When I think of a sandwich that has the ability to make my mouth water just thinking of it, few…read morecome to mind, but what the sandwiches they make at Southie is definitely one of them. I've had their Spicy Hog, steak with mushroom, a few Cubans, but the one that I always come back to is "The Balls" sandwich. First off, this sandwich is massive, so be sure that you come here on an empty stomach. These beef meatballs are seasoned to perfection and bursting with flavor. The balls are covered in their red sauce with provolone and Grana Padano, which gives it that nutty and salty flavor that pairs extremely well with the meatballs and baguette. All the juices and cheese just get soaked up to perfection. The baguette bread they use is supplied by La Farine, which is just a few meters away from each other. Just putting out there that La Farine is hands down one of the best bakeries in Oakland, so it makes sense that this sandwich would be so dang good. I'll be honest that I'm not a big fan of the chips or those chips in general and could be fine with just the sandwich. If you are going to have any sandwich to eat here first, I would highly recommend you try "The Balls" because I promise you will not be disappointed. I will always say that the dozen or so times I've been here, the staff are always so friendly, and the atmosphere is very down to earth. The price of their sandwiches is in the $20 range, but the quality and portion make it totally worth it.

The spicy hog sandwich I had a few minutes ago was quite messy but good…read more However, my petty gripe is that it was 2pm, there was an open 2-person table on the side, but I was seated 1 foot from and facing the cash register, and told people were coming for the empty table. No one came and instead quickly several more tables cleared out. Rather than see a few minutes of the England-Serbia World Cup match, I saw a bunch of people up close paying lunch bills. Don't come in solo expecting a side table.

The almond croissant is to die for…read more Everything else that looks really good too, but I highly recommend this item

Don't be like me--arrive early, ideally before noon and preferably on a weekday, so you can catch a…read morewider selection before they sell out. I've only managed to try their croissant, pain au chocolat, and scones since those are usually what's left later in the day, but they've all been delicious. Perfectly flaky, buttery, and everything you want in a pastry. Hopefully one of these days I'll muster up the energy to wake up early enough to snag one of their savory items!

A long-haul Yelper, I frequently consult checkins on my Yelp app to find new places to try…read more Souvenir Coffee appeared frequently enough that I decided to try it one day. I remembered that decision as we drove down Claremont on our way to Sweet Maria's. On our way back up, we stopped off at Souvenir Coffee for a couple of sandwiches and one coffee. The ambiance and service were top notch. Also, there's usable WiFi. I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich with bacon as an add-on, and then muttered something about a macchiato. After the person taking my order repeated back my drink as a cortado, I agreed that a cortado would be an even better choice than the macchiato that I had in my mind's eye. The cortado came out first, followed not long afterwards by our sandwiches. Both the drink and the grilled cheese sandwich were excellent; we clearly had a 5-star experience. Souvenir Coffee struck me more as a drink place with a few food items than as a lunch destination. I know the high reputation of the sandwiches at the Star Grocery next door. If Souvenir is be OK with my combining an espresso drink with a Star sandwich, I'll try that next.

Cozy cafe but coffee was off on the day I came to visit. The ambiance of the cafe has nice indoor…read moreand outdoor seating in the backyard. I got a cortado and the foam was too much and the overall balance of the drink was off. There is ample street parking near the cafe and the neighborhood is generally qaint and quiet.

Can't believe I am just now finding this place! Probably one of the best tuna salads I've had…read more Super fresh, and the ratios of ingredients are perfect; doesn't overdo it with mayonnaise. The bread. Each of the three sandwiches had different breads, but all were incredible. This place understands a great sandwich, and every single ingredient was fresh, high quality, and absolutely delicious; bacon and turkey were thick, tuna was fresh, bread was hearty, peppers were freshly roasted. We didn't order any basked goods, but we realized that was a mistake once we stepped into the restaurant. The variety and size of each baked good really stood out. Friendly, prompt service, cute atmosphere. I absolutely will be back, more than once.

