Café Gabriela graciously donated sandwiches & salad to the cast and crew of a queer short film I worked on as the hair & makeup artist! The second I bit into the pulled pork adobo sandwhich I let out a primal grunt that made everybody turn to look at me and I was enjoying myself too much to care. I tried a couple different dishes that were all incredible but that pulled pork hit DIFFERENT read more

I'm absolutely hooked on this spot. I walked in out of shear convenience, I've had my back side in a chair 2 days a week ever since. The half salad and half sandwich combo is the perfect thing to keep me full and moving in my work day. Would give this place 6 stars if I could! read more

Cafe Gabriela - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Locally owned and operated restaurant with great food, service and ambiance in the intimate space. I had the Turkey with Cranberry sandwich and usually get that when I come here. Every once in a while, I also get the Tomatoes and Fresh Mozzarella sandwich. It's so good with the balsamic glaze on it. I think I'm gonna go get some this week actually as I write this I'm reminded of it, enjoy! read more

I've been here a few times for lunch and the pork adobo sandwich is my favorite. Tons of flavor and the portion is really good for the price. The pork was really tender. The bottom slice gets soaked from all the adobo juices, so towards the end of eating it was a bit mushy. The staff is really friendly. It's a cozy space with just a few seats inside and a few outside. Park around the corner in Chinatown, there's no parking out front read more

Cafe Gabriela - Caprese salad & pork adodo (half salad, half sandwich) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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I ordered ahead via their website for a pulled pork adobo sandwich, which is described as follows on the menu: tender pork simmered in soy sauce, cane vinegar, garlic and laurel leaves with sweet sautéed yellow onions on a toasted French sweet baguette. I got a text notifying me it was ready a little earlier than my scheduled pick up time. Service was friendly and efficient at the counter. The adobo was nice, the texture is stringy for the pork as you might expect but not unpleasantly so and it's a good balance of sweet, salty, and savory in the flavor - I do love that soy sauce. Other than the meat, it's mostly just lightly grilled bread plus a lot of grilled onions. I liked the onions since they are cooked to be more on the sweet side rather than tangy, but if you're looking for a sandwich that has a lot of vegetables (especially leafy greens) or a lot of different ingredients in general, this would not be the one to go for. It was a pretty good sandwich, but I only wish that Cafe Gabriela had more vegetarian options; it would be awesome to have more sandwiches or other types of main dishes to choose from that have plant-based protein, for instance. I have always appreciated seeing the social justice themed posters in the walls of Cafe Gabriela when walking by, as it's nice for me to also know this is a business where the owners have values aligned with my own. read more

Cafe Gabriela - Pulled pork adobo sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Small cafe with friendly staff and delicious food. I ordered the 1/2 Arugula and Spring Mix Salad and 1/2 Pulled Pork Sandwich. The salad was pretty decent - tangy flavor from the vinaigrette and lemon and crunchy texture from the almonds and dried cranberries. Pulled pork sandwich was also really good - really appreciated the sweet sautéed onions, which really brings the flavors of the pork altogether. This is a convenient spot for a quick lunch or coffee break - definitely recommend! read more

Cafe Gabriela - Pulled Pork Adobo Sandwich & Arugula & Spring Mix Salad - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

I just keep getting blessed with wonderfully tasty places to eat! This juicy little cafe was a great find in the heart of downtown Oakland. Greeted with a friendly smile upon entrance as choice hip hop plays in the background, the pulled pork sandwich was in my sights. Outside seating was appropriate for such a beautiful day. The barista brought us our food and was kind enough to offer us some type of short bread cookies resembling macaroons but better. The sandwich was messy and delicious with a salad on the side which was ever bit equally satisfying. read more

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Love the community vibe of this place! Simple menu but the food is always good. The people who work there are super friendly. It's a simple small space but I like their artwork and values. read more

