TammyM
Its the Oakland China town between 9th and 7th street just east of Broadway, Downtown Oakland, you can walk there from the 12th street Bart station. I can not recommend them highly enough, many small 'mom and pop' type stores, plus they are just a few blocks away from Rattos, a marvellous 100 year old Italian Deli, across the street from Rattos is Taylors sausages, in a building called Swans market which is a collection of several butchers & a really good cat fish restaurant. There is even close by a small business making tamales, they have been in business for about 50 years and a dozen really good tamales hand made, corn hull wrapped are only 8 dollars. There is also a ":Smart & Finale" where i get some good buys.
Black Caviar 7497While subsbreastuting salmon roe for the black caviar may work for me in this situation...
I go 2 blocks east off broadway on 8th street, but the block just off broadway on 9th street is a good place to start.
I enjoy Andronicos for speciality items but otherwise shopping in my neighbourhood which is near the Oakland Chinatown is not only easier and less expensive but just an enjoyable stroll away for me.
I have not been to the Berkeley Bowl since the moved to the new building but which i refused to patronize before that cause it was always so very, very crowded.
We do have a farmers market on fridays on 9th street west of Broadway but it is heavily patronized by yuppies and priced accordingly, though nice to walk through and there is a good baker that is well priced and a few odds and ends that are unique or otherwise interesting, but with China town so near selling much the same produce i wont pay the Farmers Market prices.
Let me know if you would like the guided tour, i go over there at least 3 times a week. --- JL
