The only bad thing about Assemble is actually finding the restaurant. We parked in a large lot next to the large buildings and ended up getting lost trying to find the restaurant on foot. Other than that, I really like Assemble! The food was delicious. The service was great, save for a rude-ish male host/server who sat us wordlessly and slapped the menu’s on the table. The frito pie is almost as good as the ones I’ve had in the south! Their burgers and sandwiches are really good, and very filling. Their dessert menu looked great but we were so full that we didn’t end up ordering anything. We’ll definitely be back!
Etsuko K.
Tu valoración: 4 El Cerrito, CA
We actually really liked this place. It’s close to the house, good view of the water if you sit outside. Almost feels like you’re far from Richmond. We went for dinner most of the time. Not sure if they’re inconsistency has caused it to only be open for brunch and lunch, but that’s a shame. There are definitely items that are tasty and worth what you pay for: Chicken pot pie, mushroom pot pie, Cobb salad. And other items I wouldn’t get if it was the last meal on earth: Chinese chicken salad. The desserts were yummy– seasonal fruit crisp and yummy key lime pie. Again it’s the by the water charm that makes it a sweet little spot.
Mindy R.
Tu valoración: 2 Oakland, CA
I wish I could write a good review for this restaurant, but unfortunately the menu has slipped over the past few months. As an example, we ordered the hamburger, Brussels sprouts and mac and cheese last Saturday and only the veggies were done correctly. Cold fries, over-done burger and way too many breadcrumbs on a lackluster side dish was not a good eating experience. When the waitress asked about my meal, I let her know and she immediately pulled over an acting manager. He listened to my feedback and unfortunately it was not the first time he’d heard it. Apparently there is a new chef(I use the term loosely) and the menu as well as the execution has changed greatly – to our detriment. The food is now something that can be had at any regular diner. There are no interesting spins on the food and as I mentioned earlier, the dishes are not well-prepared. He said the manager would reach out to me in the next day or so. I am not holding my breath. Unfortunately I’ll no longer take my out of town friends to this place. The location remains fantastic, but there are too many good choices in the bay area to settle for bad food.
Marc L.
Tu valoración: 4 Alameda, CA
Came here for Saturday afternoon brunch. Beautiful ambiance… Basically a restaurant in an old factory. Very cool, historical vibe! Food was very good. Ordered the Watermelon and Tomato salad. Good flavored, watermelon could have been more crisp but flavors were a good contrast of sweet and savory for a salad. Also had the Chicken and Waffles. Chicken(strips) were moist and flavorful but the waffles were awesome. Very light and fluffy. Topped off the meal with Beignets. Prob didn’t need these after ordering waffles but not bad. Service was solid. Not intrusive and catered to our needs. Not the most engaging… And that’s not necessarily a negative. If you’re in the area, give it a shot… But not a place to go out of your way for.
Conrad B.
Tu valoración: 5 Piedmont, Oakland, CA
We got here at a busy time but were immediately seated. I told the server there were going to be three of us and she waited patiently but turns out we were only two. Food was served quickly and efficiently. Closes at 2:30 but at 3 were still there – the only ones there and they had no problem letting us stay and chat. Also lots of Rosie Riveter types outside at the adjacent museum. Very cool
Laurie H.
Tu valoración: 3 Oakland, CA
One of the very few times that the food, not the service, saved the day here. Teen girl and I stopped in at 2pm on Saturday… just 30 min before I think they were closing for lunch service. We didn’t realize that, and not sure it had any bearing, but just a point of information. We were actually seated right away at a table next to the window that looks out on all the parking lots. The atmosphere is light, bright and industrial, so it doesn’t matter much where you sit. After being seated and being given menus, we waited. And waited. And waited. In fact we waited so long that a waiter who wasn’t responsible for our table asked if he could get us something to drink… Anyway… our waiter finally showed up(I’m going to guess it was almost 15 min from being seated to our waiter coming over) and took our order. It was at that point that he took the menus from us and as I took my paper menu off the table, it peeled off with a rather large riiiiiiiiip. I’m bad at sound effects. It didn’t actually rip — but it was a rather large sound from peeling off a sticky table. The table is strange because it’s made up of small pieces of cork… and the woman who sat us had wiped it down. The waiter let us know that the cork tables are meant to have some stick to them, as glassware etc. will stick more, but he did send over another person to wipe it down again. It’s a weird surface… let’s just leave it at that. Also that day, some woman had apparently lost her phone or a friend’s phone or something, as she was using«fine your iphone» for about 30 minutes, wandering all around the restaurant floor, over and over, fixated on her screen, as if it was giving her a ping but she just couldn’t find it. All these weird happenings led us to believe we were not going to enjoy our meal. We couldn’t have been more wrong. I had the portobello mushroom«burger» with fries. Teen girl had chicken and waffles. My portobello came on a sweet bun, with two slices of tomato that were perfectly ripe, onion and maybe a bit of lettuce — can’t recall. It was cooked perfectly, there was just enough sauce and fixin’s and the bun was deliciously sweet. The fries were seasoned well — I think there was a hint of garlic but it wasn’t overpowering… just yummy. The girl ate almost all of her chicken and waffles which is saying a lot. The chicken was apparently super moist and the fried coating had just a hint of spice and was nice and thick and delicious. If they could just work on their oddly timed service, this place could be a great go-to place for a get-away lunch.
