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Tacos at Taqueria El Paisa@.com
Tacos at Taqueria El Paisa@.com
Noah Cho

19 Affordable Takeout Options in the East Bay

Where to go to get a filling meal when your budget is tight

by Luke Tsai
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Tacos at Taqueria El Paisa@.com
| Noah Cho
by Luke Tsai

These days, with the entire country in the midst of a full-blown economic crisis, many of our dining budgets have gotten pretty tight. Here in the Bay Area, people are cooking at home, and even for folks fortunate enough to be able to dine out, it may be a matter of choosing between a $5 rice plate and a couple of $2 tacos.

The good news is that in the East Bay, food that’s both affordable and delicious is the local restaurant scene’s sweet spot, with dozens of places in nearly every neighborhood — from Richmond down to Hayward — where a budget-minded diner can fill up on a delicious plate of plump momos, spicy fava been dip, or succulent fried chicken.

Affordability is, of course, in the eye of the beholder, but here are 19 wonderful, value-oriented East Bay restaurants to get you started.

Looking for a good deal in SF? We’ve got you covered.

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La Selva Taqueria

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The specialty at this rainforest-themed taqueria is its pollo al carbon: whole spatchcocked chickens grilled over charcoal in a garage adjacent to the restaurant. The chicken comes out supremely smoky and succulent, and the bright, zippy salsas are a cut above. Order your tacos a la carte (a bargain at $2 a pop), or for the perfect family meal, order the whole chicken plate, which comes with rice, beans, and warm tortillas — plenty of food to feed three or four hungry people for just over $20. Since the COVID-19 crisis, the restaurant has also started offering delivery through DoorDash.

1049 23rd St, Richmond, CA 94804
(510) 237-0913
(510) 237-0913
La Selva’s half-chicken plate, with rice and beans, in a to-go container Luke Tsai

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El Garage

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Now finally settled in its own Richmond storefront, the queen of the East Bay’s thriving quesabirria scene is dishing out its wildly popular cheesy, red-tinged beef birria tacos Friday through Sunday. They haven’t even raised their prices — and $12 for three overstuffed, tremendously satisfying tacos is a deal that’s tough to beat. Make sure you get a side of consomé (the rich beef broth yielded by the cooking process), for sipping or double- and triple-dipping, to complete the experience. Order in advance online for pickup only.

1428 Macdonald Ave, Richmond, CA 94801
Putting birria on top of the tacos Patricia Chang

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Tashi Delek Cuisine

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The rare restaurant that specializes in Nepalese, Indian, Tibetan, and Bhutanese cuisines, this El Cerrito gem is a good bet for diners who enjoy sampling a wide variety of South Asian dishes over the course of a single meal: Tibetan meat pies and hand-pulled noodles, sweet-and-spicy Indo-Chinese fried cauliflower dish known as gobi Manchurian, momos prepared in half a dozen different styles, and one of the tastiest lamb curries around. Very few dishes on the menu will run you much more than $10, and the portion sizes are truly tremendous. Call in or order online for takeout, or get delivery via DoorDash.

11224 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 232-9316
(510) 232-9316
Chicken jhol momos (dumpings in a brown gravy), with a bowl of lamb curry off to the side Luke Tsai

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Larb Thai Food & Tapas

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This northeastern Thai restaurant in El Cerrito is open for takeout for both lunch and dinner (with only the dinner menu available on weekends). Apart from the assorted meat skewers (which comprise most of the “tapas” side of the menu, the focus here is on Isaan dishes, especially the larbs (bright, spicy meat salads) that give the restaurant its name. For the most bang for your buck, go for any of Larb Thai’s excellent noodle dishes — including an uncommonly delicious, liver-intensive rendition of Thai boat noodles — for just a shade over $10. For curbside pickup, call 510-524-8988 upon arrival.

10166 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 524-8988
(510) 524-8988

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New Dumpling

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The East Bay’s premier destination for Chinese boiled dumplings, or shui jiao, is open for takeout, selling fresh-cooked dumplings as well as frozen ones. The dumplings come in a generous portion of 14 per order — all for less than $10. Snag an order of scallion pancakes and a cold appetizer — say, the celery and peanut salad — to round out your meal. Call in or get delivery via DoorDash.

