Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe

Great value for the money! Good food no matter the time of the day. A traditional, neighborhood diner with just a light touch of punk makes for a unique experience for all ages. Live music on Friday nights too.

I enjoyed my first time here, in February 2025. I think, overall, I felt the food and service were both very good and had no issues for the one time I came here before a meeting nearby.

The food we ordered was delicious. My husband ordered the challah French toast and I ordered 2 eggs over easy, hash browns and toast. My son had a cup of fruit. I liked all the barbies on the wall.

I was here for one of the live music Fridays. The portions are generous, the food is good, and the staff is really attentive and kind. Not usually what I expect from a place where you order at the counter, but really nice to see! Will be coming back for breakfast and more live music in the future!

We had a really nice breakfast. Super good food and very kind staff. We were having a lazy morning and weren’t rushed at all. Plenty of open seats, but I’ve been rushed in other places under the same circumstances. Rudy’s is a regular go to for me because of the great food and staff. Easy parking too.

Great food, quick service and a cute atmosphere. I got the corned beef hash and eggs, pancakes, French toast, Popeye omelet. The only thing we could’ve passed on were the pancakes, they’re pretty average. Also, the fresh squeezed orange and grapefruit juices were delicious

So I heard Greenday once owned this restaurant and through its success they sold it to the employees. This all shows with the level of quality in the food and enjoyable staff who really hook it up with fantastic quality. The place is more of a casual diner/ brunch spot. I highly recommend the unique takes on classic foods here.

I recently revisited this diner after a years, and unfortunately, I was quite disappointed. It seems that things have changed for the worse. We ordered three dishes and none of them impressed us. The fresh orange juice was far from fresh-squeezed, which was a letdown. Additionally, the dining experience has shifted—there's no longer table service. Instead, you have to place your order at the bar and pay upfront, which felt more like a fast food setup than a diner experience. To make matters worse, our food was delivered at different times, so we couldn’t enjoy our meals together. The only bright spot was the coffee, which was surprisingly good. Overall, I left feeling underwhelmed and unlikely to return anytime soon.

Used to be a fun sit down diner. Now you have to order and pay before you sit down. Congratulations on bringing the McDonald's experience to something previously unique.

Love Rudy's! Food is delicious, service is always welcoming & love supporting a neighborhood business. Very child & family friendly too. Kids meals are big and we usually have leftovers. You can order items a la carte, make substitutions etc. with no issues. They also have live music in the spring and summer on the patio, which is always a fun treat! Lots of parking available nearby as well. As a New Yorker I miss diners and Rudy's is a great replacement spot for brunch, lunch & dinner.

Fun little spot with a bit of a ramshackle punk vibe, I guess befitting a spot apparently founded by a member of Green Day. We came here for breakfast and had a nice time. I really loved my Chilaquiles scramble--and the kiddo enjoyed the Challah French Toast (I think just fake maple syrup here, no pure--not an issue for him but would have been for me!). Portion sizes are substantial and filling. My girlfriend had the Hot Veggie Sandwich--a bit out of character for her, and she didn't love it--and started pilfering my eggs, much to my chagrin. But overall it was fine, an overall strong meal. Service was fine if a bit slow. Loved the decor--old toys, in-restaurant doodlings along the wall--seem like they have events here as well. Prices seem pretty reasonable for what we experienced visiting the area as well. Overall, just solid, charming and fun.

Rudy's still feels like home. Throughout the years it has a hold on my heart. Ambience fit my mood everything I go. From covered in shop dust to fancy dress. The food and service is always solid and comforting. Have had many nights closing the place down. Many ideas and plans been conceived and hatched. Rudy's is truly a can't fail. Thank you for being a cornerstone. See you soon.

I was in the area and stopped by on a sunday morning. there is indoor and ourdoor seating. you seat yourself snd then order at the register. to drink i had orange juice was the best i ever had it was cold and thick. i had the french toast and it was probably the best ive had. the bacon was good as well. the hash browns were a little undercooked. quick service and such a cool funky vibe.

