleagues took me for breakfast. It's a local breakfast and sandwich joint that everyone in the office likes to go to because it's owned and operated by an alum. And because it's good. The interior has a hippie/organic feel to it: cozy, and food specials written on slate in a myriad of chalk colors. And I'd like to highlight that the staff here is incredibly friendly and chatty. And honest. I was mulling whether or not to get the medium or large coffee and the server informed me that both sizes were the same price. Bam, done. Large it was. None of it is anything you haven't seen before, but IT'S ALL DONE REALLY WELL. I was referred to the breakfast sandwiches, all named after someone historic. I ate the 'Michelangelo': eggs, spinach, provolone and mushrooms on grain bread. Simple but fantastic. And the coffee here is good too. Good food and good coffee at the same place seems to be a rare occurrence these days, like a sasquatch riding a unicorn pulling a sled filled with leprechauns. When you find a place like this, latch on! My colleagues also enjoyed their food. The only mark agains this place is the ventilation. As I write this from a coffee shop in Portland, ME, I can still smell the restaurant on my coat. Please find a way to fix this and I'll pay rent and move in tomorrow.
(4)Alana E.
I had a half salmon avocado salad...I could barely eat all of it! So good though, I was a little disappointed by the amount of salmon on it, but I guess quality over quantity, right! I like the atmosphere of this little place, it has good vibes! Try and grab a window seat and watch the foot traffic on Forbes Ave!
(4)Hope P.
I got the Oak Club and it was one of the best sandwiches I have had in Oakland! It was a very messy to eat but totally worth it (I got it in gluten-free bread)! The only thing that I don't love about this place is that it is usually hard to get a seat but I always manage! I loved the fresh pressed juices over the iced tea but both were great!
(4)Chelsea S.
I can see why some love red oak, but I can also understand the disliking of it. Some plusses are local, organic food. It's very vegan & vegetarian friendly. The food is average. I'm going to have to try their pancakes next time. Some downsides would be the seating. There really isn't too much of it (from Oakland standard with hundreds of college students in walking distance) It really seems larger from the outside. So for newcomers (because we were totally lost & confused), you order at the front then they give you a number & serve your food. You grab you own salt packets, (I couldn't find pepper) ketchup & hot sauce bottles as well as your own water. I can see how that's a good thing rather than having bottles on each table. So again the food was ok.. bobby was feeling under the weather and asked for a suggestion on juices. She suggested the "ginger" one & said it has orange juice in it. Sounds refreshing right? She forgot to mention the carrots, which is fine but overpowered the flavor especially when you weren't expecting it. Bobby asked for a side of ice because the juice was warm.. What bothered me the most was bussing your own table (atleast I'm assuming that's what you do since the bussing bins are labelled. I wouldn't think the labels would be for the workers.. again I was totally lost) you dump your leftover food in the trash then plates have their own bin, silverware then cups in the 3rd. I ended up getting ketchup all over my hand which brought back terrible memories of being a server lol. I'll be back to try the pancakes but I'm sure ill be solo dolo. My s/o wasn't very fascinated
(3)Mackenzie B.
For breakfast items, Red Oak is great, but do not even bother with the smoothies. I had a cherry flavored OTY and it was quite possibly the most disgusting thing I've put in my mouth (and I'm a college student). I would ordinarily give a lower score, but the breakfast sandwiches and pumpkin pancakes prevent me from doing so. The atmosphere and color scheme of the restaurant is cozy, which is something I enjoy along with their hot teas. Bottom line, give Red Oak a chance, but if something seems too healthy to be tasty, it probably is.
(3)Gabriel G.
I got a red pepper hummus wrap with a side of the vegetable of the day (zucchini and squash). The food was delicious, the service was quick and friendly, and, considering the choices in the area, the menu was refreshing and healthy. I hope to come back and try their smoothies soon!
(4)Dianna F.