10064 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 529-4161
(510) 529-4161
Takeout dumplings from New Dumpling Luke Tsai

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The Cheeseboard Pizza

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After a long hiatus, Berkeley’s favorite collective-owned pizzeria is back, with its characteristically idiosyncratic sourdough crust and its one, always-vegetarian flavor of the day — though for now it’s only selling par-baked pies for customers to finish in the oven at home. At $22 for a whole pie and $11 for a half, the pizza remains one of the better deals in town. Check the day’s toppings here and, for now, simply order in person (with a credit card). Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

1512 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 549-3183
(510) 549-3183

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Seoul Hotdog

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This little shop on the Northside of the Cal campus introduced East Bay customers to the Korean-style hot dog, which are battered, deep-fried, and served on a stick like a corn dog — and often filled with stretchy cheese, dusted with powdered cheese, or even rolled in sugar. The potato hot dog, which comes studded with what are essentially cubed French fries, is a solid (and highly Instagram-friendly) pick. With prices that start at just $3 for a basic dog, Seoul Hotdog is built to fit tight student budgets. The restaurant is currently open for takeout Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

2505 Hearst Ave D, Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 766-8182
(510) 766-8182

The Italian Homemade Company

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Lots of casual Italian spots try to pull off the whole mix-and-match pasta thing, but few so convincingly as Homemade Italian Company, the San Francisco-based mini chain. Pick your noodle and your sauce, and dinner’s all set for as little as $10. Even better, order a giant slab of their exceedingly delicious lasagna with meat sauce ($14), which is plenty of food to feed two hungry adults — though, if we’re being honest, it’s unlikely you’ll want to share. During the pandemic, Italian Homemade has been especially active on the takeout and delivery front, offering various meal box deals and a selection of Italian pantry items. Order online for pickup or delivery.

2905 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 649-1495
(510) 649-1495
Lasagna from Italian Homemade The Italian Homemade Company

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B-Dama at Berkeley Bowl West Cafe

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The chefs behind AS B-Dama and Delage are currently operating out of the Berkeley Bowl West cafe — a separate adjacent space, so there’s no need to wait on the long grocery store line. On offer, amid many appealing bento box options, if you can snag one before they sell out: lovely and exceedingly reasonably priced chirashi bowls ($14). Meanwhile, the onigiri combo — $7 for two big rice balls and a small order of chicken karaage — might be the best deal on the menu. Walk up, text your order to 510-421-6023, or order takeout or delivery via DoorDash.

920-998 Heinz Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 898-9555
(510) 898-9555
Chirashi bowl and bentos from B-Dama/Berkeley Bowl West Luke Tsai

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Alem's Coffee

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This cozy, congenial coffee shop across from the Temescal DMV serves some of the tastiest Eritrean breakfast dishes around, nearly all of them priced at just $8 or $9 for a hearty, satisfying meal. The shahan ful ($8.95), a spicy fava bean dip that comes with two warm, crusty French rolls, is one of the most delicious dishes you can eat at any time of day. The cafe is offering its full menu for takeout from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

5353 Claremont Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 655-6003
(510) 655-6003
Shahan ful at Alem’s, served with two crusty loaves of bread Alem’s Coffee/Facebook

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Nibs Restaurant

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Large portions and classic American breakfasts are the calling cards of this West Oakland diner, a newly reborn version of a beloved El Cerrito spot (and, more recently, of San Pablo’s now-shuttered Alex’s Giant Burger). The burgers, omelets, and fluffy, buttery pancakes are all solid options here, but the Asian-leaning dishes are worth trying too — say, a couple of runny-yolked eggs over white rice, with teriyaki chicken or a couple slices of grilled Spam on the side. Call in or come in person to place your takeout order.

