TFF is like a mini food park! Where else can you get authentic Korean bbq, Mac and cheese, jap chae, homemade chocolate cream pie, chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits?! AND all delicious! The owner rocks too! He'll do free pop ups at Aloha Club or Room 389 after a long workday and feed people for free!! Please come back TFF! We need more food businesses like you!!
Heather D.
This neighborhood has been eagerly awaiting a place like this!! The Food Foundry is AWESOME!! First time here, and I will be back again and again. The owner (I think it is the owner or one of them, was so nice. You could tell they are doing a huge business here. It's a new establishment, so be patient...the food is so worth the wait. I ordered the 12 piece pork ribs...omg! Best ribs I think I've ever had! The meat just falls off the bone. They are now using a new glaze...a soy ginger glaze? It's wonderful! I also got the ala carte chicken. I wanted to try it. WOW! So crispy and cooked perfectly. My sides were the corn and rice. I didn't know they had added to their menu since the one I received in the mail. Both were a nice addition to the meal. Finally....after all these years, a good spot that will last at this location. You can tell the food is made with love...nothing is over salted, and it's very fresh. My only advice, phone your order in ahead of time. I look forward to discovering more of their food. Ok....second update! I have to! I just ordered one of the new menu items...the apple ginger sautéed shrimp with grits...OMG! Divine!!! Sooooooo good! I also ordered my usual pork ribs (I have to order these every time because they're that good!)...tonight they were fall off the bone perfect. The Food Foundry seems to just keep getting better with each visit! I will be a loyal customer as long as they are here. The added bonus to their amazing food is the outstanding customer service. I love to support businesses like this and it appears tons of people feel the same. Their food is made with love and the quality is top notch. Just always remember to call in your order ahead of time. I usually give them about 10 minutes more than they tell me. That way everything is ready to I MISS YOU GUYS!!! I MISS YOUR FOOD!
Kesha Reed
I just went to the place this evening I ordered the Kalbi Combo the meat was delicious the salad if u like spring lettuce and spinach it's good with ranch dressing the spareribs are plated on some Jasmine rice and some white corn I'm full and everything was delicious would I go back? I am going back so go check them Out
Betty R.
What a disappointing $50 meal for two. It's really hard to enjoy food when the amount of salt added overwhelms everything to the point where that's all you taste. We had trouble finishing our meals and ended up tossing a lot which upsets me because it was not cheap. Based on other people's rave Yelp reviews, I had this place bookmarked to try on our next date night. I ordered over the phone and food was ready for pick up in 20min. Place was easy to find and hubby just parked on the street while I went to get our order. Service was quick and friendly. I ordered the fried chicken combo which came with two pieces of fried chicken (drumstick and thigh), side of salad, corn, and rice. Hubby ordered the short ribs combo which came with 3 pieces of Korean short ribs on a bed of rice, side of salad and corn. Fried chicken pieces were relatively big for $13 but came luke warm and stale. Maybe they fried the chicken early in the day and just refried it to reheat it for my order but it was not hot all the way through like made to order fried chicken. The outside of the drumstick was hard to eat because the meat was so over cooked it was like chewing a piece of leather. It also tasted like they over brined it and was just way too salty. The thigh piece was better but only because it was a bigger piece so had more meat in the middle that was fried to death and over salted. The short ribs were on the salty side as well but not as bad. But for $15 for 3 tiny pieces, this was not really the meal we were expecting for the steep price. You can pile three small pieces on a ton of rice and charge that much. If it was delicious then I'd probably not care but it was mediocre at best. The large order of glass noodles was hard to choke down. I normally love japjae and can eat a bucket of it but their version was just glass noodles soaked in a ton of soy sauce with no other seasonings or spices. The few pieces of shitaki mushrooms were insanely salty and I had to give up after a few bites because my tongue was going numb from all the soy sauce. The corn was just canned corn cooked in butter with salt. It was less oversalted than the other food so I was able to eat one container with some rice. Salad was just sad--salad mix from a bag thrown in to go container with a side of ranch which didn't even taste housemade. What somewhat saved the meal was the large strawberry lemonade I ordered which was the size of a 7-Eleven big gulp. I was not expecting it to be a huge cup for the price but I realized after I started eating the food that you need it to wash down the salt. I drank about a gallon of water after the meal because my body was angry with me for consuming so much salt in one sitting. Maybe these guys were just having a bad day because of the awful air quality from the Camp Fire but I'm not about to blow another $50 to find out if it was just a fluke. Hopefully if you decide to go you'll have a better experience and be able to give these guys 4-5 stars like some of the other Yelpers but I, unfortunately, had to rate my meal as served to me.
