Good Taste helps you eat well in the Bay Area. And today, we’re feeling hyphy!
As a self-styled hyphy historian, I’ve been trying diligently to get over to the softly open and loudly publicized Hyphy Burger (898 West Grand Avenue, Oakland), a fast casual restaurant from influencer Bayareafoodz and longtime friend, rapper Guapdad 4000. I first made the mistake of going a few Mondays ago, when it was closed. (Current hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
A former Chinese restaurant and donut shop and an accompanying yellow school bus—a quintessential hyphy reference, thanks to rapper Mistah F.A.B.—have been transformed with words and phrases reflective of the now-20-year-old hyphy movement, a distinctly Bay Area moment connecting high energy party music and car culture. Here, the burger sauce is called “You Feel Me” and the shakes are “Stunna Shakes.”
I finally stopped in on Tuesday at 2 p.m., when there was a short but swift line, thanks to one self-order tablet on the right side of the counter. Your burger choices are regular (Hyphy) and spicy (Burnout), both with two patties. Their social media indicates that people are asking for a veggie burger, and they may be exploring options.
We ate Hyphy ($7.99) slowly, remarking on how good the char on the meat tasted, and how well You Feel Me blended into the cheese. The tables are adorable, the seats are comfortable, and the service is friendly. It feels good to be in here.
I probably shouldn’t have also gotten the huge Lucky Charms shake and drank it down to the last marshmallow, because it might have been the thing that leveled me for hours afterwards and delayed the writing of this column. But it was a hella good shake, and I’m almost not sorry!
Earlier this week, Unc The Hunk Presents Big Dame 38 x Lil Marrezy x Taybeez dropped a fun music video for the official “Hyphy Burger” song. Naturally, Mistah F.A.B. makes a cameo inside the yellow bus.
Hyphy Burger built a drive-thru, but that’s not open yet. When it does, the lines will probably get a little bit (lot bit) crazier—especially if people give in to the temptation to ghost ride the whip.
Tamara publishes the California Eating website, newsletter, and zine.
