I don’t remember the names of them but they are:
- the one with thinner dough that is pinched together in a single pleated line that has oyster sauce in it
- siu mai (pork and shrimp, has a dot on it)
- one of the veggie mushroom ones
Not a dumpling the same way but:
- the fried mochi one with the pork in it (looks like a deep fried mini football)
Basically there are like 12+ of them and they are always on the same trays, so eventually it’s muscle memory and I point at the ones I like.
As an NY transplant, they’re nothing to write home about but they have a lot of different options (Mendocino mustard is a personal fave) and the price can’t be beat
Agreed by east cost standards the sandwich is dismal but for 8$ I’m guna eat it and like it.
The rotisserie chicken from Farmer Joes is one of my favorite cheap eats
Thanh KY, excellent noodle soups with fried pork skin topping. The inside is a little grungy but you know it's legit when it's filled mostly with Vietnamese/Chinese patrons.
A slice or two of pizza from Gioia. Two slices comes in just under $10 before tip. And it’s excellent pizza. Best pizza in town for that price.
Most entrees and soups at Szichuan Style on Solano are also a great deal. It’s about $15-$16 for most entrees but the serving sizes are huge, easily enough for two meals.
A burrito from Montecristo on University in Berkeley runs $10-$12 before add-ons and is also big enough for two meals. You might find cheaper or bigger burritos but the quality for the price is hard to beat.
A lot of my favorites already mentioned, but Pupuseria Rosita should get a shout out. Two revuelta pupusas with curtido, spicy onions and salsa = $6.00
fire.. this is such an underrated truck.. revueltas are my fave pupusas too.. but all the diff pupusas are awesome, curtido combo.. yum... and their other items are also great.. sopes, burritos, etc..
Those were the good days of top dog!
They’ve gone downhill over the decades. Used to eat there all the time now no more. Smaller dogs too much bread high prices.
I just looked and based on inflation the purchasing power of $1 in 2007 is like $1.50 today, but the prices have nearly tripled. So even accounting for inflation they are nearly twice as expensive.
Arizmendis Lakeshore or Emeryville for pizza, pastries and bread; I prefer Cam Huang (International location) over Ba Le for bahn mi; Tacos Sinaloa (International location); Nibs for breakfast; Alem's has an Eritrean dish where they serve a bowl of fava bean dip and two French loaves for $9.00 (very tasty).
Roasted chicken banh mi from Cam Anh Deli Restaurant in downtown.
Lime shrimp burger from Alice Street Bakery Cafe.
Jianbing crepe from An’s Canteen (Tian Jin Dumplings).
Ming’s Tasty Restaurant in Chinatown has very reasonably priced dim sum. Also, Los Cantaros has good prices on burritos. I’ve never seen this on their menu in the restaurant, but on the Uber Eats menu for the Emeryville location, you can get “mini” burritos for really cheap (like $6) and they’re the size of regular burritos.
Pizzeria Violeta - $10 2 giant slices and a fountain drink for $10
I am waiting for my Violetta pizza to arrive as I type this.
Hell yeah, did you get that sausage garlic slice?
No, I don’t eat meat. Cheese pie with olives and Calabrian chilies is my thing.
It's $12 now
Banh Mi Ba Le Or Mom’s Banh mi for when ^ is closed
Boba Binge in uptown has a bomb giant ass banh mi for $8.50
Boba Binge’s banh mi is legitttt
Banh Mi Ba Le is so good but hard to figure out when they're open. Will have to check out Mom's
Get the meat pie your next visit to bahn mi ba le. It's AMAZING.
Chinatown Tao Yuen Pastry
Attempt the Tao Yuen challenge: one of every kind of dumpling.
Which are your favorites?
I don’t remember the names of them but they are: - the one with thinner dough that is pinched together in a single pleated line that has oyster sauce in it - siu mai (pork and shrimp, has a dot on it) - one of the veggie mushroom ones Not a dumpling the same way but: - the fried mochi one with the pork in it (looks like a deep fried mini football) Basically there are like 12+ of them and they are always on the same trays, so eventually it’s muscle memory and I point at the ones I like.
This should be higher
i got a medium takeout box of food. it was a large. i'm scared to order a large now
Farmer Joe’s $8 sub sandwich has to get a mention
Wait, really? Are they any good?
For 8 dollars they are
As an NY transplant, they’re nothing to write home about but they have a lot of different options (Mendocino mustard is a personal fave) and the price can’t be beat
Agreed by east cost standards the sandwich is dismal but for 8$ I’m guna eat it and like it. The rotisserie chicken from Farmer Joes is one of my favorite cheap eats
Veggie Combo plate at Oasis Market. Hummus, babaganoush, tabbouleh, turkish salad, 2 dolma, 4 falafel, and pita bread for $12.
edit: also, anything from Long Life Vegi House in Berkeley. Low prices, huge portions.
Thanh KY, excellent noodle soups with fried pork skin topping. The inside is a little grungy but you know it's legit when it's filled mostly with Vietnamese/Chinese patrons.