3112 Market St, Oakland, CA 94608
(510) 250-9272
(510) 250-9272
Teriyaki chicken breakfast plate Nibs/Facebook

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Gum Kuo

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Tucked inside the Pacific Renaissance Plaza in Oakland Chinatown, Gum Kuo has one of those intimidatingly lengthy Cantonese restaurant menus, but regulars stick to its three specialties: jook (or rice porridge), steamed rice rolls, and Cantonese-style roast meats, all at an exceedingly budget-friendly price. They’re currently open for takeout — call in from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

388 9th St STE 182, Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 268-1288
(510) 268-1288

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Ben's

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This scrappy, no-frills neighborhood lunch spot has stayed open for takeout for the duration of the pandemic, continuing to serve its short menu of inexpensive rice plates made with fresh ingredients and a whole lot of skill with the wok. Ben’s is probably best known for its Wednesday-only fried chicken special, which has a major cult following. But the real standout is the shrimp over egg (or its variant, the “David Special” — if you know, you know), which — like everything on the menu — is made exponentially tastier by the restaurant’s absurdly delicious house-made black bean hot sauce. Call in or walk up to order.

398 3rd St, Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 763-8336
(510) 763-8336
David Special (shrimp, beef, and eggs) at Ben’s Luke Tsai

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Lucky Three Seven

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This cash-only takeout window remains open, Wednesday through Monday 10 a.m.–9 p.m., with its usual rotating menu of home-style Filipino dishes — with an emphasis on meaty, bold-flavored stews. For around $11, a basic rice combo, with plain or garlic rice and your choice of entree, will fill you up for the rest of the day. Try the oxtail kare kare if it’s available, along with a few of the restaurant’s jumbo-sized lumpia — a $2 bargain considering their length and girth. The menu changes daily, so check the restaurant’s Facebook page each morning for the day’s specials. Call in or walk up to order.

2868 Fruitvale Ave, Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 866-2023
(510) 866-2023
Janelle Bitker

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Banh Mi Ba Le

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The gold standard for banh mi in the East Bay, Ba Le’s sandwiches nail every component: the bright, sweet crunch of the pickled carrots and daikon; the abundance of pâté in the dac biet combo; the extra oomph of Maggi seasoning; the crispness and airy lightness of the baguette. There isn’t a bad sandwich on the menu, with most items priced at or around $4, but the #13 — with meatball and a runny-yolked fried egg ($5.25) — is positively life changing. Call in or walk up for takeout.

1909 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94606
(510) 261-9800
(510) 261-9800

Also featured in:

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Vientian Cafe

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Tucked into a residential neighborhood, Vientian Cafe has the kind of greatest hits menu that spans pho, pad Thai, and every other Southeast Asian standard in between. But it’s a Lao restaurant above all else, and to unlock the restaurant’s true greatness, diners should order exclusively off the separate menu of Lao specialties: nam kao, or crunchy rice ball salad; a best-in-class version of baked Lao sausages; catfish steamed inside banana leaves; and an assortment of delicious noodle soups. Many of the dishes are priced at less than $10. Call in or walk up to order.

3801 Allendale Ave, Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 535-2218
(510) 535-2218
Fermented Lao sausage, soup, and other dishes at Vientian Cafe Thien Pham

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Taqueria El Paisa@.com

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There’s a strong argument to be made that El Paisa@.com’s tacos are as good as any you can find anywhere in Northern California — and still a bargain at around $3 a pop. The place is a meat lover’s paradise, especially if you like offal cuts like cabeza, sesos (brains), and luxuriously tender slow-cooked tripa (beef tripe). A word to the wise: Even the mildest salsa options pack serious heat. Call in your to-go orders.

4610 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94601
(510) 610-6398
(510) 610-6398
Tacos at Taqueria El Paisa@.com Noah Cho

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Lena's Soul Food Restaurant

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Everyone goes wild for the bargain-priced $0.99-a-piece fried chicken (part of one of the best dollar menus in town), but this East Oakland soul food steam-table spot also excels in side dishes like its candied yams or anything that comes soaked in the restaurant’s rich brown gray: oxtails, neck bones, smothered turkey wings, or even just a simple side of rice and gravy — a struggle food fit for kings. Call in, or get delivery via apps like Doordash and Grubhub.

6403 Foothill Blvd, Oakland, CA 94547
(510) 957-5663
(510) 957-5663
Neckbone plate with mac and cheese, yams, and cornbread on the side Luke Tsai

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Caesar's Chicken

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No trip to Hayward is complete without a stop at Caesar’s, an old-school fried chicken shack where everyone orders the same thing: a big bucket of well-seasoned, craggy-crusted chicken, with an also-quite-big bucket of red-sauce spaghetti on the side. The price is right, too: You can still get a three-piece dinner for less than $10. The restaurant is open for takeout daily — call in or walk up to order.