Etai W.
I have been curious about this place for a while now and, noting all the amazing reviews, I finally tried it out. And wow!! I got the fried chicken a la carte which was really affordable ($3.95) for two generous sized pieces. It was perfectly crispy, flavorful and a bit spicy (which I like), and very juicy inside. I also got a side of the kalbi ribs which were amazing. Juicy and sweet, and very fresh. Next time I'm going to have to try their japchae, but I was just way too full. The owners are also looking to build out a large outdoor patio and garden, at which point I will become a regular. Great job and welcome to the neighborhood!
Margaret C.
I really, really wanted to like the Food Foundry, but my fried chicken was way too salty. I tend to oversalt my food, but this was too salty, even for me. The chicken would have been good, if it wasn't so overseasoned.
Laura J.
My partner and I were driving home from the grocery store when we passed by a crowd of people standing outside a cute little storefront on the corner. We immediately looked it up on the menu, and it sounded so good that we ended up ignoring our sad groceries waiting in the trunk and making a screeching u-turn to try out their honey ginger ribs. They did NOT disappoint! The meat practically fell off the bone, and the seasoning on everything was a perfect mouth-watering combination of different flavors. We got the jap chae and coleslaw as our sides, and they were just as good as the ribs! Not only was the food amazing, the owner was super kind and just a genuinely cool guy. He told us all about how they started, and it felt good to support a collection of awesome chefs in my hometown. Tip: You can call ahead and pick up your food, since there's only a couple of outdoor seating places to eat on. Can't wait to try out other stuff on their menu!
Teresa S.
Great place for fried chicken & ribs. If I had to choose, I'd go with the fried chicken. The ribs were good, but the chicken was better. The mac & cheese was okay, but I found that it tasted better cold. Couple of table and chairs to sit outside, but the place is more for pick-up and go. Street parking if you are lucky. I will definitely be back!
Leili M.
Delicious food, great quality and friendly people!! Ok so here is what my lunch looked like today (beef ribs, the noodles Japchae and corn) and oh my god it was good! My uncle came from Washington and we ate here together. He was in love with the food and said he'd never had Korean food THIS GOOD! I'd say take out is the better option than sitting outside but we sat at the table outside and still enjoyed the weather and delicious smell of bbq!! 10 stars. Thank you guys!
Ida H.
Whoa, This is super nostalgic! Over a decade ago (I know, I'm old), I attended Bret Harte middle school where this location was a cheap Chinese fast food establishment. The food was greasy but it fed my friends and I for less than $3 dollars a meal. Fast forward to present day, I was surprised to see that this restaurant has new owners and serves Korean food. Yum! The service is incredible. Everyone is so friendly and knowledgeable about the menu items. Seating is limited with 2 tables on the outside so it's more of a grab and go kind of place. Here's what I ordered. Fried chicken (6 pieces/$17.95): I actually made a visit in hopes that this would be KFC (Korean fried chicken). Unfortunately, it wasn't. My experience was comparable to most normal fried chicken I've had in the past. I wasn't impressed but the people I've shared this item with (all boys if it matters) devoured it up with joy. Kalbi ribs (6 pieces/$25.95): The highlight of the meal! Well seasoned and very fresh. Can't complain here - it was so good, I saved the left overs for my meals the next day! The part that was pure meat was delicious but there were parts that were slightly chewier than normal. Sides (mac and cheese, smash potatoes, corn, fries): each side is ~$3. 2 sides are included in each protein order you make. Sides tasted normal but the corn was a little bland. Overall, I had a good experience (7/10). Really happy to have a more local establishment to enjoy Korean food. However, I'm not sure if the value, variety, execution is there. I wonder if there was an option to order strictly the bucket without the sides. Also, I was hoping to see more items like cheese corn, glazed potatoes, spicy rice cakes, etc - items that my friends and I enjoy at other establishment around America and South Korea.