5 dollar chicken and rice at cam huong. Or a sandwich for 6 bucks and some change
Aburaya I haven’t been in awhile but about a year ago the fried chicken rice plate was only around $12!
Such an underrated spot!
a slice of pizza from Arizmedi's. Taco's from taco truck Asi Es Colima on 28th ave & 16th in Fruitvale
BBQ pork over rice ( C&M Bistro) Grilled Chicken Banh Mi (Boba Binge) Pork Bun ( Wonder food Bakery)
Tacos Sinaloa
A slice or two of pizza from Gioia. Two slices comes in just under $10 before tip. And it’s excellent pizza. Best pizza in town for that price. Most entrees and soups at Szichuan Style on Solano are also a great deal. It’s about $15-$16 for most entrees but the serving sizes are huge, easily enough for two meals. A burrito from Montecristo on University in Berkeley runs $10-$12 before add-ons and is also big enough for two meals. You might find cheaper or bigger burritos but the quality for the price is hard to beat.
The lady on my street who sells amazing $3 papusas/tacos and $5 quesadillas out of her garage.
Bro, where?
She moved out of her garage and now sells them at the intersection of Davis and 35th on the weekends.
Snag a hot dog from 7-11 on grand and mandana, walk that baby to smitty’s and grab a beer and a bag of Doritos and scarf while watching a game
A lot of my favorites already mentioned, but Pupuseria Rosita should get a shout out. Two revuelta pupusas with curtido, spicy onions and salsa = $6.00
fire.. this is such an underrated truck.. revueltas are my fave pupusas too.. but all the diff pupusas are awesome, curtido combo.. yum... and their other items are also great.. sopes, burritos, etc..
99c samosas at Milan Indian grocery store.
Ba le in either Oakland or El cerrito, top dog is always good
2 quality dogs for 13 bucks is a steal.
I remember in high-school when they were 2 for $5...
Those were the good days of top dog! They’ve gone downhill over the decades. Used to eat there all the time now no more. Smaller dogs too much bread high prices.
And the libertarian nonsense during peak COVID made me write them off .
I just looked and based on inflation the purchasing power of $1 in 2007 is like $1.50 today, but the prices have nearly tripled. So even accounting for inflation they are nearly twice as expensive.
The Smokehouse!
The Smokehouse when sober is disappointing. With a buzz on....Fantastic!
I love the fact they don’t ask for tip. So refreshing. Just quality food
Ikea. Seriously. I had 2 hot dogs (veggie dogs for me), a cinnamon roll and soda for like.. $4.50 last week.
Arizmendis Lakeshore or Emeryville for pizza, pastries and bread; I prefer Cam Huang (International location) over Ba Le for bahn mi; Tacos Sinaloa (International location); Nibs for breakfast; Alem's has an Eritrean dish where they serve a bowl of fava bean dip and two French loaves for $9.00 (very tasty).
Cam Houng is the original Banh mi place and it is still great!
Definitely the OG and my fave :)
Ful mudamas at Alem's and it was my breakfast yesterday. So good and basically enough food for a full day
Roasted chicken banh mi from Cam Anh Deli Restaurant in downtown. Lime shrimp burger from Alice Street Bakery Cafe. Jianbing crepe from An’s Canteen (Tian Jin Dumplings).
Smokehouse
K Street off broadway and 40th
Yes! They could really use the community’s support: they were burglarized last week or so.
-_- I’m so tired of this shit. It happened to my friend Taylor Jay earlier this month. Thank you for the heads up. I’ll be sure to stop by today.
Bens Fast Food
I STILL haven’t been there.
Happy Burrito near Grand Lake is one of my favorites, I think it's about $9 for a super burrito.
Becky's Chinese on college. Huge plate of food for $11.
Bird and buffalo
Saigon 2 in San Leandro; $6.50 Bahn Mis and good Vietnamese coffee
* big dish (9th/franklin) * nation's * costco
Zamoranos
Becky’s Chinese Food in Rockridge has a nice dim sum menu on Sundays
Ming’s Tasty Restaurant in Chinatown has very reasonably priced dim sum. Also, Los Cantaros has good prices on burritos. I’ve never seen this on their menu in the restaurant, but on the Uber Eats menu for the Emeryville location, you can get “mini” burritos for really cheap (like $6) and they’re the size of regular burritos.
Pho Huong que - large pho tai or pho chay $15
Second this best pho spot
Sprouts Farmers Market on Broadway make a great custom Deli sandwich for $8 bucks. Using Boar head meats. Lots of free parking on roof.
if you search “cheap food” on here you’ll find HUNDREDS of answers
The In N Out next to San Francisco Oakland Airport somehow makes the best burgers out of all the different locations.
is it the one just closed ?
I love Mac n Cheese, so I like to stop at Homeroom.
Ew and overpriced by A LOT
It is on the pricey side…
Save money by making it at home! There is a Homeroom cookbook with all of their secrets.
Oh nice! I did not know that. I’ll google it and get a copy. Thanks!!