I decided to go here for brunch/lunch today with a couple of friends from the department at Pitt that I work for. Today was probably the busiest I have ever seen Red Oak, but it made me even more excited to try their food for the first time. I ordered the Bach-a ham, egg, and cheese sandwich on a butter croissant, and a hot coffee, although I really wanted to try the banana nutella pancakes. The Bach was actually really good for being just a ham and cheese sandwich. Their croissants, as my friend told me, are delicious and I would have been okay with ordering just that! One of friends ordered a Carnegie with sausage and really enjoyed it. I'm excited to try other things here as everything is pretty fairly priced and the staff are friendly. I probably won't come back during prime time for lunch though (we went at 12 noon) because it's gets so crowded.
(4)Mara K.
Get your inner hippy out for a trip to Red Oak. This place is a diamond in the rough in the midst of a college campus. It's surrounded by fast food (think McDonalds, burrito joints, wings) and is a breath of healthy fresh air amidst the trans fat factories. They have a lot of neat options ranging from vegan wraps to grilled cheese sandwiches to tasty salads with lots of healthy and fresh vegetable combinations. I tried one of their smoothies for the first time - it was beet based and while I'm not one to typically order a shake made with raw beets I rolled the dice and I believe I left a healthier person. I felt like I earned my Birkenstock sandals. Red Oak is busy at lunchtime, and when school is in you're going to stand in line and then play musical chairs to get a seat. The middle of the restaurant hosts a large community style table and the opposite wall is lined with a counter and benches. There are several four top tables that are very tightly lining the other wall. This is not my favorite place to sit for lunch - but definitely one of my favorite places to EAT lunch.
(4)Jenny B.
I am a fan of Red Oak as it is one of the few healthier options in Oakland. Also, they are very veggie-friendly and I appreciate that even if their seitan isn't the best ever. I think that everything I have ever had here has been good, but I haven't ever had anything great. Service can be a little dodgy--the last time I ate here, my two lunch companions finished their salads before mine was delivered even though we all ordered at the same time. That being said, there is never a long wait even if it's crazy busy--which it often is. My favorites here are the sleek (kale/quinoa salad side dish) and any fresh juice from the juice bar. Yum! I'll keep coming back.
(4)Shekiaya G.
This is only a review of the $5 lunch for restaurant week on Tuesday: Sriracha bowl came out initially with literally an infinitesimal amount of chicken. I decided to give some grace and ask to speak with the manager before posting a review. He ultimately corrected it for me and I went on with life lol. So just beware of these instances during busy restaurant week! It was decent after the fix was made. I posted a pic of the meal before it was corrected and afterwards.
(4)David L.
One of the better lunch options in Oakland. Highly recommend the daily blue plate special. The pulled pork sandwich (on weds) and fish tacos (on fri) are first rate. And breakfast option all day are a plus.
(4)Tanja K.
I recently visited the Red Oak Cafe for the first time. While their menu looks quite inviting and also their interior seems to be nice, I didn't like the experience that I had here. I had the Asian chicken salad and a freshly squeezed juice. Staff seemed generally very unimpressed and bored except of one. But all in all they were quite confused and just couldn't be bothered. My juice arrived quite quickly and yes I really liked it, but there's not much that you can do wrong with juice. I then had to wait ages for my salad and even asked for it 2 times as all of my friends already went halfway through their meal. The portion-size was big, but the taste was missing. It was overly salty and it tasted like someone just poured quite an amount of soy sauce on top. With it came a tiny piece of toasted bread that tasted old. I was basically just trying to eat the chicken to get something for the amount of money that I paid. The pancakes my friends were having seemed to be popular and according to my friends were definitely delicious. But that for me is not enough to go back soon.
(2)Tara V.
Just a really solid little joint with great quality ingredients, low carb and gluten free options, and a great Pittsburgh vibe. I wish there were more places like this to get crafty sandwiches in the city. Whenever I visit from Seattle, I always want to grab a bite here. Try the Carnegie breakfast sandwich or the Sriracha chicken wrap. Also, my sister is a veg and she swears by The Melvin -- a seitan Reuben that doesn't disappoint.
(4)Denise C.
