Plank Oakland Review

Worst service ever, had to ask 3 different servers for food and drinks. Food was cold. Never coming back or recommending

I love this place, its a great place to eat and socialize.

Okay service. Food was decent. Would like to try something else on the menu other than the prime rib sandwich.

What a modern bowling lane should be. Plank occupies an entire block. Up to date lanes. A state of the art arcade. Huge sports bar with 40 brews on tap. Excellent food. The bar facing the out door area runs almost the entire block. Wine, cocktails, and outdoor boche ball. Play equipment. Something for everyone.

The bartender was super sweet. I asked for a little (more) water in my drink, he poured the rum. I'm like huh? Then he's like nobody asks for more water sorry!

Fun place and outside at the back bar there's heaters if you wanna grab a beer in the warmth

Good for kids and adults. A bit over priced at the arcade. Food was good. Great bar.

Kids enjoyed it service was a tad slow from the kitchen but the staff was awesome

Garbage... this was my second time there. First time I went was during their soft opening... and not to my surprise they were struggling, but we blamed it on soft opening. Fast forward a year or so and we go with a group of people, put our name in for a bowling lane they tell us it will be an hour and a half, but they have an automated system that will alert us when our lane is ready... that's a long time but it didnt bother me because there is a restaurant and arcade. We sit down to eat and order a mix of different items of the menu, all of it was a waste except for the wings - they were edible. Then 2 hours later I go to follow up on the bowling and the girl tells me "oh your lane is ready, you need to pay." I ask her what happened to the automated system - she tells me it's broken but we can bowl now. At this time my party was still finishing food so I tell the woman I need to round them up and we will be back to pay and bowl. Once we are ready and get back to the counter there is a line but no matter we can wait a few minutes... by the time we get to the front of the line all the lanes are full and that we need to wait. The staff told me it was my fault because I walked away without paying during our previous conversation, I told them it was their fault for being idiots. No good, dont go there, not only is the staff incompetent but they are also extremely ghetto.

Great place to play, relax, and have fun. Plus they got the game on.

Ok spot to come with friends for casual bowling with friends. Don't plan on bringing your own balls though because lanes are not oiled. Employees are kind of rude.. nothing but teens fresh out of high school

I like this place where everyone from every age can enjoy playing games. I spend my time playing Bowling inside and Bocce Ball outside.

No DDR machine. It's 2016. What kind of arcade doesn't have a DDR machine. Still, great bowling and dranks.

I love it. Is the best place to have fun and eat something tasty

Location was awesome with outside seating, Bocce ball pits and bowling

The best of the best people work here and they are soo very kind

I was able to start a game without having to wait, they played really great music and the ambience was of a clean cut family place. We had a couple of appetizers and drinks, played two sets and then retired to the Arcade which was even more fun. Dropped a quick $20 on the games but I don t think I had this much fun at any price. A great, clean family fun and safe place to visit.

As a new yorker visiting Oakland for the first time its been pleasant. I just a smaller Dave and busters in my opinion

Great fun for groups. Couples will have a good time too. Outside and inside facilities. Bowling inside with arcade games and bocce outside with a separate bar. Lots of TVs for watching the Warriors' games. Good snack/pub food.

Awesome place to watch a game, always great atmosphere.

No kids friendly. My wife with one year old baby was chase by a guard just because she wanted to used the restroom. We were in the restaurant we arrived at 7 as soon as 9 they are very impolite if you are with children. Once outside the place the guards continue bullying you to leave the place. We leave the place at 9:15 so they did big drama for 15 minutes. If come with kids and you don t want be treat as offender try to leave before 9. Guards needs better training.

Pricey bowling alley, sub par maintenance, always over crowded. Pack your patience

Family friendly and has a lot of TVs, but man is it bland.

Omg! This the place for family fun. The children had a great time. They went bowling, played the vedio games, played Planko, The large connect four and more. After 9p no children allowed in the bar area. The bar has everything except the bowling area and the arcade.

I was seated at the restaurant then ignored for 15 mins. No one even asked if I wanted water. I ended up across the street at the chicken and waffle place.

