My friends and I decided to check out Noka Ramen after getting multiple recs! It is an anime-themed restaurant with beautiful decor that's perfect for a mini photoshoot. The staff is very lively, attentive and energetic which I love! Here, the menu can be scanned via QR code so just a heads up in terms of accessibility. There is a full list of options from anime-themed alcoholic drinks, ramen, appetizers and even a Pikachu burger! I went for the spicy miso ramen, which has a rich broth with ground pork, mushrooms, and greens. If you have a high spice tolerance, the level is more mild and doable. The ground pork was delicious - it had a caramelized-like texture on the outside while still being both crispy and tender. The ramen itself was cooked perfectly and had a springy texture. The veggies, while soaked in the broth, were still delicate to bite into and not mushy at all. The broth itself felt nourishing and not too heavy. The egg tasted amazing because it took up the flavor of the ramen and was both salty and rich - only thing I'll say is if you prefer your yolk to be a bit more runny, this one is more on the well-done side but not dry. Overall, I loved my experience here and would love to come visit again! read more

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we came specifically for their Pokémon Sundays. Things are decorated in Pokémon theme, staff are in Ash Ketchum outfits , and they have Pokémon playing on the TV. a Pikachu comes out to playfully harass diners. i give Pikachu mascot 11/10 points ! It is a lot of fun if you or someone you know is a Pokémon lover. I have this theory that the most beautifully decorated restaurants have the most mediocre food; that stands true here. The ambience is great all but the food is average. The ramen noodles are a bit on the salty side. the Pikachu Wagyu burger was too greasy and did not taste that great. we ordered 2 pikachu burgers and the amount of meat on both burgers weren't identical (1 was way smaller than the other). service is only OK. Maybe our waitress is shy/antisocial?? I felt like she could've been more engaged & friendly rather than acting like I kicked her dog . we ordered 4 adult entrees and 1 kids meal. The adult entrees come out first and the kids meal came out 20+ minutes later. We asked the server about the whereabouts of his kids meal and no apology . We simply got a " yeah, it's being cooked". Meanwhile, all the adults are already done eating. They should serve the children before adults , or at worst, bring the kids food at the same time as the rest of the food. Parking is a nightmare, so we parked at the London Square parking lot and came out to $18. This is fun for a 1-time thing for pokemon lovers, but i wouldn't return . read more

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That spicy miso is da ONE! Great flavors and customer service. Try it you won't regret it! read more

I have been to Noka many times prior so this review is long overdue. Noka ramen is simply delicious. They have very flavorful broth, sizable portions of pork belly and such beautiful decor. When ordering it for pickup or delivery the flavor holds well too. It's become a Jack London staple restaurant for me. read more

Noka Ramen has become one of our regular spots ever since we discovered it while looking for great ramen close to home. We came for the ramen but kept coming back for the incredible atmosphere and fun, nerdy theme! They have Sailor Moon drink flights, Power Rangers-inspired drinks, and even a Pikachu Burger. As fans of all things geeky, this place was an instant favorite. The restaurant is colorful, vibrant, and packed with fun decorations. The staff often dress up in costumes, which adds to the experience, and if you're lucky, you might even spot Pikachu hanging out front! The owner is incredibly kind and is almost always there greeting guests, which makes the place feel even more welcoming. As for the food, the spicy miso ramen is my go-to every single time. It's consistently delicious and never disappoints. If you're looking for amazing ramen with a fun, unique atmosphere, Noka Ramen is definitely worth checking out. It's one of those places that's as much about the experience as it is the food! read more

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Came here for a friends birthday dinner and it was a good time. Parking is difficult but there's garages nearby. It wasn't too crowded on a Thursday evening. The service is pretty good here. The aesthetics made it great for a birthday dinner. Very cute backdrop for pictures and just decor around the restaurant. Love that there's many vegetarian options as well. I got the veggie ramen, fries, corn, and Brussels sprouts. All were yummy. The cocktails are very pretty colors too with cute decorations. read more

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I came here on Friday evening around 7pm with a couple of friends. We were greeted by staff dressed in power ranger costumes, and fun, busy decor on the walls (with anime projected on one of them). I ordered the bento box that comes with 3 appetizers (corn rib, shishito peppers and fries and a choice of ramen. I got the tofu ramen and it was really delicious. I like a little spice, so I added that in but even without modifications, the broth was tasty. For $28 - worth it! I also got the hibiscus-yuzu sparkler and it was yummy! My friends both enjoyed their ramen dishes. Overall, great restaurant with attentive, friendly staff. My only feedback is to have more vegetables for the Ramen. I'll be back. Parking:we parked in the deck for $10 but there is street parking that's free after 6pm if you can find it read more

NōKA Ramen & Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Super fun atmosphere, delicious food, great service, and in a great location for Oakland. I would come back for sure.