I came back since I had a good experience the last time I went, and I was excited to try a new dish. They advertise that they have vegan options, so I asked them what options they had but the cashier didn't know. She wasn't incredibly helpful either about asking other staff members. I just got the Melvin with no dressing and vegan cheese and my sister ordered the pumpkin pancakes. They were good, but my sandwich was probably the size of my hand and I'm am incredibly petite. I know asking for vegan food is a lot in Pittsburgh, but making sure your staff is knowledgeable in these situations would be a good idea.
(2)Christina D.
I've eaten here a handful of times and there food is fresh and delicious! I would recommend the salmon avocado salad and chicken sriracha wrap! Yumm!
(5)Bethany L.
I've been here quite a bit since starting my job at Pitt. I go every Friday and get the fish tacos. They are so good. It comes work 2 great sized tacos with rice, corn and black beans. There is a fresh slaw on top with Alvacado sauce. They usually run out by 1pm so get there early. Other than that, I've had the sweet potato and meat stew which was amazing, and the salmon Alvacado salad which was really disgusting.. It might have just been my taste, but the salmon tasted really awful, and I eat salmon a lot.. The overall atmosphere is cozy and the workers are super nice. It's a good spot for fresh healthy food.
(5)June L.
Always leave happy whenever I come here. When ever I'm in town (about once a year), I make my stop here for a great breakfast and coffee. Very consistent. Friendly staff. Wish I didn't have to drive 3 hours to get here.
(4)Christine P.
What did I just eat ?? I know that I ordered a cobb salad, but ewww. Just ewwww
(1)C C.
This place has a great atmosphere and friendly workers. My boyfriend and I walked in a few minutes before they closed, but they didn't say a word until my boyfriend asked about it. The guy at the register was very accommodating and friendly; he told us they would still make whatever we ordered. I got the Meatless Monday Blue Plate Special, which had lentils, potatoes, and kale. The food was decent--not anything fantastic, but it was good. My boyfriend's MMM sandwich looked yummy as well, and it came with his choice of a side. This isn't the least expensive place on campus (around seven or eight dollars), but I'd love to come back to try other menu items.
(3)Jocelyn K.
I've only found out about this place this past year. Like the other reviews say, their blue-plate special is definitely worth getting. The portion is sizable compared to the price. The special changes daily and I'm disappointed that classes prevented me from trying all their specials. The only one I've had is their BBQ pulled pork, which also comes with bread, a side of roast potatoes, and a side of vegetables. Their turkey mesquite is also quite good. They spread red pepper hummus on the bread. It comes with a pickle and a side of pita chips. The chips are a bit soggy and oily. I've never had a problem with seating since I always go after the lunch rush but I can see the restaurant is a bit small and might be hard to accommodate everyone during their busy hours.
(4)Liz K.
Delicious salads and sandwiches on Forbes. Counter service makes it perfect for a quick lunch.
(4)Kimberly B.
Today I experienced what I've been saying drives me crazy about this place. Inconsistency. I ordered the fish tacos, as I do every Friday for lunch. They used different tortillas today that were dry and hard and did not taste very good. Why, oh why! The slaw was a little different today, too. No surprises there, as the mango slaw always seems to change. It's always good, though. The avocado sauce was creamy and today I got much more than last week. The fish was the same as always. Delicious. The rice salad they serve with the tacos was hot today. Last week it was served chilled. Which is it, red oak? How should it be? I don't know what to expect! I mean, don't get me wrong, they were still good. I still love this place. But I just wish I knew what I was getting from day to day.
(3)Roxy S.
This place is great!!! Food is so good!!! My favorites: the fish taco blue plate special on fridays, the vegetarian chili, the roasted potatoes, and the yummy avocado sauce. They have great options for vegetarians. Everything tastes really fresh too. I will definitely be eating here on a regular basis. This place is VERY crowded at lunch time. They do a decent job managing the crowd, but it is difficult to get a table, as the place is small. We always prefer to get our food to go.
(5)Jeffrey M.
Very good fresh and healthy food. Smokehouse turkey with side of hash was excellent. Have brunch, juice bar and smoothies too.