This photo sums up breakfast. Huevos rancheros is worth while. French toast was tasty too; however, I didn't care too much for the Bloody Mary.

Blah. Had the basic breakfast, and it was ok, sort of: the bacon must have been on the grill for a while then heated up; the hash browns were skimpy, toast lukewarm. The coffee was good. Wouldn't go back again. Try Buttercup on B'way and 3rd. About the same price, but much, much better fare, and friendlier, more comfortable setting.

Food 5/5 Service 6/5 Ambiance 5/5 Rudy's truly can't fail, the food is too darn good! I have been living in West Oakland for a year now and I'm hooked! If you are in the east bay and are looking for a local diner to support with great food and service, I highly recommend coming to Rudy's! (I know I used an exclamation point a lot, but I truly love this diner) Food: (these are my favorites) 1. BLT with soup (5/5) my favorite dish. It's simple and fills me up. This is my got to at Rudy's. 2. Deuces Wild, French Toast (5/5) looking for a sweet and savory breakfast! Try this from the menu. This is my favorite meal when I want to really treat myself. 3. Tofu Chilaquiles (5/5) this is a delicious vegan dish with plenty of protein. Also recommend the veggie burger (I don't have a picture sorry) Service: I just really wanted to highlight how helpful Rudy's staff is. Someone is always walking around looking for ways to help customers. This is truly a community diner where patrons can take a load off.

They are open on Christmas Day until 2 PM. The service here is very quick. I came in a party of two, we had to order at the bar, and the food was brought to us within 10 minutes. The omelette was so delicious. I didn't want to stop eating it, but I was so full at just eating half of it. The pancakes for just OK, I don't know if I will order them again. But the main event of the meal, was the English muffin! It was so buttery , warm and delicious. I will definitely order that every time. They have outside dining as well. They do have picnic tables for large group and a lot of two and four seater tables. As soon as someone left, the tables were cleared and cleaned.

Solid spot for a quick bite. Chill vibes, friendly staff, and super fast service. Food came out fresh, no complaints will definitely be back!

You MUST Try This Place!!! I came into town to celebrate Mother's Day with my family, mom and sister-in-law. On Saturday, I wanted a day to myself. So, I looked for a new spot to try out food. I saw this place was good for Vegetarians, so I made a bee line there. This place is my new best friend - and they don't even know it yet! The food is AMAZING! The staff is AMAZING! The ambience is AMAZING! It's so unique, homey, comfortable, and easy going. You place your order at the counter, get a number, then find your own seat. The servers come and check in on you - but they don't bother you. The food is served with a smile and a wonderful welcome. And, every bite makes your belly happy. They have indoor and outdoor seating, in case you have a furry friend . I would describe this place as a neighborhood staple that must be experienced by all.

Honestly absolutely love this restaurant. Discovered it from watching Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives and so glad I got to experience it! Food & Drink - beers on tap, all sorts of diner food available. I absolutely loved my tuna melt - such a great execution of a classic! Service - incredibly friendly staff & your food comes out quick. Ambiance - indoor & outdoor seating, old-time diner vibes... loved sitting outside at a large picnic table & playing cards while we enjoyed our meal. Recommend Rudy's for a quick bite or a casual meal with friends!!

Friday night live music and crab cakes! Tiny spot with easy parking and much less street crime than Oakland (but that's true for almost anywhere except Somalia) Good bands. Convenient to IKEA and Home Depot for late night runs Cryptic sign across the street (see photo)

I can't believe it has been 20 years since I first visited Rudy's in Emeryville back in 2002. I miss the Oakland location but any chance I have to get back to the original OG Rudy's I know it is going to be a good experience. I'm an east coast transplant so I love a great diner vibe and being bake to get breakfast classics any time of the day. The food is great and I wouldn't hesitate to give anything on the menu a try. That said my favorites are the all day breakfast, the chili, and the burgers. You should also go for the weekend and try the brunch specials! The milkshakes are crazy good and leave room for dessert! Come for the food, it be sure to check out the custom made tables and the Barbie collection. I hope I can keep coming back for another 20 years.

