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East Bay Hidden Gems
Places you've either never heard of or are not that well known.
They're worth checking out if you're in the area.
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Chivals 4-Sterne-Beitrag: Like Champa Garden, this is another Thai/Laotian hidden gem in Oakland! And like Champa Garden, it is also in the residential outskirts of downtown. It is literally on the bottom floor of a house. But unlike Champa, Vientian also serves Vietnamese food! A little quirk that really surprised me. Admittedly, it looks a little sketch from the outside but like any other establishment in this city, you and your car come at your own risk. The food, however, more than makes up for it, if authentic Thai/Laotian/Vietnamese is what you're craving. There aren't many restaurants attempting that same trifecta, so you're in good hands! I came here with a few friends who are regulars and they would not shut up about Vientian so I gave it a try. I was pleasantly surprised. It was pretty dang good! We had the angel wings (my friends' favorite), spicy larb (very spicy but also super good), pad see ew and assorted Viet dishes! From a Thai and Laotian standpoint, both offerings were very authentic. The food tasted like a less polished version of Champa Garden's, more like a casual, home-made version of the same fare. If you love eating in hole-in-the-wall, family-run establishments with mismatched plates and freshly brewed Thai iced tea, then you'll be in heaven. This is not a sit-down place to take a date, more like a late-night joint with friends. As for the Vietnamese food, it was also pretty authentic. Being Vietnamese myself, I was surprised at how well done the dishes were. I would definitely return for other dishes, and that is saying something since I'm extremely picky about Viet food and usually don't eat it outside of San Jose. Anyhow, if you're feeling adventurous and want to explore a local favorite or just feinin' for some spicy, saucy angel wings, this is your place! -
Chivals 3-Sterne-Beitrag: Good, no-frills Mexican restaurant. I came here to try their tacos with a couple of friends. They had both eaten here before and recommended I try the taco sampler, which comes with shrimp, fish, chicken, pork and beef. We also got the chicken flautas as an appetizer and it was pretty bomb. It made my tummy happy. Back to the tacos...all of them were just alright, with one exception: the pork/carnitas. OMG! Absolutely melt-in-your-mouth delicious, their carnitas has a bit of fat on them so it tastes like you're eating pork belly tacos. Definite standout of the bunch. Our gang also ordered sangrias which were good...but judging by the color and lack of real fruit in the glass, it's probably a mix from a pouch rather than freshly made. Still, as far as simple, no-frills Mexican food goes, I like this place. Located where many businesses have gone down the drain, Puerto Bello is located where Straw Hat Pizza and Looney's BBQ used to be. Therefore, go give them your business before the same happens to them. Order a few sangrias and tell them I sent ya! -
Chivals 3-Sterne-Beitrag: I went to House of Dumplings one night after my friend was craving dumplings and we were grabbing 85 degrees nearby. I quickly suggested House of Dumplings, because it had great reviews on Yelp, I've had it bookmarked for ages but never tried, and it's right by my house! Win-win. However, it was alright. We quickly arrived and found the place to be very small and a hole-in-the-wall. But that's okay because that's how I prefer my Chinese restaurants...the more run-down the place, the better the food! We came close to closing, and maybe that's why the food wasn't so hole-in-the-wallish delicious... Their menus are pretty straightforward; flavors of dumplings on one side and other kinds of food on the other. We went with one order (12 dumplings) of the pork and chive, chicken and corn (12) and Xiao Long Bao (6 dumplings). Xiao Long Bao was what we came for but they were tiny and mediocre at best. Same with the pork and chive. My favorite flavor was the chicken and corn!!! Sweet, delicious, perfectly portioned and probably the only dumpling I'd come back for. I'm a huge fan of sweet corn and the surprisingly tasty blend of chicken and corn kernels in the dumpling was a revelation. Anyway, it's a good place to go if you're craving dumplings and don't want to drive far from the tri-city area but I'm sure there are better places in San Jose or even Fremont that can do better. THREE STARS for mediocre dumplings at best. -
Chivals 4-Sterne-Beitrag: It's only been open for 5 months under the new management and everything from the food to the service is great! I've been here twice now, once with a group and the other with just one other friend. Both experiences were different but lovely. Even though Sister House is a quaint restaurant (aka very small), they know how to accommodate larger parties. There is a really cute ahjumma server who works here and she is the only one in the front of the house. The name "Sister House" actually derives from there being only two of them -- a chef/cook and a server. They're not sisters but best friends. But "in Korean culture," she says, "best friends are like sisters." However, she does a great job despite being tied up at times. When I went as a group, even though there were a bunch of people eating here, we felt like we were the only people in the restaurant. Since we were the largest party, she brought out food constantly (well we ordered a lot, lol) and checked on us often. She always chats with customers and offers great recommendations (like how the kalbi is the best meat here -- it's true, it is). Other than the kalbi, the seafood pancake, japchae noodles and spicy rice cakes are all winners. I also love their home-made banchan! From fried pumpkin gourd, fish cakes, potato salad to sardines, I loved them all! They give a lot too. One time, after complimenting her pumpkin gourd, the ahjumma asked if I wanted some to-go, that she'd pack some home for me. I said "no need" but talk about nice! As for their tofu soup, it's alright. Nothing special. I confess I eat a lot of Korean food and Sister House tastes fresh, authentic and home-made compared to the rest, just how I like it! Nothing fancy, not too pricey and a local eatery, what more could you ask for? I'd recommend that if you come here in a small party, go on a weeknight or during off-peak hours when it's not that busy because with one server and big parties, you might get lost in the shuffle. I know that when I came as a party of 2, I did feel like they catered more to the larger parties...but that's understandable with only one server. Also big parties leave bigger tips, so can you really blame them? However, I love Sister House so much that I don't care about the lack of servers. The one they do have is so good that she makes up for the missing ones. If you're looking for good, down-home, comfort Korean food, look no further. Go now and give them your business, and tell the nice ahjumma I sent ya! -
