Rick & Ann's Restaurant

Perfect place for brunch for a laidback weekend morning! Fournee Bakery is nearby too and there’s a really cute flower place in the alley as well.

We were really excited to try this place and even walked a long way to get there—but unfortunately, the experience was deeply disappointing. We arrived before two other couples, yet both were greeted promptly, allowed to place their orders, and then seated right away. This restaurant works on a system where you order before being seated, but when we tried to do that, we were told to “go sit down and wait” and that they’d let us know when they were ready—something we didn’t see happen to anyone else. The two white couples who arrived after us were helped immediately, while we were ignored and dismissed. My boyfriend is a darker complexion, and it’s hard not to feel like the way we were treated was racially motivated. The staff’s tone was passive-aggressive and cold, and the difference in service was painfully obvious. We felt so unwelcome that we asked to have our names removed from the list and left. We ended up going to a burger place down the street instead, where we were treated with basic kindness and respect. We won’t be returning, and I truly hope this place reflects on how they treat customers of color. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity when dining out—especially when they’ve made the effort to support your business.

The food was pretty good for the price!! The potato pancakes were quite good (the Midwest). The salmon hash was fine but I do wish it had been left on the griddle til something was crispy or had a little color on it. Everything needed a little salt but I think that's standard for diner food. Wish the mimosas used fresh orange but for the price that would be silly! Certainly was poured generously so a very good bang for your buck! Our servers were fast and attentive. One of them was super tall and incredibly pretty and was extremely friendly and helpful the whole time. Honestly they made us feel quite at home! Very good vibes. We were in and out very quickly but never felt rushed at all. I can see how this place stays in business, I'd be tempted to come here all the time if I lived close by! Very much worth a visit.

Food was delicious. Enjoyed the unique spin on the toast/side options - we got a banana oat crunch muffin and the cherry corn scone. Both of them were absolutely delicious! The home fries are delectable. Service was quick and friendly. We went for breakfast around 10 am on a Saturday and found the space to be so loud that me and my partner are our meal in silence to avoid having to repeat ourselves since it was hard to hear each other. I wish the acoustics were better to dampen the ambient sounds.

Some of the best pancakes I've ever had in my life. I got the buttermilk pancakes with blueberries and I have never been so happy. We also really enjoyed the steak sandwich! The steak was tender, and the spread on it was absolutely delicious. The fries had the same look and texture as the fries from In N' Out which to me was a good thing since I enjoy their fries. We will definitely be back to try more of their menu!

Omg yum! The breakfast here is so good! We walked in and there was a 15 minute wait which was not bad. You order your food and drinks at the counter and then they sit you at a table and the food comes out. They have a great system and great service. We got the pork chops, eggs, and cheesy potatoes. It was a first for me having pork chops for breakfast but I wanted to try something true to their menu. The combination of flavors and the apple sauce with the pork was amazing! So good!! This is a must visit if you’re in Berkeley.

Nice breakfast spot by the Claremont Hotel. The place gets really busy sometimes and the wait can take over 30 minutes. Before you are able to sit, you order and pay for your food. This system allows the kitchen to prepare your food much faster as you wait. The food is delicious and service was great.

Great food and vibes! Unfortunately, our table hadn’t been wiped from the previous customers, we had to ask to get cutlery after our food came out, had to ask for glasses to go with the water carafe provided, and had to ask about our drinks which we got long after our food came out. Also, we felt the staff wasn’t concerned about the lack of service. They make everyone order and pay before you sit so was disappointed that I tipped well for such poor service.

Cute brunch spot in a charming neighborhood in Berkeley. I got a buttermilk pancake, eggs, and sausage, which were all tasty. Note: you order and pay before you get seated.

This place has really gone downhill. This is my third time here with poor results so felt the need to write a review. Paying (and tipping?!) in advance is way past Covid and needs to be updated. Bring back a more personal touch. I was even asked if I want cream for my coffee when preordering. Servers can't bring the cream? Two of us ordered the waffles with eggs and sausage. Both dishes came with a lightly cooked, room temp waffle that folded like a pancake. When I asked for a hot waffle cooked more crispy I was told I should have ordered it that way?! I won't be back. Such a shame as this was once such a gem.

We were craving some waffles and found this spot online, they did not disappoint! Probably my some of the best waffles I've ever had! The location is so cute and the staff are amazing! While waiting for our table we found out they are closing soon which is really sad! I wish we had discovered this place sooner. If you haven't been before get out there before they are gone!!