Janet T.
Tu valoración: 4 Alameda, CA
Decided to try a new place before watching a movie around the area. Did a bit of a Unilocal search and found this place. It’s kind of located in it’s own little place. When we first drove there, we found an area where some other cars were parked, but we weren’t sure where this place was. We just waked around until we found it. The place is actually really big. There are some outdoor seating and the place just looked really nice. The menu is rather simple. I chose the Chicken and Waffles because it just sounded really delicious. My order didn’t take too long to come out even though it was really busy. The plate was nicely organized with my piece of fried chicken, waffles, and some fruits. I liked how my fried chicken was really crispy on the outside. I loved it! Glad it wasn’t soft or soggy. The waffles were really nice too, not to soft. It was a good portion. I was really full, but got too lazy to pack it home so I had to make my boyfriend help me finish it. I would defnitely be back again one day for some more brunch. I would like to try their frito pie because it looks very unique.
Isaac L.
Tu valoración: 1 Vallejo, CA
Hacienda Richmond. always been scepticle on eating at Hacienda so i try my luck and time after time the food quality is just plain nasty i bite into fat every bite no real cuts of beef and the prices are way over priced i tried 3 times never had a good experience im a kaiser employee so i try to get something quick but i give up on this place horrible place to eat. Poor Customer service
Kinglet C.
Tu valoración: 5 Berkeley, CA
I really like Assemble. You can bike there along the Bay Trail but there is also ample parking. Once there, the view of the harbor is lovely and the space is airy and interesting. The staff are kind and attentive. Had a great burger and an interesting cocktail. Will certainly come back often.
Micah R.
Tu valoración: 3 Richmond, CA
Three stars for the view, patio, and decent food. We came in with my grandma for lunch one day because she was visiting the Bay Area and wanted to see the Rosie the Riveter Museum(it’s literally right next door). The waiter seemed really frustrated with us the entire time. He brought us our food and seemed rushed, when there wasn’t that many people in the place. The food was pricey and didn’t deliver the fancy-ness level I expect for $ 17+ a person. The burger was just whatever, definitely not worth 17 dollars. The salmon was good but the veggies were boring. I had wanted the pot pie but it must be for dinner only. When I asked for a side of ranch for my fries, the waiter pointed to my grandmas ranch for her side and said«can’t you share?». First, there is never enough ranch at a party. Second, that’s just awkward to share ranch across the table. I’m glad to pay extra but that rubbed me the wrong way. Might return for that spicy margarita and the beautiful view. The parking lot is where you enter with the kiosk attendant, park behind the employee clothing store to the right. We made the mistake of walking around the entire building to find it. Don’t forget to check out the free museum next door.
Kristen F.
Tu valoración: 4 Washington, DC
Very cool venue. Would be perfect for a private event. We stopped in for a quick drink. They offer craft cocktails which are good. Most importantly when you pay your check you receive a guest pass to the Mountain Hardware Employee Warehouse store down the street!
SJ B.
Tu valoración: 5 Richmond, CA
1 of the best places in the east bay! GREAT food and service! chicken pot pie… the very BEST!
Craig G.
Tu valoración: 5 East Bay, CA
I can’t believe this place is quick 15 min bike, 30 min walk, 5 min drive away! World class chefs bakers«Assemble» to make this a must for brunch, or lunch. Off the beaten path. You want to be inspired with great elevated pub food ideas? This is the spot. However the German chocolate cake is the most perfect desert of all time! Home made Tiramisu in Milan, is a close second. You gotta gotta get an order… But not today. It’s my birthday and I bought all they had! 68 dollars late! For dinner tonight with the gang
Alex F.
