merle

I, too, work in downtown Oakland. Maybe we should all get together for a lunch sometime! Not sure about the new place, but Huynh is on 15th between Franklin/Webster, and I prefer it. It's been there for a long time, but got a face lift two years ago. Prices are consistently $1-2 less than Pho84, the seasonings are more subtle and fragrant, and the food is more consistent. (that being said, #47 at Pho84 is still in my top three meals) Pho 84 also has an adjunct on 13th called Ba Vo (I think). Same menu, but I think without the seafood options. Vi's (Webster near 7th) has great pho. I like it for quick take-out (the way many people do Lana's), but nothing else. For better Thai, Sabuy Sabuy Jr. off of 16th, just north of City Hall, in that strip of restaurants (next to Miss Saigon and Bistro Burger). If you want a Thai buffet, there's a spot next door to Le Chaval (10th+Washington?), but be warned that the only edible food is the buffet food; their normal chef oversalts everything. Henry's cafe. Good, but it was better before they had a fire, closed, and reopened at a 30% price increase... Jimmy's and Billy's on Broadway (N of 16th and S of 20th, in some order) are also good, and offer some Mediterranean fare as well. Ichi Japon? Aie! Well, truth be told I don't think any of the Japanese places in downtown Oakland are good, but the service at Ichi is bad enough to turn me off of it. If you don't mind hole-in-the-wall, head around the corner to Kyoto Express (Webster just N of 17th). Very limited menu and seating (I do it to go), but friendly. Genji (city hall area) is just a ripoff. Tin's Tea House (7th+Webster) is my fave. Heard good things about Legendary Palace too (7th+Franklin?). Peony is good, but it feels too pretentious to me. Not sure why. I just tried that a few weeks ago. Good, and it's the only Ethiopian within a mile, so... Sounds like Athenian Deli, on Franklin just N of 21st. The cheesesteak place is an IB Hoagies (on that corner). It's undeniably better than the one at 16th+San Pablo. Great onion rings. Ah, yes. I like Taqueria del Sol (14th, Franklin/Webster) for burritos, and Mi Casa (Webster just N of 14th) for tacos, enchiladas, and flautas. Mi Casa is in my top three fave restaurants. A bit scary to go into (it's up a dark stairwell in a nightclub), but the food is well worth it. Some folks like Happy Burrito, but I find their burritos a bit mushy, and the rest of their food is kind of vile. Yes! There's a new Korean place I like on 13th and Harrison. It has no name (in English at least), and it's a one person shop, so if there are other people in there, be prepared to wait a loooong time for your food. Err, sorry for all the corrections. I'm actually working on a site with (hopefully) a relatively comprehensive list of downtown Oakland restaurants, complete with menus, so I've done a lot of wandering around recently. (also I've been working in the area since '97)

Went to Mr. Taco for a late lunch on Wednesday. Ordered the carnitas; she had two soft tacos (pollo and carne asada). The carnitas were only okay; they seemed a bit dry and greasy, but I was there at an off time, so maybe it was just a bit old. Tortillas that came with it were amazing, and I loved the salsa fresca and the red salsa. Rice and beans were good, but not fabulous. The tacos were definitely better; if I return I'll probably get those. Oh -- and if you're coming up from the SF area, it's actually the first Dixon exit, not the middle one.

Excellent, thanks! I'll be stopping by there for either Wednesday supper or Sunday lunch (depending on whether Mexican or Pizza sounds good tomorrow night -- the Pizza Factory is also on my radar). Will report back..

Nope, no reservations needed for lunch, although if you arrive at 12:20 there might be a wait...

Nope, completely different. I used to like the Juanita's in downtown Oakland, but the owner is a bit too creepy. Whenever I go with female coworkers, he jibes about the salsa "putting hair on their chests", and if someone orders coke instead of pepsi, he repeats "caca?" just to make sure he heard you right. Good food, but the guy's a jerk. I'd rather head south three blocks to Mi Casa (upstairs in a nightclub). Better (albeit simpler) food, and a lot less crowded.

Down in Alameda, I usually go to Juanita's for Mexican. It's standard fare, but good (and good margueritas), and they have some less common things (their caldo tlapeno is quite good). I'd put this in the "good" list -- not fine dining by any stretch, but a comfortable place to eat.

This is great! I was looking for a place or two to stop at on the way between SF and Reno. Mr. Taco sounds perfect. Now for the big question: anyone know if they're open on Sunday?

Agreed! I work in the area, and whenever I mention Vietnamese everyone wants to trundle on down to Le Cheval. I'll admit that the vermicelli salads there are good. I haven't liked anything else there, though, and they distinctly seat people based on how they're dressed (show up in a T-shirt and you're sure to get stuffed in the back; only suits get the window seats) when possible. My current fave is Huynh, 15th between Franklin/Webster. Much the same as Pho 84, but slightly cheaper, and (I think) subtly better flavors. Their pho is not to be missed. Hunyh, Pho 84, Vi's, there are too many good places to waste time and money at Le Cheval.