Gypsy's Trattoria Italiana — Restaurant in Berkeley

As many other reviewers have mentioned, "Gypsy's Trattoria Italiana" is a Berkeley staple! It has consistently been one of the most affordable Italian restaurants in all of the Bay Area; hell I'd even say in all of California. And considering its not a chain restaurant (like Olive Garden or Macaroni Grill), you're getting a unique experience all at a very affordable price that won't break the bank.

Location-wise, this place is in the heart of Berkeley on Durant Ave with Telegraph Ave being the nearest cross street. This particular area is virtually impossible to find parking so its best to come here by foot, bike, Uber/Lyft, AC Transit, or BART. Furthermore, this is food central where you will find so many unique international restaurants including Indian, Mexican, Chinese, Thai, and much more. I also wanted to add that this place is within walking distance to UC Berkeley which makes this a huge fan favorite for the college crowd.

My most recent experience was during the evening of Saturday 7/16/2022 at around 6:30pm. As expected, there was a very long line of customers ordering as well as customers waiting to pickup (for to-go and DoorDash orders). One thing to keep in mind, this is NOT a fancy place. Don't expect waiter service, white tablecloths, or a romantic experience. This is one of those no-frills type of restaurants that focuses more on budget friendly prices and huge portions. The ordering process is rather simple as you walk up to the register and order. I would recommend taking cash as credit/debit has slightly higher prices on their food (much like a gas station).

After looking at the extensive menu, I finally settled with their "Shrimp Alla Primavera" dish. This included jumbo shrimp, garlic, assorted vegetables, and tomato sauce with angel hair pasta. In addition to the main entrée, the combo meal special also includes a basic house salad, garlic bread, and soda. The price (as of July 2022) was an unbelievably reasonable $13.74 + tax. So basically for $15.00, you're getting a ton of food that I guarantee will fill you up. My +1 ended up going with their "Chicken Parmigiano" dish. This was baked chicken breast with marinara sauce & mozzarella cheese over a bed of spaghetti. After paying, you are given a ticket and they call your number to pick up at the register. Even though this place was like a zoo with customers, we still got our food in roughly 10 minutes.

I have to give credit where credit is due, the food here is fairly decent for the super low prices. The only downfall is that the sauce in my seafood plate was a little watered down but no biggie. Overall, the angel hair pasta was cooked well while they did not skimp on the shrimp. There was a ton of flavor with lots of fresh veggies embedded into the dish. The garlic bread was tasty while the salad was also very crisp, cold, and fresh. Since you'll get a lot of Cal students here, this will help curb their food cravings to help them study and get through the school year.

All in all, "Gypsy's" is an excellent above average restaurant that I highly recommend. It is by no means perfect when it comes to an amazing dining experience but for what you pay as well as the hole-in-the-wall experience, good service, and quality of food, you're getting something special here. And I can almost guarantee that you'll come hungry and leave very full. My rating, four...

Honest nuanced review (not intended to harm the business just a warning to pizza lovers and tips for the staff)

Food -

Rating: 0 Order: 9” pizza apx $12

I cannot speak for the food I did not taste.

I went here for a late evening pizza craving. Used to great NY pizza I wasn’t expecting the same in California but I was expecting at least a semi decent pizza. It was horrible. I should have ran away seeing cheddar cheese on the menu - cheddar doesn’t go on pizza, not to mention American cheddar (as opposed to delicious English Cheddar) is disgusting slimy orange plastic. I’ve tasted better boxed pizza from Trader Joe’s honestly.

It tasted bland. The feel of the pizza was a cardboard base, cracker like crust, slime for cheese, sub standard toppings thrown and sliding off, thickish but not in a good hearty junky greasy abominable albeit arguably delicious in its own right… Papa Johns, Dominos, and Pizza Hut kind of way, for the nights you want to destroy yourself.

No, this was just bad pizza. Evil. Disgusting. Wrong. I’ve tasted pizza from clay ovens, good eateries, mid range ones, fine ones, and junky ones, this country and that, homemade and chef made, clay or conventional oven: this is by far the worst pizza I’ve ever tasted in my life.

How this place has 1k reviews and is decorated with certificates and awards is beyond me. It may be based on the other food; low prices; or the fact that food critics and clientele don’t know what they’re talking about.

The whole point of a craving fulfillment is just that, but I was left feeling unsatisfied and am still wanting pizza, for which I’ll strictly avoid anything less than 3k reviews such as Jupiter (which I’m yet to try) because now I understand that these reviews are not reliable in a state which has no clue as to what good pizza is.

Cleanliness:

Rating: 3.5

At night during rush hour the tables were left unclean after use, however I did spot a cleaning lady sweeping. I can’t speak for for the inside but I suspect it’s a 3.5

Atmosphere:

Rating: 4

Admixture of students and regular folk, and a certain type of clientele clad in musical genre gear. The visitors seemed nice enough and the atmosphere was pleasant if you’re looking for the Telegraph Ave late night bustling and chaotic feel.

Staff:

Rating: 5

Staff were...

Gypsy's Trattoria Italiana is a restaurant specialising in Italian cuisine. Trattoria is an Italian word referring to a casual dining establishment, typically serving simple, rustic dishes. Here are some characteristics you might expect from Gypsy's Trattoria Italiana:

Menu: The menu will likely feature classic Italian dishes such as pasta, pizza, risotto, antipasti, and hearty meat or fish. These dishes are often prepared using traditional Italian cooking techniques and fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Ambiance: Trattorias often have a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, with rustic decor, warm lighting, and perhaps some Italian music playing in the background. The focus is on creating a comfortable and relaxed dining experience for guests.

Family-friendly: Trattorias are typically family-friendly establishments catering to various diners, from couples and groups of friends to families with children. The casual atmosphere is informal, making it suitable for casual meals and special occasions.

Authenticity: Gypsy's Trattoria Italiana may prioritise authenticity in its dishes, aiming to recreate the flavours and culinary traditions of Italy. This might include using imported Italian ingredients, following traditional recipes, and paying attention to details such as homemade pasta or sauces.

Seasonal Specials: Some trattorias offer seasonal specials or menu changes to showcase fresh, seasonal ingredients and highlight regional Italian cuisine. This allows diners to experience a variety of flavours throughout the year and adds an element of creativity to the menu.

Wine Selection: Italian cuisine is often complemented by a diverse selection of wines, including Italian varietals such as Chianti, Barolo, Prosecco, and Sangiovese. Gypsy's Trattoria Italiana may offer a curated wine list featuring Italian and international wines to pair with the dishes on the menu.

Overall, Gypsy's Trattoria Italiana will likely offer a delicious and authentic Italian dining experience, focusing on simplicity, quality ingredients, and the joy of sharing good food with family...