Came on an early Saturday evening with a party of four and got seated right away. The first thing that stands out is how friendly the staff is here with their communal greeting as soon as you arrive. You are literally waited on with excellent service, our server today was N and they were phenomenal at what they do. We loved the anime themed "uniforms " and matching decor that instantly transported us back into classic 90s anime nostalgia. The cocktails and food are colorful and delightful to peruse but honestly don't think too hard about it. Everything on here looks great and taste even better. Highlights for us during this trip, where the Pikachu burger and the steak Ramen, which features spicy yet flavorful broth and generous portion sizes for everything. We tried the passionfruit highball that came with an exclusive Pokémon card, which is a great garnish that tickled my inner child. Would not hesitate in coming back and trying more of their offerings. read more

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As an Asian nerd, I don't think I've ever been as positive taken back as I was with the ambiance of NoKA. This place is a dream for even the most casual anime fans. The servers are in cosplay, there's drinks garnished with Pokemon cards, Dragon Ball Z is playing on the big screen, and there's even a Sailor Moon Sake flight. I was just floored. But this is about the food, right? My girlfriend and I stayed the weekend at Oakland because it's not a place we frequent, and this place was definitely the highlight, especially since it's so easy to find at Jack London Square. She had the lobster ramen and the aforementioned Sailor Moon flight. I had the wagyu truffle ramen along with one of lychee Pokemon TCG drinks. The first bite of my ramen was awesome. It might have been the best flavor I've ever had out of a beef ramen. My only issue was that I was still hungry, which usually isn't the case with ramen. It comes in a big flat bowl, but that's the optical illusion. With the bowl being so big, it looks like there's more food than there actually is. The drink was fine. No frills. The card included was a common, for those wondering. My girlfriend's lobster ramen was also good, but the lobster comes whole with you having to do all the work. I'm great with crustaceans, but I had trouble pulling the lobster meat out as it stuck to the inside -- a sign of it being overcooked. So buyer beware here. Again, it's good, but if you're gonna make me peel the lobster, at least make it a little bit easy. The Sailor Moon flight was cool too but as you'd expect, it's mainly for the gram. All this said, the food was good enough and I loved the vibes, so I'll definitely be back. read more

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It's been awhile since I returned Places still look fresh and the food is still excellent. They added few interesting items. Broth is thick and creamy with a good favor. Need to try them out read more

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This review is long overdue. Spicy Miso Ramen with extra spice bomb on the side & Truffle Edamame is our fave here. Plus the Noka Ranger and Hello Gorgeous beverages round out a perfect meal. We come up often. The service is amazing and the anime theme is super cute. read more

NōKA Ramen & Bar - Cute photo backdrop at one of our fave ramen spots. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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If there were six stars available, the 6th one would definitely be reserved for this place!! if you like Ramen, or even if you don't like Ramen and want to be challenged to changed your mind, come here. Their menu is the most extensive menu I've ever seen in a Ramen shop. It's true, they have one vegetarian option. Get it!! The atmosphere is vibrant, fun, and obviously met for a families because there's lots of alcohol, alcoholic beverages, and a live Pikachu that comes out and says hi to us :) We had the coolest waiter! So fun, so attentive, he earned himself 100% tip. I would highly recommend this to everybody and definitely will be bringing out-of-town friends here read more

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I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this spot, and how excited I am to come back. Coming here was a suuuper last decision to fulfill a group ramen craving despite how picky I am with my ramen (Ichiran changed me, sorry!). We had no idea there was even a theme, but our waiter took our order in green power rangers uniform which I was visibly confused about at first, but enjoyed the fun vibes. There are pokémon scattered around the place and lots of greenery + lights in the evening, it was hard not to be happy in there. Black Garlic Tonkatsu Ramen: so many toppings that automatically come with it. The broth was rich, the egg was jammy, and the chashu (omg) was sooo soft + fatty! I really enjoyed this bowl. I desperately wanna come back to try their drinks in particular. They have quite the experimental menu and some cards come with a surprise pokémon card for an extra $1... This is the perfect spot to kick off your night @ Jack London Square. read more

NōKA Ramen & Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Was super fun to come for their Sunday Pokemon pop up bar and movie night, the Pikachu wagyu burger was insanely good, honestly the best burger I've ever had. Definitely coming back, and Dave and Busters is one block away so you have somewhere to go with friends and family afterwards. read more