Rudy's is aptly named--it can't fail! Staff is friendly and helpful, the food is plentiful and tasty, with a good variety for vegans and vegetarians. Comfy ambiance too.

Visited on a Thursday morning and it wasn't too busy. There's a parking lot for customers and street parking for overflow. The menu had a great assortment of things and the staff was friendly and patient while we ordered. Both the chai latte and French toast were delicious! Almond milk was available as a sub for the latte, and the challah bread made for a fluffy bite. Decent amount of seating and fun decor, and would definitely come back.

My party was delighted with the food. Best fries ever but avoid the Popeye spinach scramble. The vegetarians were happy with their meals, particularly the chilaquiles. Low key vibe. I gave a 15% tip but wish I'd given 5% or zero bc tips are for actual service, which isn't part of the deal here beyond inputting your order to their system and walking your meal from the kitchen to your table...but don't expect them to check in after your order arrives bc this isn't that kind of place. They weren't unfriendly or discourteous, it's just they don't wait tables. Some negatives. Table was sticky. There was a big puddle of what appeared to be spilled syrup under the table. We sat outside and each of us sneezed and/or coughed bc the breeze kicked up so much dust from the adjacent parking lot.

What a fun place! I had heard of it but never really knew where it was. Went for breakfast with my son. He looked up what was god nearby. We had just come across the bridge from SF. So we went on a Sunday morning. I ordered the private eyedaho ! Hash browns with cheese and two sunny side eggs. Simple, but it was what I felt like . The decor is so cute. Old school diner with an 80s new wave vibe. The staff are all friendly and do a good job too. I forgot to take pics of the food but got some of the decor inside. Come check it out for yourself!

Great little restaurant in Emeryville. I am always looking for restaurants with vegetarian/vegan options, and this one had several good choices. I had tofu chilequiles with black beans and toast, and my husband had a ribeye steak sandwich with garlic fries (I got a photo of my food, but he is not interested in me taking photos of his food). You order and pay as soon as you come in, they ask if you want to sit inside or outside (we chose outside) and then they give you a number to put on your table so they can bring your order to you. The food was tasty and the staff was friendly. We would definitely eat there again. :)

So good. Moved to Emeryville about a year ago and when I finally made my way to Rudy's, I was AMAZED at how perfect the food was! I got the patty melt with fries, and it was everything I want and more out of that kind of meal. Perfectly cooked meat, delicious griddle onions, Fries were phenomenal. Can't recommend this place more!

I'm sure it has been a difficult ride but so glad to see the restaurant reopen as employee-owned. This is a tacky little place in Emeryville kinda off of the main stretch with Target/HomeDepot, and you wouldn't think much of it if just driving by. However, we decided to give this place a try a while back and we were so surprised at the cool decor and wonderful breakfast selections. The inside is decorated with retro toys and items, with each table sealing a great collection of figurines in the acrylic tabletop - super fun to look at while waiting for your food. We've tried many plates from sweet to savory, and everything has hit the spot so far. Looking around at breakfast, the most popular dishes seem to be huevos rancheros and the challah French toast. My personal favorite is the chocolate espresso shake, which quickly became a must-order since the first time I tried it. Now don't give me crap for having a shake at 10:30 AM, your girl's trying to live a little. If you've been debating, give it a try next Saturday :)

Disappointing. First time back in 6 years. I was looking forward to a great meal... Like it was ... Then ..not so much now.. the service was great but the food, even after my order was fixed. Was at best mediocre.. the benidicts were made with no more than 1 tablespoon of cold sauce that resembled McDonald's special sauce . The crab cakes were cold and slimy inside. But the poached eggs were fine Rudys seems to be failing...

Great old fashioned breakfast! Great pancakes, great hash browns! I'll be back next time that I'm in town.