Chivals 4-Sterne-Beitrag: Put off by the mediocre reviews? Don't be because it's SURPRISINGLY DELICIOUS!!! It exceeds expectations because your expectations are probably pretty low right now....am I right? While driving to Gong Cha one day, I saw a new Korean restaurant open up in the plaza and it's called...wait for it..."Mom's Tofu." How cute is that? Well, being a cold and windy night (I always crave Korean food when it's cold, don't know why) I decided to try it with a friend. Being that they serve hot tofu soup or sundoobu, it couldn't be more perfect. We could order tofu and warm up, I thought. First of all, they are incredibly busy on the weekends, even on Sunday night when we went. Our server Tim, was the nicest guy ever but seemed a little frazzled and unable to handle the large amount of orders. There was no wait though for two and they give you a free "fresh salad' while you wait for your food and it's the same kind you get in Japanese/sushi restaurants with that sweet Asian dressing. They also have a few banchan dishes, mainly beansprouts, fish cakes, japchae, seaweed, kimchi and pickled radish. We inquired about soju since churum churum was advertised all over their place mats but Tim said they didn't have their liquor license yet (something about Fremont restaurants being under Oakland's jurisdiction) and we could only get water, tea or soda which was fine and we didn't mind. He was actually really apologetic about it. When I asked him if I should stick to ordering tofu soup, he was honest and said no, the other items are good too. I decided to get a dolsot bibimbap and chose soy marinated sirloin as my meat of choice, which was delicious! The stone bowl it came in was scorching hot, so hot that if I didn't mix the rice every few minutes, the rice would burn crisp black. Still, I was pretty good about mixing it so the rice had a nice, crunchy texture. The vegetables were seasoned well and I liked to add little pieces of banchan into the bowl. The gochujang sauce wasn't too spicy and I mixed in some seafood pancake sauce as well! Hahah. My friend got the spicy pork and also liked it. He loves and eats a lot of bibimbap so that's saying something. We also got a Seafood Pancake to share (which Tim recommended) and I liked it A LOT! The batter wasn't too doughy, undercooked, too crispy or tough and the seafood tasted okay. It was the dipping sauce that really made a difference, though. It looks spicy but is actually sweet and kind of tangy and sour. Hard to describe but tasty enough that I had Tim pack me an extra container. Speaking of Tim, he kept apologizing for the "long wait" for the food but we were so deep in conversation that we really didn't mind. However, it was really nice of him. He said the kitchen and back of the house were crazy busy so he took off my soda from the bill. They have a check-in offer of one free scoop of ice cream. Tim said they don't usually honor it on the weekends but gave it to me anyway and asked if my friend wanted one too. I said sure! It was just vanilla in a cup but he also said to come back when he's there and he would remember me and always give me free ice cream :). Talk about a nice guy! Definitely ask for him when you come here and be sure to tip him well! FOUR STARS for Mom's Tofu! I will definitely come back to get a hot stone bowl of bibimbap and see Tim. After all, it's only a few exits away from my house :) -
Chivals 5-Sterne-Beitrag: One of the best milk teas in the Bay! As an addict constantly on the hunt for unique and high-quality MT, it turns out I had overlooked this great gem right in my tri-city backyard. Located inside Marina Supermarket (I know, how fobby) you will think it's a best-kept secret until you witness the long line of Asian supermoms clamoring for a drink, leaving you to wonder why no one told you about this place. Some must-tries: Almond Milk Tea, Jasmine Green Tea, Lychee Green Tea, Grapefruit Green Tea and Mango Green Tea. All so fresh and you can actually taste the tea. Can't go wrong with any of those. They also have "exotic," or more, just rare Asian fruit tea flavors like Osmanthus. They also serve Ceylon tea, Genmaicha, Hojicha, the list goes on. CASH ONLY so come prepared. If not, the supermarket registers have cash back so simply pick up something, like I did haha. Tea Island? More like TEA HEAVEN in the middle of a friendly, unassuming Asian plaza. I WILL be back. -
Chivals 4-Sterne-Beitrag: My new favorite sushi getaway in Hayward! Why getaway? Because sometimes, some good, cheap sushi is all you need after a long day at work and can feel like a mini vacation in itself. I'm sure you, like me, have craved sushi on a random weekday or night but didn't want to pay an arm and a leg for it and have wondered where to go. Well wonder no more, my friends, for I have discovered such a getaway. It's not the Bahamas or Johnny Depp's island, but it will do on those long stressful days. My old favorite spot for good, cheap, quick sushi used to be Fat Fish in San Leandro but after discovering Sushiland, this place will be my new timeshare :). Humongous rolls, friendly staff, always crowded but not annoyingly so, and did I mention cheap prices? What's not to love? I had the Dancing Queen and Crazy Horse on one such evening and it was delicious. One thing I hate about mom and pop sushi places is that they tend to use the same sauces on every roll so that all the rolls kind of blend together with no distinguishing flavor for each one. That's not the case for Sushiland. Even though their prices are reasonable, they don't skimp on ingredients. You can actually taste the difference in flavor and make out the different ingredients used in each roll. You can taste the fish quality and there is some thought to each dish. I'm definitely a fan. See you here on my next "vacation," which could be next Tuesday :).
