From the owners of chicken spot Xingones comes El Barrio, a Mexican sports bar that replaces its Old Oakland location. Order the wings, which have crispy, golden brown exteriors and come with a basket of fries coated in all-seasoning. Sauce comes on the side; try the “barrio” flavor, which is effectively a tomato-based salsa with chile de arbol and guajillo peppers.
El Barrio. 736 Washington St., Oakland. elbarriooakland.com
The main reason to go to Falafelland is for its owner Billy Alabsi, who opened the restaurant in 2018 before closing and moving the business, twice. Now, Falafelland is a pocket-sized restaurant in Tenderloin, where he welcomes guests with a smile and perhaps a gift — a new dessert he’s working on, a fresh pot of milky tea. The food almost feels secondary to Albasi’s infectious cheer. On a recent visit, I liked the fasolia more than falafel wrap, even if it wasn’t served in a clay pot.
Falafelland. 265 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco. falafellandsf.com
The Romo Cafeis an East Oakland charmer, its busy interior filled with decorative tilework, framed art, dangling piñatas and countless knickknacks. Go for a quick sandwich — the chicken chipotle, a toasted roll filled with a thin layer of beans, chicken breast slices, mixed greens and a mild chipotle aioli — or kick back on the mezzanine with a mug of cafe de olla, lightly sweetened with piloncillo and warm with cinnamon…