You Can definitely tell the chief has Louisiana Blood running thru his vains....Everything was Delicious. Remember my real estate card if you guys ever venture out to New Orleans...Baton Rouge or Lafayette. Ella Mathews...Mz E
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Angie P
Not only was the food good but the atmosphere was on point!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeannetta Gilmore
First time coming here and the food was delicious the wings were off the chain. The owners are so sweet, wait staff was very attentive...And the atmosphere was everything.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Macaroni and Cheese, Fries, And Garlic Noodles, Sweet Chili Prawns, Deep Fried Red Snapper Mac and Cheese and Garlicky Green Beans, Filet of Catfish, Peach Cobbler
Millie
Great place. Be prepared for fresh food cooked on the spot just for you! It may take longer especially if you are in a large party but it's definitely worth the wait! Great music and drinks as well. Truly an Oakland treasure!
AminaB
Love this place!! Food is amazing. I was so happy to take my family out. My son enjoyed himself so much and he loves seafood. I would recommend serving non-alcoholic beers or mocktails. I applaude the bar tender. He made my fiance a ginger drink which he enjoyed I was happy about that. We celebrated my niece turning 16. We had a amazing time
BeeGeeX2 Jenkins
Nice music and atmosphere to enjoy during inclimate weather. Just note that the bar and resturaunt are seperate
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: And Garlic Noodles, Couples Platter
Kenyada Stokes
The food was delicious and well seasoned. Excellent customer service, nice music playing in the background.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Macaroni and Cheese, Deep Fried Red Snapper or Catfish Crack & Cheese Garlicky Green Beans
Barbara Harris
Food was good but I was almost late for a concert. Had 3:30 got early What's today's date? Because they didn't have any available tables that was fine. But an hour later still had not been seated. So they finally got us a table. And then it was an hour and a 1/2 almost 2 hours. We had to wait for our food. Other people that came after us was being served. A few customers were so concerned around us. They said you don't have your food yet. And they start to call on the waitress to find out what was going on with our order Food Finley came. It was too late for us to eat. We had to get going. I tasted the crab leg an ask's food to be packed to go. Went to the concert hungry. My daughter tried him one more time. She called in the order for Valentine day when she got there to pick up her order. She had to wait 2 hours before it was ready. Food is not that good. They're service sucks that's on last try. I guess rocking Rocking crawfish will get out business. Or we will have to cook it ourselves.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
MarionL
We went to Smelly's to celebrate my husband's birthday last night. Everything was delicious! We had the crab topped oysters to start - mouth watering good - they came with bread, which we used to sop up the deliciousness! Then came the meals - we had crab stuffed blackened salmon, garlic shrimp, fried catfish and fried oysters with garlic noodles, garlic mashed potatoes, crack and cheese (Mac & cheese)! everything was so yummy! Then Chef Smelly came out to let us get our picture with him! What a special birthday celebration! We can't wait to go there again!
LaShonneJ
Charged an automatic 20% gratuity for large parties without posting that percentage as well as additional admin fee without notice. Service was bad. The waiter was not attentive and perhaps that was because he was automatically given 20% Some of the food came out cold and had to be sent back.
It's been a staple in Oakland for a very long time. His food is top notch. Can you get what you pay for excellence and fulfillment?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Damian Wilkerson
Great food and great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Garlic Bread, And Garlic Noodles, Noodles
Nicole Jurand
Food is a definite NO! Overcooked, mushy, and flavorless. The ambience was nice. The drinks saved the night.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Rukiya Akua
First, I look forward to dining here at Smelly's Creole Catering again. This is my 1st trip to Oakland and I wanted something quintessential (Black) Oakland.I found Chef Smelly, and by extension his staff, to be pleasant, open-minded, considerate, fair, accommodating, and customer-centered. I had a slight issue with my food and brought it to the attention of his staff. Within a few minutes, Chef was there to inquire and remedy the situation. And, that's when I knew that I'd return again.I really enjoyed the garlic noodles. Apparently, it's somewhat of an Oakland thing. I would definitely order those again.I especially enjoyed the collard greens (made with turkey). So much so, I drank the potlikka (IYKYK) out the bowl once I was done eating. I'd absolutely order that again.I thought the macaroni and cheese was good, but mine came out a little more on the lukewarm, not hot, temperature side.I liked the taste of the sweet potatoes, but the texture was a little soft for my preference.The only thing I didn't care for was the fried salmon bites. Salmon is one of my favorite types of fish, and the one I eat most frequently. Admittedly, I've never had it fried -- mostly because I just don't understand why folks want to fry it. BUT, I REALLY WANTED to like this one a lot. I didn't. It was rather bland for my taste. Next time, though, I would try the blackened salmon.Overall, this was a good experience. Our party arrived about 7:30p on a Thursday. It was a pretty packed house, but there was no wait for us to be seated (party of 4). The music was on point; and, the DJ was playing my favorite Marvin Gaye song (Got to Give It Up) when we walked in. Smelly's has great ambiance. The staff was attentive, particularly our server Victor. I would definitely recommend the place, and plan to patronize again upon my next visit to Oakland.If you haven't already, check it out!~ Rukiya "Chitown"1.11.24
You Can definitely tell the chief has Louisiana Blood running thru his vains....Everything was Delicious. Remember my real estate card if you guys ever venture out to New Orleans...Baton Rouge or Lafayette. Ella Mathews...Mz E
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Not only was the food good but the atmosphere was on point!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
First time coming here and the food was delicious the wings were off the chain. The owners are so sweet, wait staff was very attentive...And the atmosphere was everything.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Macaroni and Cheese, Fries, And Garlic Noodles, Sweet Chili Prawns, Deep Fried Red Snapper Mac and Cheese and Garlicky Green Beans, Filet of Catfish, Peach Cobbler
Great place. Be prepared for fresh food cooked on the spot just for you! It may take longer especially if you are in a large party but it's definitely worth the wait! Great music and drinks as well. Truly an Oakland treasure!
