The Yard at Saltbreaker — Restaurant in Alameda

I’m really bummed writing this because Saltbreaker used to be one of our favorite spots in Alameda. We used to come here for happy hour and dinner, and I’ve told anyone who would listen that they had the best burger in Alameda. When they opened “The Yard” outside a few months ago and got rid of happy hour inside Saltbreaker, it already felt like a money grab — quantity over quality.

We were hesitant to try The Yard because photos of the burger didn’t look the same, but we were next door at Humble Sea and decided to give it a shot. I even asked our waitress if it was still the same burger as the old Saltbreaker one — she said yes, same chef. Unfortunately, that wasn’t true.

The burger was dry, overcooked, noticeably smaller, and just not constructed well. Honestly, it tasted like a fast-food burger from Jack in the Box — and more expensive than the old Saltbreaker burger. My girlfriend got the chopped cheese, and the Dutch crunch bread was very dense. Just didn’t go well with the beef.

To be fair, it looks like Saltbreaker inside now serves a different truffle burger, so maybe that’s better — but this experience at The Yard wasn’t a vote of confidence. Feels like they’re trying to push volume over quality, which is sad to see. At least mark down your prices if that’s what you’re going for. If they ever bring back their original double smash burger, I’ll be first in line. Attaching a photo of today’s burger vs. the old one...

Ever since tasting the perfect Danish hot dog in Copenhagen, I’ve been on a mission to find something that could even come close here in the States. Spoiler alert: The Yard delivered.

Their signature Yard Dog completely won me over. The Niman Ranch hot dog had that satisfying snap and deep, salty savoriness that quality dogs should have. But what really elevated it was the execution - a perfectly toasted, buttered bun that held everything together beautifully. The mustard grain added a peppery bite, while the pickled onions cut through the richness with just the right amount of acidity. The aioli tied it all together into one harmonious, messy, delicious bite.

Here’s the rub though - $16 for a hot dog definitely stings the wallet. I paired it with their Bay Fries (parmesan-dusted and worth the extra $2), but you’re looking at nearly $20 for lunch. The outdoor yard setting is perfect for grabbing drinks with friends when you want that casual, laid-back atmosphere.

Yes, it’s pricey, but when you’re craving a truly excellent hot dog made with quality ingredients and chef-level attention to detail, The Yard delivers. Just maybe save it for special occasions rather than...

We love having a casual outdoor space like The Yard in front of Saltbreaker to enjoy cocktails and good food. The drink menu is excellent, and the front patio has a great atmosphere. The servers out front are lovely—friendly and attentive (kiddos on hiring great folks)!

We ordered the oysters, turkey sandwich, clam chowder in a bread bowl, and the fries. Overall, everything was great! The clam chowder was delicious and a big hit with the kids. I enjoyed the turkey club, though I personally would’ve preferred non-smoked turkey. With that said, $21 for a turkey sandwich is a bit overkill. We’d also love to see the return of the hatch grilled chicken sandwich—it was hands-down the best. I’d pay $21 for that.

A few small suggestions: it’d be great if the oysters were served more chilled and the fries came out hotter. Also, we’d love to see more small bites or shareable snacks—maybe a chips and dip option or other quick bites. It’d also be great if the tarragon aioli was available outside (served with the steak inside)

Looking forward to coming back, especially once the...