19450 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94541
(510) 786-9755
(510) 786-9755
Takeout fried chicken and spaghetti from Caesar’s Thien Pham

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La Selva Taqueria

1049 23rd St, Richmond, CA 94804

The specialty at this rainforest-themed taqueria is its pollo al carbon: whole spatchcocked chickens grilled over charcoal in a garage adjacent to the restaurant. The chicken comes out supremely smoky and succulent, and the bright, zippy salsas are a cut above. Order your tacos a la carte (a bargain at $2 a pop), or for the perfect family meal, order the whole chicken plate, which comes with rice, beans, and warm tortillas — plenty of food to feed three or four hungry people for just over $20. Since the COVID-19 crisis, the restaurant has also started offering delivery through DoorDash.

1049 23rd St, Richmond, CA 94804
(510) 237-0913
(510) 237-0913
La Selva’s half-chicken plate, with rice and beans, in a to-go container Luke Tsai

El Garage

1428 Macdonald Ave, Richmond, CA 94801

Now finally settled in its own Richmond storefront, the queen of the East Bay’s thriving quesabirria scene is dishing out its wildly popular cheesy, red-tinged beef birria tacos Friday through Sunday. They haven’t even raised their prices — and $12 for three overstuffed, tremendously satisfying tacos is a deal that’s tough to beat. Make sure you get a side of consomé (the rich beef broth yielded by the cooking process), for sipping or double- and triple-dipping, to complete the experience. Order in advance online for pickup only.

1428 Macdonald Ave, Richmond, CA 94801
Putting birria on top of the tacos Patricia Chang

Tashi Delek Cuisine

11224 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530

The rare restaurant that specializes in Nepalese, Indian, Tibetan, and Bhutanese cuisines, this El Cerrito gem is a good bet for diners who enjoy sampling a wide variety of South Asian dishes over the course of a single meal: Tibetan meat pies and hand-pulled noodles, sweet-and-spicy Indo-Chinese fried cauliflower dish known as gobi Manchurian, momos prepared in half a dozen different styles, and one of the tastiest lamb curries around. Very few dishes on the menu will run you much more than $10, and the portion sizes are truly tremendous. Call in or order online for takeout, or get delivery via DoorDash.

11224 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 232-9316
(510) 232-9316
Chicken jhol momos (dumpings in a brown gravy), with a bowl of lamb curry off to the side Luke Tsai

Larb Thai Food & Tapas

10166 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530

This northeastern Thai restaurant in El Cerrito is open for takeout for both lunch and dinner (with only the dinner menu available on weekends). Apart from the assorted meat skewers (which comprise most of the “tapas” side of the menu, the focus here is on Isaan dishes, especially the larbs (bright, spicy meat salads) that give the restaurant its name. For the most bang for your buck, go for any of Larb Thai’s excellent noodle dishes — including an uncommonly delicious, liver-intensive rendition of Thai boat noodles — for just a shade over $10. For curbside pickup, call 510-524-8988 upon arrival.

10166 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 524-8988
(510) 524-8988

New Dumpling

10064 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530

The East Bay’s premier destination for Chinese boiled dumplings, or shui jiao, is open for takeout, selling fresh-cooked dumplings as well as frozen ones. The dumplings come in a generous portion of 14 per order — all for less than $10. Snag an order of scallion pancakes and a cold appetizer — say, the celery and peanut salad — to round out your meal. Call in or get delivery via DoorDash.

10064 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 529-4161
(510) 529-4161
Takeout dumplings from New Dumpling Luke Tsai

The Cheeseboard Pizza

1512 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709

After a long hiatus, Berkeley’s favorite collective-owned pizzeria is back, with its characteristically idiosyncratic sourdough crust and its one, always-vegetarian flavor of the day — though for now it’s only selling par-baked pies for customers to finish in the oven at home. At $22 for a whole pie and $11 for a half, the pizza remains one of the better deals in town. Check the day’s toppings here and, for now, simply order in person (with a credit card). Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

1512 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 549-3183
(510) 549-3183