Amazing lunch option in Oakland. The owner and staff are always friendly and the creation of Cafe Gabriela has such a beautiful history. Check it out on their website (or even better, ask them about it during non-peak hours). Speaking of their website, it is extremely intuitive and user friendly for the on-the-go professional. You can specify the time you wish to pick up your order and they will have everything packed with all utensils, sustainable packaging, and an easy to carry back available for your pic-up. The only difficult decision you have to make it whether you want a full sized sandwich (I have a difficult time choosing between the pulled pork adobo sandwich or their super fresh tomato and fresh mozerella sandwich) or a 1/2 salad 1/2 sandwich. You cannot go wrong with also adding an iced coffee or an iced latte for an afternoon energy bump to get you through the remainder of the day. I have been needing to try their mocha and new orleans iced coffee. Make sure you plan ahead, as it can get quite busy during that 1200-1300 period, and you don't want to be stuck in line as it's a more intimate establishment. read more

Work ordered for a meeting, and I had to come back. I ordered online and had the fried egg sandwich to-go both times. It's the perfect walking distance for anyone working in Chinatown or Downtown, and the staff are friendly. My order was always made faster than the estimated time (more lunch time for me to enjoy!). The fried egg sandwich comes with 2 eggs, arugula, lemon vinaigrette, Canadian bacon (or you can choose tomato), and parmesan cheese. The bread has the perfect crunch, and the high quality ingredients together create a very tasty blend. I find myself thinking about this sandwich often... My only issue is that the vinaigrette--while a delicious, irreplaceable ingredient--tends to leak through the takeout box and create a tiny mess wherever you put it. Make sure to have napkins under the box while holding or setting down. read more

Cafe Gabriela - Fried egg sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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I was working on the set of He, a short film, and for lunch Cafe Gabriela donated sandwiches and salad. Holy Moly they were so good! Everyone just devoured their meals! The bread was soft and delicious, the vegetables were bright and perfect, and the deli meats were so flavorful yet not heavy. The perfect sandwich! We also had the Arugula Salad, and it was beautifully dressd with cranberries and almonds. The people who run it were so nice to work with getting such a big order done. And next time I want to actually eat at the cafe because it looks so cozy. read more

Cafe Gabriela - Tomato mozzarella and pork adobo sandwiches! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

I was in town for a conference and wanted to get breakfast off-site on my last day. I saw the pulled pork adobo sandwich on the menu and made the call to come here, and it was absolutely the right one. I'm always looking for Filipino fusion and this was a great example of it! Plus the guy working there was nice to chat with and gave me a few other recs read more

Cafe Gabriela - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Finally made it in for some sandwiches. Service was fantastic. The two people working greeted us and were very nice. Adobo was the favorite. Of the three sandwiches. The onions were so good! The Turkey and the Soppressata were good sandwiches. Smaller. Balanced. Nothing special imo. I would prefer Modgilianis or Rattos for a non Adobo sandwich. read more

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Came for the pulled pork adobo sandwich. Absolutely 100% worth it! Should have taken photos but I ate that thing so fast I didn't have time. Also +1 for the super friendly staff. read more

Hidden (in plain sight!) gem. The food was excellent and the staff super friendly. They delivered to the table out front and it was a perfect lunch! read more

Cafe Gabriela - Pulled pork sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

I attended a work conference at the Marriott City Center and luckily this was just across the street. My bro that worked in Oakland told me about this must have spot. We ordered the adobo pork sandwich and the arugula salad. Boy will I crave this! The salad was fresh and dressing was light. The sandwich was perfect! I enjoyed the flavorful meat and onions on a soft yet crusty bread. The owner is so friendly! Please go support this small business, you'll love both the food and the people! I'll be making my trek from San Jose! read more

Cafe Gabriela - Arugula salad...so fresh & light! I was so impressed with the freshness of the greens! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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This is a good spot to get lunch if you're working in Oakland; to begin with, the half salad/half sandwich combo is 10.75 pretax; not bad. As for the actual food: The caprese salad's vinaigrette is okay. The ratio of tomato to mozzarella is a bit off (more mozz appreciated), but the ingredients are fresh and the salad is fine overall. The basil is julienned, which I suppose helps with flavor distribution. The pulled pork adobo sandwich is the star of the show, with extremely tender, juicy meat and large chunks of cooked onion. The meat juices soak through the baguette, which is nicely fresh, toward the end, reminiscent of a french dip. As is common in southeast Asian cuisine, there is sugar cooked with the meat; for adventurous cooks, try extra helpings of that in marinade. It helps there, just as it did here. The onion isn't caramelized; it's stewed, which is the correct choice for this sandwich. This all results in a tantalizing smell and a reputation amongst your coworkers for finding good places to eat. read more