The Food Foundry is the type of business that made the Bay Area food scene what it is. It edits, evolves, keeps some things traditional, it pushes and tries. If their big plans keep gaining momentum and they get a sitting/dining area, this will be a destination spot that will turn this lonely triangular plot of land into a destination spot. I had their kalbi and pork ribs, both of which were smoky and flavorful. The kalbi was tender and not stringy as it can get sometimes--I wiped the sauce off the tub clean with a rubber spatula and used it as a dip for my side dishes. Both meat dishes had scallions as a garnish on top, a welcome addition for me, but a friend commented she would have to pick them off. I'll be back soon to work my way through the menu.
Jon F.
Hella good food is dope hella flavor...... Fried chicken was on point & the Ribs was hella good fall off the bone.... The corn was dumbass good.... Big Time Smack Plates......
Janice Feemster
I've been coming here since they opened and the food was great. After the remodeling I got one beef rib and it was cold.. cost me $8.. I'm done
Burrito Roll
delicious chicken and ribs! also the owners donated their kitchen space to allow my group East Oakland Burrito Roll to cook food for our unhoused sisters and brothers in Oakland. Thanks to them we didn't have to cancel our event and we were able to make and deliver 500 Burritos to unsheltered folks! Thanks for caring about our community Food Foundry!
TFF is like a mini food park! Where else can you get authentic Korean bbq, Mac and cheese, jap chae, homemade chocolate cream pie, chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits?! AND all delicious! The owner rocks too! He'll do free pop ups at Aloha Club or Room 389 after a long workday and feed people for free!! Please come back TFF! We need more food businesses like you!!
This neighborhood has been eagerly awaiting a place like this!! The Food Foundry is AWESOME!! First time here, and I will be back again and again. The owner (I think it is the owner or one of them, was so nice. You could tell they are doing a huge business here. It's a new establishment, so be patient...the food is so worth the wait. I ordered the 12 piece pork ribs...omg! Best ribs I think I've ever had! The meat just falls off the bone. They are now using a new glaze...a soy ginger glaze? It's wonderful! I also got the ala carte chicken. I wanted to try it. WOW! So crispy and cooked perfectly. My sides were the corn and rice. I didn't know they had added to their menu since the one I received in the mail. Both were a nice addition to the meal. Finally....after all these years, a good spot that will last at this location. You can tell the food is made with love...nothing is over salted, and it's very fresh. My only advice, phone your order in ahead of time. I look forward to discovering more of their food. Ok....second update! I have to! I just ordered one of the new menu items...the apple ginger sautéed shrimp with grits...OMG! Divine!!! Sooooooo good! I also ordered my usual pork ribs (I have to order these every time because they're that good!)...tonight they were fall off the bone perfect. The Food Foundry seems to just keep getting better with each visit! I will be a loyal customer as long as they are here. The added bonus to their amazing food is the outstanding customer service. I love to support businesses like this and it appears tons of people feel the same. Their food is made with love and the quality is top notch. Just always remember to call in your order ahead of time. I usually give them about 10 minutes more than they tell me. That way everything is ready to I MISS YOU GUYS!!! I MISS YOUR FOOD!
