Vien Huong is a chinese budget eat in Chinatown, Oakland.
Vien Huong on Franklin in Oakland Chinatown cooks Chiu Chow Cantonese-Vietnamese plates under ten dollars. Hu tieu, congee, and a sub-three-dollar tea.
Must order: Hu tieu noodle soup or congee under ten dollars.
Tip: Breakfast and lunch only; cash only for the smoothest check.
Address: 712 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Tay Ho's 12th Street lunch hour runs Northern Vietnamese plates for under fifteen dollars. Bun cha Hanoi, banh xeo and rice bowls at the door.
Order: Bun cha Hanoi for thirteen dollars at lunch.
Tip: Lunch specials run 11 to 3 weekdays; the dinner menu doubles on price.
El Huarache Azteca on International Boulevard runs Mexico City huaraches and tlacoyos under fourteen dollars. Mother-daughter team, late close.
Order: Huarache de chicharron under fourteen dollars.
Tip: Salsa bar has six options; ask for extra cebolla curtida on the side.
Town Biscuits in Oakland's Uptown runs biscuit sandwiches under twelve dollars Thursday through Sunday. Fried chicken on flaky buttermilk biscuits.
Order: Fried chicken biscuit under twelve dollars.
Tip: Pre-order online; weekend lines snap to the corner by 10 a.m.
Tay Ho's 12th Street lunch hour runs Northern Vietnamese plates for under fifteen dollars. Bun cha Hanoi, banh xeo and rice bowls at the door.
Order: Bun cha Hanoi for thirteen dollars at lunch.
Tip: Lunch specials run 11 to 3 weekdays; the dinner menu doubles on price.
Tacos El Ultimo Baile in Fruitvale Public Market took its taco-truck queues into a brick-and-mortar. Tacos al carbon for ten dollars on flour tortillas.
Order: Tacos al carbon with hand-pressed flour tortillas.
Tip: Sub the corn tortillas; the flour version is what made the truck famous.
Hawking Bird in Oakland's Temescal is James Syhabout's fast-casual Thai fried chicken room. Kao mun gai and garlic-ginger fillets under fifteen dollars.
Order: Kao mun gai for under fifteen dollars.
Tip: James Syhabout's cheap-eats sibling to two-star Commis; same kitchen DNA, a tenth of the price.
Puerto Rican Street Cuisine on Oakland's 23rd Avenue runs takeout pollo encebollado and pernil under fifteen dollars. San Antonio neighborhood.
Order: Pernil with sweet plantain stuffed with ground beef.
Tip: Takeout only; outdoor seating at picnic tables. Cash and card.