Nick Jobes Operations Manager is the only reason I'm giving Planks 5 stars, it truly deserves 2 stars, the food was ok I guess, staff seems uninterested. Also when serving at the Bowing area they would actually come into the wooded part of the lane while someones trying to bowl , instead of taking the 6 seconds it would take to go around to the backside by the seats and still serve, when cleaning a lane they should not spray cleaners near the next bowlers food. Seems the servers has zero bowing manners.

Food took forever and employees were rude about it anytime I asked about the status of it.

Good food. Pricey and everything cost money to do. Kind of like a Dave and Busters.

I am contracted to do the DJ/karaoke events in the private boardroom. This venue and staff is amazing. Great location in Jack London Square! Oakland really needed something great like this place.

I actually didn't come here for the bowling; partner and I stopped in to the arcade and enjoyed a bit of time playing skee ball, air hockey and some virtual reality arcade ride. It was a fun selection of old and new games and a nice place to pop into after dinner as we walked along Jack London square.

I liked it. Great atmosphere to watch a game . And there's games to play over there.

It was fun to sit outside it's a very hot day but couldn't get anybody to take her order or to even acknowledge that we are there

I have only sat outside, but the staff that service the outside are great! Only had one disappointment with a staff member but not going to allow that to affect the overall. Kevin, is very personable and is on point in ensuring staff is taking care of customers. If not, he personally will step up and take care of the customers. If sitting at the bar Nick, Mark, and Yulia will make sure you are taken care of. Great Place!

Was there for company event in back event space. Bowling alley was decent but pins had strings attached which made the game different than normal. Good beer selection. Didn t get to try food.

drink was watered down, cuban sandwich was meh, abd servicr was slow. Go anywhere else

Best at night, bar is great but the arcade falls short

Had dinner and drinks food and service was excellent.

The food was excellent and the wait staff very friendly and helpful. It was a little too noisy for me.

Awesome place for an event !! Went their for moms bday and got to eat, drink, and play!

Plank in Oakland is great fun for all ages. There is an arcade, bowling alley, bocce ball court, and play ground. Drinks are great. Service was great. Food was good. If you're looking for a place to relax with the family and friends for a few hours, Plank should definitely be in consideration.

Thought it would be more lovely, fun though, service a bit slow, food was OK, price a bit too high but it is California. 18 wings, order of fries and a Sprite, $48 incl. Tip.

Went in on busy night late
Servers appear to spend more time soccializing with each other than a better job than I'm sure they can do. Went over and asked for a table to be cleaned. Was told it would be done "I got you" never happened
I was expecting to spend at least $100
Had to leave
Bottom line as business
Customer service should be a high priority
Owner slacking
Trickles down through management
Down to staff
Many dirty tables = people walk past= lost revenue
Other than that
Drinks are good
Food is usually really good
Nice Happy hour

Good place to catch the game! Food is awesome and atmosphere is good! I would recommend again

Poor customer service, just wanted drinks refilled.

I set waiting for service for over 25 minutes when I asked for a manager no one came to the table..Left vowing to never return.

Cant wait to come back and enjoy the rest of the venue

Tons of games for kids and adults, bowling, bocce and a full menu / bar.

This place gets packed, so get in early if you can.

Good fun for groups, decent food, lots to do. Loud though.

First time there, had alot of fun, Cherry the bartender and Melissa the waitress were outstanding. Can't wait to go back and had fun bowling.

A great place for family and friends and togetherness.

Music, drinks, bowling, arcade games, outside seating, all ages are welcome. My kind of place

We only ate there and the food was worth about 3.5 stars but the cool outdoor seating and nice staff make it all feel better than that.

