Oakland's Native American frybread runs through Crystal Wahpepah's kitchen in Fruitvale. Bison and squash on a fried dough that traces to forced relocation.
Where to eat it: 1 restaurant across 1 city.
Frybread originated with the Navajo, Apache and other tribes forced onto reservations in the 1860s. Government rations of flour, lard and salt produced the fried dough that became Native American comfort food. Crystal Wahpepah, an Oakland-raised Kickapoo tribal member and the first Native chef on Food Network's Chopped, opened Wahpepah's Kitchen in 2021 and was nominated for a James Beard award.
Tip from the editors. Frybread should be golden, not dark. Test the oil with a scrap of dough before frying the rounds.
Wahpepah's Kitchen in Oakland's Fruitvale is a rare Native American restaurant. Bison, rabbit and squash tacos by Kickapoo tribal member Crystal Wahpepah.
OrderBison taco with native squash.
Why locals goFirst Native American restaurant in Oakland, steps from Fruitvale BART. Crystal Wahpepah was first Native chef on Food Network's Chopped.
TipLunch service is quicker; the kitchen sources greens from a nearby rooftop garden. James Beard nominated.
Not on this list, but close by, nearest first. Every one is in our guide with its address, hours and what to order.
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