When I was ten years old, a Bay Area actor named Tom Hanks got his big break when he landed a leading roll on a show called Bosom Buddies. He played opposite another actor named Peter Scolari and they both played men that dressed up as women in order get an inexpensive apartment in an all female building. It was a pretty stupid show but people thought the whole cross-dressing thing was genius comedy. The show didn’t last long but served as a springboard for Tom Hanks’ career. Not so much the case for Scolari. Why am I talking about Bosom Buddies and Peter Scolari? Well, I was having lunch today at a new food spot called Scolari’s in Alameda and I couldn’t help but think of Henry Desmond, Scolari’s character on that bad show. Is that some ridiculous trivia or what?
Scolari’s opened up just under two months ago and has been getting rave reviews, far better than Peter Scolari’s acting career. It’s a small shop that was started by Chef and restaurant consultant Michael Boyd along with the owner of the neighboring Lucky 13 bar. Their menu is small but big on flavor. They serve up pizza and freshly made Stromboli along with crispy hot dogs that are deep-fried and more like a sausage than traditional hot dog. I had to look past all of these good things since I was here to try their cheeseburger ($7.00) that I had been hearing really good things about. For two dollars more, you can have a small side of their popular buffalo fries that are slathered in buffalo sauce and topped with freshly crumbled bleu cheese, shredded carrot and celery.
There are a few seats at a counter and couple small tables on the sidewalk in front of the brightly painted shop that is simply decorated with vintage metal signs. You can also have your food delivered next door to the Lucky 13 bar so you can suck down a few brews while you wait. I would have loved a beer or two with my burger, but decided against it since it was only 2:00 in the afternoon. Not like that has ever stopped me before. Instead, I just watched as the grill master as he dropped a thin all-natural hormone free beef patty from a ranch in Montana on the griddle along with a Challah bun from Tribeca Oven in New Jersey. This is a well-traveled burger.
The tall burger was delivered in a red plastic basket that was lined with black and white checkered paper. Stacked high with butter lettuce, fresh tomatoes and pickles, the cheeseburger needed a long pick to stay together. House-made “secret” sauce was applied liberally to both the top and bottom bun halves. A single slice of cheese was fused to the patty. I removed the pick and scrunched the Challah bun together, doing my best to keep the burger in one piece. It was already messy as sauce started to leak out.
The first bite was full of flavor but was marred by a section of burned bun. One corner of the bun had taken a little too much heat on the griddle and was completely charred. Not a big deal. Once past it, I got the true taste of this burger. The thin beef patty was cooked to a perfect pink hue and retained its juiciness without being a grease bomb. The tangy sauce, reminiscent of the Thousand Island, had really good flavor and a nice kick of spice from black pepper. All the veggies were fresh and crisp and the griddled Challah bun was soft and buttery with just the right amount of toasted crunch – except for that torched section.
I don’t get out to Alameda very often but I think I will have to figure out how to change that now that Scolari’s is serving up some tasty food. I especially want to keep track of their daily specials that often include a special burger – like one from last week that had bacon, chilies and pickled jalapeno aioli. I don’t know if they have plans for a website, so in the meantime, you can keep track of daily specials by visiting their Facebook fan page. I look forward to my next visit to Alameda and another trip to Scolari’s. Just like their signs says, “Good Eats!”
RATING: 4 out of 5
Scolari’s
1303 Park Street
Alameda, California 94501
(510) 521-2400
Hours: Monday – Wednesday 11:00AM – 1:00AM
Thursday – Saturday 11:00AM – 3:00AM
Sunday 11:00AM – 10:00PM
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Next time, you gotta try the hush puppies and the special dipping sauce! If you have a fried food quota for a week (or a day!), put these at the top of the list so you don’t miss them when you have the chance. Mmmmmm…. Rethinking dinner right now …
Man they get all the best food in the Bay Area..
Thanks for stopping by the isle of Alameda. I highly advise that you head back to Scolari’s next time they offer the bacon and green chile burger with jalapeno aioli–truly a force to be reckoned with!
I travel all over the country and always visit Scolari’s in Alameda. Alameda is the jewel in the east bay area and Scolari’s is a Gem in the center! Don’t miss out!
FYI – Peter Scolari had modest success in the Newhart Show for a few years as well. Haven’t heard much from him in years although he has appeared in several TV shows and movies with small parts.
FYI Scolari’s was named for the owners “family” name. If it wasn’t for Mr. & Mrs. E Scolari settling in the bay area about 100 years ago, this great eatery would not have such a special name.
this place is a block from my house. it is dangerously tasty. get the hush puppies, the shrimp puttanesca, the burger, the crispy hot dog, and the steak sandwich if you see it. you will not regret it. ever. 5 stars.
Not to freak you out with coincedences, but Tom Hanks grew up in Alameda, went to Woodstock Elementary and sold peanuts and Crackerjacks at the Oakland A’s games…
yup, a concord native who also attended chabot college