Taste of the Town

Three Squares on Alameda's West End

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner on Webster Street

    If you haven’t ventured along Webster Street—the West End’s main drag—lately, you are in for a surprise. From Central Avenue all the way to the estuary, Webster Street and its surrounding areas lay claim to a whopping 27 eateries at last count. You’ll need a hearty appetite for a day’s jaunt here as you discover multiple culinary delights along the way; in fact, plan on making several trips for West End meals. Here’s how to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner along—or near—Webster Street. Oh, and for those, like me, who love to end a meal with a sweet treat, Yumygurt (650 Central Ave., 510-865-1351) at the end (or is that the beginning?) of Webster offers both low-cal/low-fat frozen yogurt and high-cal/high-fat ice cream plus smoothies, coffees and additional yummy fare—a perfect end to a day of dining out.

BREAKFAST

With the temporary closing of West End–breakfast king Albert’s Cafe because of a recent fire, there are fewer choices for a morning meal on Webster. But these homegrown options—Tillie’s Diner and The New Zealander—ought to help start your day off right.

Tillie’s Diner
    This Alameda mainstay, a bright ’50s-esque diner filled with booths and a meandering counter, is small, but it offers a friendly, cozy spot for an endless cup of coffee plus oh-so-filling meals. Tillie’s serves lunch and dinner, too, but it’s truly the best for a hefty breakfast, such as a skillet full of three eggs, bacon (or the meat of your choice) and home fries. Joe’s Special, another signature dish, is a satisfying mix of two scrambled eggs, ground beef or chicken (we tried both; I prefer chicken), spinach, mushrooms, onions and home fries. For those with smaller appetites, choose from among the mini-breakfasts: one egg with meat and potatoes. Breakfast prices range from $5 to $10.
Tillie’s Diner, 1500 Webster St., (510) 523-1737; 6 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 6 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Sun.

The New Zealander
    If you prefer a more leisurely breakfast or brunch on the weekend, then the New Zealander is the place to go. Known primarily for its selection of beer and meat pies, the New Zealander, housed in Croll’s (“a haunted former brothel” with occasional weird happenings at closing time, according to the staff) at the corner of Webster Street and Central Avenue, whips up the staff-proclaimed “best eggs benedict in Alameda” with a homemade hollandaise sauce. Transplanted New Zealanders will find comfort in something called “Watties Spaghetti on Toast,” while other diners will find the high points of the menu in the form of the French toast, the huevos rancheros or the omelet bar with its extensive array of fixings for their eggs. Prices range from $5.50 to $8.50.
The New Zealander, 1400 Webster St., (510) 769-8555; breakfast, 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Lunch and dinner, 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. and 11:30 a.m.–8 p.m. Sun.

LUNCH

Most of the restaurants on Webster serve both lunch and dinner. However, there are two places, India Palace and Domenico’s Italian Deli, that stand out above the crowd for a midday repast.

Domenico’s Italian Delicatessen
    Back on Webster Street, if you are looking for a quick sandwich joint, stroll no further than Domenico’s. Another long-standing, family-owned Alameda eatery, Domenico’s provides an endless selection of meats and cheeses to create some of the best sandwiches in town. Fresh-roasted meats, Italian cheeses and a long list of bread and rolls allow you to create your own masterpiece. I went for my favorite (roast turkey, avocado on whole grain with lettuce and tomato) and was not disappointed. Ask for black pepper on your sandwich; you won’t regret it. Prices are $4 and up.
Domenico’s Italian Delicatessen, 1407 Webster St., (510) 865-5558, 10:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Sat. and 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Sun.

India Palace
No survey of Webster Street–area lunches would be complete without a mention of the popular hot-and-cold buffet at India Palace, just a short pace from Webster. It’s an all-you-can-eat foray of curries (chicken and lamb), vegetarian dishes, naan and more. On a daily basis, the restaurant offers the curries, but mixes up the selection of additional menu items. One day, the delicious choices included tandoori chicken, pakora (mixed vegetables) and chole palak, a traditional and wonderfully comforting Indian-spinach concoction. Other days, you can enjoy the crowd-pleasing coconut chicken and other varieties of palak. The lunch buffet is $8.95 and includes a drink.
India Palace, 737 Buena Vista Ave., (510) 814-8778; lunch buffet served 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; dinner, 5 p.m.–10 p.m. daily.

DINNER

There is no end to the dinner choices on Webster Street, especially if you love Chinese seafood or sushi. A newer spot, Café Le Vietnamese Bistro, offers an excellent option for a more relaxed sit-down dinner while the small-but-mighty Calafia Taqueria provides an answer for when you need a main meal to go.

Café Le Vietnamese Bistro
    A most pleasant surprise hiding behind a faded and modest storefront, Café Le is a clean and welcoming restaurant with a fireplace in its large dining area. Its menu features fresh and inspiring dishes, such as the appetizer-sized house-grilled chicken wings stuffed with ground pork and shrimp, a marvel to behold. Café Le also presents a strong selection of pho and noodle soups, salads and entrees such as lemongrass stir-fried chicken and several delicious beef and seafood plates. Entree prices range from $8 to $19.
Café Le Vietnamese Bistro, 1531 Webster St., (510) 523-6993; lunch, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Mon.–Fri.; dinner, 3 p.m.–10 p.m. daily.

Calafia Taqueria
    Described by some patrons as a “charming hole-in-the-wall,” Calafia is Webster Street’s only taqueria. Very near the weekly Webster Street Farmers Market, Calafia provides the perfect chance to grab some homemade pork or chicken tamales and fresh carnitas burritos on the way home. Don’t forget to fill up small take-out containers with the special sauces at the fresh salsa bar.
Calafia Taqueria, 1445 Webster St., (510) 522-2996, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Sun.