Merritt Restaurant & Bakery

Fried chicken fans Rejoice! Merritt Bakery has found a new permanent home and it tastes just like it did when we were teenagers. On my way to get a quick lunch, I parked my car and looked up and was stunned. Merritt Bakery? Here? Yes, here my friends. I went in and the original owner, Charles Griffis, and I had a wonderful chat about my childhood favorite restaurant hangout and it's place in our community. Charles is a stalwart owner, maintaining quality and tradition. I found him charming and engaging. But you be the judge. I order 3 fried chicken wings plus beans and macaroni salad. The wings were crispy on the outside, juicy and flavorful on the inside. As usual, I was overjoyed for this sacred moment of culinary perfection. Not fancy. Very Oakland. Very good. History has been preserved. Come and eat. Support this local business that will stay in this spot for 10 more years. Yeah!

Merritt Bakery Restaurant is the same business as the one that was near Heart & Dagger Saloon (500 Lake Park Ave), and set up shop right on Lakeshore Ave, across from Hearing Zone (Audiology office). I had their 3-piece fried chicken meal, and it was scrumptious! Fresh and juicy, made-to-order. Call in ahead if you're in a rush, and enjoy that delicious food!

My favorite cake since I was a child. Blessed by my daughter with my round strawberry shortcake. Still the best cake I have ever had.

Best chicken and waffles I've ever tasted hands down! The food still holds it's classic timeless flavor! 1.) I walked 5 blocks+ home and my chicken was still hot and crispy when I got home. The chicken still has that classic flavor like when I was a kid and used to go to the location around the lake! 2.) The waffle was crisp but had just the right texture and flavor of buttermilk and love. Same delicious flavor from childhood, and I ate my chicken and waffles in under 6 minutes! 3.) The customer service was amazing! The 2 young ladies and the owner were so kind towards me and genuinely cared about my satisfaction! 4.) The strawberry shortcake is beyond amazing! I don't even have to talk about this. 5.) I will be back again and again!

Today ordered 40 pcs fried chicken for birthday get together with family. To my surprise could not order chicken over the phone, was told that I had to come in to order & pay. Having to make 2 trips for fried chicken does not make sense. They should join current times and let us pay online, so that we make only one trip. Disappointed on order that I spent $120, majority of chicken was made up of drumstick & wings. Only 3 breast meats, 10 thighs and the rest wings & drumsticks....will find other businesses that will give a decent amount variety and not take advantage of their customers. A shame that a business built on a reputation of having good fried chicken has changed for the worse.

Take out chicken is still great...BUT, I ordered a red velvet cake on May 2 to pick up on May 7. I paid $90.00. They called on May 7, 3 hrs. before pickup time to tell me they didn't have red velvet cake. I give their chicken five stars, but I will never order cake from them again.

1.) That strawberry shortcake! When I walked in there wasn't any shortcake in the display so the young lady went to the back to go get some. When I tell you the strawberry shortcake and the lemon cupcake barely made it home I mean it! The shortcake was so fresh it literally fell apart, and melted in my mouth. The tastiest strawberry shortcake I've had by far! 2.) The customer service. The owner was there and a homeless man walked in and he was so kind towards him. This I don't see alot, or have not witnessed at all by a store owner. Most businesses shew the homeless person away if they are not buying anything. I was glad as I watched this business owner treat the poor man like good friend. A very pleasing sight indeed! 3.)The young ladies working the counter were very friendly and smiling, and I can see why. Great management, great desserts, and delicious food! 4.) I will continue to support this business knowing that I'm supporting a business that truly cares about people, and the energy that they put into the cuisine and the community. P.S. I'm coming back for a whole strawberry shortcake!!

This place serves great tasting fried chicken, hamburgers, and fries. Sadly, I don't recommend it since the service has gone from bad to abjectly terrible. I used to tolerate it since I loved the chicken, but the staff are now so rude, slow, and unhelpful, and the wait is so inordinately long to even get a burger/fries, that I stopped going and can no longer recommend eating here. If you want great fried chicken in Oakland, then try Lois the Pie Queen. They serve some of the best southern fried chicken I've ever had.