Tl;dr: It’s the cheap, guilty pleasure fast food place that you’re looking for. Nothing too special. Cleanliness: You can tell the employees really try to keep the place clean. I’ve frequented Jack in the Box at least once or twice a month for 6+ years, and most of the times I went, I saw a «wet floor» sign. In fact, the night that I’m writing this review, I saw the employees clean the dining area and the restrooms at least 4 different times. The sad thing is, the customers are dirty, so there are often food bits scattered around the tables and the floor. One night a few months ago, there was even a naked old, fat man sitting on the men’s toilet, scratching himself. But A for effort. Customer Service: It’s pretty horrible. They do the bare minimum but it feels like the employees don’t give a shit about you and they let you know it. 7⁄10 times, I waited around 2 – 5 minutes for an employee to even acknowledge me, much less take my order. They are busy with their drive-thru, but I think it borders on negligence when they don’t even acknowledge you when you’re waiting. When you order, I hope you don’t have any substitutions or special needs, because the employees don’t listen too well. Whenever I was here with someone who had a special addition to their order, the employees didn’t listen and if you ask them to fix their mistakes, they aren’t happy to do it. I think a couple higher ranked supervisors/managers are polite and friendly, but standard employees are… not. But you don’t go to fast food places for their customer service, anyway. Prices: If I didn’t splurge on anything that day, Jack in the Box is worth the money, but if I’m nearing my budget for the day, might as well go to a certain burger royalty for cheaper chicken nuggets. I got a large caramel iced coffee, a double Jack burger, and onion rings for $ 9.30 including tax. There is a take-a-survey-for-free-food option on the receipt which gives you 2 free tacos for your next visit. They’re $ 0.99 so I like to think of that option as always getting $ 1 off every meal, pretty much. For $ 8.30, the portions aren’t too great but surprisingly, they’ll fill you up. Taste: Surprisingly good. The burgers can get a little dry with just the patty and bun, though, so you’re gonna wanna make sure you have a bit of lettuce, tomatoes, and onions for every bite. The lettuce actually feels crunchy and fresh, while the tomatoes look and taste like tomatoes unlike from a certain yellow arch. The patties are much less greasy than from a red haired freckled girl, but they also have a stranger chewiness to them, which feels a bit like one of those expensive Italian link sausages(which is either really good or really bad). The coffee is sweet and strong, so you’ll actually be glad for the 1⁄3 ice to dilute them a bit. The onions rings are crunchy and delicious, so if you can spare the extra few change, I’d recommend them. It’s not too bad for a fast food to-go place if you’re not looking for gigantic portions. I personally come here when I use the Bank of America ATMs next door and buy a quick iced coffee on my way home, but for dining in, I’d really recommend somewhere else. The dark reddish wall tile colors and the busy, obnoxious wall designs make the area seem dim and heavy, and the constant wet spots from mopping and food bits from customers don’t make for a very scenic place to converse.
Stefan T.
Rating des Ortes: 4 San Leandro, CA
I’ve got a friend who takes me here once in a while and who loves certain food here — jalipino poppers and«crossantwhiches.» Ok, so I’ve assigned blame as to why I would go here in the first place. Had a supreme croissant and a coffee. For $ 5 how can you complain much? The coffee was ok — sort of weak and perhaps not the freshest(always better at McDonalds) and the service was fine. A nice place to sit on the counter and watch the boulevard. Lots of windows at this location and a fancy new type of soda machine that I’ve tried on a visit before with lots of options.
Kimberley M.
Rating des Ortes: 1 San Francisco, CA
I’m usually a Jack n the box fan but after today I will never go to this location again. I just got home with my bag of food. Opened a taco to put taco sauce on it and there’s a long black hair in the taco. Appetite gone! What happened to hair nets while handling food? So disgusted!
Juice A.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Castro Valley, CA
I love jack In The Box, but this one in particularly OMG, your staff needs training. Yeah we get it, it’s «just jack in the box, it’s a part time job who cares» that’s how we feel when we receive bad customer service here. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I get a nice person. But that’s 2⁄100. They don’t say thank you, one time this girl was calling her coworker a bitch, talking behind her back right in front of me. I just couldn’t believe it. Yeah I look cool enough to say that in front of, but that’s just rude and unnecessary. Another time I guess someone had just gotten hired, and she was doing everything wrong, they asked me if I wanted cheese 4 times. The 5th time I just said NOPE not anymore no cheese thank you. Hurry up. The trainer of the newcomer was extremely fed up with her, and you could tell. Such a wreck. Maybe they should have more customer service meetings whenever they get a chance, or at least have some standard common sense rules u have to say to the customer. Ohh like i don’t know, maybe a thank you, a «Have a nice day» never get it there.
Doug G.
Rating des Ortes: 4 San Jose, CA
Been to this location a few times. Very standard Jack in the box stuff. 2 – 3 stars for the food. 5 stars for the customer service. Been helped by Hasani several times and he’a always cheerful, knowledgeable, and accommodating.