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Chivals 4-Sterne-Beitrag: Drake's is one of those places that has existed in your hometown for ages but you never knew was there. Then, when you hear about it from friends, you think "okay, I have to try it one of these days." Then when you finally do, you feel like an idiot or like you've been living under a rock for not discovering it sooner! Drake's is located to the right and behind Walmart and a little hard to find at first. When searching for it, my friend and I got lost because the address online was wrong! Once you find it though (just make an immediate right at Walmart into the little parking lot tucked away behind it), there is lots of parking and it shouldn't be hard to find. We went here for my friend's 25th birthday celebration and she had arranged for a complimentary group tour of the brewery! After waiting a bit, we were greeted by Jeff, our friendly tour guide who then proceeded to take us on a tour of the back, informing us on Drake's history, taking us through the grainery room, fermenting room, production and bottling room, storage freezer and all the places in between. The tour was very informative (I never saw how beer was made before), but honestly nothing I hadn't heard before. I have taken food and wine classes before so I knew how beer was fermented, but it was still a very cool experience! The best part was that it was free! I think you just call them and arrange it. At the end of the tour, Jeff gave our group some free beer samplers and it was honestly very strong, none of us liked it. However, it was very nice of him to offer it and we proceeded to order our own beers from the taproom. Everyone had fun picking their poison, but I ordered something called the "One Hit Warrant" which was kind of sweet, tart, and bubbly without having too much foam, perfect for a light weight like me. I don't know if it's a regular staple at the brewery, but I will definitely order this every time! We proceeded to just mingle, have fun, play drinking games with a deck of cards they provided (they also have board games like Jenga, etc.) and just had a grand ol' time! I would definitely recommend Drake's to large parties or to anyone just wanting to try great beer from a local brewery. I can't wait to come back on a Saturday when FiveTen Burger is parked out front and have a great meal of burgers and brew! -
Chivals 4-Sterne-Beitrag: Who knew that a winery existed in the Bay?! I was so surprised when I found out, I didn't know what to say. From Zinfandel, Chardonnay to Sparkling Rosé, They're house-made; you can tell from their aroma, bouquet. Aging barrels galore within a big warehouse space, If you're competing in the hidden gem contest, Rock Wall, you've won the race! Not much competition there, since I usually have to travel far for good vino, to get even a smidgeon of high-quality pinot. But what's cool about this place is the location and panoramic views, Of Oakland, SF, the bridges, all from Rock Wall's patio, their windowsill, Another neat highlight is the almighty event dome, Transparent and circular, it's where the VIPs get to roam. If you have club membership, you get a discount from the fees, If you are one, introduce yourself and take me here please! Friendly and knowledgeable staff, what could go wrong? Only that it attracts large crowds during events, making it hard to grab food/wine among the throng. Having been to a few events now, the parking is convenient, and since the staff is so nice, I'm going to be pretty lenient. FOUR STARS! Hope you can make it out to an event here sometime, that's when Rock Wall Wine Co. really gets to shine :) -
Chivals 3-Sterne-Beitrag: 8-Twelve is the newest kid on the block to join San Leandro's ranks of express milk tea cafes. With the only other two being Quickly's and Tapioca Express, you're bound to stand out by comparison. But what makes 8-Twelve really special is that it's family-owned; moonlighting as a convenience mart/grocery store and also offering real food such as Vietnamese sandwiches and crepes. A total upgrade from fried fish balls and spicy chicken, if you ask me. However, their banh mi sandwiches are quite pricey and not that good either. For a much cheaper price and better taste, I'd rather drive to Oakland for Banh Mi Ba Le. But it IS San Leandro, so I'm not going to nit-pick. Plus, the owners are super nice! There's always a large flat-screen TV on in the corner playing the latest movie or a live sports game. This place also seems to attract the young kiddies stopping by after school for some boba. However, it's not the toxic wasteland dump of teenage hormones that Quickly's and Tapioca Express have become - so that's a plus. The prices aren't bad for milk teas, but could be a little lower considering it's nothing fancy but meh, I get it, they have to survive. What I DO love is their unlimited topping bar! Everything from popping boba to mango jelly to egg and mango pudding, you can stack it on as high as you want it, and they just fill the rest of the cup with whatever drink you ordered -- it's great! The unlimited topping bar alone makes the trip to 8-Twelve worth it. Suck on that, Quickly's and Tap Ex! Anywho, I appreciate that this is a friendly neighborhood stop for kids and grownups alike and I always try to support local businesses like this in the good ol' S of L. Parking can be scarce, as there is only street parking on the side so you just gotta make it work. See you here! -
