A friend wanted to let me know a guy she went to high school with (Hugh Groman) recently opened a new burger place in Berkeley, just around the corner from the Berkeley Rep: PHIL’S SLIDERS. It’s open daily, and thanks to this piece by Berkeleyside, we learn Groman named the place after his dad (good boy). It opened in the former New China Express space, and serves “$2.00 sliders (mini-burgers to the uninitiated), all made with Marin Sun Farms grass-fed beef and organic lettuce; potato tots (‘crispy nuggets of goodness’); poppyseed coleslaw; and a smorgasbord of ‘delicious’ baked goods, including s’mores bars, and not forgetting the house-made shakes and sodas.” Housemade soda flavors include root beer, cola, celery, orange, and cream sodas. Hours are Sun-Wed 11am-9pm, and Thu-Sat 11am-12am. 2024 Shattuck Ave. at University, Berkeley, 510-845-5060.
Meanwhile, Bay Area Bites highlights a new Korean restaurant, the cleverly named BE BOP that opened in Berkeley’s Elmwood neighborhood. The menu offers 17 variations of bibimbap, the fabulous rice dish in a piping-hot stone bowl that you mix up with various ingredients (just make sure you let it get crispy on the bottom). Non-traditional options include mixed-grain brown, black bean rice, quinoa, and more, plus options for vegetarians and vegans (oh so Berkeley). Everything on the menu is reportedly $15 or less. Look for more additions to the menu and a beer and wine license in coming months. Open for lunch Mon-Sat 11am-3pm, and dinner Mon-Sat 5pm-10pm, Sun 5pm-11pm. 2975 College Ave. at Ashby, Berkeley, 510-848-8081.
Phil’s Sliders; Yelp photo by Andy D.