Nice vibe love the random stickers. The food was really great and I'm very picky about my chorizo. The staff is nice as well definitely should check out this place!

Wait staff was very kind and made great suggestions. We had the crab cake eggs Benedict and the corned beef hash with over east eggs. Both were exceptional. I was in town for a concert from San Diego and it was my first time visiting Oakland. All I am say is this place is a place I would come back to if I'm ever in the area again.

Hello my Yelperz!!!! I found this hidden gem upon leaving the refinery. The atmosphere was pretty chill and the staff was extremely nice. Every place I go I order a spread of items knowing I can't eat it all lol. But let's get down to the food items: The Mac & Cheese was well presented but lacked so much flavor! Great touch with the breadcrumbs but it really could've used some more seasoning. The Meatloaf Sandwich was good! I would skip for meal before it because if you're planning on trying to complete it you'll have 3/4 empty stomach. Great flavor though but really too much of an item for a sandwich. The Grilled Cheese should've been a simple make. But same as the max and cheese grilled cheese Lacked flavor lol it has to be the kind of cheese they're using. Like maybe add some more butter or truffle. Now hands down the Veggie Chili was the best thing I had there aside from the cool atmosphere. These reason for the rating would be my food experience and I'm from Texas so I wanted a shirt but my waiter told me I had to come back to get a shirt. They don't have them on hand but they have them hanging in the corners. Probably wanna change that guys if you're advertising it. Happy Yelping!

Ya know when you're so hungover that you feel like you're not allowed to be in the public? It's one of those days yet Rudy's has such a homey feeling that I don't feel bad at all. Friendly and quick service, delish food, boozy milkshakes and other drinks, really the perfect hangover spot. Also all the tables in the back are like filled with a bunch of random little things like pez dispensers and figurines and what n, really serving the ADHD, thank you.

Two burned pancakes, two tiny eggs and two frozen vegetarian sausage cakes. Ugh.... I came home sick after attempting to eat this mess. I also didn't appreciate having to pay at the counter and add a tip before eating the food! No table service and bad food but given a decent tip! Rudy failed!

Pay before you eat was bad enough, $35 for a Montecristo, and milkshake. The plate was miniscule how are you going to charge $20 for a meal that has less food then free plate space. Ive never in my life paid $20 for a meal and not gotten full until today. Just insane. No bang for your buck not even close and its not even comfortable no cushions on the booths just plywood benches. Never again will I waste my time coming here. If you havnt been here and these things matter dont waste your time.

Sad fact is Rudy's is failing because they're cooking is terrible now. I don't know what they're doing about their quality control, but it is gone to hell. They should be really ashamed and embarrassed for serving the kind of garbage that they're putting in front of people now and acting like it's food. I ordered a breakfast sandwich that must've contained at least a dozen eggs and was inedible frankly. I've been going to Rudy's for years and it has gone to the dogs since it was sold. Guys you wanna have your restaurant succeed, putting in music is not gonna do it. You're gonna actually have to hire a chef who knows what they're doing because whoever you've gotten in the kitchen does not know. They are terrible cooks and it's unfortunate because you have decent recipes to work with. Fix it or fnd out that the market is not going to sustain you if you're serving nothing but garbage. Also $7 for a single piece of French toast????? Never going back.

Great little breakfast spot hidden away by the freeway! Friendly staff, great service, and it highlights regular breakfast favorites while including unique menu options that are (surprisingly) vegetarian friendly!! Between the tofu chilaquiles, tofu ranchos rancheros, and Morningstar veggie sausages- this place is really a great option for all your dietary needs! Not to mention they have Challah French toast! The only thing for me that took away from it is the amount of grease on the regular breakfast dishes. If they would dial down the grease, it would be a no brainer!

Great place to celebrate an anniversary for a relationship that simply Can't Fail! Classic casual diner serving all the diner classics, plus a little extra something-something! Booths, bottomless coffee, Barbie's, the kindest staff, and always a great playlist of pop-punk classics and reggae. I'm workin' on being a regular at Rudy's, and you should too!