Chivals 4-Sterne-Beitrag: This is the BEST burger in Alameda! There, I said it! Anyone who disagrees must not be eating from the same place. With a large banner reading "Voted Top 10 Burger Restaurants in the USA," my expectations were increased tenfold and I still left very impressed. For starters, we were torn between the Fried Green Beans and Sweet Potato Fries so our server offered to split it half-half. One of each! The sweet potato fries were delicious, especially because we dipped it in a sweet house-made, chili-mango sauce that the server brought out; the fried beans were okay. BACK TO THE SAUCE -- omg, it is so good, it is what I imagine crack to be like! Seriously! We even asked for extra containers to take home and you should too! I love the burger choices on their menu, I was really torn between the Teriyaki (grilled pineapple topped with house-made teriyaki sauce) and San Francisco (sauteed onions, sauteed mushrooms, bleu cheese on top of a bistro bun) for a while, but decided to go with my sweet tooth and get the Teriyaki. Our server was really nice and even brought out some grilled mango to make my burger even sweeter. After trying it with mango, it was a little too sweet so I took it out. Still, it was a very good burger! I've had many bad Teriyaki burgers in my life and was glad to not have to add this one to the list. They also have a great selection of local beers on tap, including Chau Tien IPA (very rare), which is bottled in California. I'm not sure if they have only domestic beers on tap, but they seemed to focus on beers only from local breweries. Very nice touch! Their drink selection is huge (from beers to shakes to soft drinks) and the establishment gives off an old diner kind of vibe. I simply adore this place and will be back to try more burgers and sides! Make sure to come on an empty stomach because the portions are large! P.S. Parking sucks. -
Chivals 3-Sterne-Beitrag: I asked my server which dish she liked better: the ravioli di zucca or fettuccine alfredo; she answered the fettuccine because the ravioli sometimes comes out sour. Props to her for being honest! Alas, I went with the fettuccine (colored green since it's made out of spinach), which was DIVINE though very heavy. Definitely pack some pepcid or at least unbutton your pants beforehand to prepare for the onslaught of cream! But still, order the fettuccine. You won't regret it. At the end of the day, Filippo's is a friendly, neighborhood jaunt that I would definitely return to again. Fast, attentive and friendly service always deserves 3 stars in my book. The food is good but the pasta won't be the best you've ever had. Granted, that's typical for this neighborhood of Berkeley. Reasonable prices too! -
Chivals 4-Sterne-Beitrag: Best burgers in town! Keep in mind that I usually eat from the San Leandro truck, but I'm sure it's all the same food. I've had it while it's been parked at Off The Grid Alameda and Food Truck Mafia in San Lorenzo. The BUNS - oh the buns! I'm an absolute sucker for soft buns and FiveTen does not disappoint. I don't know how bread can be so soft but it's like biting into a cloud with meat in the middle. Haha! The patties are cooked to order, from medium-rare to well and therefore the perfect combination for everybody. You can add bacon, eggs and extra toppings at an extra cost. There aren't many choices between types of burgers, but you don't need any. The burgers are good as is.The lettuce, tomato and vegetables also taste fresh. I've also had their grilled cheese and it was surprisingly tasty! I hear that they are parked behind Walmart on Davis St. in San Leandro every Saturday and I've been meaning to go and find them again! Cheers to local businesses - and trucks - like this one becoming a success. -
Chivals 4-Sterne-Beitrag: Consistently good KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) every time I've ordered it though I've only ever tried the Soy Garlic because it is so delicious (and I suspect, the best flavor there). It still can't beat my favorite place yet, 99 chicken, but Coco's KFC is crispy without being too deep-fried, with just the right amount of sauce to make my mouth water just thinking about it. The dining area is small and the service is quite slow, especially on weekdays. I remember the chicken taking quite long to cook as well but what do you expect from a deep fryer? They also close the kitchen from 2-5pm like many other restaurants in the area so plan accordingly. -
Chivals 3-Sterne-Beitrag: I recently went here again with a friend and was adequately satisfied as usual. Not as crackin' as the SF location, but a dependable Thai noodle joint in the middle of Park St. If you're looking for somewhere moderately cheap, decently tasty and open late, this is your place. I always either get yellow curry, pineapple fried rice or pad thai to keep it safe, but of course, they are known for their noodle dishes and their pad see ew isn't bad. I went close to Halloween and can vouch for their pumpkin curry! Really cute idea. Other than that, their thai iced teas are good, the service is always good and they have the same "cash only" policy as the SF one. -
