The Station - Smashburgers — Restaurant in Berkeley

I pass by this place nearly every day, and due to incredible traffic forcing me to dine away from home, I decided to try this place for the very first time. I ordered its primary reason for being...a burger and fries, after reading several reviews of greatness at moderate prices. I was hardly wowed, and spent more than expected. But it was indeed good, just not great.

The burger lacked a sense of purpose. It seemed to be fresh beef cooked slightly overdone for the promised medium, it just lacked the oomph my mouth watered for smelling the grill upon arriving.

And because I didn't want the aolili, which seemed like a culinary distraction... it being too much the star, not the meat as one expects of a burger joint, I had to dress the burger myself. I don't appreciated having to do that since my request seemed typical and easy for the cook, clothing already greased and sticky.

Nothing noteworthy about the fries, except the volume of food. My half-order was hot and salted appropriately, but the amount of fries still overwhelmed me. Easily enough to feed 3-4 modest fry consumers, I never was able to finish them completely even after the next morning when I chopped the leftovers to make country potatoes for breakfast. And that was their best showing.

When I arrived it was late; about a half hour from closing, and it showed. While there, I saw my order-taker upturn chairs onto the tables, which would be rude to any last minute diners arriving for the first time (like myself). I'm old school: the place remains open till the moment of closure, and the last customer served, in hospitality and appearance. With 15mins remaining, the open sign still beaming, it already looked closed with chairs on the table. Bad for business.

Will I return? Probably not. While the competition for great burgers in Berkeley isn't that vast, there are plenty of joints that try much harder in the surrounding Oakland area, some with better prices. Very little about Station One in Berkeley would bring me back. It's merely average, and I've passed by it for so long... and that...

TL;DR: AVOID THIS PLACE.

Oh boy. Where to start? I've been here twice and I'm NEVER going back. I felt like warning people at the ordering kiosks to just go somewhere else after we finished our meal. While the food is goodish, it's not so good that I'd be willing to experience the hassle/frustration/uncomfortable atmosphere again.

Order was completely messed up. Paid extra for a sauce, was not given that. That's fine, my wife went up to ask for it, the woman behind the counter looked at her, stared a moment, then literally walked away without saying anything. My wife came back and I watched as the woman returned with cucumbers to prepare another order. We never got the sauce. Garbage service.

Order burger with a sesame bun, received brioche. This happened on my first visit as well. Garbage service.

Friend ordered a "bison" burger, it was completely identical to my regular burger. While it looks like they have an expansive menu, they've got the Taco Bell model. All the same ingredients just in different combinations. Garbage service.

Order a pilsner and an IPA, beers were identical. This is just not right.

Ordered fries, what a greasy/oily mess! It's like they went straight from fryer to bowl. GROSS. Garbage service.

Atmosphere is nice — until an order is ready. 🤣 The woman behind the counter deathhgrips the mic and YELLS order number. I'm not exaggerating. Everyone in the place jolts. You don't have to yell, why are you yelling?! WHY.

You have to bus your own dishes (that's fine, too) but be prepared to play dish Jenga because they're not regularly cleared.

In a rush? Maybe go somewhere else. I saw a woman waiting an hour plus for her online order. Another couple was waiting as well and then just abandoned their meal. Charge back? Wish I could! 💸😅

This would've been my go to burger joint if they could provide what you order, if the woman behind the counter could ease up on the mic, if they could provide adequate service for...

I happen to be staying at a nearby hotel and we were giving this as the place to go. I don't know if it was the day of the week but the service was not on point.

The gentleman behind the small kiosk had no idea of the menu. What came with items whether it was going to be coleslaw, french fries, sweet potato fries, or piece of bread.

When asking what the special was for the soup of the day, took them almost 5 minutes to get back to me with an answer which is completely awkward, seeing how there's only two people in a kitchen and one person taking orders.

The meal that I ordered was the fried chicken sandwich and a side of regular french fries with a 7UP. The bread of the bun was not toasted at all It felt as though it came out of the plastic bag. The fried chicken Patty was warm on the outside and cooler in the middle. I asked for a side of regular french fries and got sweet potato fries. I didn't want any jalapenos on the burger but even though my receipt says no jalapenos, there was still jalapenos in the burger. It took over 20 minutes to get my order. I was not impressed by the service. Felt like the server who was also the person behind the cash register doesn't take their position seriously. At least enough to create a positive atmosphere.

Me and a couple of my teammates ask that the space heaters outside be turned on and we were told they couldn't do it because they couldn't find a lighter. But on the way out we noticed that the fire pits that wasn't previously lit. Now blazing a fire. I felt like there's a lot of contrast in this facility. I'm not excited about it. I don't think I'll...