Donnie W.
Rating des Ortes: 2 San Francisco, CA
I was in starvation mode, I hadn’t had the opportunity to eat all day with starting a new job and trying to be aware of every aspect of the ins & outs I skipped lunch. So when my bf picked me up, I wanted food and Jack was chosen. This place was insane, my food was cold, the Iines were extremely long inside and out. The manager looked as if she were ready to cry. It was just an all around bad experience. The cash flow within this organization one would assume it would have the skills to run the operations on lock. I was just extremely disappointed.
Ayshia L.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Oakland, CA
This place is horrible and dirty. The whole pm staff has bad customer service and the shift supervisor doesn’t care about his customers.
Customer S.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Castro Valley, CA
Most employees here are OK but one lady«Lucinda» on the night crew was rude to me for no reason. It was a couple of days ago. Maybe I was too perky and cute for her? Yikes. I just wanted to write about my crappy experience that makes me never want to go to this place again and it’s in MYTOWN. :(She should be fired or working in the back cooking the food — not providing customer service. Weed em out JIB!
Katz M.
Rating des Ortes: 5 San Leandro, CA
I drive to Castro Valley from San Leandro because their people are so friendly and helpful, the restaurant is always clean and cool on the very hot days; but their food is always fresh and tasty, I buy coke floats and NOONE else makes these any more! Thank you, Castro Valley, Jack in the Box!
C V.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Hayward, CA
Thus jack in the box is terrible!!! Why i continue to go to this one is upsetting. Ive complained several times. I just want a fresh spicy chicken sandwich and or two fresh tacos. The pre making to stay ahead us driving me away. Frustrating.
Samantha S.
Rating des Ortes: 1 San Leandro, CA
It gets 1 star because 0 stars is not an option. The drive thru order taker acted like it was an inconvenience to take my order which would explain why i didn’t get my fries. Then when my son went inside and told her she acted like he was a liar. Crappy food + crappy service = f u
James f.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Fremont, CA
Once again i thought i would give jacke n box castro valley another try, yep i screwed myself again… Wrong sandwich and wrong drink Jack corned me again i got the big JACK…, why dont they put some corn on it! This way when i get corn Dog i know i got it…
Amy F.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Castro Valley, CA
This jack n the box use to be good. Now it’s gross, slow & the food is stale. Yeah okay, what should I expect right? It’s «Fast Food» HA, they’re not even that! FAST! They are slow, get your order wrong, & lazy! I use to love this location, but not anymore. I’ll come again once they hire new staff. I’ll drive to the one on mission if I want some jack. That’s how gross the food is here. Yuuuuuck!
John E.
Rating des Ortes: 3 San Leandro, CA
The register ladies are cute(very cute), but talk to each other too much. Because of this I believe they werent paying attention to my order and messed it up.
Cheyenne L.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Anaheim, CA
Jack in the crack… Oh how I love to hate you… But your tacos are just so incredible. I have a love hate relationship with your greasy fries, but now that I’m all grown up, I guess I have to say goodbye for now. No Paleo options here! Bout to get workout on now!
Tommy S.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Castro Valley, CA
It was a late nite snack. I was the only customer there and still screwed up my order… had plenty of ketchup all right but no fries!
Lee W.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Hayward, CA
I hold this location up above all the others in the area. The food is usually a lot better here then the other locations. The people who work here are really nice. Usually go here late night and they always get my order right and I do tend to complicate the orders so I really appreciate that !!!
Annabelle T.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Castro Valley, CA
I mean… its jack in the box…
Melanie L.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Santa Monica, CA
I visit this location every so often, but on this trip, I went with my friend after 9:00 p.m. We walked from his house after a long day of work. When we arrived, I noticed their advertisement for the«Munchie Meal.» I quickly asked what it was all about. You can get a Jack’s Munchie Meal for $ 6.00 + tax. The meal consists of a half order of curly fries and regular fries(or you could even get a whole order of one if you’d like), two tacos, a 20-oz drink plus your choice of one of the following: Stacked Grilled Cheeseburger, Exploding Cheesy Chicken Sandwich Loaded Nuggets, or the Brunch Burger. I had the exploding cheesy chicken sandwich with a whole order of curly fries and an ice cold Dr. Pepper. It was super filling and tasted amazing!
Loli L.
Rating des Ortes: 4 San Francisco, CA
Super fast and friendly service. I was feeling particularly nostalgic after getting the Christmas tree and started thinking about my grandma. Grams loved the tacos at Jack-in-the-Box and we usually stopped for snacks after picking up our Christmas tree. This is the first year I’m without my grandma. The drive home was gonna be long, so I figured, I’d stop for some taco-grandma memories and use the restroom. They were so fast in getting my order that it was ready before I had a chance to excuse myself to the ladies room. The ladies behind the counter let me leave my order there for a few moments before I returned, washed, and ready to hit the road with my tacos. Yes, this food isn’t healthy, but I can count on it being there, being ready, and being a comfort to me for when I crave tacos and miss my grams.