Chivals 4-Sterne-Beitrag: Located in residential nowheresville, there is no way you can find Champa Garden unless you use GPS or happen across it. That being said, the decor inside is really nice for its sketchy address. The wait was about 15-20 min on a Wednesday night...talk about popular! We put our names down and had a nice chat outside. A lot of foot traffic came by, people coming and going after dinner, tying their dogs outside, talking to each other, the atmosphere was lively and I got the impression that Champa is a well-loved neighborhood restaurant. The cuisine is Thai/Laotian/Malaysian, an interesting combo and though it's not the best Thai food I've ever had, it's definitely the best Laotian. The specials that night were Lao Tacos, Curry Puffs, and Avocado Paradise but we opted for the more popular dishes like the Champa Sampler (Fried Spring Rolls and Fried Rice Ball Salad with lettuce wraps), Sweet and Sour Chicken Wings, Pad Thai, Mango Fried Rice, Duck Curry with Eggplant, and the spicy Larb with Chicken. A LOT of food for 3 people! But everything tasted delicious, we actually had no leftovers. The Champa Sampler was the best dish on the table, giving us a good-portioned sample of everything, especially their famous Fried Rice Ball Salad. The Chicken Wings were fried crispy with a delicious sweet and sour sauce on the side. The Pad Thai was average, too tomatoey and nothing special while the Mango Fried Rice was bland, despite having mango, raisins and peanuts in it. The curry was good surprisingly, with the duck not too overcooked or rubbery. It was just the right texture and the curry not too heavy or overwhelming. The larb was really spicy but also tasty. Overall, it was a nice meal, which we washed down with Thai Iced Tea and Singha beer. I really appreciated the weird location, casual atmosphere and unpretentious decor, which made for a unique dining experience. FOUR STARS for Champa Garden. I would return. It is a great place to bring your family or friends from out of town :) -
Chivals 4-Sterne-Beitrag: Spell it with me: G-H-E-T-T-O! But strangely endearing :). The staff are friendly and basically let you spend your night however you want to and the freedom is a bonus. The building is spacious with small and large rooms in the back to suit your party size. I've been in the biggest room which fits 20+ people and I've been in the smallest room which fits about 5; the rooms are comfy and well-equipped. I have to give it to them, song selection is always current and updated and they have random Asian songs in there too. They embarrassingly record you while you sing (uploaded on a CD that's free upon checkout -- the first 60 mins only) and the machines and mics work fine. They let you bring in your own alcohol (save money!), drinks and food, which people abuse quite often. You will see drunk people run amuck, smoking outside, acting a fool etc, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. However, the pros outweigh the cons and it's just a cheap place ($5/hr pp for a large group) to get your sing on. Side note: it isn't very "safe-looking," becoming shadier at night so just be aware. They have happy hour occasionally which makes things even cheaper. End your night by popping the CD into your car on the way home and let the lolz begin :) -
Chivals 3-Sterne-Beitrag: Rose Garden used to be located in Union Landing, in the location where Tribu Grill is now and I used to frequent the restaurant all the time because the food and ambience were great! For the longest time, I thought they simply went out of business but they actually moved down the street on Alvarado-Niles. Imagine my happiness when I found out they were still around! Having tried their food again recently, it is still as tasty as ever and...just as expensive. I used to come here all the time with my best friend during college and I thought it was expensive because we were broke college students back then but no, it is still expensive today. The food is good, though, the quality fresh compared to other Chinese restaurants in the area. They are known for their Honey Walnut Prawns, which, on a good day, are some of the best I've ever had. Some other favorites are the Chinese Chicken Salad (delish), BBQ pork fried rice (this one's just alright), and sweet and sour pork. Considering it's an Americanized Chinese restaurant, it's surprising that these dishes are flavorful and taste good despite being dishes that you'd find at a Panda Express. However, does that justify the pricing?! Let me give you a peak into what I'm talking about. Recently, a takeout order of HWP's, fried rice and wonton soup added up to $40 without tip, way too expensive considering I can order the same thing from another Chinese restaurant for half the cost. Think about it...if each dish were $8 - the average price for these dishes everywhere else - the total should only come out to about $24. What makes Rose Garden charge so much? Is it their quasi-classy decor or their new location's high rent? Perhaps the chef studied in both Paris and China? Your guess is as good as mine, but I think they actually charge more because they're not targeting Chinese or even Asian customers, since we all know Asians love good but reasonably priced food; they're targeting Americanized customers who don't eat authentic Chinese food often. Plus, it probably takes a lot to pay their large staff of diverse waitresses and hostesses that I see every time I come in. All I know is, if you are going to eat here, just be prepared to spend more than you actually would at an authentic Chinese restaurant. Still, you're in for a nice meal. P.S. Don't forget to try their chocolate-covered fortune cookies! -
Chivals 3-Sterne-Beitrag: The only Caribbean food I've really had in San Leandro, the food is good and the vibe excellent! We need more places like this in SL. While located in the cuts of San Leandro (and a little hard to find), once you step inside, all your worries and signs of imminent danger disappear, and you are instantly transported to a warm night in quasi-sorta-Jamaica. There is live music playing (or on a weeknight, loud Jamaican backtrack song playing) and people bustling and talking. I hear the plantains are good here so I order that with the Jerk Chicken. And yeah, they were pretty tasty! I'm a huge plantain fan and they were adequately sweet, getting the job done. I also ordered some house-made ginger beer and this punch drink to wash it down and it was really good. I just forgot the name. The jerk chicken was a little spicy but not too much and very flavorful. I liked it! I haven't eaten enough Jamaican to know if it was authentic or not, but for all I know, it was. The experience was also really fun, with our lady hostess serving as the bartender and offering good suggestions. I will definitely return on a chill Saturday night or something when I'm feeling particularly islandy or craving Caribbean food. If you're ever on this side of town, it's worth it to peek in for lunch. -