Tu valoración: 3 Berkeley, CA
Great place for a meal if you’re at the National Park. I had the sliders and a Pilsner. The food quality was good. The atmosphere felt a little bit stilted, I’m not sure why. Even though it was a very well-run concession, it felt more like a concession than a restaurant with a lot of heart. I also tried the Brussels sprouts side order, which was just okay… but I am a Brussels sprouts snob :-). The service was fine, but they seemed understaffed and so the waiter was disengaged and distracted. Not on my list for restaurant destinations. If, however, you are looking for a great way to augment a bike ride or a trip to see the park, it gets no better than this. Have fun with the eclectic menus, which seem to change from time to time, and enjoy. Nice interior and good food for a fair price.
Tommy L.
Tu valoración: 5 San Jose, CA
A restaurant hidden in the old Ford Plant, the Assemble was an excellent place to have a cozy lunch. The chicken pot pie and sliders were delicious. Eddie our server was a rock star, with excellent recommendations and attentiveness. After lunch we went to Rosie the Riveter to check out some history of Richmond, a very nice tour. We will be back.
Erin G.
Tu valoración: 3 El Cerrito, CA
What I ate: Frito pie, kale Caesar salad, fries, roasted beets Visit date: December 2, 2015 First time? Yes. My friends and I shared the Frito pie, kale Caesar salad, fries, and roasted beets for lunch. You know, to have a well-balanced meal. The food, though not stellar, was filling. The Frito pie, I had to have, because I remember having these in Junior High and loving them. Assemble’s Frito pie could have used a little more salt in the chili, but overall did a good job of taking me back to the good ol’ days. The Kale Caesar was was dressed well, roasted beets a bit more mooshy and lemony than I was hoping, and the fries came with a delightful creole mustard mayo. The ambiance is pleasant; I imagine it would be a fun place to spend the afternoon or even to enjoy a sunset. Parking is ample, and they give you passes for the Mountain Hardware employee store nearby.
Lily T.
Tu valoración: 4 Westfield, NJ
This is a hidden gem. We discovered this restaurant by accident while exploring the Berkeley marina. The staff was friendly, quick, and got our order in in no time. We had the Mac and cheese, Brussels sprouts and cornmeal pancake. Everything was fresh and delicious. The Mac and cheese warm and gooey, and the Brussels sprouts in pesto olive oil is just superb, so flavorful and fragrant
Jan C.
Tu valoración: 1 Portland, OR
One star for location. Food was subpar except for the delicata squash. That was decent. Ambiance, however, was pretty wack. The manager(or food runner/expediter?) was arguing with a busser right behind me and another person in my party. They were LOUD and it made me feel very uncomfortable. It was absolutely unacceptable and it caused me anxiety. I get that sh*t happens but people need to be professional and not try to argue in front of other people. I don’t like confrontation and it is absolutely disrespectful to people trying to have a peaceful meal.
Sarah L.
Tu valoración: 3 Rodeo, CA
View is great and staff are nice. Pricey and food did not meet my expectation for the hype. I ordered Maiala Tonnato and was excited, but the sandwich came dry and I could not even taste the Maiala. On the good side, I like the fries that came with it. Not as crispy as other places but surprisingly addicting. So basically, you are paying for the view.
Daniel C.
Tu valoración: 4 Danville, CA
Probably one of the most interesting lunch places in Richmond: Waterfront location, housed in a unique building and location, massive parking lots, yet nearly impossible to find with Google maps. You’ll wind up on Harbor Way S near the Sunpower building. Look for a guard shack and fenced in parking lot — then drive all the way through and turn right. Keep going toward the building with the large smokestack. I was here for a coworker’s work anniversary celebration. Food was 3.5 stars but I’ll round up for the cool ambiance and great service. It’s a bit loud though. The restaurant is a converted factory — almost like a warehouse but hip. A full bar out front, natural light, a central open kitchen, and black and white videos of Julia Childs cooking! The menu is American comfort food, similar to a gastropub. They seem to have various meat pies, salads, and burgers/sandwiches to choose from. I ordered the following, with some shared apps: Boiled Peanuts App — Spiced with coriander and chili and seasoned with lemongrass. Very soft and delicious. The ones at the bottom have more spiciness. Frito Pie — Cool presentation. Its basically a mini taco salad made of Frito corn chips. Not bad — has the typical beans, sour cream, cheese, etc. Sliders — This was my entrée — two perfectly cooked sliders with hot, buttery brioche buns. I liked the caramelized onions. The side was a small cup of sautéed mushrooms with green and red grapes. The hand cut fries were crispy, but a bit thin — I prefer thicker to at least taste the potatoes. After our meal, they included a coupon/pass to shop at the Employee store of an Outerwear store around the block. If folks don’t fight for the check, they’ll definitely fight for the coupon for some serious savings on outerwear!