Love this place!! Food is amazing. I was so happy to take my family out. My son enjoyed himself so much and he loves seafood. I would recommend serving non-alcoholic beers or mocktails. I applaude the bar tender. He made my fiance a ginger drink which he enjoyed I was happy about that. We celebrated my niece turning 16. We had a amazing time
Nice music and atmosphere to enjoy during inclimate weather. Just note that the bar and resturaunt are seperate
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: And Garlic Noodles, Couples Platter
The food was delicious and well seasoned. Excellent customer service, nice music playing in the background.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Macaroni and Cheese, Deep Fried Red Snapper or Catfish Crack & Cheese Garlicky Green Beans
Food was good but I was almost late for a concert. Had 3:30 got early What's today's date? Because they didn't have any available tables that was fine. But an hour later still had not been seated. So they finally got us a table. And then it was an hour and a 1/2 almost 2 hours. We had to wait for our food. Other people that came after us was being served. A few customers were so concerned around us. They said you don't have your food yet. And they start to call on the waitress to find out what was going on with our order Food Finley came. It was too late for us to eat. We had to get going. I tasted the crab leg an ask's food to be packed to go. Went to the concert hungry. My daughter tried him one more time. She called in the order for Valentine day when she got there to pick up her order. She had to wait 2 hours before it was ready. Food is not that good. They're service sucks that's on last try. I guess rocking Rocking crawfish will get out business. Or we will have to cook it ourselves.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
We went to Smelly's to celebrate my husband's birthday last night. Everything was delicious! We had the crab topped oysters to start - mouth watering good - they came with bread, which we used to sop up the deliciousness! Then came the meals - we had crab stuffed blackened salmon, garlic shrimp, fried catfish and fried oysters with garlic noodles, garlic mashed potatoes, crack and cheese (Mac & cheese)! everything was so yummy! Then Chef Smelly came out to let us get our picture with him! What a special birthday celebration! We can't wait to go there again!
Charged an automatic 20% gratuity for large parties without posting that percentage as well as additional admin fee without notice. Service was bad. The waiter was not attentive and perhaps that was because he was automatically given 20% Some of the food came out cold and had to be sent back.
Restaurantji Recommends
It's been a staple in Oakland for a very long time. His food is top notch. Can you get what you pay for excellence and fulfillment?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food and great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Garlic Bread, And Garlic Noodles, Noodles
Food is a definite NO! Overcooked, mushy, and flavorless. The ambience was nice. The drinks saved the night.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
First, I look forward to dining here at Smelly's Creole Catering again. This is my 1st trip to Oakland and I wanted something quintessential (Black) Oakland.I found Chef Smelly, and by extension his staff, to be pleasant, open-minded, considerate, fair, accommodating, and customer-centered. I had a slight issue with my food and brought it to the attention of his staff. Within a few minutes, Chef was there to inquire and remedy the situation. And, that's when I knew that I'd return again.I really enjoyed the garlic noodles. Apparently, it's somewhat of an Oakland thing. I would definitely order those again.I especially enjoyed the collard greens (made with turkey). So much so, I drank the potlikka (IYKYK) out the bowl once I was done eating. I'd absolutely order that again.I thought the macaroni and cheese was good, but mine came out a little more on the lukewarm, not hot, temperature side.I liked the taste of the sweet potatoes, but the texture was a little soft for my preference.The only thing I didn't care for was the fried salmon bites. Salmon is one of my favorite types of fish, and the one I eat most frequently. Admittedly, I've never had it fried -- mostly because I just don't understand why folks want to fry it. BUT, I REALLY WANTED to like this one a lot. I didn't. It was rather bland for my taste. Next time, though, I would try the blackened salmon.Overall, this was a good experience. Our party arrived about 7:30p on a Thursday. It was a pretty packed house, but there was no wait for us to be seated (party of 4). The music was on point; and, the DJ was playing my favorite Marvin Gaye song (Got to Give It Up) when we walked in. Smelly's has great ambiance. The staff was attentive, particularly our server Victor. I would definitely recommend the place, and plan to patronize again upon my next visit to Oakland.If you haven't already, check it out!~ Rukiya "Chitown"1.11.24
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Noodles
Family owned, food is great, portions are hearty.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Noodles, Fried Fish, Half Creole Dungeness Crab