Eat in Oakland: Lovely's

The Original Fried Onion burger with American cheese, onion, pickle, ketchup, and mustard on a potato bun

While I had been hearing about smash burgers for a few months, it wasn't until mid-May that I first tried one at Lovely's, a burger spot next to the Two Pitchers Brewing taproom and beer garden on Webster and 24th in Oakland. Based on what I've heard from experts close to the source, smash burgers are different from traditional burgers in that they're composed ("smashed") on a flat grill, so they're more likely to seem cobbled together. This, plus the restaurants' use of high-quality ingredients, makes them taste fresher and juicier than a typical burger from a fast food chain. It seems like there aren't many brick and mortar places that specialize in the smash burger — many are pop-ups — so it's nice to see that they're easy to come by at Lovely's.

I believe I tried the Original Fried Onion burger with American cheese, onion, pickle, ketchup, and mustard on a potato bun when I visited. I remember it did taste better than a burger I'd get elsewhere and I understand that burger fiends seem to enjoy their offerings. I'm not big into burgers made with beef (I prefer veggie burgers) and I don't like lines (theirs felt like it took 20+ minutes to order and more to be served), so I probably won't be returning soon. 

Maybe the service is faster now and if so, I would try a fried chicken sandwich or even a hot dog for kicks. What a great way to celebrate summer: classic American emoji food. If you've been to Lovely's, what would you recommend trying?

Lovely's

Website | Instagram | Yelp

2344 Webster St., Oakland, CA 94612

Open: Wednesday - Thursday 4 - 9:30pm, Friday - Saturday 4 - 10pm, Sunday 12 - 4:30pm

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Eat in Oakland: Black Forest Kitchen at Original Pattern Brewing Company

Döner Kebab made with chicken, red onions, cucumbers, feta, lettuce, tomatoes, red cabbage, jalapeños, garlic, and spicy sauce

Right: the Gose and the Kölsch

As has been the pattern, this is the start of my biannual catch-up of what and where I've been eating in the past few months. We'll start with my visit to the Black Forest Kitchen pop-up at Original Pattern Brewing Company, located on 4th and Harrison near Oakland's Chinatown. 

I had no exposure to either brand before visiting the pop-up with friends in mid-August. We ordered the main event: the Döner Kebab, a popular German street food of Turkish origin. The sandwich features sliced seasoned chicken, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and a spicy yogurt sauce in a fluffy pita. It was quite good. I also enjoyed the Gose, another first, one of the many interesting beers on tap at the brewery. 

I will definitely look out for Black Forest Kitchen in the future — I see they just had a pop-up at Two Pitchers Brewing, right next to everyone's favorite smash burger spot, Lovely's — and stop by Original Pattern Brewing Company for a tangy drink with friends. 

Black Forest Kitchen

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Open: see Instagram for details

Original Pattern Brewing Company

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292 4th St., Oakland, CA 94607

Open: Tuesday - Thursday 12 - 10pm, Friday - Saturday 12 - 11pm, Sunday - Monday 12 - 9pm

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