The Yummiest Latin American in Oakland

Limón

★★★★☆ 4.3 (764) • $$

"We came here for my brother's birthday lunch. I was craving paella and my brother wanted Peruvian.We found street parking pretty easily outside and walked right in. They weren't really busy for a Saturday lunch time.We let my brother do the ordering. We asked the staff how manh dishes would be good for a party of 3 and went with the recommended two entrees and an appetizer. We had the polli-papas as an appetizer. Pretty delicious, good fries and nice flavors.For our entrees, we got the saltado de pollo and the seafood paella!We wound up not really eating the rice as we were getting pretty full but the saltado de pollo was delicious!Finally, what I was waiting for was the paella. It didn't have that crispiness that Spanish paella does but it was still pretty good. They even provided a plate for shells. Very flavorful.Would definitely return and try other things on the menu!"

Alamar Dominican Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.1 (684) • $$

"This wonderful restaurant has a happy atmosphere, vibrant decor, bachata & merengue playing in the background, an open kitchen and some seriously flavorful food to enjoy. Traditional Dominican recipes feature a unique element to make it new and exciting. My sancocho vegetarariano took a bit longer to arrive compared to my husbands sancochito but that was fine since I was just about stuffed from the succulent slightly spicy sweet pork ribs and chili glazed maduros appetizers. Unfortunately they were out of both pernil and oxtail during this visit but we hope to come back and try it next time. We ended the meal sharing their Dominican style bread pudding. Our awesome waiter Jesus was very nice & efficient and the charming Chef Nelson came by to check on us. So glad he decided to stick it out despite their recent hardships. Oaktown needs places like this to thrive."

Bar Cesar

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (880) • $$

"This review is all about updating the happy hour pricing images. ;)Happy hour food costs have doubled since my last visit. (No judgement! Food costs are up everywhere. ) Great food. Love the environment, staff and location too!"

Casa Del Toro

★★★★☆ 4.2 (483) • $$$

"Started skeptical because it was dead inside, but then assumed that this was due to it being a holiday weekend. Ordered the glazed pork ribs, gambas, and calamari off of the starter menu; again not expecting anything spectacular. WOW food was elevated and finger licking delicious! We also ordered two cocktails and they were top shelf...not at all watered down, had all the garnishes and proper ice for what we ordered. Support this local diamond in the ruff, you won't be disappointed! Only suggestions and not a necessity. Turn up the thermostat a tad. Chop up cashews and sprinkle on the top of the ribs instead of serving them whole-whole makes them a little misplaced. PS: very friendly staff!"

Masa Tamales & Taqueria

★★★★☆ 4.1 (443) • $$

"After a photo walk in Point Richmond, the group met here for lunch. On my 1st visit, I wasn't as hungry as I was when I returned for a 2nd time. My friends had a torta, chips and a cocktail. I only ordered Esquite. This delicious Mexican street food is corn topped with queso cotija, chili powder, and their homemade mayo dressing. I like it so much that I wanted to go back and have it again.It was my turn to pick a restaurant for a monthly lunch with Toni and Lori. This was my chance to go again and share this spot with friends. Lori was not able to attend. I met Toni at the restaurant. You can enter the building by the stairs or a ramp. There is a covered patio for outside dining on the side of the building. Parking in sleepy Point Richmond can be difficult; Masa does have a small parking lot.On my 2nd visit, I had ceviche with a mix of shrimp and fish. Toni and I share an order of Esquite and a cookie. We did not finish the corn, I took it home. I felt a bit guilty not splitting the leftovers but not guilty enough to say no. We also share an alfajores cookie. The ceviche was tasty. I liked it because it wasn't too citrusy. Both times I had I had a tamarind soda in a bottle.When I saw the torta, chips, and cocktail on my first visit, and then the Quesabirra on my second visit, I will be back again to try them."

El Taco Zamorano Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.7 (403) • $$

"Been living in Oakland fir some time and tried many Mexican restaurants over the years. We use to hit this truck all the time but honestly didn't do the actual restaurant till recently. Was recommended to go by a friend and this place delivered on the hype. We had pupusas with Curtido. Super burrito, rice and bean, and lengua tacos. The pupusas were lightly crisp on the outside and soft in the center with loaded meat and cheese. The curtido was crispy and refreshing with the vinegar twang to brighten the dish. Once done with those we moved to the tacos which were succulent and juicy. Amazing amount of meat that barely let them get folded and picked up. The beans were super creamy retried and rice done properly. Now the star of the show which is the gigantic. These burritos should only be fully consumed if you're ready to loosen your belt buckle, have fasted for a day, kept up with the exercise routine and received clearance from your health professionals. Seriously excellent eats with the creamy beans, juicy grilled chicken, meaty cheese and wrapped in a foot long soda can girth. Hella tasty. Pro tip: get extra napkins. They will be needed."

Jalapenos Mexican Food

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (280) • $$

"Jalapeños is a gem in Vallejo, the rice, the beans, the happy hour all day during the week. Taco Tuesday is great! I've had several people come out for that! You get meat in a tortilla and you can go up to a bar and add onion, cilantro, salsa, radish, and jalapeños! It is great! 30% off enchiladas on Thursday and they are great! I love the mole style sauce they put on them! Love love love this place!"