If you're looking for the juiciest pulled pork sandwich in the world that's made with lightning speed stop by Cafe Gabriela! I was in the mood for a tasty sandwich and decided to check this place out. Just from smelling the aroma outside of the cafe I knew this place was a gem. We need more pinay owned businesses because this sandwich was delicious! The bread was soaked with the juices from the pulled pork making it flavorful and soft. The pulled pork was so tender, there was an even amount of lean meat to fatty meat. The onions were grilled to perfection, a delicious addition to the sandwich. The man taking my order was a very kind older gentleman who was very patient. The service was quick and efficient. I had my order in under ten minutes! In addition to the wonderful service, this cafe is also pro social justice, you can find many posters plastered on their store front! read more

Cafe Gabriela - pulled pork adobo sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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My partner and I stopped here on our last morning in Oakland for a quick breakfast and coffee, since it was right next to the hotel. This place has an amazing, inclusive vibe, and we felt right at home. We had a fried egg sandwich, a latte and I had an iced coffee. The egg sandwich was unique and delicious, served on a delicate baguette from a local bakery. The coffee was well made and delicious, and the staff were friendly and courteous. Will definitely come here again, especially since the adobo smelled amazing. read more

We had Cafe Gabriela cater a teacher appreciation luncheon and everyone loved it! The pulled pork sandwiches were a hit. The different options were all amazing. Everything smelled and tasted incredible. I loved my tomato mozzarella sandwich which came with a salad and tasty dressing. Every box lunch container had a little Cafe Gabriela sticker inside so you could feel the personal connection and it felt 100x better than any other box lunch I've had. The sandwich was well-composed and was cut in half for easy sharing. Highly recommend this place for lunch ordering for your group! read more

Cafe Gabriela - mmmm mozzarella and tomato with balsamic vinaigrette - it smelled so good! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

I came across this little cafe completely by chance, I got off bart and it was the first restaurant I came across and the menu looked simple yet fresh and well thought out so I thought why not? I had no expectations upon entering the cafe but I was greeted by the very pleasant cashier who welcomed me warmly and took my order. I ate in the cafe and my food was out surprisingly fast. I ordered the Adobo pulled pork sandwich and a chai latte, both of which really hit the spot. The sandwich was rich in flavor, had perfectly cooked sautéed onions and plentiful pork and is priced well below the going rate for a sandwich these days. The cafe seems to have quite a few faithful regulars who know the staff well which filled the cafe with friendly chatting. The ambiance felt very homey and overall my experience was excellent. If you're in the area I highly recommend stopping by this cute cafe. read more

Cafe Gabriela - The Adobo pulled pork sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

I heard about Cafe Gabriela through the Oakland Asian community and I'm glad I did, because I can't imagine my lunchtime without it. Cafe Gabriela has friendly and lightning-fast service, the MOST delicious food, and probably the best pulled pork sandwich I have ever had. I always get a half sandwich and salad, which is so affordably priced it blows my mind every time I order from here. I've now had the pulled pork sandwich and the tomato / mozzarella sandwiches. Both are truly some of the best sandwiches I've ever had, and make the most satisfying lunches. I've made a mess eating these lunches at work, which I am NOT ashamed of, but I'd recommend asking for utensils if it does bother you :) The folks here are exceedingly kind and helpful. One time I tried to order a half sandwich and half salad, both tomato and mozzarella, and the folks at Cafe Gabriela just asked me if I wanted a tomato mozzarella salad with some bread. (Yep.) I got my salad and some perfectly toasted pieces of bread on top. Exquisite. I can't wait for my next lunch here, and encourage you, dear reader, to go here for lunch sometime as well! It's always a great time to patronize a local Asian business. read more

