Free Speech Movement Cafe

Best place to get a quick bite to eat! It's never more than a five min line and it's in a great location with both indoor and outdoor dining. I usually get the hot sandwiches, which are smaller than I'd like but taste great. I think the turkey avocado sandwich should be made a cold sandwich however. Tuna melt 9/10Chicken paprika 8/10Caprese 8/10Turkey avocado 6/10

Even though I pass by FSM all the time, it wasn't until my coworkers and I needed a closer lunch spot to celebrate a birthday so we could get to our 1 pm meetings on time. We walked in and I immediately decided on the Chinese Chicken Salad ($8.25). I was given my receipt with a number. As another coworker and I grabbed everyone's receipts, the rest went to the outside patio to grab two tables. We waited about 5-8 minutes for the food. When my salad order came up, it was packaged in a to go bowl already. The sauce was already mixed into the salad and it could have used a bit more to fully reach all of the salad. There was an adequate amount of chicken but I did like the amount of carrots and celery that was put in to make it a bit crunchier and less garden salad. The garden salad portion was fresh; no wilting or brown pieces. If I was in a hurry and wanted to stay close, I'd stop by again. Next time I'd also specify that I was ordering for here since my other coworkers salad on her plate was a larger portion than the one I was given in my to go container.

I got the Chicken Balsamic Sandwich, which was pretty good. However, I do not believe it was worth ~$9, maybe ~$6.The bread was also a bit dry but overall I'm happy with my meal but more of a broke college student now.

FSM is a convenient place to grab a quick bite/coffee. I think their espresso tastes burnt, but their coffee is ok. Their sandwiches are a lot better than their salads. I once got a kale salad, but the dressing was so salty, I couldn't even finish it. I've tried their Californian sandwich, which was really good, but it's pretty pricey for what is it. Also heard great things about the quesadilla.After 10pm, finding a seat inside is close to impossible, but you'll be likely to find a seat outside on the patio. Professors often hold office hours at FSM, so if you see a large group of people staring at someone and nodding blankly, that's what it is.Also, The line is almost always has 10+ people, but do not fear, the line goes by really fast. The cashiers are very efficient. TL;DR Great to grab a quick bite or get your caffeine fix on campus.

updating this review because i do really like their coffee and outdoor seating!! and the cashiers are really sweet. i would personally just not recommend the matcha lattes if you are looking for a more pure matcha taste or an energy boost.

They make pretty good sandwiches. I really miss this place, no matter how late in the evening or early in the morning I came for studying. I have many memories from Free Speech Movement Cafe.

My favorite cafe in Berkeley! The food there is great, and the drinks. I love the chicken kale salad the most! The source is sooooo tasty and the kale is fresh and easy to chew. I also tried out almost every dessert, the cheese cakes, carrot cakes, scones with all the flavors, muffins, etc, etc. I spent a lot time there, whenever I can't find a spot in the library or I have to meet with my friends. One of the unforgettable places in Berkeley!

I would do unspeakable things to get a lifetime supply of the caprese sandwich. That panini is UNREAL and I don't even like sandwiches that much. It's a little pricey, but every time I bite into that...oh baby. Maybe I should give this one star because it sucks all my money out of my bank account. However, even thousands of miles away, I crave that little focaccia-pesto-mozzarella-tomato godsend at least once a week. Otherwise, overall, a little expensive and the rest of the food is alright, but it is very convenient.

DONT EAT HERE IF YOURE A VEGETARIAN/VEGAN. There were small bits of bacon in my tofu sandwich today, so they pretty obviously have a problem with cross contamination. Gross. Who knows what else goes on back there.

Literally Cafe Strada in disguise, except it's in a super convenient location but attracts weird people.