8 Most Overrated Places To Go To In Hayward That You Can Skip

These are some of the most overrated places to go to in Hayward that you can definitely skip while you are in town, even if people rave about them.

Deciding where to have your next meal or hangout can be a painstakingly long process. Sometimes establishments don’t live up to the hype or you just frequent them so much that the initial appeal fades away quickly. In my opinion, here are 8 of the most overrated places to go to in Hayward.

1. Frostie Rolls

Once the rolled ice cream craze came to the west coast, I was beyond excited. I had such a great experience with Icicles that I equated Frostie Rolls to that place before even trying the ice cream which was my first mistake. As another addition to the Downtown Hayward area, I had high expectations for this ice cream. Despite only taking up half of the store with huge empty spaces, their combinations sounded exciting, so I decided to give it a chance. After having to wait 45 minutes for some of the driest ice cream and stiff marshmallows, the expectations dropped. No amount of watching this ice cream be made could make up for the lack of flavor.

2. Nation’s Giant Hamburgers & Pies

Now I am speaking strictly on the dining side because their pies have yet to let me down. I have never understood the appeal of this place because some of their main drawing points are the late hours and hamburgers. As someone who doesn’t stay out particularly late or eat things in giant portions, this place definitely remains overrated in Hayward. I can go to a fast food drive thru and swing by for a pie in less time.

3. Straw Hat Pizza

This was a pizza place I stumbled upon in Santa Cruz after getting lost on the freeway many years ago. Much like the ice cream, I had high expectations when this pizza finally made its way to Hayward. As a pre-teen, this was a go-to pizza joint. Arcade games, quality food, and friendly service were expected qualities. Over the years as customers sought other pizza places, everything seemed to go downhill. With the inclusion of so many screens to create a sports bar feel, this is definitely one of the most overrated places to go to in Hayward. The service is incredibly delayed and unless you want to hear children running around screaming while waiting for your dinner, I would steer clear.

4. Taqueria Senaida’s

Here is where the divide comes in. There are Hayward residents who will stand by Senaida’s until their death bed then there are those like me who don’t understand the hype. With a “drive thru” line that often extends into the street, I will never understand why so many people prefer this taqueria when there are others to choose from in Hayward. Just because something is a city staple does not mean that the food is worth the wait.

5. Tacos Uruapan Taqueria Mexicana

Ah, my former go-to spot for a fully loaded quesadilla. Once this taqueria changed management, it instantly became overrated. The nachos became skimpy and the wait time extended which didn’t even out with the tiny parking lot. I may be completely biased since I prefer Mexican food my family makes but this place currently resides on the overrated Hayward places to visit.

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6. Buddy’s Bites and Brews

Another food and beer combination spot that draws crowds in waves. Unless that sports bar feel with beer towers reminiscent of Dave & Buster’s is your scene, this is not the place for you. Rationalizing these prices sober will allow you to see why it belongs on an overrated list.

7. Starbucks

I am speaking primarily on that Hayward drive thru location. The premise of a drive thru is to get service faster and although things sometimes come up to disrupt the flow, this place moves at a turtle pace even when you are the only car in line. With Hippie’s Brew as a higher level alternative available in Hayward, any other coffee chain becomes instantly overrated.

8. Subway

Equivalent to the coffee chains, once you’ve had a quality sandwich from outside of Hayward any Subway restaurant becomes overrated. Often located in hidden locations full of one worker at peak lunch hour, it is not worth the trip for that footlong at whatever price it is now. Consider even making a sandwich at home instead of visiting this overrated spot.