4505 Burgers & BBQ is finally opening its doors to Oakland on June 28. It’s best known for its “best damn cheeseburger,” chicharrones, and plates of smokey pulled pork and chicken, all of which will join the new location at 3506 Macarthur Blvd.
Owner Ryan Farr and partner Andrew Ghetia chose the former location of Glenn’s Hot Dogs in Oakland’s Laurel District as their home away from SF, transforming the neighborhood classic into a modern barbecue destination, complete with a retro, spinning sign. Here are a few details that will set it apart from the Divisadero flagship:
1. There will be soft serve
It’s been a longtime goal of Ghetia and Farr to offer soft serve at 4505. Now, given the spacious environs of the Oakland restaurant, their dream has been realized. Malted vanilla ice cream made from Jersey cows at Double 8 Dairy will be loving swirled into cups or cones, with the option for a chocolate dip or rainbow sprinkles. Order it with everything else and hold onto a cute little ice cream coin to redeem for dessert; kids will receive a free mini cone, too.
2. Whole hogs and kegs
The “pig rig,” 4505’s mobile smoker that’ve been using to cook whole hogs all over the Bay Area, is now a permanent installation on the back patio. Each day Farr and his team will cook a whole hog from Rancho Llano Seco, fulfilling another bucket list item that wasn’t possible in Divisadero’s tight space. The modified, wood-fired smoker will also have taps installed, making it a bar and a smoker all in one. One the pigs have finished cooking, beef ribs and whole chickens will take their turn over the fire.
3. Fried chicken yum yum is back
Longtimes fans of 4505 will recall a very succulent fried chicken sandwich that was served at the Ferry Building farmer’s market for years. The sandwich features chicken that’s been breaded with 4505 Chicharrones, then fried, topped with spicy slaw and white sauce, and served on an Acme bun. It was a market-only treat, due to space limitations at 4505; now it’ll appear more often as a special.
4. East Bay beers represent
It’s an all East Bay list of beers, with breweries like Temescal Brewing, Ghost Town, Faction Brewing, and Alameda Island Brewing Company representing on draft.
5. An extremely pleasant patio awaits
Oakland’s sunny days demand patios, and this one is worth the trip. Picnic tables with striped umbrellas, Adirondack chairs, shady trees, and lots of greenery are part of the charm. A roomy kid’s area with a chalkboard and other entertainment will allow parents to consume their craft beer in relative peace, and those with stroller-bound children will have their own designated parking.
When it opens June 28, hours will be 10:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. seven days a week.
