Cheap Eats: Fast Food, Berkeley Style

Berkeley breaks the mold when it comes to fast food. Billion-dollar corporations don't have what it takes to take down Berkeley's finest fast food, where food is made fresh instead of sitting under a heatlamp long before you've even pulled up curbside.

From burgers and fries to a juicy gourmet sausage to a basic burrito done right, these three restaurants will satisfy your fast food cravings.

: If you're looking for a burger and fries, but don't want to go to the drive-thru, make a quick stop at Bongo Burger. Order up an American Burger for under $4.25 or try the ever popular Persian Burger Sandwich, a perfectly seasoned lamb burger, for $6.50. Add an order of crinkle cut fries or make your burger/sandwich a combo meal with fries and a small drink. The service at Bongo Burger is quick and efficient; you won't miss the long line of cars at the drive-thru.

: This tiny hot dog shop packs big flavor into their sausage offerings. With a long list of gourmet sausages ($3 each) to choose from, everyone will find one to their liking. From the basic Frankfurter to a Portuguese Linguica sausage (they even have vegetarian choices if you don't eat meat), all the dogs are grilled then placed in a perfectly warmed bun. Top it the way you like; simply, with just ketchup, or add a kick with sauerkraut and horseradish mustard. Top Dog has a few locations around Berkeley, making it a great choice for a quick meal. Or if you're craving a late-night hot dog, line up with the crowds at the Durant shop for a snack. 

: This is another small restaurant that delivers big on taste. With lines consistently out the door, Gordo Taqueria has the art of making burritos down to a science. Order up a burrito with beans and cheese, chicken, carnitas, beef or chile verde — filled with rice, your choice of beans, and salsa. Make it a "super" burrito and you'll get a bigger tortilla with melted cheese. You can also add guacamole (65 cents) or sour cream (45 cents) for an even more indulgent meal. Other tasty choices include quesadillas and tacos. Don't worry if you see a long line, the workers at Gordo Taqueria will have you out the door in no time.

When the craving strikes, you don't have to give in to the typical fast food fare. In Berkeley, you can have good food fast.