Chivals 4-Sterne-Beitrag: "The Englander," or so my friends and I call it, is my favorite sports bar in San Leandro, kind of like that bar from "Cheers." But only when there's a game on... I only come here when there is a BIG game playing, and by big game, I mean soccer game, you know...the game that people play in Europe with their feet? This is the best place to go for a game because the atmosphere is so lively! It's when all the soccer fans in the area come out from the woodwork to enjoy some sports, a tall glass of beer and the company of like-minded fans. During big games, parking is hellish and expect to either park at a meter, at Pelton Plaza, or just somewhere far from the Englander. I've also gotten plenty of parking tickets while busily engaged in soccer watching so watch out! The parking maids here are on a mission. As for the food, it's imitation British and mediocre pub food at its best. Honestly nothing special and super expensive at that! After a few times, I've learned to just stick to beer here. However, beer gets you hungry and more often than not, you will fall into the trap of ordering something. On busy game days, it's hell just to flag down a waitress to order and the food (and beer) take FOREVER and a day to come out and it is insane to try to determine whose bill is whose and how to pay the waitress when you're elbow-deep in people. It's crazy. That's why recently, I've tried to avoid the Englander in favor of other establishments. By a rule of thumb, it's safe to say that if you arrive early or on time at the beginning of a game, you might be able to score a seat or at least a good standing position close to a TV. Arrive at half-time or later (for any sport) and you're as good as done. Might as well pack up and go home. There are a couple of side rooms open to the crowds when the main dining room is too full and on big game days, they open the outside patio for the super-enthusiastic fans. Or rather, that's where they tend to sit so they can scream and shout as loud as they want. Really, watching a game at the Englander is a loud and fun time, with everyone hugging each other whenever the favorites score a goal. The beer and drink selection is good, with MANY beers on tap. They have apple and pear ciders, grenadine and other cocktail materials if you're not craving a beer. Come here at least ONCE to enjoy the atmosphere during an important game! -
Chivals 3-Sterne-Beitrag: Being Vietnamese myself, Le Soleil was always the "inauthentic" place that I always made fun of and never wanted to try. It's pretty clean though, for a Vietnamese restaurant, and that in itself speaks volumes about the clientele that they're trying to attract: definitely not the kind looking for authentic Vietnamese food. But my mom loves this place (and is a stickler for cleanliness) so naturally, she ate here a lot, and convinced me a few times to come with her to try. On the first few times, I really did not like it because it seemed so inauthentic and Americanized, and I didn't know what to order. I just got Pho Gà or a typical rice plate. But then I discovered what I consider to be the best dishes here: Pho Saté (with beef) and Crawfish Fried Rice! They were good enough that I wanted to return, and I've returned enough times now to know that the dishes are consistently tasty. The Pho Saté is meant to be a hotter, more spicier version of regular pho but it really isn't that spicy. I can't take any spiciness at all and I find this dish completely edible. The beef is a nice addition and goes well with the saté broth because it just soaks up all the spices, becoming really juicy and tender. You can choose from other meats too but I always get beef. On a cold and windy day, there are times when I only want a piping hot bowl of Pho Saté! The crawfish fried rice is a nice break from the monotony of the common dishes they serve. I have not seen many places put crawfish in their fried rice so I thought that was kind of unique. But if you're ordering anything else from here, it's alright, there's nothing that particularly stands out. Just stick to what I've mentioned and you'll be more than fine! A nice place to get a bowl of pho in San Leandro. -
Chivals 4-Sterne-Beitrag: Red Tractor Cafe is neither a mom and pop, hole in the wall nor a family-run business. It can't even be considered a best-kept secret but it is most definitely a hidden gem in Dublin. Whenever I crave hearty, down-home, comfort farmhouse BBQ, I come here. The place is decked out like a barn house with cute wooden tables, checkered picnic tablecloths, and kids' drawings on the walls. There are even animal noises in the bathroom which makes for an interesting experience when you're trying to take care of business... I guess you have to give it to them for sticking to the theme. The menu is pretty simple. Pulled pork and chicken sandwiches, chicken fried steak, meatloaf, chicken and waffles, burgers, farmhouse fries, sweet potato fries, mashed potatoes with gravy and "house-made" orangeade and lemonade served out of dispensers, to name a few. The menu is exactly like what you'd expect at a summer backyard BBQ in the South or if you went on a picnic at Old McDonald's farm...but with line cooks preparing the food. The menu is refreshingly unpretentious, simple and easy to order. Red Tractor looks like a chain, but I've never seen a location anywhere else. So I'm not sure if it is or not. For a chain-like establishment, though, Red Tractor is a surprisingly pleasant place to have a sit-down meal and it's been in Dublin for ages so that counts for something. I usually dislike chains myself but if it is one then Red Tractor is one of the better chains I've had. Of course it doesn't compare to "real BBQ" from the South or good ol' greasy southern food from Everett and Jones or something, but it tastes just fine to a born-and-bred California gal like me. FOUR STARS for Red Tractor Cafe for always being clean, courteous, not too crowded and tasty. I'm a fan! -
