Kingfish
With more rain in the forecast, I took advantage of the sun we had yesterday and headed over to 51st and Telegraph in Oakland. This area is the Temescal neighborhood, and it has two of my favorite places to grab some food and one great dive bar. Yesterday, I only got to visit two of the three yesterday (what happen to the two drink lunch?).
First off a little about the neighborhood. This Oakland neighborhood has changed dramatically after the housing run-up in the Bay Area and especially in Rockridge neighborhood just to the North. During construction of the 24 Freeway, the Temescal was severely neglected and many who lived in this neighborhood just packed up and took flight to the burbs, but with its great freeway access and close access to BART this neighborhood is once again thriving. The main business corridor of Telegraph Avenue has seen an enormous growth and with it has come shops and restaurants.
So what do I like in this neighborhood.
First off a great deli. Genova Delicatessen and Ravioli at 5095 # A Telegraph Ave. This is a great place to pick-up a sandwich and a beer if you like (just not yesterday). They have a few tables both inside and out if you would like to sit and eat. Genova's is now inside a shopping center that takes up most of the western block. I still remember the old shop that was a few hundred yards away, where you could barely fit 10 people inside with all shelves filled with food circling you. The old location had a real cast of characters that could entertain as they made your sandwich. Some of those characters made the move over to the current location and if you get one of the old timers you will get a sense of what the old deli was like. Grab a box of Raviolis and some gravy to go for the evening dinner.
If you want a treat, walk across Telegraph to Bakesale Betty, 5098 Telegraph Ave. There is no sign, but you will see all of the people at this corner location. The cookies and pecan shortbread are just awesome. Betty's also has sandwiches. The have become legendary in the neighborhood for their Fried Chicken Sandwich. Betty's also makes chicken pot pies, and I would suggest that you order ahead they go fast, you can call your order in 510.985.1213. Betty's has seating outside and uses old iron boards as tables.
Finally a place to get a drink. Although I did not stop in yesterday, a great local dive is the Kingfish 5227 Claremont Ave. Just one block from Genova's and Betty's. The Kingfish traditionally is Cal hangout, but this former bait shop is a true neighborhood watering hole. The Kingfish serves beer and wine (in a box). This shack is a hole in the wall but it does have shuffleboard, great jukebox, a dice game if you want to get in. Plus, my initials are etched into one of the post since 1987. Just a great place to hang out.
If you haven't visited this great Oakland neighborhood, give it a try.