(5)Andi F.
A nice breakfast café at Forbes Avenue in Oakland district. Here's all day breakfast as well as salads and sandwiches. The egg dishes are phenomenal as well as the pancakes (which is better than at IHOP or anywhere else). The servings are large and the prices are okay. I had the Eggscramblers "Bloomfield" (which would be more than enough for breakfast) and a small serving of pancakes (! 3! Pieces; i d like to know how big is a normal serving) with a coffee (for an american drip brew, it was quite good) and a natural orange juice for a total amount of $ 14. The decor is nothing special, but it's very cozy and the employees are super nice. This cafe is definitely on my list during my next visit.
(4)Megan E.
Vegetarians beware... I don't eat red meat, and ordered a cup of something the person working called "vegetarian chili" on the phone. I referred to it by the same name when I stopped in a few minutes later and ordered it to go, with no correction. Walked back to my office to find a bowl full of mostly meat (with a few carrots/peppers thrown in). Super misleading, and disappointing. I am giving it one star because I did eat in the restaurant once and had a good sandwich. Just don't get anything to go. This is very close to work, and I was excited to find something with healthier options, but not sure if I'll be back.
(2)Adam K.
Came here a lot in college so I decided to go on a Saturday for brunch. The portions appear to have gotten smaller. The breakfast potatoes were barely cooked and the girl at the cash register was pretty miserable it seemed. The LA Prima coffee was excellent however
(3)Lauren P.
This is a great lunch spot and I love all of their healthy choice options. The seating is very limited and it can get quite busy during the lunch hour so I recommend getting take out or getting there early to grab a seat. They serve 2-3 breakfast specials all day and then have options to order soup, salads, and many different wrap/sandwich choices. They have vegan and vegetarian options. I recommend the mosquite turkey wrap and buffalo chicken wrap. The food is always very fresh and is served quickly. You also can pick from a number of side options. I usually go with the vegetable of the day which in the past has been green beans, carrots or a vegetable medley. You can also choose from their homemade chips, fruit or slaw.
(4)Matthew M.
The Melvin -- a reuben with "pickled seitan" instead of corned beef -- is DEE-LISH. Also, when they forgot my pop order, they gave it to me for free. Sweet food, sweet folks.
(4)Sarah K.
Great place for healthy options in Oakland. I had the salmon avocado salad which was good. They also have a juice bar. Can be hard to find a table during peak hours because the place is kind of small. But they do take out if needed! If you're looking for a place in Oakland for lunch I would go here. All of the rest of the options on Forbes you can get any old day.
(4)Xia L.
had the best breakfast sandwich ever! good service, nice decor, only complaint is lack of wifi - but it doesn't matter much
(5)Dale H.
I really like Red Oak Cafe! I love all the fresh, healthy and local aspects of their menu. I like the atmosphere and the decor, it's very warm and inviting. I like that Red Oak falls somewhere between "fast food" and "casual dining." What I don't like about Red Oak, as many other reviewers have said, is the inconsistency of the food. Don't get me wrong, the food is ALWAYS good, it's just that sometimes it's not what you expect. I usually get the Bach breakfast sandwich, which is egg, ham and swiss cheese served on a buttery croissant. Sometimes the sandwich is perfect to just pick up and eat on the go and sometimes it's just so messy that you have to knife and fork it. Also sometimes the ham they use tastes different, like maybe it's seasoned differently? Another item on the menu that is always a winner is the pancakes. Their pancakes are really good, but the size of them varies greatly. I also love the Southern Chicken Salad (mostly just for the Ranch dressing, I know i'm just your typical yinzer who loves the ranch sauce). All of the sandwiches and salads I've tried over the years have been good. They also have a sandwich for breakfast called the Dippy Dinosaur, so extra points for that. I love Dinos! I have a weird texture thing when it comes to certain foods/drinks, so sometime the OTY smoothies are a little weird for me, but the flavors are always great. It's a great meal replacement if you don't have time for breakfast on your way to work. The staff is always friendly enough and the place is clean. You'll pay a little more than you would at any of the chains nearby for certain items, but it'll be worth it! If you're looking for quality food and don't have time for a traditional sit down restaurant, this is definitely the place for you.
