SF’s 4505 Burgers & BBQ Sets Opening Date for Sunny Oakland Location [Update]

[Update: Opening has been delayed: stay tuned for new opening date.]

The East Bay is already home to some very excellent barbecue destinations, like Smokin’ Woods and Roderick’s, but there’s always room for more smoked meat. That’s the thinking behind the impending Oakland location of SF’s 4505 Burgers & BBQ, which is planning to open in the Laurel District on Friday, June 14.

And it’s a big one (at least compared to the original’s outdoors-only seating on Divisadero), with 2,800 square feet dedicated to dining and whole hog cooking. The menu will be similar to that of the SF location, including the “best damn grass-fed cheeseburger,” and smoked meat by the pound or plate, plus local beer, like Oakland’s Temescal Brewing and Ghost Town, and wine.

One difference: at this larger location, chef/founder Ryan Farr was able to install a permanent whole hog cooker (fans will recognize it as the company’s traveling “pig rig” smoker, which has been modified to permanently fit the space). There’ll also be soft serve, a new addition to the lineup, using Double 8 Dairy from Petaluma.

It’s been a long, drawn out process (the project was first announced in 2016) with construction and permitting on the 1950s era building that was once the home of Glenn’s Hot Dogs (3506 MacArthur Blvd). Designer Wylie Price (The Progress, Kronnerburger) was able to incorporate some of the original details from the building, like wood rafters and decorative paneling. The building’s classic neon and lightbulb-studded sign is the most visible and notable item that the team refurbished,

The community aspect has been important to Farr and partner Andrew Ghetia from the start, particularly as they took over a decades-old neighborhood spot. To that end, Farr and Ghetia worked to make 4505 welcoming to residents: It’ll have a kid-friendly corner with coloring, and, perhaps most importantly, kids get a free soft serve cone with each meal. There’ll also be a big patio (with both umbrellas and heaters to match the Bay Area’s weather patterns) that’s welcoming to dogs, too.

When it opens, hours will be 10:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. seven days a week. Stay tuned for more as the opening nears and sunny patio days are more frequent.

• 4505 Burgers and BBQ Takes on the East Bay with Retro Oakland Spot [ESF]