Me and my mom came back to CA after about 3 years, and we had some business to do here in Oakland in the morning and didn't have breakfast or coffee; we were walking around trying to find a simple place to sit and eat/drink and my mom noticed this little shop on the corner of Broadway and 10th street. We came inside and checked out the menu, the guy at the counter was so sweet and patient with us and gave us some suggestions. We ordered the Peppered Turkey with Cranberry, a Moroccan Mint Iced Tea and a medium roast hot coffee. The iced tea and coffee are great but the Peppered Turkey with Cranberry sandwich was AMAZING. Definitely coming back here the next time we're back in California. Much love to this shop, the owners and employees. read more

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Literally the best sandwich I've had in a while. The homemade balsamic is amazing, I enjoyed every bite!

Me and my boyfriend wanted a warm sandwich for a cloudy day. We tried two at cafe Gabriela. The pulled pork adobo was amazing, but I would add an egg or cheese or vegetables to cut through the saltiness and heaviness. The fried egg was also amazing but would have been better with a runny yolk. This one was sweet and acidic with a vinaigrette whereas the adobo sandwich was rich and heavy. The server was energetic, made small talk, and had a great relationship with his customers. Inside is small, but there's seating by the windows so you can observe passerby's. They have yummy lattes too! read more

A must try place !!! I'm having a cup of fresh coffee with this amazing breakfast sandwich read more

Cafe Gabriela - A pc of heaven - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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Lots of pinay love for this flavorful minority woman-owned gem in downtown Oakland!! Cafe Gabriela was founded in 2010 by Penny Baldado, a formerly undocumented, queer immigrant from the Philippines. The name was centered and inspired by the courage and actions of Gabriela Silang, a Filipina revolutionary who led a revolt against the Spanish colonizers. In the in-person work days, I used to venture to this cute cafe, sit by the window bar, and enjoy a delicious flavorful pulled pork adobo sandwich and fresh tomato mozzarella salad while admiring the socially relevant art on the walls. I also remember having some of the best lugaw (Filipino porridge) I've ever had here- it was a daily special and I miss it so much! Penny and her team are always so friendly and efficient- I'll have to pay them another visit soon! read more

Cafe Gabriela - 1/2 pulled adobo sandwich, 1/2 tomato mozzarella salad- so yummy!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Talk about a 5-star experience all around. On arrival I'm greeted warmly. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with a side salad. I usually drink one cup of coffee a day, but the cafe was so inviting that I ordered a cappuccino for here. Food and coffee we quickly prepared and nicely presented. The sandwich was delicious. I will definitely be back. What a lovely experience! read more

Their sandwiches need more flavor and the coffee is really basic. The service was disappointing, I expected a different experience. You can get better stuff around the block. read more

Everything was delicious and fresh! I really enjoyed the sandwich and the tomato salad. I love that they seasoned the tomatoes! Delicious! The cashier was super nice and sweet made everything more enjoyable. read more

This is one of my favorite spots for a quick breakfast or lunch in Oakland. Quality ingredients. Friendly staff. read more

Cafe Gabriela - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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This place is a gem! Super reasonable prices and both the sandwich and the salad tasted fresh and fabulous. The folks inside were really nice too. Highly recommended! read more

Cafe Gabriela - 1/2 pulled pork adobo sandwich 1/2 tomato mozzarella salad, all for less than $11 and delicious! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

When I first stepped in, I felt like I was walking into my own house. I felt like a part of a family. I ordered a pulled pork sandwich, which is to live for oh my God the pork was properly cooked the tenderness and the bread served on it was absolutely a symphony. I had a bag of jalapeño chips and some orange juice. I mean, you must do yourself a favor and get to 988 that's where Café Gabriella is located right next to the Marriott I give this a six star not a five star. The sports sandwich is enough to eat and quite a nice size but absolutely done to perfection. I drive the six bus right across the street from it. My name is Captain. I hope you come by. You will do yourself a favor. read more

Discovered this amazing place while staying at the Marriott across the street for a conference. The owner and staff are extremely kind and friendly. I got the New Orleans coffee, the Chai latte w/expresso added--both with oat milk--and the fried egg sandwich with tomato & shaved parmesan. They use really quality beans and roasts. As for the sandwich, so simple yet so flavorful! The bread is perfectly toasted and fresh and the tomatoes were so juicy. Can't wait to come back and visit! read more

Cafe Gabriela - Fried egg sandwich with tomato & shaved parmesan - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Pulled pork adobo sandwich is superb! Arugula salad is also good. Will definitely come back. Thank you!

