Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe

Recommends

Genise

Joined 4 years ago

The Place I Go To Whenever I Am In Town. Food is great, atmosphere is energetic and the food is fabulous.

We are from Seattle but we come here everytime we are in the Bay Area, have not had a bad experience yet.

Recommends

Chelsea Lin

Joined 6 years ago

An Emeryville diner with comfort food and a hip aesthetic.. Rockers and rollers will appreciate the cool factor at this outwardly inconspicuous East Bay joint--not only does the name come from a song by seminal punkers The Clash, but Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt is a partial owner of the place. The rock 'n ' roll aesthetic is heavily prevalent in the atmosphere: a wait staff that's entirely tattooed and tight T'd, an across-the-board music selection, themed tables and a wall of Barbies that look seriously roughed up. While the aesthetic is more Iggy Pop than Guy Fieri, you'll find mostly your typical diner-dive cuisine--all-day brekkie, huge burgers, nachos, daily specials--but with a serious vegetarian influence. Even if you're not dining next to Billy Joe, being able to name drop the Shakin' Jesse (a mind-blowing milkshake made of Guinness, espresso and chocolate ice cream) will earn you some serious street cred.

Recommends

kt352

Joined 4 years ago

Great quick breakfast!Example: great place for good bread. Not a lot of atmosphere here but for breakfast, the food is more important, I think! Great vegetarian omelet, quick Pete's coffee, nice hash brown and toast. Nice booths - great for business discussion!

Doesn't Recommend

MartinDenny777

Joined 5 years ago

Overpriced and well overrated. commodified, overblown punk theme not true to punk spirit. No matter how many tattooed, blue-haired waitresses there are or how much self-consciously hip decor is stuffed onto shelves, a $12 cheeseburger will NEVER have any punk credibility. Self-centered soccer moms and their irritating children can have Rudy's, I'm happy to give my weekend morning meal business to Full House Cafe in the Laurel. Green Day Mike should be ashamed of himself for creating such a blighted travesty--Rudy's CAN Fail!!

Recommends

emerygal

Joined 5 years ago

Great place for a late bite. When Rudy's opened down the street, we were happy to have any place in the hood that was open on Sunday. Now it's hard to get a table, because it's become a place for locals, hipsters and people who want to grab dinner before seeing a movie at Bay Street.

Top picks: the salads are *huge* (I'm full after the small size) and the fries are amazing...crisp, hot and with an edge of spicy.

The unique diner-gone-modern decor is a treat. I bring everyone here: family (it's surprisingly kid-friendly,) friends who want to experience the flavor of Emeryville, and neighbors (who are regulars themselves.) And I've noticed a very low turnover in wait staff, so that's a good sign.

They were right when they named it "Can't Fail Cafe."

Recommends

stephbbq

Joined 5 years ago

Best Breakfast in a while. Very good service and no wait when you sit at tha counter... recommended for anyone in east bay to check it out!

Recommends

curli_q

Joined 7 years ago

All-around good eats. We eat here regularly. Prices are reasonable, the selection is good and they have things like a Guiness milkshake with a shot of espresso on the menu. Late night eats--especially since there is not so much open late. Great coffee=high marks in my book. Service is usually on it, although I've had to leave twice when the servers forgot they sat us or they never came by. I can forgive these transgressions because they've got the best burgers around. Weekends are busy for brunch, expect a long wait. You can get yourself a cup of Pete's while you're waiting and still waking up.

Recommends

keekster317

Joined 6 years ago

Good selection of food, friendly staff, fun environment. The selection of food was great, the chilaquiles were very good. There is also a great selection of vegetarian food that actually tastes great. I tried the Pressure Drop, a Guiness with a shot of espresso dropped in, and was pleasantly surprised. Just give this place a try, there will be something you'll really like.

Recommends

___cory___

Joined 6 years ago

Always good. My family and I have been to Can't Fail a few times. Food has ALWAYS been good. If you go on Wednesdays, you HAVE to try the meatloaf special (if you're not a veggie, of course). It's better than mom's. Always a good time and great food. I'm a little older than the average visitor, but eating there always makes me feel at home and nostalgic. Great for people watching, too.

Recommends

gdstarchylde

Joined 6 years ago

Must go if in the East Bay. I was planning on 3 birthday parties to be held together for a group of friends that met online. From the first time I contacted Rudy's through the day of the party I had completely wonderful service. Doug the manager went so far as to offer to order a specialty cake for me. The food was incredible and brought to us in a very timely manner considering there was 11 people in our group!! Music, casual atmosphere, amazing food, great staff..Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe has everything you could possibly want!! Affordable and filling..the portions are HUGE!!

Thanks again to the staff for making our party a huge success! We're still bragging about it!