I just went to the place this evening I ordered the Kalbi Combo the meat was delicious the salad if u like spring lettuce and spinach it's good with ranch dressing the spareribs are plated on some Jasmine rice and some white corn I'm full and everything was delicious would I go back? I am going back so go check them Out
What a disappointing $50 meal for two. It's really hard to enjoy food when the amount of salt added overwhelms everything to the point where that's all you taste. We had trouble finishing our meals and ended up tossing a lot which upsets me because it was not cheap. Based on other people's rave Yelp reviews, I had this place bookmarked to try on our next date night. I ordered over the phone and food was ready for pick up in 20min. Place was easy to find and hubby just parked on the street while I went to get our order. Service was quick and friendly. I ordered the fried chicken combo which came with two pieces of fried chicken (drumstick and thigh), side of salad, corn, and rice. Hubby ordered the short ribs combo which came with 3 pieces of Korean short ribs on a bed of rice, side of salad and corn. Fried chicken pieces were relatively big for $13 but came luke warm and stale. Maybe they fried the chicken early in the day and just refried it to reheat it for my order but it was not hot all the way through like made to order fried chicken. The outside of the drumstick was hard to eat because the meat was so over cooked it was like chewing a piece of leather. It also tasted like they over brined it and was just way too salty. The thigh piece was better but only because it was a bigger piece so had more meat in the middle that was fried to death and over salted. The short ribs were on the salty side as well but not as bad. But for $15 for 3 tiny pieces, this was not really the meal we were expecting for the steep price. You can pile three small pieces on a ton of rice and charge that much. If it was delicious then I'd probably not care but it was mediocre at best. The large order of glass noodles was hard to choke down. I normally love japjae and can eat a bucket of it but their version was just glass noodles soaked in a ton of soy sauce with no other seasonings or spices. The few pieces of shitaki mushrooms were insanely salty and I had to give up after a few bites because my tongue was going numb from all the soy sauce. The corn was just canned corn cooked in butter with salt. It was less oversalted than the other food so I was able to eat one container with some rice. Salad was just sad--salad mix from a bag thrown in to go container with a side of ranch which didn't even taste housemade. What somewhat saved the meal was the large strawberry lemonade I ordered which was the size of a 7-Eleven big gulp. I was not expecting it to be a huge cup for the price but I realized after I started eating the food that you need it to wash down the salt. I drank about a gallon of water after the meal because my body was angry with me for consuming so much salt in one sitting. Maybe these guys were just having a bad day because of the awful air quality from the Camp Fire but I'm not about to blow another $50 to find out if it was just a fluke. Hopefully if you decide to go you'll have a better experience and be able to give these guys 4-5 stars like some of the other Yelpers but I, unfortunately, had to rate my meal as served to me.
I have been curious about this place for a while now and, noting all the amazing reviews, I finally tried it out. And wow!! I got the fried chicken a la carte which was really affordable ($3.95) for two generous sized pieces. It was perfectly crispy, flavorful and a bit spicy (which I like), and very juicy inside. I also got a side of the kalbi ribs which were amazing. Juicy and sweet, and very fresh. Next time I'm going to have to try their japchae, but I was just way too full. The owners are also looking to build out a large outdoor patio and garden, at which point I will become a regular. Great job and welcome to the neighborhood!
I really, really wanted to like the Food Foundry, but my fried chicken was way too salty. I tend to oversalt my food, but this was too salty, even for me. The chicken would have been good, if it wasn't so overseasoned.
My partner and I were driving home from the grocery store when we passed by a crowd of people standing outside a cute little storefront on the corner. We immediately looked it up on the menu, and it sounded so good that we ended up ignoring our sad groceries waiting in the trunk and making a screeching u-turn to try out their honey ginger ribs. They did NOT disappoint! The meat practically fell off the bone, and the seasoning on everything was a perfect mouth-watering combination of different flavors. We got the jap chae and coleslaw as our sides, and they were just as good as the ribs! Not only was the food amazing, the owner was super kind and just a genuinely cool guy. He told us all about how they started, and it felt good to support a collection of awesome chefs in my hometown. Tip: You can call ahead and pick up your food, since there's only a couple of outdoor seating places to eat on. Can't wait to try out other stuff on their menu!
