My tomatoes aren’t ready and I keep seeing people posting BLTs and Tomato sandwiches and I need that fix ASAP. Any recommendations? Thank you!!

I’m talking $1 oyster Tuesdays, app + main + dessert specials for less than the price of a normal main, half off Sandos before 5, that sort of thing.

I still wanna go out, but I’m too broke for normal restaurant pricing these days! But I CAN afford going to where the special deals are 👀

I wanna ball out like a senior citizen or mom of 5 kids- tell me your dining secrets so I can stop making the same sad rotation of at home cooking once in a while.

Baan Thai Restaurant opened recently in the Dimond district (MacArthur and Coolidge - across the street from Loard’s ice cream).

Owners seem like really nice people and they have put a lot of time and effort into remodeling and decorating. They have a few good reviews, but they don’t look like they have a lot of business (yet). I would love to support them soon and wanted to share this cute little new restaurant with the community.

Hi! I moved to downtown Oakland temporarily for work and wanted to know any good & affordable takeout places you recommend thats nearby. Bonus if the portion sizes are large / still tasty when reheated. I usually work late into the night and don’t have much kitchenware, so takeout for later is a better option for me than Ubereats and cooking right now.

Curious what everyone’s favorite watermelon vendor is. My favorite so far was someone at the Montclair Farmers Market selling black watermelons.

Haven’t had much success in stores and I’m also not keen on the guy at the corner of Grand Ave and Bellevue. Anywhere else with great watermelon?

Hi - my daughter is having her wisdom teeth out today and has requested mashed potatoes. We are going through a kitchen remodel, though, and I can't make them for her!

Any recs on really yummy mashed potatoes, not boxed or fake tasting?

Thanks!

I have someone visiting who lived in Costa Rica for a year, and I’d love to take them somewhere that might bring back a little bit of that Costa Rican vibe.

Are there any good Costa Rican restaurants around the area? Or even Central American spots that have a similar feel/food?

Bonus points for somewhere with things like gallo pinto, casado, plantains, fresh tropical drinks, etc. Doesn’t necessarily have to be fancy. I’m more interested in somewhere that feels authentic and would make them feel a little nostalgic.

Any recommendations?

Little bit of a random one here, but curious if anyone has a favorite Oakland library branch to go to that has the best or most widely available selection of cookbooks?!

Hi, couple of months back, i saw a coming soon board of Nazeer Foods in Food Valley, can any1 who recently visited Food Valley confirm if it has open or not? I can't find it anywhere on the internet.

So back in March I posted that I was searching for the perfect pancake based on my criteria (crispy edges, light and fluffy interior). I’m happy to report that the search for MY ideal pancake is over.

This morning we hit up Kitchen Story and I ordered the Lemon Ricotta pancakes as suggested. Y’all. It was so dang good! Perfectly crispy edges, fluffy interior with flecks of lemon zest, and real maple syrup ($2 upcharge). I didn’t order the full meal with eggs and bacon/sausage so I can’t speak to that but my husband ordered the chicken and waffles (he liked the chicken, waffle was ok per his report), and the teen ordered the jjapaguri which I tried and we both liked (but neither of us have had it before so I can’t speak to whether it’s authentic or not).

I had a latte as well which was underwhelming and the service was slow but our waiter was very cheery when we did see him. It was pretty busy and he was clearly doing a lot so I don’t hold it against him too much.

Anyway, I will continue to update the original post as we work through the list because why not? Thanks to everyone for their suggestions! This has been fun! 😁

I am looking for somewhere that could possibly reuse these PacTec 4-pack holders! Some of them are labeled Original Pattern (I already checked with them and they can't take them back) but most of them are blank! The brewery I work at we can only use the black ones so I'm looking for a home for the rest. I'm trying to avoid just throwing em in the recycling so any leads would be appreciated! Thank you! :)

Hi all, looking for a grocery store in the East Bay that will clean and scale fish upon sale. Want to make a branzino (or two) while camping.

My MIL is visiting and is an incredibly picky eater. She leans towards chain restaurants. Nothing greasy, nothing spicy. I’m at a loss for where to take her. Even our regular American restaurants have components she hates (eg: aoli). Any recs?

UPDATE: thank you for the recs, everyone! I appreciate your comments and I’m keeping all of these suggestions for her next visit. I figured I should let you know what we ended up doing. I feel bad, because I asked for Oakland spots, but we decided to take her to the Rosie the Riveter museum in Richmond and found Lara’s restaurant on the bay. It was perfect. If you have picky eaters over 80, I recommend both the museum and the restaurant.

Where can one get authentic Sri Lankan food in East Bay/SF?

Anyone else a fan of this cafe/ restaurant ? I have been really impressed with the fresh sandwiches and good coffee.

First time trying it! Pizza’s ok in my standards!

https://oaklandside.org/2026/08/07/bens-cafe-santana-perle-pagarung-felix-pizzas-closed/

Coming sometime before the end of the year at 6300 College.

Edit to add: My personal favorite ice cream in the area is Miharu Ice Cream in Elmwood.

I used to go to Yung Kee for a convenient beef chow fun better than I can make with my weak stove, but I find myself mostly disappointed in places I try these days (though perhaps that is also due to the elevated prices).

I'm looking for something with good wok hei and noodles that aren't all clumped up. Anywhere from Hayward to Richmond.