Reds Java House LLC

User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Oh the years go by so quickly. Sniff. Has it been 17 years since I had a super-yummy Red's double cheeseburger with mayo and onions?

Made bay area-wide deliveries out of Concord. Tried to plan the route to put me near Red's in the afternoon. Grab that affordable incredibly yummy burger then return to the delivery truck. Parked, I reveled in the ambience. The sights of the bay, the nearby Bay Bridge, the City behind me, the various smells and the yipping of the gulls.

And, the wondrous taste of that burger on that sourdough roll. Heavenly yet devilishly good.

As an added attraction, I read the.... ohhhhh... is my memory correct? I read the Chronicle while eating. I always started with Herb Caen's column. I grew up with Herb's writing. Stuck in an east bay suburb I felt part of a larger whole reading Herb. I reveled in his wit and wisdom and I, a grizzled old salt, traveler of SE Asian waters when they were not overly friendly, had to hold back a sob when Herb died.

But, in my memories, Herb's words are in front of me, as I munch down Red's delightful yummyburger and the afore-mentioned environment surrounds me.

I miss those times parked closr to Red's Java House. As the seasons changed the ambience did as well. Winter's chill and rain had me with coat on to keep warm with windows up and the rain cascading off the truck. Yet, the burger was just as good and Herb's column was there.

Spring brought warmth, some times, and I did not have to huddle in the truck as much.

Summer brought the tourists, though the area around Red's was not a tourist destination when I was there. Mostly locals but the car traffic did increase. More joggers, etc. But, my mind was mostly on those burgers and the newspaper. I must admit... there WERE times I ate TWO double cheese burgers!!!

The seasons changed. Years passed by. And the Red's "ritual" was a regular pleasure in the life of a working-poor-class dude. No vacations for me. No trips or treks to vacation spots. I had to settle for an hour next to Red's and his burger and the paper but.... the memories of those stops..... could they be as or more pleasurable and fondly recalled as the Yuppie's thoughts of their trips to far-away lands? Maybe so.

Rising costs and declining pay (thanks "immigrants") forced me to depart my home state of California. Red's was left behind as I retreated to "fly-over country." No ambience or sourdough roll or Red's-tasting burger back here. All I have is my memories.

And....I miss you Herb. Your writing is missed. You added so much to my sojourns at Reds.

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User Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Great little shack on the water to grab a bite to eat. The Fish and Chips (weekdays only) are excellent (best in SOMA at least). I've eaten the burgers as well, which are great, but I prefer the Fish and Chips.

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User Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Reds: A great little spot to grab a bite to eat and enjoy a view of the bay!

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