Meh, I was kinda disappointed. Person taking order was like on speed. Person that brought my…read morecompanions food, could have explained why my order would be late, but no. We had never tried this place, and they were out of my first choice. I decided to try the crispy chicken tacos. I didn't know I would be waiting like a half an hour to receive those tacos, cause no one told me they had to make more rice for the side. I went to check, that's when I found out. By the time I got my order, I had an appointment and had to take most of it to go. Crispy chicken tacos was not what I was I was expecting. Three flour tortillas, not crispy, with a crispy chicken tender in each, cabbage, and "some" green avocado salsa. The rice pilaf on the side was okay, but an alternative could have been suggested. Some fries, beans? IDK. I'd like to try more of the other menu items.

Want a free sandwich?…read more Complete this puzzle and it's all yours! The pastrami sandwich here is sooooo good I actually ordered two of them. This is the first place in the world that had me eating rye. I hate rye bread, and was worried because there are no substitutions, but the sandwiches here were so good and the bread didn't taste like the traditional prison food hard rye bread. You changed me Krispy Joe's, and had me eating stuff I never would have. Also, drinking stuff I never would have. I bought their chai and lemonade, both were 5 stars, and they offered me their pickle juice electrolyte drink to try. I was skeptical at first, but again they made me a believer. I hate pickle juice and pickle flavored anything in general. Yet, they converted me once again when they offered me a sample of their pickle-aid. It tasted like a mild tasting plain Gatorade. If I were still training for a marathon, I would totally buy this! Back to their amazing sandwiches. They are made with such care, dusting every sandwich that's made to order with their secret spices while toasting the meat and bread. The slaw was fresh and herbaceous. Again, made with care and craftsmanship. I am rooting for this business to expand and take over Ike's Sandwiches. I believe in you Krispy Joe's, you have my vote!

Finally found a good pastrami sandwich to satisfy the craving. Krispy Joes is a small coffee shop…read morein Emeryville on San Pablo Ave. that also has some delish pastrami sandwiches. You might want a cup of joe afterwards, so you don't fall into a food coma. Loved the OG sandwiche w/ pastrami, melted Swiss, coleslaw and thousand island dressing. All of their sandwiches come Jr. size and I feel like I made the right call of upgrading to the Regular (4oz.) for more meat. Going to 4oz. I feel like was the standard size of what you'd expect in a pastrami sandwich: Would definetly recommend calling ahead or preserv online. I was a walk in and waited about 15-20 minutes. But I must say, they were busy pumping out online orders. There is limited seating in the coffee shop and not really a dine-in for a group larger than 3. Would definetly recommend if you're having one of those good ole pastrami cravings.

Great place if you need something specific, especially for cooking recipes. Specialty sandwiches…read moreare expensive, but epically delicious. Isles of specialty foods and deliciousness. This historic neighborhood grocery store is expensive, but charming. Employees are rad.

4.5 stars $18…read moresandwich, "The Classic": fantastic. Well made, tons of meat with great dressing and Vegi fill. Good size too.

