Just Moved to Hayward -- Please Prove This Isn't A Food Desert

[S U]

Hello Hounds,

Just moved and now living near Cal State East Bay... from Oakland. Been spoiled w/ all the food choices I had before... Chinatown, Rockridge, Montclair, Downtown, Grand Ave, Lakeshore, etc. Now I've had Favorite Indian (which was decent) twice in 3 weeks. I've been to Buon Apetitio a few times in the past year (prior to my move) and its been ok. The only thing I did enjoy in this city so far is Tomodachi by Southland. But based on the prices, it is more of a "special" meal on my budget. Where are the hole in the walls? Where is the real food at?

I've also been to Val's a few times in the past few years, and will definitely be back. Also, waiting for another opportunity to get the crisp S&P fried eggplant basket from Golden Mountain Chinese...

Thanks!

[day_lilly]

Off the Grid food trucks Mondays from 5PM to 9PM if you like to try different cuisines.

Mission & D Street near downtown Hayward

[IPAforBreakfast]

I agree with Sister House and London Fish & Chips.

Others to add to the mix:

Cesar's Chicken - to go only. Love the fried chicken. Can also get ravioli, spaghetti, and garlic bread.
19450 Hesperian Boulevard Hayward, CA 94541

Hunan Express - good lunch plates, huge portions to go
17383 Hesperian Blvd, San Lorenzo

Buddy's Bites & Brew - Usually has a couple of interesting/local beers on tap. Good burgers, wings, sandwiches. Awesome sweet potato tots. Also really enjoyed their fish and chips.
24297 Hesperian Boulevard Hayward, CA 94545

Porky's Pizza Palace - Old school pizza joint, like where you would go after a softball game. Great beer selection. Hand tossed pizza crust is good when eaten there, but suffers after travel. They also have a selection of other Italian entree's. Don't miss the senior citizen banjo band on Thursdays.
1221 Manor Boulevard San Leandro, CA 94579

[daveena]

If you like beer, The Bistro is a gem. No food, though.

It's super-unpretentious, has an older crowd, and hosts great beer events. I really enjoyed the IPA festival last year (50+ IPAs on tap), and they have a Wet Hop Beer Festival and Barrel-Aged Beer Festival coming up. We happened to stop in this past Friday while they were celebrating their 18th anniversary and they were pouring all sorts of obscure and interesting stuff.

I actually went for the first time because of the Pliny-the-Younger-spotting thread from 2 years ago - while bars in SF and Oakland had long lines and were frequently tapped out within an hour, The Bistro was mostly full of regulars there to listen to their friends sing on open mike night. I heard their keg actually lasted a few days.

[Cecelia]

B Street Bistro serves a very limited bar menu: excellent cheeses and crackers, some dips, etc.

[sydthekyd]

Curry Corner Takeaway.

[GH1618]

For Mexican, I like La Casita on A Street west of downtown.

[shanghaikid]

maybe it was a bad day when i went.

ordered the colorado, etc. - the worst mexican food i've ever had. first the chips were stale everything after that was bland or had a funny color.

el indio, the truck nearby, was great, but it's gone now. not sure if the indio II below pass the freeway is still there.

[ML8000]

El Indio use to have a store front and truck across from the Costco. It was decent but couldn't figure out what was the go to/best item in 2 trips.

[shanghaikid]

asada burritos was my go to item in the beginning,
then they got popular, raised their prices. went less after that.

[hhc]

I like Chavez Supermarket for burritos & tacos on Tennyson Rd
I want to try Oasis Grill in Hayward for Middle Eastern food
Lots of Mexican taquerias on Tennyson Rd - probably avoid at night

Hayward is close to Union City, Newark, & Fremont. Lots of Asian/Afghan/Indian restaurants in the Tri-City area.

Favorite is QQ Noodle on Thornton Ave, Fremont - best to bring cash, charge available over $25!
Lizhou Seafood, Fremont Blvd, Fremont. Dishes 3 for $18 w/ house soup (before tip/tax) - bring cash or maybe they'll let you charge it 50c extra.
Yum's Bistro, Fremont - chowhound favorite, pricey, credit cards ok.

[dunstable]

I've eaten at that Oasis Grill; it was decent. If I lived in Hayward I would probably dine there often.

[shanghaikid]

Oasis grill seems to be pricier than comparable businesses in the east bay. huumus pita was a dollar extra.

[ML8000]

There's a Five Guy's on "A" St. Probably better off at Val's.

There's a Fresh and Easy in that same parking lot/mall. It's like a cross between Trader Joe's and 7-11, from Britain. Good prices, decent quality (similar to Safeway).

[Steve Green]

We haven't lived in the area in years, but Thai Garden (20955 Mission) is one of the better Thai restaurants we've ever been to. We especially liked the BBQ beef.

[shanghaikid]

yep. on the edges of the 'dro, across from big lots. the beef satey skewers with peanut sauce too.
curries and the tom yum soup were adequate.

[shanghaikid]

some rough diamonds:
julian's bbq-22532 foothlll blvd.
-interesting cheaper rendition of bbq, can't pigeonhole style
wakamatsu-22724 foohill bivd
-only japanese owned japanese eatery in area.
han yang-22765 mission blvd
-cheap korean lunches in half chinese decor dining room
sister house-21851 mission blvd
-cheap korean lunch in hole in wall. small place
london fish & chip 18890 hesperian
-best fish in area.
mexican; chavez, mission blvd. is newer, more seating area
united paleteria, 24261 mission,
-mexican ice cream parlor

silva bakery(portugese), cheap 18563 mission

dirty bird lounge, mission blvd
-upsale lounge, HH afternoons, pricey in evenings.