Specials at Guerilla Cafe, Berkeley

Among the upscale dining options and boutique businesses in North Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto is a revolutionary-inspired cafe. Established in 2006 by artist friends, Guerilla Cafe is an urban burst in an otherwise suburban stretch of Shattuck Avenue.

The well decorated cafe, which doubles as an art gallery, specializes in breakfast, brunch and lunch with Blue Bottle Coffee and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Hours have recently extended to 10 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, with Thursday $2 Red Stripe happy hour and games of dominoes every night. Also, the cafe runs occasional Twitter deals: Until Saturday, say the password "mama say mama sa mamakusa" to get a buy one, get one free waffleito promo.

The afterhours menu starts at 5 p.m. and includes about five small plates, including salumi, cheese and fruit, and beet salads, for less than $10.

The staff is friendly and hospitable, even helping us with the rules of dominoes last Thursday. Everyone is laid back and you feel like you can lounge around without anyone minding.

Guerilla Cafe
1620 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley

Photo Credit: Scott B.

Free Cookie at Specialty's Cafe & Bakery

Happy 22nd birthday, Specialty’s Café & Bakery. In celebration, the chain is offering a free cookie if you become a fan on Facebook and post on their wall today with your favorite menu item. If you don’t want to do all of that, you can create an online account and you’ll get a free cookie with your first order using the code UNION.

Specialty’s in Oakland is my favorite sandwich spot near work. With over 15 varieties, hot and cold sandwiches, meat and veggie options, you can find anything for any mood and all reasonably priced between $4.89 and $7.49. They use fresh ingredients, sometimes even organic, and despite the lunch rush, service is quick. My favorite is the Beef & Bleu, roasted beef with crumbly blue cheese on top of sweet red onions, juicy tomatoes and organic spinach on a toasted Ciabatta roll. Salads and soups are also available.

Specialty’s is also known for its insanely large and delicious cookies. If you are that fanatical, you can even set up an e-mail notifications to find out when they’re freshly made. The cookies are dense bricks of baked goodness and worth the $2, but you may get lucky and find day-old ones at 50% off.

To beat the rush, I recommend ordering online and picking it up. You can also customize your sandwich better online, adding cucumbers and other condiments free of charge.

Specialty’s Café & Bakery
155 Grand Ave., 1st Floor, Oakland

Other locations across the Bay Area.

Photo: Specialtys.com

Welcome

Many people know San Francisco is a great city for dining, but few venture east, across the bay, for anything other than Chez Panisse. I live in Berkeley and love finding great deals and memorable spots, high-end or low, gourmet or hole-in-the-wall. I want to share my adventures and learn from others who enjoy food just as much as I do.