Eateries

The reason my wife and I have eaten at every single one of Hayward’s restaurants is because at times we like to explore and follow a lead. Our fine City is a good place to dine out. 

Our objective, every Friday and/or Saturday for the past two years, has been to eat at least once in every restaurant our city has to offer. On occasion, however, someone tells us that Pasta Pomodoro, Benihana, Elephant Bar, California Pizza Kitchen, Macaroni Grill, Blue Agave, Chevys, T.G.I. Friday´s and a host of others are worthy of our taste buds, so off we go. They are good. We’d like to see them here. When are they coming to Hayward?

Among one of the places we visited was the Tequila Grill in San Leandro. I mean, I read “tequila” and I thought there would be a large selection. Well, the food was palatable, but the lack of liquid variety did not impress me.

There are a few others in our neighboring sister cities. A few are worth a second taste. But, folks, nothing beats our restaurants!

Here are some special ones for you – ones that we have noted and have satisfied us, for one reason or another. Try them.

My wife’s favorite: Buon Appetito

Our favorite: Sizzler, for the all-you-can-eat aspect

My favorite ones: Sorry, my friends, but they are all Mexican, but you know I am an inclusive type of guy, so I do dabble and gobble in others.

Best beer: Buffalo Bill’s (closed at the moment)

Best all-around entertainment: The Bistro

Best pro-Hayward decor: Applebee’s

Best Chinese: Grand Taipei (it is gone...)

Most colorfully tropical: Shark Shack (it is gone...)

Best hosts: Neumanali

Best smallest joint: Arandas

Best spicy shrimp: Celia’s (it is gone...)

Most for your buck: Sizzler

Best (juicy, fat, long, scrumptious, sweat-inducing) jalapenos: Acapulco’s/The Mexican Restaurant and Bar

Best tequila selection: La Victoria (it is gone...)

Best desserts: Marie Calender’s (it is gone...loved their pies)

Best thickest and milkiest shakes, AND luscious hamburgers: Val’s

Best live music: Kumbala, with mariachi on Sunday afternoons (it is gone...)

Best tortillas: La Cocina, because Aunt Amparo is right there, making them fresh. Besides, our goddaughter Maryann and her dad, compadre Juan Carlos, also work there. (it is gone...)

Best chef: Pepe from Acapulco’s, who kept piling his original creations onto us. Dang, how I wished I’d been a cow, with four stomachs!

Most expensive: a small, French place in a San Francisco alley where we totaled 250 bucks! My stomach would not stop talking about it for a whole week! My wallet still remembers this episode.

Best family-run: Los Compadres, and they’re into their 41st year.

Best Asian rice-French pastry combo: Patisserie Francaise

Most Romantic Atmosphere: Rue de Main (it is gone...)

Have there been any repeaters? Yes, we have returned to some, and at times, three or four times. Worthwhile repeats are Val’s, Sizzler, Neumanali, Buon Appetito, Shark Shack, Acapulco’s, Eduardo’s, Uruapan and Applebee’s.

You know, I do have a word limit in this column, and I could go on and on, but I’ll stop the list here. I also know that there will be some flack for not having mentioned such-and-such a place. However, don’t fret, if your restaurant is not listed today, we’ll have another talk about it and others later. 

For obvious reasons, and due to my diplomacy, I cannot share with you our list of the regular and least impressive ones. Besides, it is all relative.

Some people have told me that ones I like they hate, and some of the ones we dislike, they love. What is odd is that my wife and I mostly agree on them? Funny.

We have had some great experiences while eating. At a Chinese restaurant, as the waiter was taking our order, one of the helpers walked over to him, and then my wife and I were treated to a trip to China! They might have been talking about the Mexican elections for all we know, but boy, what an exhilarating experience, being "in China," in Hayward!

Then we were at Marie Callender's one evening. At the end, with the bill came an inviting slice of blueberry pie, which I had not ordered. Well, it was sent over compliments of the hostess, who was a student. No, it was not exchanged for an "A."

Another time, at one of our Mexican restaurants, my wife leaned over and whispered that the guacamole had a gassy smell to it. Sure enough, it did. They used too much powdered union, which is not a good idea.