NōKA Ramen & Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Super cute Ramen place on Jack London Square. Has a fun drink list, really amazing Ramen, really cute interior, great service, fair prices The drinks are themed, super interesting menu, everybody was having a good time read more

NōKA Ramen & Bar - Black garlic tonkatsu ramen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Literally my favorite meal in awhile. I was so surprised by this little spot in Jack London that I've had in my list for awhile. Decor is stunning first of all. Like tropical, anime, paradise? The service was so quick! I had barely gone to the bathroom after ordering and my food was out. Our server was so kind and attentive too. I love that they're all in power ranger cosplay too. Drinks and menu were unique and fun! I loved my highball which came with a Pokémon card. The gyoza was handmade on my ramen and the broth was so flavorful and comforting. Best of all, they could accommodate my kids! They have a mini kids ramen that was perfect for them. They both ate so much! Needless to say, I will be back. This is a must try if you're in Jack London. read more

NōKA Ramen & Bar - UME highball - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Built my own bowl. Black garlic broth was absolutely delicious - really umami. Noodles and veggies were cooked well. Ribs were fine, but could've been better. Not a ton of flavor, and slightly tough to chew, but not a big deal. Dessert - fried ice cream sandwich was amazing, but $14 for 2 sandwiches is a high ask imo. Each goes down within 5-6 bites. Also breaks easily - not structurally sound - but hey, it's an ice cream sandwich, whatever. Honestly didn't like the peach soda. Sorry to say to all the jigglypuff fans. You taste the carbonation more than anything fruity. Sundays are pokemon-themed, it seems. That was a lot of fun. They had season 1 playing on the big screen, and a big pikachu walked out and was interacting with patrons, but only for a few mins. Ambience was like rainforest cafe, but Japanese style. Food came out very quickly. Somewhere between 5-10 minutes. Waiter was attentive. Overall a fun experience, but $80 for 2 people is a lot imo. (Dirty tourist talking) 4.25 stars read more

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Ordered the Classic Tonkotsu Ramen here. Price is definitely on the pricier side, but the ramen was worth the amount. The broth was rich and creamy, noodles had a good chewy firmness, and the chashu had an excellent char to it. Service was attentive, but also all dressed up like characters from Dragon Ball Z. The experience was a little strange, since Halloween was a month ago, and you're sitting in a restaurant/bar with fake trees and vines detailing the ceiling like a rainforest cafe. A projector is playing TV shows and anime onto the floor and walls, though I couldn't really hear the show over the ambience of the restaurant. If for nothing else, the food was good (if pricy) and the atmosphere is interesting enough to make Noka Ramen worth visiting at least once! read more

NōKA Ramen & Bar - Classic Tonkotsu (5) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Some places are happy to give you a free dessert if it's your birthday. And then there are some places that charge you a "dessert fee" if you bring your own dessert. I didn't think much about it. I brought my child to celebrate his birthday (day of, on a weekday) following a doggy training session by the waterfront and brought a tiny cake to eat after dinner (there should always be a cake on birthdays!). However, when I asked to borrow a knife they said there was a dessert fee............... We decided to save the singing for home. I wonder if they would still charge this dessert fee had I brought my own knife? I guess I'll never know. What really drew us here was that they had an Anime theme and advertised drinks that came with a Pokémon card. My child is a huge Anime fan and aspiring artist so would've been a perfect spot for a tiny birthday blow out to end a nice day. Honestly it seems like all just a gimmick to get people here. The restaurant was nice enough with cool decorations making it feel like a jungle in there and a large projection on a wall for kids to watch some anime but when we went it was kind of empty. To be fair we were an hour and a half from closing time so that could account for the low attendance. Not sure if we'd come again... the soup was very salty and the drinks are just overpriced sugary beverages laced with artificial flavoring. read more

NōKA Ramen & Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

3.75 stars I really wanted to love this place but my palette just couldn't agree. Their cute aesthetics, their playful twist on the current theme: Pokemon, their HUGE portions, how can one not enjoy this place? Pork Baos - these babies are huge. Sometimes, I like big portions. Other times, especially dishes like this, i like to appreciate equal parts meat and bun. The meat was a bit much and overpowered the whole dish. Pikachu Burger - goddang, another massive baby. So big, it definitely was challenging to eat. Had to eat it deconstructed style. The meat again, was a bit much. Ramen - Pretty basic ramen, very minimal to no garlic flavor Noka Rangers - just for kicks. Drink was standard, nothing special Overall, food was ok, wouldn't go out of my way to come back. Service was GREAT. read more