I really wanted to like this place, but my experience was disappointing. I ordered the chicken apple sausage and the potato pancake -- both came out burned. The flavors might've been good otherwise, but it was hard to enjoy anything that overcooked. Service was fine, but the food missed the mark this time.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this place so very sorry to see it close. I lOVE the bagel set up and paired with the lox and homemade Italian dressing!!! Chef's KISS

I've been here a few times and I love it every time! The food always comes out super quick, the service is great, and the food is always delicious. Today was a Saturday morning, so it was pretty busy, and we had to wait for a table for about 10 minutes, which wasn't too bad. I ordered the eggs royale and it was hands down my favorite dish so far! If you're looking for great value, I highly recommend the Emily's egg plate--it's a solid choice for the price. Overall, a fantastic breakfast spot that never disappoints!

This was the worst brunch I've ever had. The crab cakes were made with imitation crab and deep-fried--completely unappetizing. Honestly, you can find much better food elsewhere in the area.

Berkeley classic breakfast spot. Their veggie hash and corn pancakes are amazing. But they have a lame system now. You wait -- this weekend it was 1 hour -- to be seated then you have to order BEFORE you sit down. When I needed to change my order I had to go up front. It makes the whole brunch experience like a quick counter transaction. They sat us in the back right by the kitchen and it was crazy loud with banging. Also they have a long community table but don't sit people there and instead make them wait unnecessarily. Overall the food does not make up for the bad system.

Great breakfast vibe. Nice menu selection. Get the breakfast potatoes- roasted with onions. Friendly service.

The best pork chop ever, hands down! It was juicy and the flavors were amazing. Top with their apple sauce and sour cream, even better. It was worth the wait and terrible parking.

Though I'm not a huge fan of brunch/breakfast if it's something you can make at home, Rick & Ann's does it right! They have a great selection of breakfast and lunch items that make it worth the visit and waiting. Ordering works such that you put your name down to get seated and before they show you your table, you place your order next to the host stand & pay. It seems more on the efficient side but I can see how some folks don't like the linear process. It has a very cozy and homey feeling with both indoor and outdoor (covered seating). I ordered the steak sandwich which was great in portion and quality of meat. Their red velvet pancakes were amazing and had the perfect amount of buttercream frosting & nuts. Ann's Catering is also a business run out of there that is always a favorite at UC Berkeley. Small finger foods with immaculate presentation and quality ingredients. Will hopefully be back soon!

We love Rick and Ann's for its excellent food and its comfortable, lively atmosphere. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, but we prefer sitting inside because we really enjoy the vibe. The surrounding neighborhood adds to the charm, too.

A nice little gem in the Claremont area of Berkeley. We had the usual brunch special, chorizo scramble and shared this yummy and refreshing salad. Service was great and fast paced. The ambiance is quite nice especially on a sunny day because they have an outdoor seating, which is good for people with dogs and also good to people watch. Highly recommend this place for brunch.

Best Challah French toast ever!!! ...and across from me at another table, I witnessed a splendid plate of Eggs Benedict!! Execclent atmosphere! Swift and detail-oriented staff! Love this place, and so glad I discovered it last week!!! I'll be back...

I don't like ordering and paying before being seated. I would like my coffee and scone before my meal. I had to ask twice to get the above mentioned. I also had to ask the server for milk for my coffee. Something that should be offered automatically. We have been going to Rick and Ann's for over ten years. It's definitely gone downhill.

What an institution! The food and service is amazing. I especially love the french toast! The place is super homey with tiny bouquets of flowers and homemade jam on all the tables.

I've been coming here for more than a quarter century; I thought I'd already reviewed at some point but I guess not, so apologies for the extremely late review. I also thought they had foundered mid-pandemic, but I'm thrilled to be wrong about that! Based on this cascade of mistakes a reader could be forgiven for questioning the veracity of this review by now, but I'll forge ahead nonetheless for the remaining three readers. Some details: The Midwest is amazing and quite hefty, so be prepared to put away a pork chop, two eggs, two potato pancakes with a bit of cheese, and a couple dollops of apple sauce and sour cream. Oh and two slices of tomato turn it into a salad, so enjoy guilt-free. Doc's Delight is another great combo if you're looking for something sweeter (yes, Your Honor, guilty as charged). It's the classic waffle, two eggs, and two sausages, with bonus points awarded for real maple syrup by default (sorry to disappoint the corn syrup enthusiasts out there). The waffle is not Belgian, and strikes a perfect balance between fluffy and chewy. The coffee is solid, and service is polite and punctual. Also changed at some point in the last few years: you have to order at the counter before being seated. Note to self: update this review before 2050.

Biased by nostalgia, but awesome every time I've been. Cornmeal pancakes are my favorite! There may be a line on weekend mornings.