Get the French toast !!!!!!! So fluffy and delicious . Hands down the best French toast I've had !

They are right next to Pixar and Continental Autobody where the car is being fixed. It is somewhat of an off campus meeting place for Pixar staff. They prepared off the menu corned beef hash and chorizo omelette for us. Hash brown was nicely toasted. Coffee was great. We went back for refill.

Came here on a busy weekend morning. There was a light wait time. We waited only 20 minutes because there were only two of us. Larger parties may have a more difficult time getting seated. I opted for the breakfast because that what's my friend and I came here for. Although some of the other stuff on the menu looked good. While the food was decent it didn't blow me away. I thought it was just standard breakfast. The service was good despite the morning rush. Our food did take a little long but it was given how busy it was. Overall I think this would be more of a 3.5 star. I would like to come back here and try some other things items they offer.

Have been wanting to try for years & finally did last week...portions were enormous, food tasted delicious & service was great! Will definitely be coming back soon.

Three stars is generous for my experience today, but I can't bring myself to give fewer stars to a locally owned, worker owned collective. Besides, everyone I interacted w/ on the staff was very kind and helpful. Diane and I met here for brunch. I arrived first and was encouraged to take a table while I waited for her. It's now an order at the counter place and they bring you your food. There was no line. One of the workers asked if I would like something to drink while I waited and I ordered a pot of English Breakfast tea w/ low fat milk, which he brought to me, along w/ some menus to look at, a regular menu and today's specials menu. The place looks much the same as it always had, w/ outdoor seating and two rooms inside. Same décor. I sat in the front room. I looked at the menus and was delighted to see the Rude n Reckless among the specials. Diane joined me, having had to park a couple of blocks away, so I gave her the menus to look at and got into line to order, as it had gotten much busier over time. I ordered the Rude n Reckless, the hash browns crisp and the Hollandaise on the side. I had a choice of toast or English muffins in addition and chose English muffins. Diane by this time had gotten in another line and ordered a Mediterranean omelette w/ wheat toast. She had water to drink because none of the teas appealed to her. After a while Diane's omelette was served, w/ black beans instead of hash browns on the side. I encourage her to start so her food didn't get cold. I waited and waited for mine. I was just about to get up and ask about it when a server came to the table next to us so I asked him. I heard him check w/ the kitchen and after a little while my dish was brought to me. I could see from the color of the hash browns that they were far from crisp. There was no English muffin. After waiting as long as I had I was not going to send the food back, but I was very disappointed. The Hollandaise was different from the way it had been before, w/ a hint of heat that I didn't particularly care for. But what was most upsetting, aside from the delay in receiving my food, was that the hash browns hadn't been cooked as I requested. Diane gave me a piece of her toast, which was good. We will probably return here eventually, but I doubt I would order the Rude n Reckless, given my experience today.

We were a group of eight. No problem getting a table while we waited for the entire group to be there. You order at the counter and the food is brought to your table. Good selection of food and good kids menu. Service was good as was the ambiance.

Great atmosphere and counter order and service. There is also a good story behind the restaurant - check it out when you have a chance. Went there on the weekend, so not too crowded and able to find parking. However, I would assume it would be crowded on the weekday as Pixar Studios is across the street. Had the corned beef and eggs - it was probably the best corn beef I have had. Definitely recommend it. The rest of the family had burgers and a veggie burger - they really liked it as well. Will definitely be back when in the area. BTW - had a piece of one of their pies and it was fantastic

We stopped by here after picking up my boyfriend from the airport. We checked out the menu on Yelp prior to make sure they had vegan options & they had PLENTY! I found myself having a hard time deciding by finally went with the Tofu Rancheros (cubed tofu in 2 grilled corn tortillas drenched in salsa verde) & he picked the Tofu Chilaquiles ( cubed tofu in 2 grilled corn tortillas drenched in salsa verde served with pico de gallo & black beans). They were both SO delicious We also got some mimosas & beers that were yummy. I would definitely recommend this place!

