Just opened
We have not one, but two new food trucks in the East Bay. Skylite Snowball just launched last Saturday in Berkeley and Oakland. Owner and Baltimore native Katie Baum, brought this regional specialty to California. There are many versions of shaved ice, of course. This one has larger pieces of ice that are bathed in all natural fruit juice – I sampled the strawberry lemon combo. Katie says she will incorporate new flavors, like blood orange, into the mix as the seasons change. The marshmallow fluff topping wasn’t available, but I can’t wait to try it. You can follow her on Twitter.
photo: Christina Mitchell
Twirl and Dip Soft Serve is the other truck I saw at Lake Merritt last weekend, but it actually opened for buisness a few weeks ago. This one serves handcrafted organic soft serve served in hand rolled cones – this is the chocolate raspberry swirl. When I tasted the bittersweet-tart combo, I seriously considered splurging for the mango popcicle, but decided to wait until next time. Find out where the truck will be on Twitter.
photo: Christina Mitchell
That was the good news. Unfortunately, I have some bad news too. When I was in Emeryville the other day, a few food truck owners told me about how the city is raising permit prices and planning to regulate the new mobile businesses, even when they’re invited and parked on private property. Apparently the owner of Rudy’s Cafe is creating a stink about how he’s been loosing business. Keep an eye out for petitions and letters to city leaders, because our local food truck entrepreneurs are going to need support!
Diablo Dish has the scoop on Maggio’s Italian Deli & Bakery, which just opened last week. Chef/owner Laura Miller, who started working in her parents’ Chicago Italian bakery when she was 8, plans to serve Italian pastries and daily specials like house made ravioli and meatball sandwiches. Yum!
2181 First Street, Livermore
925-455-6068
Speaking of Italian, Scolari’s opened a couple months ago in Alameda. The menu looks casual (pizza, stromboli and burgers) and satisfying (Buffalo Fries with crumbled bleu cheese, shaved carrots & celery), and they stay open until 3am on the weekends. Alameda, stand up!
1303 Park Street, Alameda
510-521-2400
photo: Scolari’s
Hamro Aangan Indo-Nepalese Restaurant also opened a couple months ago, this time in Albany. In addition to traditional Indian dishes, they also serve Nepalese specialties like Kukhura Ko Ledo, chicken in a rich gravy.
854 San Pablo Ave, Albany
510-524-2220
I have no idea how I missed Eboraya’s Soul Food, especially since I pass by 63rd Street all the time, but better late than never, right? From what I understand, it’s been serving (and delivering?!) Southern style food for the past 4 months.
6326 San Pablo Ave, Oakland
510-601-1690
photo: D. G., Yelp
SF-based mini-chain La Boulange just opened its second East Bay location, according to Inside Scoop. Now, we can get their baguettes, madelines, croissants, quiches and Croque Monsieurs in Danville AND Lafayette. Très Bien!
3597 Mount Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Opening soon
Addie’s Pizza Pie is throwing a party for friends and neighbors on Sun, 9/12 from 4 – 8pm. To recap, it’s the newest project from Jennifer Millar (Sweet Adeline) and Thomas Schnetz (Doña Tomás, Tacubaya, Flora) located in the former Spud location. New York style pizza made with California ingredients are on the menu, as well as salads and frozen custard.
3290 Adeline Street, Berkeley
Yardie Jerk closed in back April, but has been catering and working on a Jerk truck since then. They plan to open on Wed, 9/22 with these hours: Wed – Fri, 11:30am – 7pm and Sat, 11:30am – 8pm. I also heard something about a Jamaican BBQ in the next few weeks, but check back later for more information.
3301 San Pablo Ave, Oakland
510-547-4900
Kara’s Cupcakes has 5 locations (Palo Alto, San Jose, Napa and 2 in SF) and now they’re coming to the East Bay! Owner Kara Haspel Lind let Diablo Dish know of her plans to expand to Downtown Walnut Creek. The new shop will be on the larger side, and, of course, it will be green like her other locations.
1388 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek
Kwik Way, the iconic drive through buger spot that was super popular in the 60’s and 70’s has been closed for several years now. Plans are in the works for a face lift. The Oakland Tribune reports that Gary Rizzo, owner of Somerset Restaurant, plans to give the retro restaurant a face lift and open an updated burger spot. Construction could begin in a few weeks. The transformation of an iconic, but shuttered, fast-food place into a new casual dining establishment could begin as early as this month. When asked about the design, Rizzo said, “We’re keeping the building as intact as possible and keeping the whole concept intact, architecturally and historically, it’s kind of iconic.”
500 Lake Park Ave, Oakland
photo: Grand Lake Guardian
Christina Mitchell
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