Great place for fried chicken & ribs. If I had to choose, I'd go with the fried chicken. The ribs were good, but the chicken was better. The mac & cheese was okay, but I found that it tasted better cold. Couple of table and chairs to sit outside, but the place is more for pick-up and go. Street parking if you are lucky. I will definitely be back!
Delicious food, great quality and friendly people!! Ok so here is what my lunch looked like today (beef ribs, the noodles Japchae and corn) and oh my god it was good! My uncle came from Washington and we ate here together. He was in love with the food and said he'd never had Korean food THIS GOOD! I'd say take out is the better option than sitting outside but we sat at the table outside and still enjoyed the weather and delicious smell of bbq!! 10 stars. Thank you guys!
Whoa, This is super nostalgic! Over a decade ago (I know, I'm old), I attended Bret Harte middle school where this location was a cheap Chinese fast food establishment. The food was greasy but it fed my friends and I for less than $3 dollars a meal. Fast forward to present day, I was surprised to see that this restaurant has new owners and serves Korean food. Yum! The service is incredible. Everyone is so friendly and knowledgeable about the menu items. Seating is limited with 2 tables on the outside so it's more of a grab and go kind of place. Here's what I ordered. Fried chicken (6 pieces/$17.95): I actually made a visit in hopes that this would be KFC (Korean fried chicken). Unfortunately, it wasn't. My experience was comparable to most normal fried chicken I've had in the past. I wasn't impressed but the people I've shared this item with (all boys if it matters) devoured it up with joy. Kalbi ribs (6 pieces/$25.95): The highlight of the meal! Well seasoned and very fresh. Can't complain here - it was so good, I saved the left overs for my meals the next day! The part that was pure meat was delicious but there were parts that were slightly chewier than normal. Sides (mac and cheese, smash potatoes, corn, fries): each side is ~$3. 2 sides are included in each protein order you make. Sides tasted normal but the corn was a little bland. Overall, I had a good experience (7/10). Really happy to have a more local establishment to enjoy Korean food. However, I'm not sure if the value, variety, execution is there. I wonder if there was an option to order strictly the bucket without the sides. Also, I was hoping to see more items like cheese corn, glazed potatoes, spicy rice cakes, etc - items that my friends and I enjoy at other establishment around America and South Korea.
Restaurantji Recommends
The Food Foundry is the type of business that made the Bay Area food scene what it is. It edits, evolves, keeps some things traditional, it pushes and tries. If their big plans keep gaining momentum and they get a sitting/dining area, this will be a destination spot that will turn this lonely triangular plot of land into a destination spot. I had their kalbi and pork ribs, both of which were smoky and flavorful. The kalbi was tender and not stringy as it can get sometimes--I wiped the sauce off the tub clean with a rubber spatula and used it as a dip for my side dishes. Both meat dishes had scallions as a garnish on top, a welcome addition for me, but a friend commented she would have to pick them off. I'll be back soon to work my way through the menu.
Hella good food is dope hella flavor...... Fried chicken was on point & the Ribs was hella good fall off the bone.... The corn was dumbass good.... Big Time Smack Plates......
I've been coming here since they opened and the food was great. After the remodeling I got one beef rib and it was cold.. cost me $8.. I'm done
delicious chicken and ribs! also the owners donated their kitchen space to allow my group East Oakland Burrito Roll to cook food for our unhoused sisters and brothers in Oakland. Thanks to them we didn't have to cancel our event and we were able to make and deliver 500 Burritos to unsheltered folks! Thanks for caring about our community Food Foundry!
Great food! Fast, fresh and friendly