Grégoire

I love this place. It took a bit of convincing to get my boyfriend to try this place for lunch («French food? Really?»), but he was not disappointed when we did.
It’s a teeny tiny little restaurant with not much room for dining in, so be prepared to take it to go or to wait for a spot at their counter (with perhaps about 8 – 10 seats available). We ordered at the register and luckily found a spot by the door at one of the countertops. The young blonde guy that helped us was friendly and helpful with our choices! Kudos for the friendly service.
We ended up ordering…
The turkey club– my boyfriend raved about it, and said it was in his top 5 of club sandwiches he’s ever had. I had a bite or two and it was delicious, for sure (great bread!) but it wasn’t my favorite, and was definitely just a standard club.
The fried chicken sandwich– oh man, I ate the whole thing and now I want another one for dinner. The chicken was moist on the inside and crispy on the outside. The slaw that came on top of the chicken was crunchy and perfectly spicy. The sauce was delicious. For being just chicken and slaw on ciabatta, it was so good. My boyfriend voiced his «jealousy» for not ordering this one instead of the club.
The crispy potato balls with garlic and parsley– these were our favorite. To put it simply, we nicely offered the last one to each other and ended up splitting it. The dipping sauce is a great accompaniment as well.
They also have a fridge full of juices, lemonades, and sodas to go along with your lunch. There’s also a Berkeley location! Try Gregoire!

I was hestitant to try this place because I’m vegetatian and had only seen cured meats in the window. The. I came in here because my favorite Piedmont eats were closed for Memorial Day. By the time I finished my roots vegetable with smoked mozzarella panini, I was wishing I’d came here sooner! Super welcoming and friendly service. Fantastic cheese and sandwich collection — plus they have several vegetarian options! oh, I also had beets from the delivery and a Sanpellegrino. Super happy with everything and will be back again.

This used to be my favorite place to have lunch, and it still would be if I wasn’t trying to eat healthier. I’m sure there are healthy options available, but I wouldn’t know because they have the best fried chicken sandwich I’ve ever had. Their potatoes puffs are delicious so don’t be afraid to order a puffgrade!

Ordered the fried buttermilk chicken sandwich with spicy coke slaw. In a word… «Excellent». Perfect combination of crunch and spice. The sauce really gave it an extra kick. I’m a first timer here, but defiantly won’t be my last

Congratulations Gregoire, you just joined the ranks of the other café’s that serve a bowl of greens with nothing else on it, call it a salad and charge $ 7. I’m sorry but that is not a salad. Additionally, I added grilled chicken to my salad and got about 6 little pieces of cold, unseasoned chicken for another $ 3.50…really? So disappointing.
I will give you props for your french fries-​those were tasty but not enough for me to return.

Ugh I loved my experience here. The staff here is super nice and the food is divine. Nothing wrong with this high end fast food joint. I love every bit of it – from the food to the packaging to the to-​go box.
My first experience here I had a spicy tuna sandwich of some sort… I don’t quite remember but I remember there were potato chips in it and it being REALLY GOOD. I wish I remembered because it was so unique and I loved the crunch to it with the chips.
My second experience here I had the fried chicken sandwich. I’m not sure what they put it… A spicy mayo of some sort but it was bomb. I loved it. And the chicken was nice and perfectly breaded. It was white meat but still super juicy. It was drenched in this spicy sauce which added a nice kick to it.
Also, who could forget the potato puffs? LOL you have to get them if you’re stopping by gregoire.

Best fried chicken sandwich I’ve ever had! The chicken was moist and crispy. The bread held everything together pretty well. It didn’t get soggy and it was so easy to bite into! The spicy coleslaw wasn’t very spicy but added so much flavor to chicken. It was so good!

I’ve been wanting to try the one in Berkeley for a long time. I kept reading about these Crispy Potato Puffs.
Food: I ordered the Crispy Potato Puffs. Eh, essentially mashed potatoes that are deep fried. I got the kind with parmesan (generous with the parmesan) on it and that is what made it really flavorful. Otherwise, I wasn’t terribly impressed.
I am impressed with the cardboard to go box.
Ambiance: This location is a counter diner-​style type of place.
Service: Fine
The clerk/​cashier said that they are known for their fried chicken sandwich. What is up with fried chicken sandwiches in the Bay Area? It’s like the lunch version of the morning bun.

I went there late at night just before closing time.
I suspect the cream soup is a soup mix. My soup had lumps of powder at the bottom. I also ordered fries. One order can easily feed 2 – 3 people. Both soup and fries were way too salty.