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This place is cute, cozy, IG aesthetic spot. The workers were dressed in Pokémon characters the night we went -- including someone in a huge Pikachu costume that went around each table taking pictures with guests. The staff was very attentive and although they were busy they were good about checking in with us and refilling our waters. For drinks we got the passion fruit highball, the hibiscus lychee highball, and the sailor moon sake flight. The highballs were okay and more on the sparkly side since they are a sparkling water based cocktail. The sake flight was very good. Food was amazing all around! We started with the truffle fries and chicken karaage. The sauce they came with had a perfect touch of spice. They put a flame to the Loco Moco at the table and mixed it for you. The gravy was very flavorful. They also put a flame to the Ikari Steak Ramen. The steak on that dish was so tender and delicious. The tonkotsu ramen's flavor was very good too. I built my own ramen and was very surprised to see Brussel sprouts on the list. Overall, it was a great experience and I will definitely be back to try their bento boxes which are only offered Monday-Friday. read more

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Came here today for the first time and can't believe I never knew NōKA existed here in Oak town! My homegirl brought me here and it was so dope, she said it became one of her spots after she discovered it a couple of years ago on TikTok. This place is really good, from the staff, the ambiance and the food/drinks and what's cool is they have Pokémon highballs with a random card you'll get and Sailor Moon flights! The ramen was so good too. Definitely will be back again read more

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Oh my goodness, my friends literally kidnapped me for the day and brought me here, and I'm honestly so glad they did Everything about this place was spectacular. The menu was absolutely tantalizing, the drinks were gorgeous and delicious, and I was completely living for the Sailor Moon and Pokémon themed touches. Such a cute, unique vibe. The atmosphere was beautiful, the lights, the vines, the flowers, the decor... everything felt so immersive and aesthetically pleasing. And the food? Oh my goodness. So good. Rich, flavorful, comforting, and absolutely delicious. Everything we had was amazing, and I already know I have to come back. Only thing I'll say, parking is kind of a nightmare and you do have to walk, so do NOT wear heels unless you're ready to suffer for beauty But overall, 100% worth it. Such a fun and beautiful experience. read more

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We had a lovely waiter and liked all 5 of the ramens we tried. I ordered my drink with a Pokémon card which was cool. 5 stars!

Definitely a fun place to grab lunch/dinner between the ambiance and the food! Solid ramen and one of the better in the area. There are a multitude of fun alcoholic drinks that will be a next time to try. The restaurant and the staff are bright, friendly, and fun. I will say it is a pricey place depending on what you order, but it is also the only place you could get lobster or steak ramen or a giant burger (the noka burger). Ended up getting the black garlic tonkotsu, and I highly recommend. The pork belly were thick tender cuts. I initially thought that the broth was mild in flavor but by the end I felt like it was a perfect amount of richness. Sometimes with tonkotsu I feel like I can't finish a bowl because of the richness, but I was able to finish everything and felt satisfied and not overwhelmed. Overall, solid ramen, plan on coming back to try some other dishes and appetizers here! read more

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It's been a while since I last visited, Japanese cartoons playing in big screen, fun flamboyant florals still inside. Friday lunch was less busy so we got a table inside. Good amount of seating outdoors, perfect for any pet owners. It's right next to train tracks so Amtrak and freight trains do rumble by. Street parking nearby or the JLS garage. Tried the custom/make your own ramen for $25 starting. Requested for shoyu broth (less salty), pork chashu, bean sprouts, bamboo shoot, spinach, shiitake mushroom. Tasty overall, love that chashu is still nice thick cuts. Perfect ramen egg. The noodles had a slight clump in there. 80% filling so big eaters may want to order appetizers or more noodles. read more

We found Nōka Ramen & Bar on Social Media and were so excited to try it. We arrived at 3:30 PM without realizing they were closed until 5 PM. Luckily the Jack London Square location made the wait enjoyable. At 5 PM bubbles floated from the entrance. Such a fun touch! We were seated right away without a reservation. I ordered the Spicy Miso Ramen, Ikari Steak Ramen, Pikachu burger, and Sailor Moon sake flight. Both Ramen dishes were incredible. The broth was so rich in flavor. However, by far the Ikari Steak Ramen was the best. You can't beat a dramatic presentation. The Ikari Steak Ramen is torched when presented. The Pikachu burger was super tasty. I love that the Pikachu was on the bun. I just had to take pictures to show it off. The Sailor Moon Sake Flight was very cute but strong. The whole vibe was magical. There were flowers everywhere, Pokémon was playing in the background, all the staff were wearing costumes and even a Pikachu mascot for photos. I already plan to come back with friends! read more

