Sorry for the delay on California's post for our series on the Pac-10's best restaurants and bars, but the football part of football distracted me from our survey.

My bad.

And it took a long -- LONG -- time to read the hundreds of responses from Cal fans. We really cover a lot of ground here, from types of food to price range.

By the way, if you want a handy way to keep up with the entire series, click here.

Away we go.

California

Restaurants

Zachary's Pizza
JJ from Lafayette, Calif., writes: It's Chicago-style deep dish at it's finest while maintaining the California spin with specialties like Spinach & Mushroom. We're often there on a Friday before a Cal game eating delicious deep dish pizza and downing pitchers of our favorite beverage.
Douglas from Los Angeles writes: Zachary's is so good that once I saw someone carry-on one of their deep dish pizzas on a Southwest flight.
Matt from Berkeley writes: It is the best pizza in the world.
Pablo from San Francisco writes: Best pizza in the freakin' world.

T-Rex BBQ

Brazil Cafe
Azhar from Berkeley writes: Hands down, the best tri-tip sandwich you'll ever have in your life.
Joshua from New Orleans writes: Honestly, Ted, a trip to Memorial Stadium would not be complete without a pre-hike lunch from this Berkeley institution.

Top Dog
Matt from Berkeley writes: It's a Berkeley institution, and their brats are top-notch (better than many I've had in Germany, even). Go to the location on Durant, up by the dorm units: it's got by far the most character, although it's the smallest.
John from Riverside, Calif., writes: Hot links, bratwurst, calabrese, etc., plus German or American style frankfurters, all served on toasted french rolls. Don't miss the hot Russian mustard or the pressed, unfiltered apple juice.

Gordo Taqueria
Jake from Berkeley writes: It is one of the better Mexican establishments in the Bay Area. It's about a 7 minute drive or a 20 minute walk from Memorial stadium and, of course, the food is great. I prefer either the crispy carne asada tacos with guacamole crema fresca and black beans or the carnitas burrito with everything.

Cactus

Chez Panisse
Geoff from San Francisco writes: If you got a date to impress on Friday night, you must check out Alice Water's Chez Panisse.

Cheeseboard Pizza

Claremont Hotel
Rob from Berkeley writes: Very pricey, but a truly delicious dinner in the Oakland foothills, about a 10 minute drive from campus.

Bay Wolf

House of Curries

Durant Food Court
Matt from Berkeley writes: Called "Asian Ghetto" by students and community members, Durant Food Court is the best place for students to eat out, and offers multiple fabulous and fairly inexpensive options, including Chinese, Italian, Middle Eastern, Thai, Sushi, Korean BBQ, and the best donuts I've ever eaten.

Oliveto
Matt from Los Angeles writes: It is the most underrated and delicious restaurant in the bay area. Conveniently it is located next to the Rockridge Bart parking lot, a great place to leave your car for free on game days.

Fred's Deli

Vik's Chaat Corner
David from Emeryville, Calif., writes: The BEST Indian food in the Bay Area (my Indian friends are unanimous). Authentic Mumbai street food.Everything on the menu is amazing.
Tylurker from Land of Oaks, Calif., writes: The the best Indian food in the Northbay.

Boot and Shoe Service
Darryl from Oakland writes: The restaurant bought the place and never changed the name, it's off of Grand Avenue near the lake, highly recommend it.

Gypsy's Italian Trattoria
Thomas from Berkeley, Calif., writes: It is part of the foundation that is the Asian Ghetto, which is somewhat odd since it doesn't serve Asian food. Rest assured that this is pretty authentic Italian, and while you have to wait a little while extra for the calzones, they are absolutely worth it.

Fondue Fred's

Spengers
Dan from Sacramento writes: Classic greasy seafood and a Berkeley institution.

House of Nanking
Adam from New York writes: It is perhaps the best Chinese restaurant in the world. It's in San Francisco. So it counts for Cal and Stanford? Closer to Cal.

Nite life

Bear's Lair (under 30; campus pub)
Rob from Berkeley writes: The Lair is better during the day, as the band comes to play, and there are tons of Cal chants, songs and cheers filling the air.
Joshua from New Orleans writes: It would be sacrilegious to not say the Bear's Lair. You've heard it before: campus pub with mediocre beer, aging decor, and a goal post hanging from the ceiling. Basking in the sun with the best bartenders around--Kristin, Anna, Laura, Courtney, Red, Mike and more. The best not-bartender around--Kyle--and a fantastic kitchen staff, especially Jose.

Raleigh's

Jupiter (under 30) Douglas from LA writes: Craft beer, fire pit, and often has good local music.
Tylurker from Land of Oaks, Calif., writes: The best bar in Berkeley, hands down: Jupiter on Shattuck just West of campus. The Jups has select micro brews and an assortment of house beers on tap. No hard liqs but there is wine. Fantastic outside seating under a giant redwood. Regular live music. Good pub grub with awesome wood stove pizza. Excellent service and collegial atmosphere.

Meridian (over 30)

Triple Rock (under 30)

Henry's (over 30)
Douglas from LA writs: Brave the crowd and see everyone you haven't seen since last season.
Dan from Sacramento writes: Indoor & outdoor places to eat/drink, this place explodes on game days. Gotta arrive early or you're waiting in line for an hour.

Kips (under 30)

Beckett's (over 30)
Shawn from Oakland writes: A great Irish Pub, that has good drinks and atmosphere. It'll usually have a band on Saturday nights, and they typically aren't bad. The wings are great too. I'd pick this for the night time, rather than pre-game.

Comments: Fair to say you guys really, really like Zachary's Pizza. Top Dog, Brazil Cafe, Durant Food Court, Chez Panisse and Vik's Chaat Corner also were widely celebrated. Chez Panisse is one of my "eventually must go" restaurants. I've heard it's easier to get a seat at lunch. As far as the bars, Bear's Lair, Henry's, Jupiter and Beckett's were the top vote-getters, so there's a wide range of places to get a drink.