Life is all about comparing yourself to others. right? If not. then I apologize because this review is going to be comparing Gregoire to other similar foods!
Decided to stop by Gregoire for lunch and was delightfully surprise by how tiny it was. It’s a quaint place with a nice open kitchen where you can see the chefs make your food. There’s a couple bar seats and some small tables here and there. Also, if you have a party of 4 or more, I would suggest take out.
Now onto the comparison! I got the classic combo. Fried Chicken Sandwich & an upgrade of potato puff balls. ($ 13)
Fried Chicken Sandiwch — I know many people would compare this bad boy to Bakesale Bettys, but I think they are fairly different. Gregoire’s fried chicken sandwich uses a baguette and a completely different coleslaw dressing. It reminds me of a traditional «Frank’s Redhot» with that kind of spicy kick, while Bakesale Betty’s uses a less traditional cloeslaw dressing. It has jalapenos and a sauce that has a nice tangy kick. The fried chicken is similar to, but I think Bakesale Betty’s is definitely more moist. If I had a choice, I would choose Bakesale Betty especially cause it is cheaper too.
Potato Puff Balls — Not similar to the one’s at Portos! First off, there is no meat filling at Gregoire and it has a lighter fried coating. Also, SIZE! Man. on instagram, these potato puffs look huge, but they are fairly tiny (similar to a creampuff). If you like potatoes, this is great especially with the aioli sauce on the side. I think it would be even better adding truffle oil as it is quite plain w/​o any additions.
In all, it seems you can’t really compare yourself to others. because like Gregoire’s fried chicken sandwich & puff balls. they are all uniquely different!

If I only had one last meal, then Gregoire’s Fried Chicken Sandwich might be it.
The Fried Chicken Sandwich is just delicious. I only have good things to say about this sandwich. It has just about every texture and flavor that I want from a sandwich. It’s spicy, crunchy, savory, saucy, and tasty. Everything is done just right.
Another cool thing about Gregoire’s is that you can see the whole kitchen. You can see your sandwich made right in front of your eyes, and it only makes hungrier as you wait.
If you haven’t been here, then I strongly suggest that you pay a visit. The food is great, and the vibe is chill. Once you’ve walked through the door, you just can’t leave unhappy (unless you’re THAT party pooper).
Don’t overthink it. Try it. Enjoy it.

This review is mainly for those little delights of happiness A.K.A POTATO PUFFS! They keep me coming back again & again — so good that sometimes I find myself daydreaming about them LOL. They are so PERFECTLY crispy (but not super oily) on the outside and super soft & delicious on the inside (like mashed potatoes but WAAAAY better).
The place is VERY small — depending on time of day, you might be able to grab a seat to dine in. Most customers I’ve seen get their orders to go including myself (you can call for pick up or even order online for delivery). There’s usually only one cashier and one cook so orders can take awhile but worth the wait!
I’ve tried a couple other menu items but none have been as memorable as the potato puffs. If you feel fancy, there are «add-​ons» for your puffs — I usually add truffle oil — SOOOO GOOD!!!
Orders come in these cute Hexagon shaped cardboard boxes. If you order an entrée, it usually comes with a small side (like pasta salad!) too.
TIP: An order of puffs usually takes 10min as everything is made to order. This is a cute area so you can definitely wander for a few to pass the time.

Everything you’ve heard (or read on Unilocal) is true.
Potato balls are AMAZING — crunchy on the outside and mashed on the inside. Yum! If you’ve ever been to Porto’s bakery in LA these are similar except that they’re meatless. I do slightly prefer Porto’s potato balls over Gregoire but that’s because I’m a meat eater. I also ordered the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich… oh my goodness it was delicious. So tender and juicy but not overly messy.
I haven’t been to the Berkeley location, mainly because I know parking is impossible there. I got to the Piedmont location right at 11am when they opened and parking was fairly easy to find. There is also a parking lot in the back that you can use but keep in mind you will have to pay during metered hours. This location is small and only has bench seating but it’s not bad if you come with a small group.

Gregoire is a small, unassuming spot on Piedmont Avenue that looks like a takeout shack — which it effectively becomes if the limited seats inside are all filled up — but there’s far more than meets the eye.
First, the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich is absolutely incredible. It’s fried to a perfect crisp outside while staying utterly juicy inside. There’s just the right amount of slaw inside, and it’s all packaged in a roll that’s hefty enough to hold up the whole package without overwhelming it. The whole thing is so good, it rivals, or dare I say surpasses, what Bakesale Betty has to offer.
While the fried chicken sandwich is enough of a meal in itself, I had the good sense to add a few inches to my waistline by trying the potato puffs with truffle essence too. Seriously, ZOMG. The puffs were perfectly crunchy outside while staying oh-​so-​soft inside, and the truffle essence sprinkled on top made for a foodgasmic experience. And the aioli that comes along with it is all too easy to forget, but it’s indeed a metaphorical cherry on top of the ice cream sundae.
Everything does take a while to make, but it’s all made with care. And it’s all served in adorable cat-​like boxes with folding «ears.» For this Unilocaler who’s been there, done that as far as dining around the world goes, I’m all too happy to give Gregoire five stars.