Food was outstanding had Rudy's heartache and their in house corned beef is AMAZEBALLS... Service was nice and quick. The woman behind the counter had no problem suggesting a few items for me to try since it was my first time eating here !! The ambiance was very welcoming and fun.

I'd passed by this place after visiting Pixar so many times but I'd never gone in until yesterday. What a gem! The staff was very friendly, the menu is extensive (maybe a touch too big) and the prices are reasonable and the food is good. I had the veggie Benedict so I could satisfy my craving for impossible sausage and hollandaise. Serving it on a hash brown is genius. Everything ate well together. My only note is that the hollandaise sauce was a touch too lemony (and I love lemon). I'd definitely go back. 100%

OMG sooooo delicious! I came here out of convenience and necessity. I was buying cabinets around the corner at Granite Expo, I was starving, and was about to be late for a meeting. The person at the counter helped me to choose the Tower of Power because I was in a hurry to join a Zoom meeting. I paid at the counter and chose a table away from the speakers playing mellow tunes. I started my meeting and maybe 6 minutes later my food arrived. I was so hungry that I didn't take a photo. The meal was was hot and fresh, the veggie sausage were tender and delicious, the hash browns were crispy even though they were at the base of the tower and under a layer of cheese, and my eggs were *perfectly* medium. I am surprised by how often cooks give me over easy when I ask for over medium, but Rudy's Can't Fail NAILED IT. The breakfast was exactly what I wanted and in a lovely environment. I'll definitely go back!

"With a heavy heart, the ownership of Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe has decided to permanently close operations effective immediately. We are grateful and appreciative to our talented staff for their tireless efforts and creative contributions over the years. You are Rudy. You made what it was: a continuous award winning diner where everyone that 'Walked Among Us' were always welcomed. 20 years ago we strived to create that same environment and ethos that the Yee Family did at Eugene's Ranch House for 40 years before us and now it is time for Rudy to pass the torch. The slogan 'The Best People on Earth Walk Through These Doors' was written on both of our front doors for a combined 60 plus years, this must say something about the community that we will always love. Many thanks to all our customers for your patronage and support over the years, we will miss serving your preferred Brew For Breakfast and Late Night Munchies. We wish you well. I Am Rudy"

Great customer service! Rene and Karina were very helpful. It was our first time there. Great food! Cool atmosphere! Dining availability indoors and outdoors and big parking area for free. Pet friendly outdoors

Good American Diner and a fun atmosphere, especially if you like Barbie. There is a collection of Barbies that must include every iteration of Barbie and outfit of Barbie, ever. Except of course for Evil Barbie, who plays for the German Women's National Soccer team. Highly recommended. Oh and the bench seating inside is sadistically uncomfortable, Definitely minus a star for that

After helping a former coworker move some heavy furniture out of his office, he took another coworker and I out to dinner. I do not know Emeryville at all, so I put my trust in him; it was not unfounded. Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe is a good place for burgers. I had bacon cheeseburger & fries. Whenever I try a new place I go for something simple. I figure if they get that right can have faith in other items on the menu. My burger was pretty darn good. The burger was cooked to my liking (medium well). The fries were also good. Service was on point, as our waiter was quick & attentive. All in all, a good place if you're looking for something simple, good and inexpensive. I will definitely add this place to my East Bay list.

I don't know why this place doesn't have higher ratings! Their food is awesome. Weekend brunch is magical. Plus it's now worker owned and better than ever! As someone with a ton of dietary restrictions, I can always find good comfort food here. I do wish they had gluten free bread available, but it doesnt stop me from enjoying their food. Plus the decor is so cool!

Very impressed with atmosphere and ambiance of the place. Lots of kids though and background music. Very eclectic decor and the waitresses really do make the place. If you are looking for a quiet place, I would look somewhere else. but a nice place to sit and chat with outside seating, although it was cold and almost rainy the day I went. Definitely will visit again soon. 4 thumbs up!