Tips for Dining, Eating, and Food Shopping in the SF Bay Area (including Berkeley, Oakland, Napa, Sonoma, Marin, and San Jose)
Start New ThreadI was planning to hit Tillie's but heard that they had closed. I've gotten mixed reviews for Jim's Coffee Shop and Ole's -- any new reports? Not looking for anything spectacular, but decent food in a well-worn setting is a plus. TIA
By TerriL
on Oct 12, 2009 03:03 PM
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I've lived in Alameda for over 20 years, and I had lunch at Ole's for the first time a few months back. I think decent food in a well-worn setting is an apt description. I had one of the lunch specials. It was pretty good classic American food, plenty of it, and cheap. It gets busy at lunch time, so go early, go late, or you might have to wait. I used to like Jim's but somehow it lost something when it remodeled a few years back and I've never had decent hash browns there (yes, even when I've asked for them well-done), which for me are make-or-break for a breakfast place.
If you're going to be on the Webster St. end, there's also Albert's, which is another funky old coffee shop (with great hash browns).
Lunch at Ole's: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/577755
Albert's: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/26672
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Tillie's closed?!?
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Apparently it "closed for renovation" earlier this year and has not reopened.
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Alameda Sun yesterday hinted that an "upscale coffee shop" would be moving in to the former Tillie's space but no further details. For the OP, I think Marti's Place on Encinal is pretty good but it annoys me that it only takes cash so I hardly ever go. Hob Nob is good, a decided step up in quality from Ole's and Jims and several steps down on the grease factor.
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I recommend the Hob Nob. They make a good breakfast, but check if they do it on Tuesday. They have great slider Mondays too....
La Pinata is also a very reliable breakfast spot and usually my go-to on the weekend. They serve Mexican Breakfast all day everyday and American Breakfast in the mornings (I think until 2PM). They have terrific salsa or you can just have French Toast. I personally like the chilaquiles.
For other lunch spots, Burma Superstar or (Bagnan) now has a lunch menu with better pricing. Barceluna is good and the Cuban place, Havana is good if you stick to appetizer/sandwich orders.
I have heard mixed reviews on Angela's so I avoid. Tomatina good for light fresh pizzas.
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