Seoul Hotdog

2505 Hearst Ave D, Berkeley, CA 94709

This little shop on the Northside of the Cal campus introduced East Bay customers to the Korean-style hot dog, which are battered, deep-fried, and served on a stick like a corn dog — and often filled with stretchy cheese, dusted with powdered cheese, or even rolled in sugar. The potato hot dog, which comes studded with what are essentially cubed French fries, is a solid (and highly Instagram-friendly) pick. With prices that start at just $3 for a basic dog, Seoul Hotdog is built to fit tight student budgets. The restaurant is currently open for takeout Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

2505 Hearst Ave D, Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 766-8182
(510) 766-8182

The Italian Homemade Company

2905 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705

Lots of casual Italian spots try to pull off the whole mix-and-match pasta thing, but few so convincingly as Homemade Italian Company, the San Francisco-based mini chain. Pick your noodle and your sauce, and dinner’s all set for as little as $10. Even better, order a giant slab of their exceedingly delicious lasagna with meat sauce ($14), which is plenty of food to feed two hungry adults — though, if we’re being honest, it’s unlikely you’ll want to share. During the pandemic, Italian Homemade has been especially active on the takeout and delivery front, offering various meal box deals and a selection of Italian pantry items. Order online for pickup or delivery.

2905 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 649-1495
(510) 649-1495
Lasagna from Italian Homemade The Italian Homemade Company

B-Dama at Berkeley Bowl West Cafe

920-998 Heinz Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710

The chefs behind AS B-Dama and Delage are currently operating out of the Berkeley Bowl West cafe — a separate adjacent space, so there’s no need to wait on the long grocery store line. On offer, amid many appealing bento box options, if you can snag one before they sell out: lovely and exceedingly reasonably priced chirashi bowls ($14). Meanwhile, the onigiri combo — $7 for two big rice balls and a small order of chicken karaage — might be the best deal on the menu. Walk up, text your order to 510-421-6023, or order takeout or delivery via DoorDash.

920-998 Heinz Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 898-9555
(510) 898-9555
Chirashi bowl and bentos from B-Dama/Berkeley Bowl West Luke Tsai

Alem's Coffee

5353 Claremont Ave, Oakland, CA 94618

This cozy, congenial coffee shop across from the Temescal DMV serves some of the tastiest Eritrean breakfast dishes around, nearly all of them priced at just $8 or $9 for a hearty, satisfying meal. The shahan ful ($8.95), a spicy fava bean dip that comes with two warm, crusty French rolls, is one of the most delicious dishes you can eat at any time of day. The cafe is offering its full menu for takeout from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

5353 Claremont Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 655-6003
(510) 655-6003
Shahan ful at Alem’s, served with two crusty loaves of bread Alem’s Coffee/Facebook

Nibs Restaurant

3112 Market St, Oakland, CA 94608

Large portions and classic American breakfasts are the calling cards of this West Oakland diner, a newly reborn version of a beloved El Cerrito spot (and, more recently, of San Pablo’s now-shuttered Alex’s Giant Burger). The burgers, omelets, and fluffy, buttery pancakes are all solid options here, but the Asian-leaning dishes are worth trying too — say, a couple of runny-yolked eggs over white rice, with teriyaki chicken or a couple slices of grilled Spam on the side. Call in or come in person to place your takeout order.

3112 Market St, Oakland, CA 94608
(510) 250-9272
(510) 250-9272
Teriyaki chicken breakfast plate Nibs/Facebook

Gum Kuo

388 9th St STE 182, Oakland, CA 94607

Tucked inside the Pacific Renaissance Plaza in Oakland Chinatown, Gum Kuo has one of those intimidatingly lengthy Cantonese restaurant menus, but regulars stick to its three specialties: jook (or rice porridge), steamed rice rolls, and Cantonese-style roast meats, all at an exceedingly budget-friendly price. They’re currently open for takeout — call in from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

388 9th St STE 182, Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 268-1288
(510) 268-1288

Ben's

398 3rd St, Oakland, CA 94607

This scrappy, no-frills neighborhood lunch spot has stayed open for takeout for the duration of the pandemic, continuing to serve its short menu of inexpensive rice plates made with fresh ingredients and a whole lot of skill with the wok. Ben’s is probably best known for its Wednesday-only fried chicken special, which has a major cult following. But the real standout is the shrimp over egg (or its variant, the “David Special” — if you know, you know), which — like everything on the menu — is made exponentially tastier by the restaurant’s absurdly delicious house-made black bean hot sauce. Call in or walk up to order.