Lola would crawl out of the grave for this Sisig Bolillo! Then, back in because it's heart…read morestopping. Slowly making my way through my East Bay bookmarks and next up: Ok's Deli! Starting as a pop-up in 2021, Ok's Deli opened their brick and mortar a year later. This is not your basic everyday sandwich shop... A fine dining alum and Oakland native, the owner (and staff) serves up chef-driven, AZN American style sandwiches with housemade bread, meats, pickles, sauces, etc. Ok's Deli is mainly a takeout spot with two tables, one inside and one outside. No restroom. M E N U Rotating menu of 8 specialty sandwiches (half AZN inspired) along with your typical sandwiches like ham & cheese and italian combo ($14-$20). No substitutes and you can only take away ingredients, e.g. "no mayo". Sides: Potato salad, chicken salad, fries, and array of American and AZN chips. Online ordering and 3rd party delivery available, F O O D * Sisig Bolillo: House Sisig-Style Pig's Head, soy sauce, black pepper, yellow onion, lime, over easy egg, thai bird chili, mayo, house bolillo ($18) - Available Saturday - Monday only - Sells out so plan accordingly As someone who grew up eating sisig at fam events but rarely have it these days, this was such a treat. I love that they use traditional cuts for the sisig. A generous portion of meltingly soft gelatinous pig's head (jowl, ears, snout, etc.) is loaded into a bubbly, crackly baguette-bolillo hybrid. The rich, seasoned pig drippings and runny egg yolk soak into the bread without turning it soggy, while the savory soy seasoning, creamy mayo, and mild kick from the chilies make every bite more delicious. We could only finish half but the leftovers held up really well and can easily be revived in the air fryer. They provide a small wedge of lime but I like a lot more acidity to cut through the richness. Next time, I'm bringing a bottle of spiced vinegar! * Sichuan Hot Chicken: House Sichuan Spiced Taiwanese-style Fried Chicken w/ iceberg lettuce, crushed cucumber, cilantro, house sesame ginger vinaigrette, scallion, house honey mustard, house sesame bun ($18) - Mild or Spicy (picked spicy) A hapa baby, Taiwanese popcorn chicken meets Nashville hot chicken, the marinated and fried chicken thighs are layered into a toasted sesame seed studded bun (low key reminds me of roujiamo bread) - crunchy, hella juicy, and flavorful with a seriously spicy kick and numbing málà spice. The crisp lettuce, cucumber, and mayo adds a refreshing contrast, helping mellow out the heat while keeping each bite balanced. Make sure to have plenty of napkins on deck! * House Ramen Spiced Fries ($8) As a kid...who used to crush a bag of ramen, sprinkle the msg laced seasoning packet all over, and ate it as snack? Now think of this nostalgic umami bomb on freshly cooked fries. Enjoy! S E R V I C E Super friendly cashier who kindly brought our order outside to us. Efficient and prompt - we were the first customers to arrive on a Saturday (to snag that one outdoor table), they already had a dozen online orders, yet our order took less than 10 minutes. P A R K I N G Street parking only. May have to park several blocks away. Overall, I really enjoyed the sandwiches at Ok's Deli and thought they did a great job paying homage to AZN classics while adding their own creative twists. With sandwich prices getting increasingly out of pocket these days, I felt the price was justified for the quality of ingredients, craftsmanship, and thoughtful execution that went into each one.

I first discovered this spot during the Oakland Chili Cook Off, and I absolutely loved the chili…read morethey served. It was so good that I knew I had to come back and try their sandwiches. I'm so glad I did because they did not disappoint. Everything I've had has been fresh, flavorful, and consistently delicious. In fact, I've already been back three times since my first visit, which says a lot! I also have to give a special shout out to the turtle chips. They are absolutely addictive and have quickly become one of my favorite things on the menu. If you're looking for a great sandwich spot in Oakland, I definitely recommend checking this place out.

This is not the bagel that garnered national acclaim any longer. It is now a refrigerator aisle…read morebagel. We ordered a half dozen plain bagels and the pink label cream cheese. The bagels were pale with uneven color that edged into greenish brown in places. When you bit in, there was no crust to speak of. It gave way to an interior that was chewy but not in the classic bagel sense of low moisture dough. Rather, it was enriched with oil or some kind of conditioner like the kind used in grocery store bagels so they stay fresh for longer. The bagel's one virtue was its flavor: it had a strong malty taste like a classic NYC recipe. The "pink label" cream cheese, however, was delightful. It had a rich flavor -- like a spoonful of yogurt, as opposed to milk -- but the effect was subtle and not overly tangy. They were the best freezer bagels I've ever had, but in the future I'll put their schmear on a fresh dozen from somewhere else.

If the NYT says this is one of the best bagels around, you gotta try it. The hubby and I visited…read moreBerkeley for a concert and picked up bagels before heading back home. My favorite bagel in NY is an egg everything with scallion so I ordered an eggything with chive. Glad I did because the egg and egg everything bagels were being discontinued the week after I left so the lady helping us encouraged us to buy in bulk. The bagel was delightful and chewy and the chive cream cheese was tangy and flavorful. We brought back half a dozen eggything bagels to freeze and savor on the weekends. If you're in Berkeley or the Bay Area, make a stop to check out the town and grab a bagel.