Chivals 4-Sterne-Beitrag: A good Vietnamese restaurant in San Lorenzo? Who knew? I sure didn't until my friends brought me here recently. An older restaurant in a not-so-busy plaza, the restaurant seems a little understaffed but it works just fine for their fewer than 10 tables in the restaurant. They serve a combination of Vietnamese and some Chinese-influenced noodle dishes and the food is surprisingly good! I never would have known, judging by their appearance alone. I had the Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio and the meat was fresh, the fish sauce had just the right amount of saltiness, the noodles soft without being too soggy; the egg rolls were also crisp and not too oily. Just how I like my BTN! We also ordered some fresh coffee and smoothies to-go and they were quite yummy! A good indicator of an authentic and delicious Vietnamese restaurant is their drinks and fresh smoothies, if they're good, most likely the food will be good too. If you notice, the ones with bad drinks most likely have mediocre food. The other dishes that my friends and the other patrons ordered looked tasty as well. I want to come back to try some more! Having lived in San Leandro/San Lorenzo for most of my life, and being Vietnamese, I've always dogged on the two cities for having bad Vietnamese food. But I'm glad R & D has proved me wrong and has managed to stay under the radar for so long so that I could discover it and have a reason to come back...without the crowds. 4 stars for R & D's food :) -
Chivals 3-Sterne-Beitrag: I came here with a friend one evening after catching a movie at Union Landing and since we couldn't decide on where to eat, we decided to Yelp all the restaurants in the vicinity. New China had the best ratings out of all the ones in this plaza, so we decided to eat here. Right away, I knew they were closing because there was this last-minute straggler feel to the place when we walked in, and we tried to be quick so they could go home. However, I looked around and there were actual Chinese people eating in this restaurant so that's always a good sign. After we ordered (she had crispy fried chicken wings while I ordered Honey Walnut Prawns to be shared over chicken fried rice) and ate, I began to wonder, "how did this place get four stars?" But after seeing the reviews, well duh, maybe it's because we ordered the most Americanized items on the menu, lol. It seems like everyone here ordered the really authentic Chinese dishes and that's probably what I should've ordered but honestly, my friend's not a seasoned Chinese food eater so it probably wouldn't have been best anyway. However, the great reviews have really enticed me to come back and try this place again, this time, authentic style! All the dishes in everyone's pictures look great and soo savory and flavorful. I have to make a note to bring my family here as well since that's what everyone seems to be doing. So I guess this review isn't really a review, since apparently I've just been ordering the wrong thing. 3 stars for now for the service (they did give us free milk tea -- attentive for a Chinese restaurant!) and I'm sure it will improve later upon further review! -
Chivals 4-Sterne-Beitrag: My 100th review on Yelp!!!!! My family and I used to eat at Fu Lam Moon every Sunday since their seafood is so fresh! We don't eat here as often anymore but when we do, the usuals we get are still as tasty as ever! How do you know the fish is fresh? Because they catch it right in front of you and cook it right away! You can even pick the fish out of the tank if you want to (I've done this on countless occasions and it's quite fun). The live shrimp (to be eaten with a slightly spicy jalapeno soy sauce) is delicious, as well as the assorted steamed fish (our favorite is the Asian style rock cod), clay pot pork, steamed kai-lan (or Chinese broccoli) with black bean sauce and peking duck. I'm getting hungry just thinking about the dishes! But my favorite part about Fu Lam Moon is the noisy and family-friendly atmosphere. Since it's run by a family itself, they really appreciate families coming out and having dinner parties here. They also host weddings on the occasional weekend so make sure to call ahead to see if the restaurant's booked for the weekend! What can I say, Fu Lam Moon is your friendly, neighborhood restaurant that knows how to cook and serve fresh seafood to hungry families. All the dishes are served family-style so it's not really a prime spot to go for a date, more like a place to take your grandparents for Sunday dinner. So live long, prosper and eat at Fu Lam Moon! -
