If you live anywhere south of Oakland, the real food is a short trip up 880. The East Bay’s best Black-owned restaurants are clustered between Temescal, Jack London Square, and downtown San Leandro, which puts most of them 15 to 35 minutes from Hayward. A couple are splurges. Most will feed you and the kid for under $25. Here’s where to go and why it beats whatever’s in your freezer tonight.
1. Burdell (Oakland) — The Temescal spot at 4640 Telegraph Ave was named Food & Wine’s 2025 Restaurant of the Year and topped the magazine’s list of the 15 best restaurants in America.
Chef Geoff Davis named it for his maternal grandmother, and the pickle-brined fried chicken, dry-aged duck with dirty rice, and cornmeal-waffle chicken liver mousse earn every line of praise.
It is MICHELIN recommended, it is $$$, and one reviewer summed up a quarter of the menu with “chicken and waffles, perfection.” Save it for a kid-free weekend.
2. Horn Barbecue (Oakland) — After an arson fire in late 2023, pitmaster Matt Horn closed his Mandela Parkway flagship and consolidated at 464 8th St in Old Oakland. James Beard semifinalist, MICHELIN Bib Gourmand in the 2025 Guide, and yes, the beef rib runs about $40 a rib. The brisket, burnt ends, and smoked sticky wings are why people line up Wednesday through Sunday.
3. Everett & Jones Barbeque (Oakland) — Family-owned and hickory-smoking since 1973.
The Jack London Square location at 126 Broadway has kid-size plates, live entertainment, and a four-way combo of chicken, ribs, brisket, and links for $19.95. Kid-approved and mama-approved, and the most budget-friendly Black-owned BBQ in the Bay.
4. Lois the Pie Queen (Oakland) — Opened in 1951 and widely considered the oldest Black-owned restaurant in California, nearly 50 years at 851 60th St. Sweet potato pie, fried chicken, soul-food breakfast, and a $ price tag instead of $$. Bring cash and bring your mama…