Delicious pancakes! Stopped here for brunch and I ordered the cheesy potato pancakes. I was expecting traditional potato pancakes like latkas, but these honestly looked like just hash browns with cheese on top. Not the same thing as potato pancakes! Their original pancake stack was much better, I love the unique grainy texture that is a perfect lovechild of cornbread and pancake parents. Very delicious! Their eggs were also superb! So creamy, moist and delicate, I will definitely be back to order the eggs and pancake combo. This place is definitely a must try for brunch!

Best red flannel hash, potato pancakes, scones, etc! The food here is great and the environment fun.

We're in the middle of having our PRE-prepared Thanksgiving EVERYTHING meal we purchased on Wednesday every single day until Tuesday- Yep, 6 days worth and enough to have friends over twice! Such incredible food: sweet potato biscuits with Lobster Bisque soup, Stuffed Mushrooms, Asagio cheese and butternut quash phyllo triangles (& that's just appetizers!), awesome salad, Fresh sliced diestal Turkey with stuffing and mashed potatoes, amazing gravy, glazed carrots and green beans, cranberry sauce. Everything is packed perfectly and in containers I just heat in the oven. THANK YOU STELLAR RICK&ANNS for making our Thanksgiving WEEK effortless and incredibly delicious!!!

We enjoyed a delicious Sunday breakfast at Rick and Anns before heading out for a long hike. I really like that you can customize your pancakes here, for instance we asked for banana and instead of just putting the banana on top it was so nicely cooked in the batter - great flavor! The heirloom tomato special omelette was very satisfying as well. Coffee and service are great.

We loved our brunch here. We've been coming here for a very long time, maybe over 20 years. This is one of our favorite spots for brunch. It gets very crowded, and since they don't allow reservations, there's a lot of waiting time when we get there when everybody's famished. We have a routine, where we put our name in the wait list then we go for coffee nextdoor at Peet's. If we're really hungry, we sometimes go to Fournee Bakery a few doors down as well. Just to minimize the wait time, we are open to any seating, even their communal table. That's where we sat last month. You really can't go wrong with any of their dishes. We have had every item on their menu over the years. Whatever you choose, I highly recommend getting the blueberry scone if that's offered. Their scones are so delicious! Enjoy!

We catered our event last weekend from here! Fantastic! So easy to order and work with, we had specific questions about allergies and they were prompt and detailed. We got the arugula salad, fried chicken sliders (so good), sandwich platter of turkey and steak, mushroom swirl apps, wrapped dates and the dessert platter! All delish! Presented well, very classy and easy to serve! Highly recommend!

This is a fantastic restaurant, I've been eating there since the 90s. In recent years my favorite thing to do is order pickup of breakfast or lunch on the weekends. I am a huge poached eggs fan and they do a fantastic job with these, I love the hint of vinegar flavor they have and they are super affordable for the quality provided. The staff is fabulous and service in house or for pickup is punctual and friendly. It's a super cute place to eat in or pick up. I love the covered outdoor seating area, it's perfect even on a rainy day. 10/10 and don't forget to check their daily specials!

We we're staying in the nearby Fairmont hotel and saw this place out of our window. Definitely a neighborhood place filled with locals looking a bit rowdy belying the wealth i this neighborhood. Had a bit of a wait and noted some folks sit down ahead of us. Had to order and pay in advance. Service was so so and seemed almost surly, with a sprinkling of frowns and irritated looks. Food was actually good; they got the eggs and lox just right and drip coffee was good. Ambience could be described as Berkeley funk, outdoor tables are prime. A good choice and likely superior to the hotel restaurant. Would tip less next time.

There have some irritating changes at Rick & Ann's in the past couple of years. For instance, pay and tip before eating or receiving service. BTW: The service was very attentive. However, I am writing because my favorite dish - The Midwest- now features a smoked pork chop that is over smoked, blackened and dry. I sent it back only to have the kitchen send out its slightly less dry and less dark brother. Please go back to the original pork chop that was lightly smoked, tender and real meat. The one being served now tasted processed and not natural.

Came here to treat my youngest brother out for finishing his finals at Berkeley! He really likes this brunch place and I can see why. They had a salmon special today and it was so good! I even asked for soft boiled eggs instead of my usual sunny side up and it came out perfect. Do note that you pay first and then sit down to eat.

The system of taking your order before sitting down to breakfast is a fail. We waited 15 minutes to try and place our order as there was a large group of 12+ ahead of us. Though the dining room was fairly empty. Once it was our turn to order we were asked to wait 5 min. After waiting they told us there were no large enough tables for our party of 3, because the large group wanted to move and it would take 15 min to clear a table and we still weren't allowed to order. Sadly, done with Rick and Ann's after 3 decades.

