Sorry to be the ' Bearer Of Sad News ', but their Owner - Operator Founder Mr. Chaudhury passed…read morerecently. May his Soul R.I.P. - Amen...... They were temporarily closed quite Naturally. Luckily his daughters were helping ' Run the Place ' in recent years. Still goes to Voicemail directly - s..o..o no idea if they've re-opened since. I remember it was a ' Hole in the Wall ' when they first opened. Early 90's i.e. Different Location- East of San Pablo Avenue on University Avenue as Well on the South side of the Street by the now Hydroponics Place.....

Cozy place and good food and street parking. Servings are fair portioned. :)…read more They have been in business for 30 years and not much has changed just the location.

Am S..o..o Glad that Canada Dry Ginger Ale Can was a Beverage Option dat " Paired Well " with my…read moreAll Time Favorite " Freshly Crafted Chicken Biryani Entree from here for Late Lunch Yesterday !!! It is Appreciated that they do not close after lunch, but stay open Str8 through into Dinner Shift. I had them via Doordash, but have Dined in their Clean, Family Friendly Dining Room before. Looks like ' It's a Small, Family Friendly Outfit near Downtown Oakland !!!!! ENJOY their Fantastic Menu. The Fone is usually answered for Questions & Special Requests. Homestyle Indo-Pakistani Cuisine !!!!!!

Overall, would not recommend this place. I encountered very racist and bigoted treatment here…read more I placed an online order last night and went by for the pick up. When I approached the front counter, the lady present was very standoffish with me. I informed her of why I was there and she asked my name for the order. Upon giving her my name she then glared at me and literally asked me to recite my entire order lol! I showed her my online receipt in which she then insisted I still tell her my order. She brushed away my receipt and let another customer cut in front of me. Interestingly, the customer told her his name and she retrieved his order with no issue and was very friendly with him. To note, I was the only Black person present at that time. When I inquired as to why that customer wasn't asked to recite his entire order, she grinned and said that he's a "regular" and that I was "new." She went on to let a few other customers cut in front of me. I then asked for my money back in which she refused to return. Even when I asked for the manager, she said he was very busy. I made several requests for this resulting in her saying no and refusing to return my money. I then noted to her I'm calling the authorities in which I did. Furthermore, while servicing some of the other patrons, she would speak in another language with them while they looked at me and start laughing and staring me down. Eventually, the manager came out. He presented himself professionally and upon explaining what occurred he apologized and said it was unacceptable. He even offered me a drink with my meal and asked that I please accept the order instead and wanted to make things right. I took him at face value and said fine. While the situation was remedied, I definitely will not be returning to this restaurant. I researched some of the other reviews and came across several where other Black patrons have had similar racially motivated experiences here. That tells me there's a common practice of racism here. I refuse to support a business where this kind of behavior is tolerated. I have zero tolerance for bigots of any kind. Overall, the experience was a waste of my time and very dehumanizing. To hate someone you don't even know simply because of their skin pigmentation and ethnicity is irrational at best and bad for business especially in a place like Oakland where it's multicultural. My advice would be to not support this establishment. I especially advise any Black patrons not to come here as they clearly have issue with anyone who is simply Black, despite not knowing them as a person. Don't give your money, nor your valuable time, to hateful individuals who dehumanize others. All in all, this place gets a thumbs down.

Vik's Chaat is so cool! I can't believe we've never truly experienced it until recently. A mix…read morebetween a grocer, fresh food made-to-order, and indoor/outdoor seating to enjoy your purchases/yummies. Located on 4th Street, it's def worthy of checking out during a lovely summer weekend afternoon. I noticed they have happy hour weekly, and the market opening around 10:30a and Chaat around 11a. They have daily specials, and also many kiddo friendly dishes too. Coined "The SF Bay Area's Original Indian Street Food Restaurant", we had such a fun time exploring foods and fare we've never had before. For the market, you can also shop online for delivery/curbside delivery. Food-wise we tried the Vada Pao (fried potato patty in a bun), a Kids Cheese Dosa (served with coconut chutney and tomato chutney), a Mango Lassi, and their signature chicken wrap. Everything was so flavorful and fresh. Nice staff, vibrant atmosphere, plenty of parking in/around Vik's Chaat, and pro-tip: take a nice walk around the area post-meal. We will definitely come back to try more from the menu and maybe next time even come home with a few market items. That coconut chutney..yum!