This review is strictly limited to their potato puffs because 1) they’re one of the most affordable items on the menu, esp if you’re not rolling in the dolla’ dolla’ bills, aka you’re a broke recent grad or still in school or just living the daily struggs of life 2) Potatoes are life… need I say more?
There’s just something about the starchy beauty that is the potato and I gotta say, Gregoire turns their potatoes into a puff of heaven. I don’t know what’s their secret, but they’re able to make the outside of the puffs crunchy while maintaining the mashed potato consistency inside the puffs! You can either opt to have them in their original form or with an extra kick of flavor. My flavor of choice is the garlic & parsley! Your breath won’t thank you after, but your tastebuds definitely will. Their potato puffs also come with dipping sauce that really adds to the dish’s flavor and overall quality.
It’s a small space and if you’re visiting when it’s not too busy you can even watch as the chefs make your entrees or potato puffs! Another great aspect of Gregoire is their customer service. They truly care about the products they’re sending out to you (and they come out in a timely manner) and they also care about their customers. They’re happy to answer any questions and provide guests with recommendations for what to get or add on.
If you don’t finish your puffs and you opt to save them for later, bare in mind it won’t have the same consistency HOWEVER the puffs still maintain their abundance of flavor and deliciousness.
Definitely will be back again. Thank you, Gregoire for continually transporting me and my fellow potato loving patrons to potato puff heaven!

I love Gregoire. It’s fast, simple and the food is delicious. I like to call in my order for pick up because it is the most efficient. If you want to dine in, there are a few spots on the counter by the window and the bar facing the kitchen area. I like to watch my food being made so if we do dine in, we typically sit at the counter facing the kitchen.
My favorite is the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich. Super crispy, white meat chicken breast smothered with spicy cole slaw in between a French roll. It’s tasty, not overly spicy and just really really good. It also comes with a side of some sort of pasta salad or couscous.
Today I had the hot smoked tuna melt and it definitely just melts in your mouth. Caramelized onion slices with the creamy Gruyère cheese all in its melted goodness.
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu.

Grégoire offers fantastique food, it is not on the cheap side but you will not regret it.
The potato puffs are great, the parmesan upgrade was unnecessary though.
The Sautéed beef bavette medallions is amazing, best rare. Meal cames with green beans and a fabulous Gratin Dauphinois.
The Piedmont location as more seating and street parking is easier than at Berkeley’s location.
I recommend all my friend to try this place!

POTATO BALLS POTATO BALLS! Oh how I wished you were like Porto’s. I came here just for them potato balls and added the truffle. I sat there watching the cook since the kitchen is open and in front. As the cook pulled the potato balls up from the fryer and dumped them into the cute box container she squirted out of like a plant water dispenser which was labeled truffle oil. EHK!
I picked it up and went to the car and took a big whiff of that truffle sprayed through that spray bottle :/​I stuffed one of those babies in my mouth after dipping it into this weird looking sauce. As i took the first bite, I was discontent with no crunch and just mushyness. The sauce for it was super weird like a mustard fruity flavor and mayo like texture.
Gregoire’s I’m sorry you will not replace my Porto’s potato ball. It was nice trying you but I guess I will wait for my next LA trip to satisfy my crispy and mushy potato ball.

This review is strictly for the white truffle potato puffs.
I don’t know how they get the outside so perfectly crispy and the inside soft and gooey. It’s really a delightful experience. Very unique.
I have to say, after eating them I realized I realized I don’t care for potatoes on their own. They are really bland. This has no bearing on my review.
Also — the day I came in right when they opened at 11 I tried to place my order and the woman working the counter interrupted me saying that they had a lot of orders and it would be 15 – 20 minutes before they could get to my food.
I happened to be in the area and had Gregoire in my bookmarks for awhile. I would have waited as I’m rarely in that area. But not if I sense I am putting someone out and they are going to be making my food bitterly. I mentioned I just wanted potato puffs and she had some already made to the side I was able to purchase.
I ate them sitting at the table outside because fried food tastes good for a limited amount of time. In between burning my mouth and wondering how they keep the outside crispy and inside soft a few more customers came in and walked out disappointed after hearing the time news. It seemed like poor customer service and that there was a better way than to be backed up upon opening. Or perhaps a better way to disseminate the information.
The white truffle was an add on so the puffs were $ 8 and some change. Over a dollar a puff. I personally will not come back due to my potato revelation but I’m glad I tried them.

Any restaurant that has a menu section specifically for potatoes is a winner in my book! As a potato FANATIC, potato puffs sounded heavenly. And as far as taste goes, they ARE heavenly. Light crispy shell on the outside, creamy melty mashed potato texture in the center. On top of that, you can add some extra flavor to the puffs as well! They have BBQ, garlic and parsley, parmesan, and white truffle. I tried the garlic and parsley and it was fantastic. Sometimes garlic flavors can be too overwhelming, but Gregoire put just enough and it was delicious! The sauce that they give you with the puffs pairs amazingly. I have no idea what it is, but it is a bit tart.
I’ve been to the Berkeley location as well. This one is bigger, but only slightly as there’s actually room to sit inside here. Either way, you’re better off taking your food to go. The service is great here. They said my potato puffs would take about 8 minutes and it came out sooner than that! I do think this place is expensive, which takes off one star. The potato puffs are about $ 5 for 9 and the sauce, which I believe is a good deal (or maybe it isn’t and I just don’t care because I love potatoes). I find everything else rather expensive, though, which makes me reluctant to try other things on the menu. However, Gregoire has a good record in my book and I would gladly come back for more!