Chivals 4-Sterne-Beitrag: Better than Shake Shack in New York! Why the comparison? Because their styles are very similar. Both serve unique burgers in custom, soft buns and specialize in making shakes. But in both taste and quality, True Burger is the victor. The lettuce and tomatoes are fresh, taste like they have been acquired locally, the meat patties are grilled to order and the buns (oh the buns!) are oh-so-gooey soft, just the way I like it! You can sink your teeth into the buns, straight into the meat. Heaven for any burger lover! I also had their "famous cheese fries" -- pretty good for just melted cheese on top of fries. The fries also taste fresh and farm-cut. The shakes are also REALLY good. If you come here, you must order one. They have assorted flavors, some unique but you can also customize it by adding shots of flavor. I got the s'more shake and did not want to put it down! Décor is simple yet cute with painted designs of Oakland on the wall. You get the feeling that this place is really proud to be a local business. One downside is this business has really strange hours. Closed completely on some days and very early the next, you have to check business hours before you come here. Many times have I come a-knockin' just to be greeted by a closed sign. 4 stars! My favorite burger in Oakland! Only thing that compares in quality is FiveTen burger in San Leandro :) -
Chivals 4-Sterne-Beitrag: Great, housemade brewed coffee and super fast internet (I mean FAST) -- what more could you want? In addition to the free wifi, they have a private conference room for meetings, plenty of comfy couches and regular tables that spill out to the patio for patrons, students, etc. On any given weeknight, this place is PACKED. It seems like it is the "it" place to go and study. Plus, it is open late. They close around midnight. If you need to go somewhere and study, by all means, come here but be warned: bring headphones because it is not quiet. At night, all the students from a nearby college congregate and talk about all things school in LOUD voices. -
Chivals 3-Sterne-Beitrag: One of Hayward's best-kept secrets, I come here for the free shrimp chips and wonderful service! As I mentioned, they give you free shrimp chips upon sitting down (accompanied by a delicious plum dipping sauce) and I always thought that was kinda neat. The food is good, something you wouldn't expect out of this hole-in-the-wall. The location is inconspicuous and everything from the exterior to the tables, décor and silverware could use an update but I always like to root for the underdogs like this one. I like the duck curry, meat entrees, chicken over rice and Thai iced teas here. Nothing fancy, just simple, accessible Thai food. Best of all, the prices are reasonable. It's worth checking out. -
Chivals 3-Sterne-Beitrag: Okay, so I previously said there was some sort of "special sauce" they put in the Double Decker (my favorite item on the menu) to make it tasty and I just asked. They put thousand island on it to make it tasty! Lol, so nothing special after all. But the speed in which the food comes out has improved. Maybe that's why the taste wasn't as flavorful as usual, but they can still make a decent burger. Their "staff" of rotating high school students is always changing as well, so maybe it would help to keep someone around long enough to know the technique to cook the food other than just the owners, who look exhausted all the time! :( Still, a solid three stars that hasn't changed. -
Chivals 5-Sterne-Beitrag: I positively ADORE this truck and have enjoyed everything I've ordered here, every single time. Their theme is New-American "peasant" food, which basically means food that the everyman blue-collar worker orders right? Pfft, beats me. I see food. I eat. Wondering what to order? Here are my fave options: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beef Brisket Slider - Layers of cut beef brisket topped with savory jam (it's actually quite bitter) and fresh greens in between soft bread. Delicious without being too greasy or filling! My favorite is that despite being the size of a small burger, it still allows room for treats from other trucks. Pork Patties over Peasant Rice - This dish is alright. Just rice topped with pork patties; they give you a side salad with this sweet lemon dressing and they drizzle hot sauce on top so be warned! The taste is decent and the rice actually makes it very filling. Lemon Ricotta Italian Doughnuts (aka "Zeppoles") - Delicious, delicious, delicious. And light too. Light, fluffy balls of fried dough with just a hint of lemon and ricotta sprinkled on top. They give you a lot for the price so make sure to share with friends! Strawberry Watermelon/Lavender Lemonade - One word: refreshing! I consider myself a huge lemonade lover and can appreciate a unique one any day. Out of the two, the strawberry watermelon is my favorite because I think the taste of strawberries and watermelon blend well with the lemon but the lavender is unique... The lavender lemonade has a subtle taste; you can barely taste the lavender or lemon, it tastes kind of like flavored water to me. The watermelon however, is very flavorful and you can taste every bit of watermelon in there! Perhaps they should have added strawberry or another kind of berry to the lavender lemonade instead of the watermelon because watermelon tastes good on its own! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- That's pretty much all I've tried from their menu so far. The only downside is their ordering system. Instead of receipts, they just ask for your name. But perhaps they don't write it down because once, after I walked away to go order from another food truck, because someone else and I ordered the same thing, they got our orders mixed up and gave mine to her first even though she came later. You would think they would just go by the name, but they seemed to be pretty confused as to whose order was whose. After I left, I heard them asking her again what she ordered. But that's a minor flaw in the larger scheme of things. Any-who, all I know is, when I see Gostreatery parked at Food Truck Mafia, I know it's going to be a good day for my taste buds!
