Best Eats in East Oakland

Oakland Voices correspondents compiled a list of their favorite places to eat in East Oakland, ranging from fresh donuts to birria – goat stew. The restaurants and taco trucks will take you on a tour of International Boulevard. All are single $ — meaning inexpensive. Some take cash only. All are mouth-watering.

Here you go and happy eating.

Fairway Park Donuts

Some mornings you need a donut loaded with sugar and a plain cup of coffee for less than $3 (cash only, please). Fairway Park donuts, a mom and pop shop, has been around for ages, and it looks the part. It’s a small storefront with three yellow formica booths and it doesn’t try to be anything other than what it is, which… well, when they roll out the trays full of crispy old-fashioneds, flaky apple turnovers, and puffy donut holes, you know why you came in. They also sell Thai iced coffee and various packaged candy, if you want an extra buzz for the day.

411 E. 18th St., (510) 839-8748

Open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily/  $ /  Cash only

 

 

 

Jalisco Restaurant

Jalisco is famous for its carnitas, tender beyond belief.
1721 International Blvd

(510) 436-8696

Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Sat – Sun 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM / $/  Credit cards accepted

 

 

El Potrillo inside the 400 Club

The best birria (spicy goat stew) in Oakland. Also delicious braised goat meat served in salsa or just the meat with rice and beans.

400 29th Ave. (510) 261-1108

Wed. through Fri. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat. and Sun. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. /  $ /   Credit cards accepted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Town Center Cafe – Eastmont Town Center

From freshly-prepared food like sandwiches, quesadillas, burritos, etc. to snacks like chips, candy bars, and cookies.

 

7200 Bancroft Suite 143 (510) 635-2233

Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. / $/  Credit cards accepted

 

 

 

 

Tacos Sinaloa

Tacos, tacos, tacos. Some of the specialties – shrimp, fish and beef tongue tacos.

2138 International Blvd. 510-535-1206

9 a.m. to 12:45 a.m., daily/  $ /   No credit cards

 

 

 

 

 

Mi Grullense Taco Truck

Your task — which taco truck has the best tacos? Have fun deciding. 

1301 3oth Ave. (Goodwill Industries parking lot) between 12th and International Blvd.

8 a.m. to 12 a.m., daily/ $ /  No credit cards

 

 

Cam Huong

Home of Banh Mi, fresh and tasty Vietnamese sandwiches. The restaurant has been family owned and operated  since 1985.

 

 

 

 

 

702 International Boulevard  (510) 444-2500

7 a.m. to 6 p.m. , daily /$/  Credit cards accepted