Try our restaurants. While the food is good, it also signifies visits to other exciting corners of the world. What we like more, however, is meeting people, and running into friends and old acquaintances. We also believe in shopping Hayward first. Although for us, it's more of eat in Hayward first. Our weekly contributions to this city's economy is not much, but every little bit helps, especially when it's to the small local businesses. In other words, we think globally but eat locally.

That would be a great slogan. Maybe our city leaders can promote our fab eateries instituting some type of program, one that would highlight our Hayward tastebud-pleasing culinary treasures. Give them a call – our council, not your buds. 

And, whoever in our city is in charge of inviting restaurants to settle in Hayward, hop to it! See you while you're eating. 

Thank you. 
fjzc©16.viii.2006
Hayward on!

Decisions decisions…where to eat? We have so many places in our fine City! My list below is incomplete…hoping that you help me complete it. Thank you for Eating in Hayward First! 

ACQUA E' Farina - 22622 Main St., 510.888.1568

ADOBO Restaurant

AMERICANA Pizza & TaquerÍa - Pizza, Mexican

AMY'S Grill and Café, 

ANNA'S Family Coffee, 444 Jackson St., 510.582.9185

APPLEBEE'S, Southland Mall

ARTEAGA'S Supermarket, Jackson St. and on A and Princeton

ASIA Delight Express, 26930 Hesperian Blvd., 510.278.8268

ASIAN Wok

ATLAS Café Bar & Creperie, B St., 510.247.8806

BAMBOO Steamer, Hesperian and Middle Lane, 

BASKIN and Robbins, two in our City

BAY CITY BISTRO, 

BEST BURGER

THE BISTRO – Pub, B and Main

BLACK BEAR DINER, 25202 Hesperian Blvd., 510.670.9100

BOB'S Hoagy Steaks, Mission Blvd., 510.881.1558

BON MANGE, B St., 510.397.6496 (gone)

BREWS & BRATS, B St., 510.733.2739 (closed)

BRONCO Billy’s Pizza, 

EL BUEN SABOR de México, Mission Blvd.

BUFFALO Bill's Brewery - Restaurant (closed at the moment)

BUFFALO Wild Wings, Southland

BUON Appetito Restaurant - A St. and Mission Blvd., 510.247.0120

BURGER King, four in our City

BURGER Road, American Ave.

Caravan Restaurant, 28285 Mission Blvd., 510.581.7411

Cárdenas Supermarket, 187 Harder Rd., 510.888.9124

Cárdenas Supermarket, 20812 Hesperian Blvd., 510.300.0160

Carmen & Family BBQ, 692 West A. St., 510.887.1979

Los Carnalitos, Industrial Blvd., 510.324.8125

Carl’s Junior, 3 in the city

Carmen & Family BBQ

Casa Del Toro

La Casita

Casper’s Hot Dogs, 21670 Foothill Blvd., 510.581.9064

Casper's Hot Dogs - 951 C St., 510.537.7300

Cecil’s Famous Burgers, 547 W Tennyson Rd., 510.782.2655

La Chaparrita, 44 Tennyson Rd. 510.876.8497 - Angélica y Jacobo Aguilar

Chávez Supermarket and Taquería, 24601 Mission Blvd., 510.888.9878 

Chávez Supermarket and Taquería, 1157 W Tennyson Rd., 510.783.4052

The Cheese Steak Shop, 19631 Hesperian Blvd., 510.786.9124

Chef's Experience China Bistro – Foothill and A.

Chef Ming

Chef Teriyaki, 

China Cook

China Kitchen

Chinese Garden Restaurant

Chuck E. Cheese

Cold Stone Creamery, two in our City

Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant - C St., 510.582.1937

Country Waffles, Industrial Blvd., 510.429.9100

Craft Eatery, Foothill Blvd., 510.274.5990

The Cupcake Shoppe, Main St., 510.784.9000       p

Curry Cravings, E and Main

Dairy Belle, Tennyson Rd., 510.

