jaccpot10;842641503 said:

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Okay, no offense to everyone else who has posted in this thread, but until the above post, I had never even heard of Genova's Deli, let alone gone there to eat.I went to Cal and graduated in the '90s. I don't live in the area, having left to return to Southern California after I graduated, but I visit most every year multiple times in the fall for home football weekends. Even then, no one I know in Berkeley has ever suggested to me that we go to Genova's Deli to grab a sandwich or anything else.

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When I went to school here, I was in a bubble. Never heard or been to most of these places. I heard of Chez panisse and that was it. I didn't know what I was missing out.

77Bear;842641506 said:

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BD, $0.50 singles, $0.75 doubles, and $1 triples at Bertola's was what I remember as well (around 1980). I used to like going there but the cigarette smoke was really thick. Also, a bit of trivia: during the 1960s when Mario Savio was leading the Berkeley Free Speech Movement, he would hold his strategy meetings at Bertola's.

Could the Mexican place at Jack London have been El Caballo?

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Thanks, I was pretty sure that pricing structure was correct. Have only been to Jack London Squre a handful of times, so don't know what the place was called. Did like the saloon and the faux Jack shack. Never been, but people rave about the new mega sports bar. I really like nearby Brotzeit Lokal on the estuary: reminds me of "Boys in the Boat", even though for once our Golden Bears weren't undisputed champions.

Predictably $ 0.05 margaritas was a chaotic brawl. They were served in glorified shot glasses like sampler tastes at brew pubs. Imitating our dads and older brothers, we tried to big time the bartenders by opening $5 tabs (since nobody had a credit card), but they were having none of that. Something ridiculously wrong and hilariously funny at the same time about the whole scene.

Same era when I never could have imagined I was drinking free beers from beer trucks on a blocked off street with a future Super Bowl coach directly in front of a house where a future ambassador (whose death would become a political football) lived. Future Chairman and CEO of something called Google lived a block away and the future CEO of the three time world champion SF Giants lived a block away in the other direction.

77Bear;842641506 said:

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....Could the Mexican place at Jack London have been El Caballo?

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jaccpot10;842641502 said:

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Reminds me of when Spenger's Fish Grotto was going to close down, and then there was publicity about that in the local East Bay newspapers. Then, the local outcry helped it stay open.

The issue with that was that Spenger's just wasn't very good. From what I have heard in the past, it still isn't very good.

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Spenger's should either remake themselves into a top-notch fish restaurant or simply close. Last time I was there 5 years ago, it smelled bad, was old and worn out (not in a good way) and the food was mediocre at best.

Let them close so that Genova can stay open!

BearDevil;842640878 said:

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Bertola's was around for 60+ years. Drinks were incredibly stiff and cheap and don't know how they got by without carding anyone.

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Bertola's was a great place to grab a weekend dinner when our cook was off.
Oh yeah, cheap cocktails, and those nice ladies that wanted to know if we needed a date, that hung out across the street.

TandemBear;842642556 said:

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Spenger's should either remake themselves into a top-notch fish restaurant or simply close. Last time I was there 5 years ago, it smelled bad, was old and worn out (not in a good way) and the food was mediocre at best.

Let them close so that Genova can stay open!

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It is not as good as the old days but I think you are being a bit harsh. We have dinner parties down there a couple of times a year after Cal hoop and football games. They take large groups, pour a decent drink, and the battered petrale sole is edible.

Spenger's is okay, i.e., it is what it is. Not the old days...but nothing is. I took my Dad there for father's day about 5 years ago since he remembers it from back in the day at Cal. It's definitely nothing special but they upped things a bit and at least they label where the fish is from, farmed or wild caught, etc. If you know how to order, you can find something decent.

The reason to go to Spenger's is for the bar and for a lunch meeting. The old time bartenders know their stuff, old school is a good way. The validated lot across from Spenger's makes it a quick and quiet place to have a lunch meeting if you're in the East Bay. Easily get out for $20/person and you can hold a conversation, no hassle parking.

jaccpot10;842641502 said:

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Reminds me of when Spenger's Fish Grotto was going to close down, and then there was publicity about that in the local East Bay newspapers. Then, the local outcry helped it stay open.

The issue with that was that Spenger's just wasn't very good. From what I have heard in the past, it still isn't very good.

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Spenger's was saved when it was bought out by Portland's McCormick & Schmidt's Seafood Co. which kept the name of the restaurant. They kept the motif, cleaned up the place, and improved the menu somewhat. They are still a fried seafood restaurant and they haven't changed with the times. M&S' is the same company that operates Jake's Crawfish Bar in Portland.