One of the better adult arcade places to go party at in the bay and with the beer garden arcades bowling could be a decent date night

Had the worst service ever at restaurant. Waited 30 minutes for table, then waited 20 minutes for server to come to table after going to host stand twice to ask for service. Once server did come, he didn't know beers available and we had to ask for menus. Once we ordered drinks and ordered tacos, beers took a good 15 minutes and we had to remind server to get them. We watched as other table's food just set in the window and trays getting cold, watching for ours so they weren't doomed to the same fate. We had steak tacos which were 3 very, very small street tacos for $14 - very poor value but very delicious. Server was very awkward and rude, giving thumbs up to see if food was good, awkwardly coming up to table and forgetting about our food and drinks, then walking away without saying anything. To pay, we had to visit host stand again (twice). I asked to speak with manager and they were unavailable. Hassan at host stand was great but server was worst I've ever had. No apologies - just sensed that we were bothering him at his work.

We only played games and did not bowl. Maybe patio or bar experience would be better.

It is a great place to have game time with friends and family. Also maybe co workers.

That wait is unbelievable!!! Servers take for ever to come, and once they take your order... good luck getting food on a reasonable time. Only good thing is the view.

Friendly, accommodating and welcoming staff! All using masks and implementing social distancing. Food was delicious! Great place to be!

Went to plank on a company outing. Had a private area where they had catered the food. The food was quite disappointing. Costco tortellini, Costco salad mix, lasagna, some breaded chicken breasts (Tyson chicken tenders?) Garlic bread for lunch. For breakfast: cold bagels and Danish and a fruit plate. Organic? No. Delish? No. Healthy? No.

Food was ok drinks were ok but the customer service from the manger Natalie needs a lot of help just so rude and just a bad attitude please retain this individual

I it was fun. But to expensive to bowl unfortunately.

Loved it took my niece n nephew we hadnt seen in years they loved it as well

Great atmosphere, delicious food, and excellent service, but the prices are a little too high to make this joint a local hangout to frequent with friends & family.

I had no idea about the Thursday happy hour. Just so happens I was meeting there for a first day and you guys provided the perfect setting for me. Live music, good conversation, and no pressure. Oh and by the way, we loved the food and fun staff :-)

A Dave & Busters type establishment good for meeting up with friends after work, or to watch a ballgame on weekends.

From the moment I arrived this place was terrible. We walked in and waited in line behind a small group. Once the group moved the hostess never called us up, greeted us or ask if we needed help. Come to find out the group of 3 in front to of us wasn't a group of customers but in fact employees chatting it up with the hostess. We decided not to bowl because of the wait. We decided to give them another chance at the bar instead. None of the bartenders gave us a menu or offered suggestion or let alone acknowledge our presence. I've been to bars/ taverns before, it's get in where you fit in. However, there were only 2 people at the counter and 1 bartender was just wiping off the counters talking to another Plank employee. All in all after 20 mins. of horrible customer service, I use the restroom (which smelled like urine) and walked out past 3 other employees talking and on their phones. The food did look appealing but I wasn't going to give them a 3rd chance to disappoint my trip to Oakland.

A great hang out place for a couple or a group.

09/09/18 (from 5 stars to 3)

Been coming to this location loyally since it was Borders Book Store and now PLANK has anchored the revitalization of Jack London Square. I brought a freind and her son out to enjoy the fresh air, food and football on the tables outside. I come here about twice a month in an average and have never experienced the following.
The wait staff has always been average at best and at times the place has been under staffed. Today was one of those days where I watched a waitress pass by us several times to get an available table cleaned off just to sit. After 20 minutes I walk up to a waitress to ask her to take our order just to watch Eric tell me she will help up, walk over to the bar and have a conversation with a coworker and then walk to take another order.
During this 10 minute period the original waitress that worked the area comes to us and asks us "run my card because we have people that run off without paying". My reply was "Really"! See says that was no reflection on you personally but we do that all the time". I ask her "since when"? And she tells me "since I've been working here". So the waitress takes my card and comes back. I've never had a restraint or bar run my card and not give it back to me AFTER the TAB had been loaded with drinks or whatever. So she cataloged my card pre-payment!
I was one of the first customer at Plank and continue to come here dor years and I have never been checked for PAYMENT BEFORE SERVICE.

WORST POLICY EVER! 2 STAR SERVICE/ 5 STAR ATMOSPHERE

Mgr. on duty Natalie (wouldn't tell me her last name)