Cheese Board Bakery
| Address: | 1504 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709, USA |
| Phone: | +1 510-549-3183 |
| Site: | cheeseboardcollective.coop |
| Rating: | 4.6 |
| Working: | 7AM–1PM 7AM–6PM 7AM–6PM 7AM–6PM 7AM–6PM 8AM–5PM Closed |
Location
Photos 1
Reviews 10
A
A Private User
I know that sounds like a strong statement, but every time I go to get Cheeseboard Pizza, thats exactly what I cant help thinking. If youre expecting traditional pizza, or thinking about what you want on your slice, youve got the wrong idea, but if you go with an open mind, theres no way youll be disappointed. Theres only kind of pizza every day, always vegetarian, always sauceless, but always delicious. The pizza is made on a thin sourdough crust, with fresh vegetables and herbs, and usually with a couple kinds of cheese, often mozzarella and feta. The only thing you have to think about is how many slices you want. At $2.25 a slice, it wont break your bank much to splurge. But the experience is even more than just the pizza. Theres an upright piano in the corner, and you get to listen to terrific live jazz played by local musicians while you wait in line. Cheeseboard of course is a worker-owned cooperative, so the employees have tremendous pride in what they do and are visibly happy to be doing what theyre doing. If youre in Berkeley only for a moment, it would be best spent at Cheeseboard Pizza.
LE
Lea Slavic
Oh, wow... are you up for having some cheese, bread and wine tonight? Look no further! They have an insane selection of cheeses. Not to mention the yummy bread. We ran into this place by chance, when we were looking for something else around the corner. The lines were long, but the sight of all those cheeses... we just had to see/try it for ourselves. The store is not that big and theres quite a bit of employees that will help you with your cheese selection (and one person is at the register). The bread is on your own (they make it and bake it, you choose and pick), so no need to wait in line to get some. Tip: Try the Rosemary Olive Oil Bread, Cheese Roll and Olive Foccacia. As for the cheese, we love goat cheeses, but thats up to you (see the cheese board in the store and then try to decide). :) You can also buy the Cheese Board pizza here (half of it or a whole one). Its light-baked so youll have do the last step at home. But itll probably be faster than waiting in line for one next door. They also come in gluten free versions.
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A Private User
The pizza is always very fresh and the cheese is always excellent. They always use garlic olive oil (which is not extra virgin, but oh well, it tastes good), and they always add parsley, but not in excess. The only problem is that there is only one pizza a day, and there is a chance that when you go, theyll be serving up some crappy toppings. The first time I went, it was excellent. The second time, it was terrible - the topping was potatoes. POTATOES! You dont put potatoes on a pizza. And if you do, you at least put the potatoes on top of the cheese so that they can be picked off - you dont put a sheet of potatoes beneath the cheese and stuck to the bread so that there is no way to get it all off without taking the whole pizza apart. Also, there is no sauce. If you like a proper pizza with sauce, go to Zacharys.
A
A Private User
My friends were pretty excited about this pizza so for our pre-thanksgiving meal we made it out to cheeseboard for their {ONCE A YEAR WILD MUSHROOM} pizza. It was quite delicious - could be disputed if it was too greasy or not. Thin crust with lots of love. We ordered a whole pizza and they even through in a few extra pieces on top! Apparently thats a thing they do. Although the line was quite long it moved fairly quickly and we didnt have to wait forever to get the food. Though seating was limited we went across the street to the courtyard and enjoyed our pizza. I like how there is only one type of pizza everyday so you dont have to think about an endless option of choices, as long as it is good its fine by me!
PA
Patrick Berkeley
Though I have neither eaten the pizza nor purchase cheese from the Cheese Board in quite some time, I can say with certainty that it is good. When I say good, I mean really good. The pizza is very flavorful and vegetarian. The cheese counter side of the store is my favorite. The workers will give you tastes of any cheese you think you might be interested in, then cut you the amount you want. The prices are reasonable; the quality is great. Going to the Cheese Board is just an all-around fun experience. Its always bustling with people; you take a card from a deck and wait your turn, then youre given one-on-one service, and you get to taste some good cheese. Good, good, good.
AD
Adam Leader
Love the bakery. The sourdough baguettes are seeded and beguiling. Love the crunchiness and moist interior. Cant go wrong with any breakfast option, especially the zampanos, the cheese rolls, any scone, or even the baguette pieces (while warm, perfect vessels for some fresh butter). I always takeaway half of the ginger shortbread they have. When I make it at home I can never match the thinness, gingery-ness, and perfectly evenly cooked texture. The cheese is superlative, and cant be described: must be experienced. The playing cards as "take a number" is a very clever adaptive reuse (before there was such a term of art).
YO
Yoori Chung
This is my new favorite pizza. The service is quick and friendly and even if there is only one type of pizza every day, I love the fact that I dont have to make any choices. I went with a small group, but because a slice is only $2.50 (2012) and comes with a mini slice, we bought our slices separately instead of buying a whole box. They have a live band with good music and theyre a collective. You just dont find places like this anymore. Before I got there, I thought people were just hyping the place up too much, but have high expectations. Cheeseboard will definitely exceed them.
SA
Sara Chatfield
This classic Berkeley spot makes one type of vegetarian pizza per day, and despite the lack of selection, Ive never been disappointed. There are long lines, but they go really fast - because theyre not making lots of items to order, the service is super efficient. Dont count on getting a table during busy times, but as long as the weather is okay, you can score seating in various spots nearby (just follow the crowds). Dont miss the whole heads of roasted garlic that they sell as an add-on - if youre a garlic fan, they really add to the pizza!
LA
Laura MacArthur
I love Cheeseboard so, so much. They are everything that the Gourmet Ghetto should be about. You dont need to make a choice, theyve made it for you, and its going to be delicious. Even though the lines may seem a little bit crazy, they really do go quickly, and it wont be long until youre stuffing yourself with unique, wonderful combinations like sweet corn and jalapeno, or roma tomato and basil. If you want to do like the locals do, bring your pie on over to the Shattuck median and eat sitting on the grass.
DI
Diana Sky
$2.73 for a slice of pizza. Plus, they always put a little "baby" slice on top, like a prize in a Cracker Jack box. The protocol: Stand in line, and get your money ready. Dont dilly dally, and step to the side once you get your slice. There are a bunch of people behind you waiting for a slice of their own. One type of pizza and one type of salad each day. The reward: Fresh ingredients, made on site. Plus, a live local band that is usually promoting their weekend show, playing while you grab a seat and eat.