The food is always fresh, the preparation and presentation is traditional and more expensive, but it is still a fried seafood fish house with an excellent bar.

Try the hangtown fry and the french classic sole meuniere (when on the day's menu). We still dine there infrequently.

http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/Locations/berkeley-california/FourthSt.aspx

Genova to officially close April 30 - we all have 1 week left to brave the lines and enjoy one last taste of nostalgia.

I'm not sure how to link on mobile - maybe someone can help -

http://www.eastbaytimes.com/breaking-news/ci_29802331/genova-delicatessen-closing-after-90-years-oakland

75bear;842680535 said:

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Genova to officially close April 30 - we all have 1 week left to brave the lines and enjoy one last taste of nostalgia.

I'm not sure how to link on mobile - maybe someone can help -

http://www.eastbaytimes.com/breaking-news/ci_29802331/genova-delicatessen-closing-after-90-years-oakland

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Your link works. Very sad news.

Ouch

I read the article and I'm really perplexed about the need to close. First, they are keeping their other location(s) open so they still are operating a business. They first complained about rent costs but then backed off and said it wasn't the rent cost that's the issue but utility cost. Based on my understanding of utility costs (water, electricity, gas, sewage, etc.) compared to rent, employees, food and equipment, it is really not that big of a costs. So they refuse to raise prices even though I believe many would gladly pay more (I know I would). The only thing I can really think of is that they are operating a huge deficit for a while now, otherwise it doesn't make sense.

I would honestly look in to buying such an established business and take a look at the books and see what's up.

tommie317;842680564 said:

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I read the article and I'm really perplexed about the need to close. First, they are keeping their other location(s) open so they still are operating a business. They first complained about rent costs but then backed off and said it wasn't the rent cost that's the issue but utility cost. Based on my understanding of utility costs (water, electricity, gas, sewage, etc.) compared to rent, employees, food and equipment, it is really not that big of a costs. So they refuse to raise prices even though I believe many would gladly pay more (I know I would). The only thing I can really think of is that they are operating a huge deficit for a while now, otherwise it doesn't make sense.

I would honestly look in to buying such an established business and take a look at the books and see what's up.

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They blamed rising rent in their first interview. Then in a second interview, they cited the new minimum wage.

okaydo;842680566 said:

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They blamed rising rent in their first interview. Then in a second interview, they cited the new minimum wage.

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Not in the last article posted. They cited utility and other costs (not calling out wages).

If they can't figure out how to make a living with this cash cow with their employees all working at minimum wage then shutter it.

tommie317;842680574 said:

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Not in the last article posted. They cited utility and other costs (not calling out wages).

If they can't figure out how to make a living with this cash cow with their employees all working at minimum wage then shutter it.

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Here's the minimum wage blaming from a few months back.
http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2016/01/29/rent-dispute-threatens-closure-of-oaklands-genova-deli/

tommie317;842680564 said:

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...I would honestly look in to buying such an established business and take a look at the books and see what's up.

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That would require some mental gymnastics.

okaydo;842680566 said:

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They blamed rising rent in their first interview. Then in a second interview, they cited the new minimum wage.

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The new Oakland min wage law went into effect at the full rate, about 30% from state min. to $12.35. It wasn't done in steps like other places. Lots of mom and pop places took hits, yet many survived. Most just raised their prices and customers understood. I forgot about it in 6 mos.

My guess, they ran out of kids/relatives to take it over. Perhaps not now but in 5-10 year? If no one wants it, might as well leave now.

Should have looked for someone to buy it but the name/TM might be an issue with the existing/remaining shops.

A new place will go in. It's Temescal and Oakland. Hipster, retro, new branch of existing? Anyone want to guess?

beelzebear;842680585 said:

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The new Oakland min wage law went into effect at the full rate, about 30% from state min. to $12.35. It wasn't done in steps like other places. Lots of mom and pop places took hits, yet many survived. Most just raised their prices and customers understood. I forgot about it in 6 mos.

My guess, they ran out of kids/relatives to take it over. Perhaps not now but in 5-10 year? If no one wants it, might as well leave now.

Should have looked for someone to buy it but the name/TM might be an issue with the existing/remaining shops.

A new place will go in. It's Temescal and Oakland. Hipster, retro, new branch of existing? Anyone want to guess?

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Take it for what it is worth, but a friend said he talked with someone there, said what you said, none of the kids wanted to take it over.

I would guess Blue Bottle or Philz or another branch of Ikes goes in? Though maybe College/Claremont branches are too close?