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Noka Ramen is such a cute spot and definitely Instagram worthy. The decor and overall ambiance make it a fun place to dine, whether you're going out with friends or just want a cozy meal. The ramen is really good, full of flavor, and always hits the spot. The service is very quick, and the staff is friendly and welcoming. They serve the food fast without making you feel rushed, which I appreciate. The only downside is having to pay for parking since they don't offer validation. Other than that, it's a great place and I would definitely keep coming back. read more

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Beautiful atmosphere, great service and SUPER yummy food and drinks! Very calm and quiet which i really loved. I ate here on a weekday for lunch time and it's right across the street from the parking garage in Jack London Square. read more

NōKA Ramen & Bar - Pork bunssss - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

One of THE best ramen place we've ever been to. And best service & hospitality! I would definitely go back! read more

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This place is so cute--it feels like I'm in a rainforest! It's adorable how the workers are dressed as Dragon Ball Z characters. The food was okay--definitely cute in presentation, but not amazing in terms of flavor. The waiter kindly offered to switch my entrée since what I ordered was too spicy for me. However, my husband didn't want to be a bother, so we just ended up switching plates. I went from the spicy ramen to the Pikachu burger. The burger kept falling apart on me, which made it hard to eat. Overall, it was a fun experience and worth trying. I'm taking a star off for the food, but the service was great! read more

NōKA Ramen & Bar - Pickachu Burger - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Pretty little cafe right in Jack London Square. Flowers, Pokemon, and Sailor Moon decorations abound! It was easy to make reservations on Open Table, and we couldn't wait to check out their fun offerings. The food and drink were as cute as advertised. The surprise was that everything was also so delicious! The portions are very generous and the quality is excellent. The prices are a little high, but rent can't be cheap in Jack London Square, and they do not skimp on what you get. Perhaps the crispiest brussels sprouts I have ever eaten, and full of flavor. Really fun special occasion mom-daughter lunch place. read more

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Got their black garlic ramen. It was pretty good but also pretty pricey for ramen. Very aesthetic and vibey looking restaurant though. Would like to come back to try their drink menu read more

NōKA Ramen & Bar - Black garlic ramen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

All the vibes, all the fun, and all the yummy food :-P Originally came here just for the Pokémon highball (yes, you get to keep the card) but since they are known for their ramen, we had to get ramen as well, duh! We each got different flavors for the highball. Mine was lychee flavored and it was a perfect mixture of lychee and sparkling water with a hint of yuzu or some citrus mixture. Super good and yummy. Next, the ramen was really good as well! I got the spicy miso ramen and it had just the perfect amount of spice in it. I want to talk about the interior and the service. Everyone greets you when you walk in and they are wearing different Dragon Ball Z costumes. Love that! And the staff and servers are all so friendly and nice. The ambience is kinda like a bar/club and it has a huge screen of DBZ playing in the background. A good photo opportunity if you want that insta background ;) Definitely recommend coming here! I will be back~ read more

NōKA Ramen & Bar - pokémon highball! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

I love this place, I always love bringing new friends here. The food is always so good and consistent which is very hard to find. The atmosphere is very welcoming and unique, the staff is always great. I would recommend if you ever are looking for a new ramen place, lots of great options. read more

NōKA Ramen & Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Amazing food, fantastic service and good ambient Had the Maine lobster ramen and it was amazing. The lobster was fresh and huge. Service was top notch as well, had an fantastic experience throughout Will definitely come back read more

NōKA Ramen & Bar - Maine Lobster Shio Ramen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Service was incredibly nice and my black garlic Ramen had hella flavor. Would def come back and I got one of my fave pokemons Togekiss for the spritzer drink which was also nice too. Def recommend to park in garage and walk over. The chasu in ramen was so soft too lawd have mercy read more

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Noka Ramen has to be one of the best and definitely one of my favorite ramen places I have been to. I enjoyed the ambiance and interior design of this restaurant. Their black tonkotsu ramen was full of umami flavor. The braised pork belly was very tender and delicious. Every sip and bite was very mesmerizing. The Ikari Steak Ramen was also a star. It had the spice, the umami, the texture - everything. Other items we ordered are chicken karaage, truffle fries, green tea tiramisu and hibiscus lychee highball. All were very solid choices. read more

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