9 Julio Empanada Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.7 (90) • $

"9 Julio's Empanadas are on the smaller side, but really delicious. I have large hands, so they're just slightly larger than the palm of my hand. I enjoyed the Jamaican Beef and Chicken Rojo. I'd say that both were very good and I was glad that the nice woman at the counter recommended the Chicken Rojo, which she said was her favorite. All-Natural chicken, tomatoes, red bell peppers, onions, and guajillo chilies comprise the Chicken Rojo. Jamaican Beef has ground beef, onions, scallions, scotch bonnet peppers and curry. They have a rotating menu of empanadas. The Argentinian chimichurri sauce is great for dipping the empanadas. This is the gourmet end of the fast food scale. I guess the big question is whether they're better than Javi's (with two locations). While there are differences between their empanadas, I'd call it a tie because both are exceptional. Just go to the one closest to you. Or if you're looking for a nicer restaurant interior, this is more modern. But Javi's feels more folksy authentic and 9 Julio is more true to the major metropolis that is Buenos Aires. After all, the restaurant is named after a street there that is the widest in the world! Not that I've been to South America, let along Argentina. LOLThe five stars includes the rest of the menu. The house-made sweet potato chips are incredible. I could not stop eating them. The chipotle dipping sauce only made them better. Beyond that I'd be curious to try the Peruvian chicken or chimichurri steak entrées. They had nice little selection of four beers. I went for the Mexican logger, but I almost got the IPA. Lager beer I like a nice lager beer. They had a few wines too, although wasn't really tuning into them. The space was nice and clean. Friendly and helpful service when I ordered at the counter. A good selection of tables to choose from and some interesting shapes at that. And there's a long bar with barstools along the front window. I like the artful interior decorating. Above par for fast food. Open 11-9 every day except Mondays. Check in on Yelp to get free chips. A $3.95 value!"

Carnitas El Rincon - Hayward

★★★★☆ 3.6 (83) • $$

"Best carnitas I've ever had outside of Mexico. You HAVE to get the combos. That's the best bang for your buck, also get the carnitas MIXTAS. Straight fire. Their house salsa is so good too. Estás carnitas son las carnitas más deliciosas que e comido fuera de México. Vivo en San Francisco y vengo hasta Hayward a comprar estas carnitas mixtas."

Picante

★★★★☆ 3.5 • $$

"I haven't been here for probably 15 years. It's changed a lot. Used to be a small place with a patio, no parking. Now it's huge and sleek with two parking lots and a separate To Go building. Prices have increased of course too. I had the battered shrimp burrito, way too much beans and not enough mango-jicama salsa. Order at the counter and they bring the food to you, do not really any service. The restaurant was beautifully renovated, lots of outside patio space with twinkly lights. If I came again, I know how to modify the shrimp burrito more to my taste."

El Mono

★★★★☆ 4.4 • $$

"It was a bit of a reach coming to El Mono but with these many reviews, we really made the effort to taste the fresh flavors of Peru.Located at San Pablo Ave. just off the Cutting Blvd. exit on I-80, we were able to get a parking spot in the private lot that is shared with other businesses. We came for an early dinner so we were able to be seated promptly. The place was spacious with plenty of tables and bar seating to boot.Frito Sampler (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Uq3u_kbGVGLjEDVU45WLog?select=pmO6Dmjr6mkhAPAel7CmTg) - These are fried starchy goodness - sweet potato fries, cassava, and plantain! The creamy cheese sauce was also superb.Lomo Saltado (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Uq3u_kbGVGLjEDVU45WLog?select=GMwqYAfuAjfUnFOEqW_2yg) - The classic Peruvian beef recipe! Taking it up a few notches, they use Certified Angus Beef here. The meat was perfectly stir-fried with the rest of the ingredients and was very tender. Best Chifa dish ever!Chupe de Camarones (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Uq3u_kbGVGLjEDVU45WLog?select=lkF4fQRmzxHI-JRynBt33Q) - Creamy red chowder with succulent shrimps... If it's not creamy enough, how about we add a poached egg on top of the rice? It was our first time having this and it did not disappoint at all.Jalea (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Uq3u_kbGVGLjEDVU45WLog?select=LqDqUDgKe1pInXK1k-gOHA) - Fried... check! Seafood... check! This was an easy choice and an excellent one at that! Shrimps, mussels, clams, fish, calamari, and some more yucca for the win - they were lightly battered, well-seasoned, and came with pickled red onions and a dipping sauce.Peruvian Paella (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Uq3u_kbGVGLjEDVU45WLog?select=HVv63_petUFL7vrPqrkNYQ) - Also known as Arroz con Mariscos, this had seafood for days - squid, clams, mussels, and shrimps! Visually, the main difference between its Spanish counterpart was the rice - this had long-grain jasmine rice instead of bomba. Served on a sizzling platter, we let the bottom part sit for a bit so we could get the socarrat to form. This was cooked with housemade aji panca chili sauce and their special white wine which gave the distinctive flavor. Rice was precooked before everything else was added because we spotted some lumps of white rice that did not get mixed well. Despite this flaw, it still came out tasty. We just had to break down the clusters and mix it some more.There were plenty of interesting items on the menu so we really need to make another concerted effort to visit. We had a fantastic time back then so the next one needs to happen really soon. It's so long overdue that my photos got taken out in my review draft... another one sitting around that I have forgotten to post. =( We usually get the rotisserie chicken when we go to a Peruvian restaurant, but we had to pass because other options were available. We have to try it next time along with one of their noodle selections."