Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe

Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe is a diner in northern California named after the Clash song, "Rudie Can't Fail".^[1] Rudy's is part-owned by Mike Dirnt from Green Day,^[2] and was featured on the Food Network show, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.^[3]

Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe, Emeryville

History

Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe opened in 2002 in Emeryville, CA with a second location in Uptown Oakland near the Fox Oakland Theatre since 2011.^[4] The original location in Emeryville was originally Eugene's Ranch which was open for 36 years under Eugene Lee and was still serving its $1.95 2 egg breakfast in 1990.^[5] Eugene's daughter Priscilla approached Jeffery Bischoff, a customer, to see if he would like to purchase the restaurant. Thirteen years later, Rudy's is an institution in Emeryville and a well known Bay Area diner.

In 2010, Rudy's original location was featured on an episode of Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.

Rudy's closed their Oakland location on Thursday, July 26, 2018.^[6]

Rudy's BLAT sandwich (a BLT with avocado) was featured on Lonely Planet's A field guide to 20 great American sandwiches.^[7]

On August 8, 2022, Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe announced their permanent closure.^[8] In October 2022, they re-opened for business under mostly new ownership.^[9][10]

Awards

• 2004 KPIX Channel 5 Evening Magazine - Best Diner in the East Bay
• 2004 East Bay Express Best of the East Bay - Best French Fries^[11]
• 2005 Best of Citysearch/ Oakland - Best Breakfast, Best Hamburger
• 2006 Best of Citysearch/Oakland - Best Breakfast, Best Hamburger
• 2007 Best of Citysearch/ Oakland - Best Family Friendly Dining
• 2008 East Bay Express Best of the East Bay - Best Waiter/Waitress Outfits
• 2008 East Bay Express Best of the East Bay - Winner - Best Diner^[12]
• 2009 Best of Citysearch/Oakland - Winner - Best Breakfast, Best Brunch^[13]
• 2009 SF Gate-SF Chronicle Winner - Best Diner in San Francisco Bay Area^[14]
• 2010 SF Gate-SF Chronicle Winner - Best Diner in San Francisco Bay Area^[14]