The Oasis in Menlo Park, CA
If you're put-off by dirt, broken peanut shells on the floor, screaming Stanford students, sketchy men watching sports on TV, or wooden booths and tables with names carved into them, don't go to The Oasis. If you can get past the dive atmosphere (and the swinging wooden saloon entryway door), you will be treated to some of the best damn greasy-spoon food you ever ate.
Let's talk about the food first, since the decor is nothing to write home about. The "O" (as The Oasis is affectionately called) does all griddle food well - hamburgers, chicken breast "burgers," Philly cheese steak sandwiches, etc. In addition, and and all fried food is exceptional. This includes chicken tenders, onion rings (a personal favorite), fried fish sandwiches, and fries. I am serious when I tell you this is the real deal.
Now, here's where there's a surprise: their pizza and salads are excellent. Shock! I didn't believe MH until he actually ordered a whole pizza (no slices available) with veggie toppings and I consumed half of it. This was no small feat, since even a medium pizza is huge. Needless to say, it is worth the $10 it costs. It can easily feed three. I've been ordering the Asian Chicken Salad the past few times I've been there. The salad is quite large, with tons of chicken, almonds, and mandarin oranges top a bed of greens. Plum dressing on the side rounds it out nicely.
Now let's talk about the decor. Honestly, this place is a visual pit. Dim, dingy, and dirty, I really wouldn't bring my parents here. If it's a warm summer's eve, stick to the outdoor patio (if it's not filled with screaming kids). If it's disgusting outside, find a booth. You can tuck yourself inside, away from the masses, and pretend like you're in college, out on a hot, cheap date.
This place has been around for a long time (at least since the 70s - probably earlier), and it's been only in the past few years that it has caught up, technologically. Now, instead of hollering out your order number on a loudspeaker, there are buzzers that tell you when your food is ready. You still have to pick up drinks separately, but at least you can order them at the same cash register now.
Parking can be a problem, especially if there's a horde of Stanford students (each with their own car) taking up space in the parking lot. The bottom line is that for a dive sports bar, this place beats them all, food-wise. Definitely a must-try. Just don't take the parents.
The Oasis
7.5/10 (for what it is)
Let's talk about the food first, since the decor is nothing to write home about. The "O" (as The Oasis is affectionately called) does all griddle food well - hamburgers, chicken breast "burgers," Philly cheese steak sandwiches, etc. In addition, and and all fried food is exceptional. This includes chicken tenders, onion rings (a personal favorite), fried fish sandwiches, and fries. I am serious when I tell you this is the real deal.
Now, here's where there's a surprise: their pizza and salads are excellent. Shock! I didn't believe MH until he actually ordered a whole pizza (no slices available) with veggie toppings and I consumed half of it. This was no small feat, since even a medium pizza is huge. Needless to say, it is worth the $10 it costs. It can easily feed three. I've been ordering the Asian Chicken Salad the past few times I've been there. The salad is quite large, with tons of chicken, almonds, and mandarin oranges top a bed of greens. Plum dressing on the side rounds it out nicely.
Now let's talk about the decor. Honestly, this place is a visual pit. Dim, dingy, and dirty, I really wouldn't bring my parents here. If it's a warm summer's eve, stick to the outdoor patio (if it's not filled with screaming kids). If it's disgusting outside, find a booth. You can tuck yourself inside, away from the masses, and pretend like you're in college, out on a hot, cheap date.
This place has been around for a long time (at least since the 70s - probably earlier), and it's been only in the past few years that it has caught up, technologically. Now, instead of hollering out your order number on a loudspeaker, there are buzzers that tell you when your food is ready. You still have to pick up drinks separately, but at least you can order them at the same cash register now.
Parking can be a problem, especially if there's a horde of Stanford students (each with their own car) taking up space in the parking lot. The bottom line is that for a dive sports bar, this place beats them all, food-wise. Definitely a must-try. Just don't take the parents.
The Oasis
7.5/10 (for what it is)
posted by epicure | 4:08 AM
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