I've had this bookmarked for quite some time and finally got to try it since I was around the area…read moreand was craving chaat. I have not been so disappointed in a meal in such a long time. We got the sev puri chaat and mixed veggies dosa to share. The chaat had a weird bitter taste and the brown chutney on top (which I assumed must be the mint chutney) was not good at all. Everything was soggy not one big crunchy like what you would expect in a chaat. The only thing good about the dosa was the crispy party. Coconut chutney did not taste coconuty at all. The veggies filling inside was not bad. I was surprised to see how packed it was. I do like the idea of the ordering counter and convenience of it but I will not be returning.

From the moment we walked in, the warm greeting and welcoming hospitality were incomparable. Owner…read moreShambhu personally visited our table to check on us, which made us feel truly special. We had a wonderful family dinner--I enjoyed the delicious vegetarian dishes, my son loved the Khasi ko Bhutuwa, my wife enjoyed the Chicken Biryani, and my daughter, a big momo fan, absolutely loved the authentic Nepali momo! Great food, excellent service, and genuine Nepali hospitality. We'll definitely be back!

We came here 45 minutes before close and the staff was so kind! We promised to eat quickly…read more Despite being so late, the service was lovely. I can't even remember exactly what we ordered but I wanted okra! That was perfect. All the food was flavorful and warm. The garlic veggies also hit the spot. Everything was labeled gluten free, if it was. There's a big tv near the bar which was fun to watch.

Love Pakistani Halal spot Al-Maida…read more Tucked in residential area of North Oakland, I usually get some takeout if I'm feeling like I need some hearty and warm curries or Oakland's best naan. I really like their lamb curry and garlic naan. I've also had their falafel wrap which was tasty, but naan by itself is elite. It's like as big as a plate placemat. HUGE. Curry is so flavorful, can't go wrong with any protein or any base. You can call to order. LOVE the lil market as well. You can get delicious treats like saffron ice cream and non-Israeli dates. I tried Ajwa dates for the first time here and they're my favorite type of dates now. Way less sweet than Medjool and much better for those who need to control their blood sugars. Shoutout to the chef and the sweet man who's always washing endless silverware. You guys are the goats, serving the community while fasting during Ramadan! Shop local, support small biz, protect our Muslim communities. Al-Maida is an Oakland gem.

I love a place where I have something to do while waiting for my food. I walked in and put in my…read moreorder with the grandson/grandfather duo behind the counter. The grandson was super quick to let me know that the garlic naan was the go-to which I highly appreciated and listened to his sage advice with no regrets. Understandably with just the two of them, the food didn't come super quick. But I got to walk around the aisles and explore all the different foods and ingredients they sold. They also have a huuuge frozen dessert selection which was enticing but I will come back for that another day. The food came out fresh and piping hot. I devoured it in the car and it was all delicious, wonderfully seasoned and so so filling.

If you're looking for authentic Pakistani & Indian food that tastes exactly like home, this place…read moreis an absolute MASHALLAH. This is not just a restauran - it is an experience filled with hospitality and the comforting feeling of being with family. Mr. Waqar & Mrs. Rabia are most humble people you will ever meet. From the moment you walk in, they welcome you with such sincerity and affection that you instantly feel at home. Mrs. Rabia has a remarkable way of making every guest feel special. She treats everyone with the same care & love a mother would show her own children. The food is outstanding, with generous portions and authentic flavors that transport you straight back to Pakistan/India. For breakfast lovers, the Halwa Puri with cholay is among the best I have had (available any time of the day, 7 days a week, is a huge bonus. The homemade parathas remind me of my mother's cooking, my absolute favorite & something I crave regularly. Chicken Biryani with Shami Kabab bring back memories of home with every bite. The Chapli Kabab paired with fresh paratha is simply irresistible-I can never get enough of it. The Beef Haleem is rich, authentic, & prepared exactly the way it should be. The Lamb Shank served with biryani rice is another exceptional dish that showcases the quality and authenticity of their cooking. Our first visit was only a month ago & since then we have already returned around 10 times. That alone speaks volumes. If you want delicious food, authentic flavors, generous portions, and hospitality that makes you feel like family, this place is a must-visit. Highly recommended.

