Lo Coco's Restaurant

We ordered a meat pizza and an eggplant parmigiana. They were both tasty. The pizza wasn't over sauced and so it had a good texture. The eggplant wasn't breaded which I liked. I would recommend this restaurant to someone if they were looking for a specialty pizza. more

If I just can't get up the energy to go to Delfina's pizza cafe in SF (the BEST pizzas!), and others want to go, i'll join them to wander down to Lo Coco's on Piedmont Ave for okay pizza, not-so-good pastas, and bland salads for pretty high prices. The staff is really nice and, even with a long line (which is inevitable) you are welcome to sit as long as you want. Of course, if you are waiting, this is pretty annoying. You've got to like thick pizza dough and the usual toppings. Although fresh, the pizzas are pretty pedestrian. And the pastas are smothered in what is probably canned sauce. And the wine is awful - typical cheapo Italian stuff. I'd actually rather eat Pizza Pazza's offerings right down the street, but their seating arrangement is less than desirable - that is, it's dingy and depressing. But the pizzas can be pretty good. Pros: Yummie free appetizer of thick pizza dough Cons: Too high priced more

I just did a search online for the health inspection record of about a dozen Piedmont Ave restaurants from Jay's to Baywolf. It was educational! As of the last inspections from January to April, Lococo's was the ONLY restaurant to have zero violations. Most had minor violations, at least half had five or more, and a number, including some of the tonier restaurants, had red-code violations (very unsanitary or potentially dangerous...including vermin). But not Lococo's. Cheers. Pros: can't beat that Cons: none on this count more

I've gone there with my kids and then several times with my adult friends. The staff at LoCoCo's is so wonderful and friendly!! I feel welcome all the time. They chat with you ... but not overly. And the food is so delicious, so fresh, so comforting. This is my favorite restaurant in Oakland. I'm going there tonight to celebrate my upcoming birthday. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. And, no, I am in no way affiliated with the owners or any of the staff. I'm just a regular eater. ;-) Pros: Thumbs up on service, ambience, and food. Cons: Parking can be a challenge more

I have to pile on here. I've been going to Lococo's on Piedmont for years (I'm going to eat there tonight, as a matter of fact), and this review makes no sense to me at all. First, "cash or check only" is posted clearly by the front door. If you didn't see it, that's your fault. I don't think restaurants need to warn every customer at every meal - it would be annoying. Second, in my experience, the service there has always been warm, friendly, and efficient. They get busy at times, and it's a small joint, but it's family run and they act like it. Third, the pizza is excellent. In my opinion they have some of the best thin-crust pie in the bay area, and as someone who used to live in New York, I am picky. (The other food, especially the pasta specials and the cannoli, are also outstanding.) This place is a neighborhood institution that has earned its reputation. When my wife gave birth to my first child, this is where she wanted her post-delivery dinner to be from. I can't think of a better endorsement. Pros: Great food, friendly service Cons: Small room, not fancy, lengthy waits on busy nights more

I'm sorry. I think your comment is just totally ridiculous. I'm not saying this just because I'm a regular there, but have you read those comments before you? Every single one of them loved the food and enjoyed their whole dining experience there. You said you didn't like the pizza? Do you know how many people have gone to Lococo's from far away just for their killer pizza? In addition, you said the waiter didn't tell you in advance that they only take check or cash? I'm sorry, I just think it's your responsibility to check that and they have stated that on the window by the front door and the menu. Also, you left the waiter 76 cents for tip? How terrible is that? I can't believe you had the guts to even write that out. Don't you think it's disrespectful to that waiter? And you said the waiter followed you and yelled at you? I don't believe that. Their waiters are all friendly and welcoming. I think the problem of your experience there was not the food or the service, it's you. more

We decided to try Lo Coco's after a few friends recommended it and reading the reviews, however our experience was significantly less than satisfying. First, the salad had a sour vinegar taste and the leaves (literally parts from the bottom of the head) were cut so large you would have thought a child had cut them. Then the pizza came, which was worse than a frozen pizza. They put too much cheese and it was not cooked properly. When the check arrived, I handed my credit card to the waiter, he promptly placed it in the tray and said that they accept check or cash only and rudely walked away. When a restaurant only accepts cash, and a few do, they always tell you in advance when you are seated, the Lo Coco waiter did not. So I walked down to the 7-11 to get some cash. I returned and left a .76 cent tip, equitable for the type of service I received and when we left the waiter followed us outside and threw the coins in the street and yelled at us. We were shocked and actually scared. You can bet none of my friends will be eating at Lo Coco's and I will be taking this up with the owner later today. Pros: Ambience Cons: Scary Service more