I had such an amazing experience! Alfred and the entire staff were so welcoming and personable. Visiting from Atlanta and we will definitely be back. Thank you for the amazing service and great food !

This was my first time here. The setup is a little odd - you can't order until they say your table is ready, but then instead of taking your order at the table, you order at the counter. We had the orange rice flour pancakes (great), the chorizo scramble (good, but there was hardly any chorizo, and overall it was just ok), and the latkes (in the menu they're called something like potato cheese pancakes, but they're latkes). The coffee was good and I was happy they had decaf. The ambiance felt a little cramped, but it wasn't too loud, and service came by a few times to check on us, which was nice. I'd go back - overall the food was good enough that we all felt satisfied, the service was good enough that we felt taken care of, and the ambiance was pleasant enough not to be exhausting.

Rick & Ann's was an old favorite of ours for years. After a long absence, we arrived today to find out they now require guests to order at the front desk and PAY IN FULL BEFORE YOU'RE EVEN SEATED. That's fine for a takeout joint, but this is a restaurant. What a crappy way to run a business. Shameful and insulting. The food was fine, but we won't be going back.

Darling little local's place and perfect for those staying at the Claremont hotel. It is a little odd that you place your order in advance of sitting down but it does make for efficient table service. The biggest bummer for us was that our coffee and mimosas came after our breakfast was served. That was pretty annoying. It also meant we couldn't add to our order for say another coffee or more mimosas... or a side of toast Overall though the food is great. Pancakes are fluffy. The scrambles and other egg breakfasts with potatoes are piled high. And they accommodate gluten free and vegan diets.

The lackluster greeting from a young female rubbing her eyes , as if she just woke up, and the impersonal male food server indicates how the whole experience was: no energy, no personality,not customer focused. When I asked the young woman about the flavors of muffins, all she did was point to the handwritten sign, obviously uninformed of the current days variety, like any pedestrian walking by the restaurant. The $16 curry tofu scramble was more of a tofu stir fry, but the dry Indian curry spices were not allowed enough time to hydrate, even though there was ample enough liquid to run into the half cooked home fries. The strawberry muffin was the size of a Chinese tea cup and tasted stale, cold, and bland. They need to do a daily Costco run to improve on the size, freshness, and taste. The area definitely felt elitist, as it has always been since the 80's in the shadow of the Claremont Hotel and Tennis club.

Good food and service and reasonably priced. You order and pay first and THEN you go onto a waitlist for a table so by the time you sit down your food is ready.

We have been coming to Rick and Ann's since at least 2012 if not earlier and I have never once left feeling anything but overjoyed and so so satisfied. The north east is always my go to, it is the perfect balance of sweet and savory and unlike anything you could get anywhere else. This time we also got the special lox Benedict. It was probably the most perfectly balance Benedict I've ever had, not too much lox the sauce wasn't too rich and the English muffins were so fluffy but not too thick. It was PERFECT! The homey vibe is always wonderful and makes it feel like you're eating in your kitchen. I always bring people from out of town here, so glad they made it through the pandemic.

Super disappointed. Downhill, perhaps due to pandemic. You have to order your food before you're seated. Half the fun of eating out gone. Then our orders were mixed up. Wrong side, eggs when not ordered. Quality and presentation of food mediocre. Really missing the old Rick and Ann's. Don't think we'll go back.

Rick & Ann's continues to delight in every way! Our dishes were the same quality and flavor as always (for years!) which always makes me so relieved and grateful. And the staff are long time employees so I enjoy seeing familiar friendly faces even if it's been awhile since we've been in. Thank you for maintaining such great service and meals, our family will always love our R&A's Sunday traditions. Bonus for a great woman owner, I've witnessed her handle some wild guests who recently, were way out of line with "service animals" with such grace and firmness I really appreciated and support.

If you get anything here get the French toast. You won't regret it. Perfect combo of being crispy and fluffy and gooey. The bread was made for French toast. I'd recommend the short stack because I got really full and a side of banana for a 10/10 experience

Good food and they have a nice market where you can buy chicken salad and other goods to take home

Been coming here for years and years. Food has always been fantastic. Servers usually very nice. But giving it two stars for two recent and not so recent reasons, 1. The host stand has always been hit or miss. They usually teeter on looking like they'd rather not be there. And 2, they now charge you BEFORE you sit and eat. Basically, their new "system" is ordering before they seat you, which is fine for efficiency. BUT the you also have to pay before you are seated. Including the tip. So if you don't have cash or change, you will have to add a tip before you even know if you will like the server or not. Wild guessing game. And how weird would it be if you were that customer that didn't tip at all before they even served you...I prefer no spit balls in my food. Bottom line, asking your customers to pay BEFORE they're served is TACKY. I mean that in and of itself is putting me off. I'm sure the restaurant is saving those few dollars from those few who dine and dash. If that's what I assume is the reason for switching to this "system". In an area where you're serving the fine people of Berkeley next to high end institutions like The Claremont, it's TACKY. Foods good but I prefer a non tacky experience to go with it. Time to find another breakfast spot.

