Eating hoagies and Philly cheesesteaks always reminds us of Bill Cosby. Maybe it’s because we still remember those episodes where he stuffed himself, had nightmares and stomach cramps and never learned anything from the experience. We can relate, which is why we were overjoyed to find I.B. Hoagies & Cheesesteaks, located in Oakland, serving delicious renditions of those beefy suckers to the hungry folks of Berkeley.
The sandwiches are a double handful and dripping with juice. We chose the classic Cheesesteak and Cheesesteak Deluxe variations and the meat was tender and the salad crisp, all enveloped in fresh bread, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, just the way we like it.
While there are more divergent and vegetarian options, stick to the original when you get to a joint like this and don’t waste time on anything else. Know what they do best and stick with that, even though you might think of having one of their burgers, you’re better off checking out our review of a great Oakland burger joint and going there.
I.B.’s serves freshly ground Angus beef and crispy fresh vegetables. The bread is baked fresh daily in a nearby local bakery. The hoagies are a slice of paradise and the fries rock too, but keep in mind that you might want to eat two sandwiches, in which case skip the fries (trust us on that one). They have been serving Oakland since 1990 and are keeping the spirit alive. This is sandwich paradise that does a great job of stuffing hunks of meaty, cheesy goodness between two slices of baguette. The lettuce, pickles and tomatoes could fool you into thinking it’s healthy, but honestly folks, that’s not why you came here.
And before we forget. Don’t expect a fancy restaurant. This is classic “Come in, devour the food, feel guilty, leave. Repeat”.
I.B.’s Hoagies & Cheesesteaks – Oakland
1601 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, CA 94612
Daily 10:00-19:00