We've been coming here for over 25 years (its hard to believe that Maria is that old...she still seems young to me!).....it's not for the impatient crowd...there's often a wait (sometimes a long wait). We drive 30 miles round trip to eat here.....and we come here often...that should tell you something. Everything is good or great, and yes, if I had their recipe for bread, I would go into the business myself....but the really great world-class dish here is their saute calamari...do yourself a favor and order it the next time you are here....don't chicken out and get the fried calamari...you can get that anywhere.... Pros: Food, service and atmosphere (true Piedmont Ave neighborhood place) Cons: parking...always a challange more

My husband and I came here on our anniversary for the first time. The restaurant is small but cozy and inviting (get there as early as you can as it filled up every minute we were there). The owners were both out and about, greeting customers, offering menu recommendations, and visiting with regulars. The food was AMAZING and the service very attentive. We split a salad, a pizza, and dessert and felt the pricing was remarkable. We've been back several times and highly recommend this neighborhood gem. Pros: ambience, service, food, pricing Cons: parking may be an issue (as it is all over Piedmont Ave) more

For the freshest, most delicious hand-made pasta in the Bay Area, don't miss LoCoco -- it is really one of the best Italian restaurants around. The Canneloni are worth the trip -- filled with a mixture of cheeses, veal, and artichoke hearts, and surrounded by a flavorful sauce that makes you want to lick the plate so you don't miss one drop. The Ensalada Imancipata is incredible -- tender greens in a light vinaigrette dressing, with pecans, blue cheese, currants, and olives. Don't miss the Pizza Paradiso -- it is a hand-tosssed crust, lively sauce, mozzarella, and ricotta cheese, simple but absolutely mouthwatering. We sometimes order it at the end of our meal "to go" so we can have it the next day. Above all else, save room for dessert -- the Cannoli are incredible -- Maria's aunt makes the authentic crisp shells, and they are filled with a wonderul blend of zabaglione, ricotta, and chocolate shavings -- there is really nothing like them anywhere else. The house-made Tiramisu is also wonderful, and entirely unlike the tired frozen varieties so often served elsewhere. The restaurant is relatively small, perfect for 2-6, but somewhat difficult for larger crowds unless you go in off-hours and definitely make prior arrangements. The house-made bread is wonderful. Service is attentive and excellent -- a very warm welcome awaits your LoCoco's visit. Pros: Don't miss the incredible Canneloni, Pizza Paradiso, Cannoli Cons: Street parking can be tight, so allow extra time more

LoCoco has that small town, neighborhood restaurant feel to it. The food is tasty; service is friendly and familiar. I ordered the LoCoco Special Pizza and will probably order it again next time. Glad we went here instead of the restaurant across the street, again, which I found mediocre, despite the hype. Pros: Pizza selections, half bottles of wine, service Cons: Don't take credit cards...only cash or check more

Tiny space -- disaster for babies, but the out of the world spaghetti and meatballs & pizza make the hassle worthwhile. more

really wonderful staff -- good food, especially the pizzas, which are far better than others for the same price --- restaurant is very small and crowded. arrive early. Pros: service, food Cons: small size, noisy more

I just fell upon this place by accident and ordered a pizza and was absolutely wowed by it. Each time I go back I try something different and it's all been delicious. It is a small family run business. The wait staff are amazingly friendly, fun and kind. They give excellent wine selections. The only downside is they only take cash and it's a small restaurant, so there is often a wait. But it's well worth it! Pros: wonderful staff, even better food, authentic setting Cons: parking is difficult, cash only, sometimes a wait more

Line of folks waiting to have pizza that is the best in the area. fresh ingredients and wondrful service. more

I have always been treated very well at Lococo's, and made to feel comfortable and welcome. Often have servers sat with us and chatted briefly. The Italian entrees are very good and unpretentious and the pizzas are quite unique without trying too hard. Berkeley has more seating but I like the coziness of the Oakland site. At both places I almost always experience stellar service. I am reluctant to recommend this place because it gets crowded enough as it is but felt compelled to due to it's low score. The pies are excellent, good appetizers, very good entrees all at decent prices and a family biz atmosphere. Pros: Plenty of street pkng, service & ambiance, great food/value more

You may be convinced that Italian is easy to botch, especially in Rockridge/Piedmont's endless barrage of narrowly spliced Italian restaurants: but trust me, you can't cook better than Lo Coco's on your own. Their canneloni, a restaurant specialty, blew me away with its flavor: two baked, crepe-style noodles (different from the standard tube), injected with sausage and sprinkled with a moderate, yet flavorful flurry of cheese and sauce. For good comparison, my friend and I juxtaposed this hardy, tomato-sauced dish with a creamy seafood triumph called fetuccini al alaska, which was not drowned in cream, nor smothered by salmon or shrimp. Moderation was key, and we did not walk away bloaded, but highly satisfied by the range of tastes we partook in: never was it watery or immense. Pizza, the restaurant's specialty, takes the main focus, though do not overlook its less-Sicilian fare! Pros: small and intimate, not too expensive, good portion sizes Cons: long wait, tighter quarters more