I have been going here ever since Lois and Johnny were part owners. I came by Thursday afternoon to get take-out for dinner. I asked the (new) girl working there if the Caesar had olives in it. She said she didn't know. I finally asked her to please ask the chef. (She hadn't offered up finding out.) Then I asked what all was in the pasta salad. Again, no clue, but no "Sorry let me ask the chef for you." I asked her if she could ask the chef. He came out and said what was there, including red and yellow peppers, but no mention of SPICY peppers. It was so hot that I couldn't eat it. Then I asked the girl if they had peanut butter cookies. She said no. Then I saw a sign that listed them. Seriously? I will think twice about stopping here again. And when I had breakfast there a few weeks ago I had to get up and track down a waiter for water, for salt, for my bill. This place has really gone downhill. Too bad.

Awful service, pretentious staff, and food was average. Not worth the dime! Save yourself a trip to Ann's this place was sub-par.

Great food! The banana pancakes are amazing. The service was great I did pick up and it only took 15-20 minutes

5 stars for the food and ambience; 1 star for the new barriers to entry - their very off-putting new ordering/payment procedure. I've been a solid Rick & Ann's fan since they opened. This new system spoils the experience. You have to stand in the entry with the people or person you came with, order and pay first - you can't relax at the table to decide, or possibly add items. It's like ordering takeout at a fast food joint. I won't use Rick & Ann's for business meetings anymore.

My wife and I used to enjoy Rick and Anns for breakfast but the new ordering system has ruined it. It's no longer dining out - it's a cafe where you pick up food. We won't be going back.

I really enjoyed the ambience of this place. It feels very homey and has a welcoming environment! The menu consists of classic breakfast staples made using fresh, local ingredients. The set up a little confusing - you order at the counter when your table is called and then they seat you. There isn't a waiter/waitress so its a little hard to ask for help. We had to wait until practically the whole meal was over to finally get water. Besides that the food was delicious! I ordered the North East which was something very unique. It had fresh red beets, sweet potatoes, new potatoes, red onions, bacon, topped with sour cream and green onions. I got my eggs poached and a blueberry scone on the side! Pair that with a strong iced coffee and good friends and it was such a nice Sunday brunch!

Surprise Surprise, what a cool spot in Berkeley! Thanks to yelp reviews we tried the North East which has beets, potatoes, bacon,eggs and some other stuff? It's worth getting and I'd totally order it again. I was a bit squee-mish b/c I was scared I wasn't going to like it but it was pretty darn good and why I'm thankful for Yelp b/c it forces me to eat things I normally wouldn't try. My significant other had the mid west-ern? What a unique blend of lamb chop applesauce and hash browns. A huge plate and I wouldn't mind had I ordered this as well. This place gets pretty busy, put your name on the list, once they call your name you place your order and pay. Then proceed to take your seat and they bring the food out to you. Great spot will definitely visit again! If you like my reviews, consider "following" my profile for reviews all across the SF Bay Area . Why "follow" someone? It causes the person you follow's reviews to tier to top when you pull up a business. I find this very handy when researching venues. Rod's Review grading scale explained. Essentially I personally base it on the likelihood of a return visit and I try to be stingy with 5 star reviews since they should be "special" in my eyes. Price/Value also play a role obviously but there are $ and $$$$ littered across my grading scale. 5 stars - "I'll go out of my way" (approx 6 % of my reviews) 4 stars- "If I was in the area I'd go here and would recommend", (approx 38% of my reviews) 3 stars "Maybe if was nearby", (approx 37% of my reviews) 2 stars -"Would likely not return, Only if you want to go", (approx 16% of my reviews) 1 star -"No thanks, even if I was hungry", (approx. 3 % of my reviews)

It's been a few years since I've eaten at Rick and Ann's. Today was a big disappointment! Having to order at the front door was like going to a fast food restaurant. Being asked to tip before even laying eyes on the meal seemed presumptuous and rude. The service was terrible! The food was mediocre. Will not be back!