This is more like 3.5 star…read more Was at an event near by, found this place on yelp and decided to try it out. There was maybe one other customer when we reached and I guess that helped with getting the food quicker. I think , most of their curries / entrees are pre made . They also mentioned that they use frozen naans ( probably the ones sold at Indian stores ) but make the parathas fresh. Which was true. It came out piping hot and it's huge in size. We decided to get 2 different combos , so as to try more options. Got Paneer tikka masala, chana masala, palak paneer and daal makhani. The Daal makhani was not as creamy / buttery as it's supposed to be. All tasted decent , and on the milder side I would say. I feel all of them could have used a little more salt. It's reasonably priced . They also had back patio kind of area, which would be nice on a warm day.

Hidden gem in El Sobrante. Their food is consistently good. Very chill place and the owner is…read morevery nice. It's a nice goto place any time.

My wife and I stumbled into this place while on a weekend getaway, and are so happy we found it!…read more This is easily some of the best Indian food we've had! The complementary chai was incredibly aromatic and smooth. The curries are all delicious and packed with fresh spices. And everything feels very light--we ate a ton of food and went on a pleasant walk after. Great food, kind people, and a place we look forward to visiting again soon!

Excellent Food, amazing customer service. Shilpa is so good…read morewith customers and made it feel like home. I am happy that I decided to come here for my dinner with family. The ambiance is good too.

A hidden gem in downtown Oakland for late night curries and naan!…read more First time we dined in we tried their Malai Kofta, Lamb Tikka Masala, and Honey Cheese Naan. I got really excited to try out the honey cheese naan, I had never had that combination before but it just makes so much sense and works super well with the curries! The dining area has got a lot of tables for larger parties which is nice. Definitely a great spot that I can't wait to bring more friends to! My favorite dish was the Malai Kofta. Veggie fritters sitting in a smooth and creamy tomato base. It almost reminds me of a sweet tomato soup with some fluffy fritters! It can take a little bit for your food to come out, but trust- it's so worth the wait and everything is made to order! Biryani Kabab has become one of my go to spots for takeout after work.

Good takeout / self serve type of service. Water out front and extra cutlery and plates too…read more The food was pretty good and super filling as expected. I really liked the naan here, it seems house made! Also huge. Curries hit the spot. Chicken saag was a bit too heavy / oily for my liking but the chicken was super tender yummmmmmmmm. Really awesome prices for the amount of food you get and the quality of it. For dine in it does get pretty hot since the restaurant lacks some ventilation. Theres a few outdoor tables which are awesome to eat at on a nice day. Great place to drop in after a long day for a super filling meal

With so many choices in the mission this standout for Pakistani food draws crowds for a reason…read more Upon entering, que up to the register and place your order. Tonight's selections were Lamb Biryani, Chicken Tikka Masala, and samosas. Once issued you buzzer, spin around to collect beverages, sauces, plates and silverware. Find a seat till the buzzer does its thing. Our food was prepped within 5 minutes and piping hot. The volume of food was amazing for the cost. The lamb was large pieces in a mix of basmati rice, herbs, spices and perfectly tender. The heat from this dish alone didn't require much. Samosas were serviceable and could stand more crispiness. The garbanzos were flavorful and tender. I'm

They have a great lunch special--$16 base price for two dishes with rice and a bread. Everything…read morewas fragrant, flavorful, and hot! Especially the veggie samosa. Really nice staff. Love that they partner with a program that donates a meal to the local food bank with proof of purchase! I can tell they are very intentional in their practices Also smells amazing inside!! Highly recommend.

I was looking for somewhere to eat with a friend who was visiting out of town and came across this…read moreplace on Yelp. We were in the mood for Indian food. When we arrived, we noticed the sign outside above the door said "Lumpia Factory", but another sign on the ground outside said the actual name of the place, so it was a little hard to find. Unexpectedly, when we walked in, we noticed it was just their kitchen and not actually a restaurant. They have some tables and chairs for you to eat at, but they are not serviced. The food they were making smelled too good, so we decided to just stay and order some food. We got the stuffed onion naan, stuffed cheese naan, samosa chaat potato vindaloo, baingan bharta (eggplant), and bhindi masala (okra). My favorite dish was the potato vindaloo as it had the perfect flavor and the samosa chaat. The stuffed naan isn't really anything by special, but the naan itself was good. Next time, I would just get garlic naan or plain naan. Overall, the food was great and very flavorful and tasty. Would definitely come here again!