(4)Dani W.
This is a great little lunch spot tucked into a small storefront on Forbes Ave. in Oakland. Typically busy at lunchtime, but for a reason. The vegetarian fare is varied and consistently very good. Prices are reasonable if not particularly low. Finding a seat can be difficult, and you should be prepared to potentially wait, and to share a table with strangers if you're planning to eat in. Carry out is also available, food tends to take ~7-10 minutes to come out, depending on what you order. Sadly, no lunch delivery. I think they do catering, but with a more limited menu. I'm unsure as after several attempts to reach someone there who could talk to me about it, I gave up and found another place to order from for our weekly reading group.
(4)Ying W.
Love the food here! The portion is not big but always enough for me. I always like to order their today's special :), never disappointed!
(5)Laura S.
Poorly organized. Very long wait. All 4 staff hoped someone else would know what to do when chili was dried out and gross. Odd, cold cooked carrots for side veggie. Beef sandwich average. 3 of us left hungry.
(1)Ginger S.
Amazing food. I've had this placed bookmarked for almost a year and am kicking myself for waiting so long to go! The food was fresh, with unique flavor combinations that tasted fantastic!! Highly recommend visiting here. I had the 1/2 beef mushroom melt and 1/2 beet goat cheese salad. So good!
(5)Scott P.
Decent food. Tad overpriced. Had to write about my most recent experience here. Arrived at 10:45, ordered, waited 30-35 minutes for our food. Three of the three orders were wrong when the food came out. I ordered chocolate chip pancakes but they came out blueberry. I wasn't going to say anything but my GF and her roommate insisted I at least tell the waiter. I told him and he didn't believe me, so he picked up my plate, grabbed a pancake with his hand and tore open the pancake with his bare hand because he didn't believe me. This is not some college student, this was the manager. He saw that they were blueberry and rushed back to the kitchen. Didn't apologize or tell me he was going to make some new pancakes, which I now needed because he grabbed my pancakes with his bare hands. So I went back to the counter and asked for a refund. He did not apologize or try to offer an explanation. He grabbed $7 from the tip jar and said "Here you are." Needless to say, I will not be returning or recommending this establishment to friends.
(1)Lucretiz C.
Firstly, I overheard the cashier making very rude comments about a mentally challenged customer who had just left. Even if these were this employee's personal feelings I think it's in poor taste to express those kinds of thoughts in a tone that is audible enough for your other dining customers to here. I had to settle for Red Oak because the seating in both Starbucks and Caribou Coffee was all occupied. I ordered the banana and Nutella pancakes that were on special for $5.50. Just the pancakes no sides were included. I was hoping more then anything fruit was served with the pancakes..since the place appears to promote healthy food. When dining in Toronto two slices of fruit usually comes standard but the same is not true around these parts. Just a slice of honey dew would have been a cheerful addition to the pancakes but no such luck for me. The pancakes were cooked perfectly. I also got a blueberry mango smoothie that was really delicious and tasted very much of real mango and not of mango flavored syrup. What I did not agree with was the silverware system. I assumed which I shouldn't have that I would be given silverware. However you have to get your own silverware. I told the cashier when I placed my order this was my first time dining there it would have been nice had she pointed me in the direction of the silverware after learning that information. There is a reason why this place was practically empty when the surrounding restaurant were packed. The food is expensive. I saw on the chalk board menus that salads go for as much as $9.00 dollars there. I'd go back for another smootie but nothing more then that.
(2)Chichi E.
This place is pricey, but worth it in my opinion. I love coming here for breakfast. Their smoothies are amazing! My faves are the Carnegie breakfast sandwich and their banana pancakes. I usually go early in the morning (around 7:30) because there are fewer people. If you go around lunch (11:30-1) then I wish you good luck. It gets SUPER crowded, and their service is already pretty slow to begin with.
(4)