398 3rd St, Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 763-8336
(510) 763-8336
David Special (shrimp, beef, and eggs) at Ben’s Luke Tsai

Lucky Three Seven

2868 Fruitvale Ave, Oakland, CA 94602

This cash-only takeout window remains open, Wednesday through Monday 10 a.m.–9 p.m., with its usual rotating menu of home-style Filipino dishes — with an emphasis on meaty, bold-flavored stews. For around $11, a basic rice combo, with plain or garlic rice and your choice of entree, will fill you up for the rest of the day. Try the oxtail kare kare if it’s available, along with a few of the restaurant’s jumbo-sized lumpia — a $2 bargain considering their length and girth. The menu changes daily, so check the restaurant’s Facebook page each morning for the day’s specials. Call in or walk up to order.

2868 Fruitvale Ave, Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 866-2023
(510) 866-2023
Janelle Bitker

Banh Mi Ba Le

1909 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94606

The gold standard for banh mi in the East Bay, Ba Le’s sandwiches nail every component: the bright, sweet crunch of the pickled carrots and daikon; the abundance of pâté in the dac biet combo; the extra oomph of Maggi seasoning; the crispness and airy lightness of the baguette. There isn’t a bad sandwich on the menu, with most items priced at or around $4, but the #13 — with meatball and a runny-yolked fried egg ($5.25) — is positively life changing. Call in or walk up for takeout.

1909 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94606
(510) 261-9800
(510) 261-9800

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Vientian Cafe

3801 Allendale Ave, Oakland, CA 94619

Tucked into a residential neighborhood, Vientian Cafe has the kind of greatest hits menu that spans pho, pad Thai, and every other Southeast Asian standard in between. But it’s a Lao restaurant above all else, and to unlock the restaurant’s true greatness, diners should order exclusively off the separate menu of Lao specialties: nam kao, or crunchy rice ball salad; a best-in-class version of baked Lao sausages; catfish steamed inside banana leaves; and an assortment of delicious noodle soups. Many of the dishes are priced at less than $10. Call in or walk up to order.

3801 Allendale Ave, Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 535-2218
(510) 535-2218
Fermented Lao sausage, soup, and other dishes at Vientian Cafe Thien Pham

Taqueria El Paisa@.com

4610 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94601

There’s a strong argument to be made that El Paisa@.com’s tacos are as good as any you can find anywhere in Northern California — and still a bargain at around $3 a pop. The place is a meat lover’s paradise, especially if you like offal cuts like cabeza, sesos (brains), and luxuriously tender slow-cooked tripa (beef tripe). A word to the wise: Even the mildest salsa options pack serious heat. Call in your to-go orders.

4610 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94601
(510) 610-6398
(510) 610-6398
Tacos at Taqueria El Paisa@.com Noah Cho

Lena's Soul Food Restaurant

6403 Foothill Blvd, Oakland, CA 94547

Everyone goes wild for the bargain-priced $0.99-a-piece fried chicken (part of one of the best dollar menus in town), but this East Oakland soul food steam-table spot also excels in side dishes like its candied yams or anything that comes soaked in the restaurant’s rich brown gray: oxtails, neck bones, smothered turkey wings, or even just a simple side of rice and gravy — a struggle food fit for kings. Call in, or get delivery via apps like Doordash and Grubhub.

6403 Foothill Blvd, Oakland, CA 94547
(510) 957-5663
(510) 957-5663
Neckbone plate with mac and cheese, yams, and cornbread on the side Luke Tsai

Caesar's Chicken

19450 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94541

No trip to Hayward is complete without a stop at Caesar’s, an old-school fried chicken shack where everyone orders the same thing: a big bucket of well-seasoned, craggy-crusted chicken, with an also-quite-big bucket of red-sauce spaghetti on the side. The price is right, too: You can still get a three-piece dinner for less than $10. The restaurant is open for takeout daily — call in or walk up to order.

19450 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94541
(510) 786-9755
(510) 786-9755
Takeout fried chicken and spaghetti from Caesar’s Thien Pham

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