Clove And Hoof — Restaurant in Oakland

I visited today for the first time as It was suggested by a friend. I was taken aback at how small the dining area was. The next surprise came when I was advised that you order prior to being seated. Thank goodness the menu is limited!! I ended up letting several people (which seemed like repeat patrons) go before me as I didn't want to order in haste. Luckily a couple of friends that came a few minutes after me were able to get a table to accommodate our group of four. While still in line, one of the staff noticed our frustration and let us know since we had a table to be seated and decide. In other words, get you indecisive a**es out of the way! By this time, I was ready to leave. I decided to stay because I was there to see friends and see what all the hype is about. A friend and I ordered the cheeseteak. She's not a fan of mushrooms, the hostess mentioned it wasn't a problem removing them. I happen to love them so I added extra. We also ordered fries, slaw, brussel sprouts and the corn salad. The sides arrived first. They were all Great! When our cheesesteaks arrived they looked Great! At first bite, it was very dry and the meat seemed overcooked and salty. The second and third confirmed that it was not only dry, there were very little onions and mushrooms. I checked with my friend if she had gotten mine by mistake. No, hers sans mushrooms. I decided to call it quits after the the third bite to concentrate on the sides. If I decide to go back, I will stick with the sides as the cheesesteak was...

Edit. Original review still at the bottom.

Things have drastically changed for the better. My review below may have been at the moment the new owners were taking over and hadn't really gotten into the groove of things. I have been back at least a dozen times since my previous review and it couldn't be further from today's reality, especially in terms of service.

Some food items are still a little underwhelming (overpriced with little to show), but the vast majority is fine or good.

Great job on the turnaround.

As many have mentioned, quality and service have slowly died over the past 3 years. Food portions, especially protein, are smaller and service is lacking.

Today the manager, I believe, saw me enter, walk to the register and he simply turned and continued his conversation with a patron. The butchers saw and waived at me. Finally, after 5 awkward minutes, one of them walked over to the guy and tapped him on the shoulder pointing at me. He finally came over and apologized for the wait. As nice as he was, this is not acceptable- I grew up in the restaurant business (family business) and worked 5 years as front of house, busser and waiter. No one else was there, just this other patron and I.

I ordered the fish and chips. This is what $17 looks like.

The butcher part of the restaurant is now defunct and they removed the displays. I think it's just a matter of time before the shut down altogether, unless...

On a warm, sunny April Sunday night at around 7 PM we two arrived, and every seat was taken, and people were waiting for seats. We ordered at the counter after about a 7 minute wait - no problem. Miraculously a 2 seat table opened up next to the windows right as we finished our order. I had the corned beef sandwich and cole slaw - both were good. He had the Cuban pork sandwich and tallow fried fries with pickle juice aioli - really liked both. I thought the fries were good. The retro updated interior is clean an inviting for casual dining. The staff was pleasant, and reasonably chill considering how busy they were... except for one cranky person. Tables weren't being bused, and people who'd been waiting for seats were sitting down and gathering up the previous diners' plates, etc. The cranky buser admonished three tables, including us with, "next time wait for us to bus the table before you sit down. This isn't how we do it here." My thoughts, but not my words were, 'when it's crowded, and people are waiting for seats, bus the tables faster so people don't have to mill around like vultures waiting for the object of their desire to die.' I recommend it, and...