Mike L.
Yelp
You know, it's pretty interesting. Despite how I don't come out to Oakland nearly as often as I used to, my affinity for the Rockridge area only seems to grow with each trip I make out this way. On the one hand, I'm not entirely sure as to why, considering how the area hasn't changed dramatically over the years, especially compared to the parts of Berkeley around campus. Yet, on the other, it seems like every time I meet up with friends in the area, we end up discovering awesome places like Ben 'N Nick's! Maybe it's a just a sign I should start hanging out in Oakland more often...
Now, considering how we were just looking for a spot to sit outside and grab some drinks, we weren't exactly expecting much from our experience (you could also argue we failed, as we ended up sitting inside, albeit next to a window. That being said, if we were looking for something more, it's safe to say Ben 'N Nick's has it. Not only does the bar offer a solid beer selection, but they've got an entire cocktail list to go with their stocked bar and a food menu that looked really tantalizing. Granted, it's not a very extensive list to choose from, but they've got all of the typical bar staples and fare that you could hope for (bar bites, burgers, salads, sandwiches, fish & chips, etc.).
-- ONION RINGS with Paprika Aioli...$8
(https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ben-n-nicks-bar-and-grill-oakland-3?select=Tm4SpUBgztbwIQhsO8mSFQ)
Not that I was expecting anything bad, but I was surprised by just how great these were (though I wish there was more)! At a glance, I was worried these would be overly battered, but they were perfect - just the right amount of a golden, crispy batter coating huge rings of onions. And the aioli? Delicious!
-- GARLIC FRIES with Garlic, Parmesan, and Parsley...$9
(https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ben-n-nicks-bar-and-grill-oakland-3?select=JsUsyvfBQ_TscHimjJR8tA)
Legitimately, one of the best garlic fries I've had in quite a while. The fries were crispy, not overly starchy/potato-y, and the parmesan and parsley complemented everything perfectly. Sure, it probably could've been a bit more garlicky, but that's true for all garlic fries. I'd definitely get this again!
Since we were only looking for a couple of things to snack on with our drinks, I didn't get to try anything beyond the two sides that we ordered. However, I certainly would have liked to, especially after seeing what some nearby tables happened to order. In particular, the burger and reuben sandwiches looked really good, but the description of their fried chicken sandwich on their menu is what really piqued my interest (calling it "soon to be famous" certainly didn't hurt).
Beyond the tasty snacks and drinks though, the other aspect of Ben 'N Nick's that I really liked was just the general vibe of the place - super relaxed and welcoming. Plus, the I loved how mixed and diverse the crowd was. Some kids from Cal, some older folks, some folks catching a game, a couple on a date...just a very eclectic collection of customers, much like the surrounding area. Given all of that, and despite how I say it about a lot of places, I really want to come back and check out more of what Ben 'N Nick's has to offer. If nothing else, I've definitely found my go to spot to chill in Rockridge!