I absolutely love the staff at this establishment. They're so kind and friendly. It makes for a nice break in the day to stop by for a drink and/or bite. Like everyone else I recommend the pork adobo sandwich and caprese salad! It's so flavorful, fresh, and filling. And another bonus is that it's only $9.50! What a steal! From the past review, it seems they have not raised their price in at least 7 years! That is unheard of. They're also social justice oriented. They definitely are a staple in this community. Come by to support them! FYI, they no longer provide seating so this is a take-away establishment. read more

Had them cater for a corporate events with charcuterie boards and it was amazing! Love the two different boards that we had read more

Cafe Gabriela - Meat platter - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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Why do I love Café Gabriela? Café Gabriela is a woman owned LGBTQ business. It is a local small and busy store started with a vision by an undocumented immigrant from the Philippines. It's founder, Penny Baldado, moved to the U.S. from the Philippines in 1999. She started bussing and waiting tables at a Filipino restaurant eventually working her way up to become a chef. However, Penny envisioned a green café, which would give back to the community and help protect the environment. She took community college classes to learn how to run a business, applied for grants and loans. She started Café Gabriela in 2010. Café Gabriela is named after Maria Josefa Gabriela, a Pilipina hero who fought against the Spanish in the 1800s. She has inspired a lot of Filipinos, women in particular, to fight against oppression. The store is well known for it's delicious sandwiches; the pulled pork adobo and the peppered turkey and cranberry. They come with small side seasonal salad. What I love is his Penny and the Café Gabriela staff is how they give back to our community. Beyond words, they have supported undocumented workers and their families. Advocating their human and social rights. When the COVID-19 created this unprecedented time and closed the store, Penny continued to pay the wages and benefits to the staff. Meanwhile, they prepared and delivered food to those hungry and afraid to leave there homes. And Penny has helped me too. She is my friend. I love Penny and the Café Gabriela. read more

Cafe Gabriela - Support this local and women owned business! https://squareup.com/gift/4RR325W5J4H16/order Not a paid promotion. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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Food: The juicy pulled pork adobo, sautéed onions, and nicely toasted baguette made for a delightful combo. The iced Moroccan mint tea was great for the hot weather today. Wait: ~10 min to get my food Service: 10/10 there's only 1 person manning the cashier and kitchen but he knows what he's doing and does not make you wait long PS: unless you prefer eating with your hands, ask for a fork because the pulled pork will fall out of the sandwich. coming back for the 1/2 sandwich 1/2 salad combo next time! read more

Cafe Gabriela - Pulled Pork Adobo Sandwich + iced Moroccan mint tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Friendly. Very friendly here. And we're talking about Downtown Oakland, not exactly the happiest place on earth. I only caught wind of it (pardon the pun) when I saw a recent episode of "Check, Please! Bay Area" where the trio of effortlessly skinny people waxed fondly about the casual Filipino-inspired sandwich menu served up here. These restaurant segments are quite the commercials, aren't they? I actually zeroed in on the three salads and chose the $7.25 Arugula & Spring Mix (photo: http://bit.ly/2SQLn4T). The cherubic server asked straight away whether I wanted chicken for an additional $2. The small space was already full, so I took it away to enjoy on the waterfront. It was satisfyingly simple and simply satisfying with the greenery covered with cranberries and sliced almonds with the poultry just the right amount of protein (photo). The baguette slices were probably not necessary but yet another nice contrast in texture. For all that, it was their smiles and unflagging demeanor that linger in my memory. FOOD - 4 stars...a fine, fresh salad indeed AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...clean but pretty compact SERVICE - 5 stars...cordial is an art in a place this small in Downtown Oakland TOTAL - 4 stars...coming back for a salad and a smile RELATED - Exploring Oakland? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2ObVcpQ read more

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