Andy & Joe’s is the latest restaurant to open in the space once occupied by Taqueria and Casa María #2 on East 14th in San Leandro. It serves coffeeshop-type food, breakfast, burgers, sandwiches and breakfast all day. For dinner it has some standard American dishes such as pastas ($10-13), chicken parmigiana ($12) and pork chops ($13). My friend Aamani and I went for lunch there today, and we weren’t impressed. Though the space looks nice, the walls have been painted with murals of villas (don’t ask me why), the food was mediocre at best.
To be fair to the restaurant, today was its opening day so some mistakes are understandable: a waiter who did not ask how I liked my burger, or who bothered to bring butter and jam to go with my companion’s toast. But others depend on the kitchen, and a good cook is a good cook.
I ordered a cheeseburger and fries ($7.15). I forgot to specify that I wanted the burger medium rare, so it came medium to well done. The burger was on the dry side, not very juicy, and wasn’t particularly flavorful, even though it tasted like it had been seasoned and perhaps even had fillers. The cheese wasn’t melted, and the tomatoes that came with it were pretty pale. In all, it was a mediocre burger at best. The fries also left much to be desired. I don’t understand how this can be, being opening day and all, but they tasted like they’d been fried in old oil – they had that slightly rancid flavor. They were thick wedges and served very hot.
Aamani’s Southwest scramble (bell peppers, chicken apple sausage, potatoes, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes & cheddar cheese – $6.75) wasn’t very good either. Aamani didn’t like that the potatoes were scrambled with everything else – they’d have been nicer as a side. The scramble wasn’t very flavorful and needed more spice. It came with one (!) slice of toast, with no butter or jam.
Service was friendly, and I feel bad slamming the restaurant on its opening day, but the food really disappointed us – in particular, when I compare it to Joplin’s, another new recently-opened restaurant with a similar menu. The burgers there (and I’ve had them three times now) are much better and cheaper too.
All this said, I will probably give andy & joe’s another try in a couple of months. Perhaps by then they’ll get a more competent cook.
andy & joe’s
1652 E. 14th St.
San Leandro, Ca
510.667.9807
M-F 7 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 8:30 PM
Sa 8 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 8:30 PM
Su 8 AM – 3 PM
andy & joe’s has closed and the restaurant is now for sale or rent