Denica’s Real Food Kitchen, 

Der Wienerschnitzel, A St., 510.581.3838

The Dirty Bird Lounge

Doc’s Wine Shop

Don Gaspacho, Tennyson Rd., 510.363.9296

Don Polvorón, Tennyson Rd., 510.887.2102

Donut Express

Donut Factory

Los dos hermanos, Mission Blvd., - Enrique Guzmán and Family

Doug’s Place, 

Dunkin Donuts, 

Edna’s Donuts, 113 W Tennyson Rd., 510.783.3355

Emil Villa’s Barbacue, Mission Blvd., 510.537.7300

eOn Café, Hesperian Blvd., 510.264.0507

Erik’s Deli Café, B St., 510.876.5555

Evertt & Jones BBQ

Express Pizza, 505 A St., 510.581.9777

Family House of Fish and Poultry, 25140 Mission Blvd. 

Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que, Southland

Fast Pizza John, East 14th St., 510.269.3010

Favorite Indian Restaurant, 24052 Mission Blvd., 510.583.7550

Five Guys Burgers, 

Frannie Express

Fusion Wok, 1071 B St., 510.881.8868

Genghix Asian Fusion, 

Ghazni Kabobs, A St., 510.398.8940

Ghazni Kabobs, Winton Ave., 510.940.8100

Golden Mountain Restaurant

Golden Peacock

Golden Safari, 22431 Foothill Blvd., 510.460.9625

Great River, 22218 Foothill Blvd., 510.581.3456

Grill City

Guadalajara Paletería

Habib’s Birria, Soto and Jackson

Haha Ramen Sushi, 

Hambrick’s Giant Burgers, 

Han Yang Korean Bar-B-Q, 

Hang Ten Boiler

Hawaiian Barbecue

Hawaiian Drive In

Hayward City Pho, 855 B St., 510.583.1538

Hill’s Coffee Shop

Hippie’s Brew, C and Mission Blvd. 

Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant, 

House of Pho

IHop

Ima’s Traditional Desserts

Incliene Chinese Café

El Indito Restaurant

Island Pacific Supermarket

Jack in the Box, four in our City

Jamba Juice, three in our City

Jay’s Fish & Chips

Jollibee Chicken, 

Just Potato Salad, 29587 Mission Blvd. 

Kasper’s Hot Dogs, 24020 Hesperian Blvd., 510.782.8990

Kabul Banquet Hall

Kentucky Fried Chicken, three in our City

Kono BBQ & Grill, 32513 Mission Blvd., 510.342.8700

Korean House, 

Krispy Krunchy Chicken, Hesperian Blvd., 510.750.3708

Landeza's Island Poke & Catering, by Patrick Landeza, on weekends, behind Snoop's Café on A St.

Lee’s Donuts

Lemon Crab, Mission

Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream

Main Street Diner, 22622 Main St., 510.583.1605

Manila Garden

María’s Restaurant, Leidig Court., 510.783.4977

Mariscos El Malecón Restaurant

Max's Cakes, B St.

McDonald’s, four in our City

Metro Taquero, A St., 510.782.8700

Metro Taquero, B St., 510.537.5000

The Mexican Restaurant and Bar, Hesperian and A, 510.785.8200

Moon Indian Restaurant, 

Mr. Pho

Munch Restaurant

Naked Fish, 24703 Amador St., 510.887.4569

Nation’s Burgers, 

Nevería Paraíso

Neumanali - Wine Bar, 742 B St., 510.583.9744

New York Pizza, 665 W. Tennyson, 510.786.3165

Ohana Hawaian BBQ

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, La Playa and Hesperian

Ono Hawaiian BBQ, two in our City

¼ LB Giant Burger, 24134 Mission Blvd., 510.733.2665

Pakwan Restaurant, 25168 Mission Blvd., 510.538.2401

Panera Bread

Panda Express, two in our City

Papaíto Rotisserie, 

Le Paradi, Mission Blvd., 510.

