This is a column based on reviewing local restaurants and cafes around Berkeley High School that helps people like you and us discover new places to go for lunch. We will be going to a series of mostly lesser known spots for lunch, because let's be real, you spend most of your lunch period trying to get lunch, not actually eating it. Plus this helps uplift local businesses that maybe arent as popular as Chipotle or Sliver for example, and save you money plus time.
The first place we went to was K’s cafe, a local coffee shop and cafe located a block away from Berkeley High, on 2002 Center Street. It was established in 2006 and first called K’s internet cafe, and it’s known as a great place to eat and work. It's disability accessible, has indoor and outdoor seating, great free Wi-Fi and a bathroom for customers. We have to say, they have one of the biggest menus, especially for a smaller place, with tons of options on the menu, from smoothies to even small meat pies called piroshki.
The first thing we ordered was a chicken shawarma wrap, it came out to a total of about $15 after tip and credit card fees. It was ready in less than five minutes and we watched them make it fresh to order. The wrap was pretty big, enough for one person if you are hungry but can easily be shared as a snack between two people. It also comes wrapped in paper and cut in half so you can see all the ingredients.
On the inside, it’s packed with a ton of tender, well-seasoned, bite sized chicken pieces, fresh lettuce, a coleslaw-type mix, slices of tomato, a few pickles, just enough onions, and a creamy sauce that brings it all together. On the outside there is a thin but strong tortilla like lavash wrap that they grill to get a nice crunch, those classic grill marks, and hold the wrap together well.
Flavorwise, every bite has a nice mix of textures with warm, juicy chicken, the crunch of the fresh veggies, and the smooth sauce. The flavor is savory and a little smoky, balanced out by the freshness of the vegetables and the tang of the dressing. It's very filling, and for the price it's amazing, especially if you split the cost with a friend.
We also tried their bagel with cream cheese which was $4.15, and a bean breakfast burrito was $8.50. The bagel was really good, with just the right amount of cream cheese and it was toasted to perfection. For the price, we think this is a great deal if you are not that hungry or just want a little snack in the morning before school. On the other hand the burrito was not that good, it was small, a bit cold, and for the price, not worth it to us.
Overall we would rate this place a nine out of 10, for great service, chill vibes, a super wide variety of items on the menu, and overall delicious food.