While some folks may learn about a locale through its sights and sounds, I prefer to savor its flavors. For the past year, I’ve been eating my way through the greater Tri-Cities area, making memories of delectable dishes at every stop: a satisfying chicken shawarma wrap with well-seasoned fries at Tio’s Mediterranean Grill in San Leandro; the highly addictive, dangerously bite-sized savory doughnuts of scallion, bacon and parmesan, with some of the best grilled oysters (drenched in smoky chili butter!) I’ve ever had, at Top Hatters Kitchen & Bar, also in San Leandro.
Since our office is in Fremont, most of my lunchtime wanderings are nearby. I’ve slurped many a piping-hot-broth-explosion of the pork and crab xiao long bao at Din Ding Dumpling; downed slices of corn, chile and feta cheese sourdough pizza with cilantro sauce at Sliver Pizzeria; sipped countless Green Mango smoothies and stuffed an Umami Melt or two into my face from Raw Superfood Cafe and discovered my love for rose tteokbokki at Melting Wok (sadly now closed).
I’ve also tested my spice tolerance with a deftly layered, aromatic dal at Solkadhi; explored the array of dishes in the veg thali at Zaitoon Restaurant; engulfed a few falafel bowls at Nick the Greek (not all in one sitting); recently begun taste-testing various wraps and bowls at the newly opened Kebab Shop on Paseo Padre Pkwy and have on more than one occasion relied on the comfort of a “Sometimes I’m a Vegetarian” sandwich from Ike’s Love & Sandwiches.
Thankfully, Lake Elizabeth is also close to the office for long pre- or post-meal walks.
Still on my list to try: Porque No? Tacos and Vivid Bibim in San Leandro, Khao Hom in Hayward and Doughweime (mmm… malasadas!) in Union City. The Tri-Cities region offers a culinary cornucopia of delights, with no end to diverse and delicious gastronomic adventures. So far, my explorations highlight an immigrant-rich heritage that connects food to identity and tradition, serving as cultural anchors for displaced communities—making food a means of expression and survival.
In Tri-City Voice, we hope to provide more insight on who’s behind the food, giving special attention to family-run kitchens, locally owned cafes and immigrant chefs so we can celebrate not just what’s on the plate but who made it possible.
What’s your go-to lunch spot? Let me know at ed*******@**********ce.com.
Coming up next month, those foodie forays will take us into the first-ever Bay Area Burger Week—a 12-day celebration of special menus and promotions honoring the world’s greatest burgers. Stay tuned for more on that soon.