El Pastorcito Taquería

Pearl’s Café, Hayward Blvd., 510.978.7869

Los Pericos Grill – two in our City

Pho Hoa Ty Restaurant, 21849 Mission Blvd., 510.881.0928

Pho Phuong Nam – Vietnamese

Photy Vietnamese Restaurant

La Piñata, Rose St., 510.538.9967

Pixie Donuts

The Pizza House – 24901 Santa Clara St, 510.732.7783

Pizza Hut, three in our City

Pizza One Stop

Pot Pie Paradise & Deli, 3522 Arden Rd., 510.781.4994

Quarter Pound Giant Burger, Mission Blvd., 510.

Quickly

Quizno’s

Raja Sweets & Indian Cuisina

Ramen Sushi

Razzo’s Pizza & Salads

Red Chili Thai, Mission Blvd., 510.881.8593

Red Robin Bake Shop

Red Rocket Char Grill

Rico Mac Taco

Rigatoni’s, Hesperian Blvd. and A, 510.785.9300

Ristorante Di Palermo, Foothill Blvd., 510.885.9943

Rosy’s Café, 

Round Table Pizza, three in our City

Sapporo Restaurant - Sushi Bar, A and Main Sts.- Nick Yoo and Family

Sea Food City, Southland

Senaida’s, Tennyson Rd., 510.

Shami Restaurant, Southland Drive, 510.732.1111

Shell Shock Seafood House

Siam Palace – Thai, 22545 Foothill Blvd., 510.581.6706

Sinaloa Restaurant, Pompano and Tennyson., - Estela Vega

Signature Café

Sizzler, 24107 Hesperian Blvd., 510.783.0878

Snappy’s Café, A St., 510.886.8500

The South Smoking BBQ, 400 West Harder Rd., 510.940.3929 

Southern Flavors, 21102 Mission Blvd., 510.363.9949

Southland Mall’s Food Court

Star Catering and Café

Starbucks, five in our City

Straw Hat Pizza, Industrial Blvd., 510.265.0111

Subway, four in our City

Sunflower 2, 

Sunrise Donuts

Superway Kitchen

Susie Q

Sushi Ichimoto, 888 W A St., 510.887.0166

Sushiland,

Taco Bell, four in our City

Tacos Uruapan, Huntwood Ave., 510.826.0111

Tandoor Indian Restaurant, 27167 Mission Blvd., 510.885.1212

Tapsilog Express

Taquería Arandas, Tennyson Rd., 510

Taquería Eduardo’s, Tennyson Rd., 510.

Taquería El Mezcal, Harder Rd., 510.537.2922

Taquería Little México

Taquería Mar Y Tierra

Taquería La Placita, 27548 Tampa Ave., 510.784.0583

El Taquito, 22354 Mission Blvd., 510.397.2505

El Taquito Dos, Winton, 510.397.2505

Tea For U, B St.

Teaspoon

Thai Garden Restaurant, 20955 Mission Blvd., 510.278.4224

Tik Tok Desserts, B St.

Tin Fu Restaurant, 

Tin’s Teapot Bistro, Jackson St. 

Tito’s Grill, Foothill Blvd., 510.574.9338           

Togo’s Great Sandwiches

Tomodachi Sushi Bistro, 24123 Hesperian Blvd., 510.940.3800

Top Thai Cuisine, 

Toto’s Grill, 21933 Foothill Blvd., 510.674.9338

El Triunfo Pizzeria

United Mexican Restaurant, 467 Jackson St., 510.886.4588

United Paletería, Mission Blvd., in front of the Plunge

Val’s Burgers, 2115 Kelly St., 510.889.8257

Veggie Lee, 25036 Hesperian Blvd., 510.785.7135

Vua Pho Vietnamese Restaurant

WAKAMATSU – Japanese

WIN Fiesta – Chicken Wings

WINGSTOP Chicken Wings

WING Street

WORLD'S Fare Donuts

YE OLDE Pizza Joynt, 19510 Hesperian Blvd., 510.785.1866 (burned down, still has a website)

YEYO'S Supermarket, Patrick Ave., 510.510.782.9072

YUKIi Hana Sushi – Sushi Bar, Japanese

YUMMY Restaurant, 1160 W Tennyson Rd., 510.783.6226 - yummychineserestaurant.com