EAST BAY INSOMNIAC

TAQUERIA MONTECRISTO

1446 University Ave, Berkeley  • 486-0321

SERVING:

• quesadillas
• sopas
• tostadas
• tacos
• tortas
• tamales
• enchiladas
• platos
• margaritas
• cervezas
• homemade sangria

OPEN UNTIL: 12AM

PARKING: lot and street

REVIEWS: yelp

DAIMO

3288 Pierce St, (in Pacific East Mall parking lot) Richmond • 527-3888

SERVING: authentic and family-style Chinese food

OPEN UNTIL: 3AM

PARKING: lot

THE EBI REVIEW: I’ve been here several times and one thing you can’t fault Daimo for is consistency: The food is good (when they bring you what you actually order), the portion size is plentiful (just be patient while you wait a while) and the customer service sucks (somewhere between a language barrier and a lack of caring). If you aren’t easily irritated by communication breakdowns and/or in a rush, you will appreciate the expansive menu and late hours that Daimo has to offer. Whenever I’m here late, it’s always crowded. The majority of diners are Asian, which some people take for a sign of a restaurant’s authenticity. Most of the tables have lazy susans and drop-leaves to accommodate large parties. When I was at Daimo in a party of three, we dropped down the extra leaves to make dining more intimate (and hear each other above the din of dialog). The staff seemed suspicious and displeased by this. Of course, there is a dominating vibe of aloofness among the servers at the restaurant. Asking clarifying questions about menu items does not always go over well. Nor does explaining that you’ve been served the wrong item–or your order is incomplete. All that said, a carnivore, a vegetarian and one of those types of vegetarians who eat fish all managed to have an enjoyable meal at Daimo, plus leftovers for the next day’s lunch. Can’t be beat for a full Chinese menu until 3AM in the East Bay.

MORE REVIEWS: yelp

MISS SAIGON

3345 Grand Ave, Oakland • 835-3474

SERVING:

• noodle soups and salads (see menu)
• Pho, vermicelli, rice plates (see menu 2)
• chow mein, clay pots, curries (see menu 3)
• beef, chicken, pork and seafood (see menu 4)
• vegetarian food (see menu 5)
  

OPEN UNTIL: 12AM

PARKING: street

REVIEWS: yelp

La Piñata

1440 Park St, Alameda • 769-9110

SERVING:

• Mexican entrees and taco bar (see menu)
• Over 300 100% Agave Tequilas
• Largest collection of Tequila in Northern California

OPEN UNTIL: 3AM

PARKING: street

AWARDS: Best Mexican Restaurant, Best Happy Hour, Best Margarita (all 2007 from Alameda Magazine)

WEBSITE: Alameda La Piñata

REVIEWS: yelp

The Oakland Raiders at La Piñata

LUKA’S TAPROOM & LOUNGE

2221 Broadway, Oakland • 451-4677

FEATURES:

• Limited bar food until 12AM, including dollar oysters (see dinner menu)
• Unique beer assortment. “Five of our sixteen taps are reserved for Belgian Brews and we offer over eight Belgian varieties in bottles.” (see list)
• DJs from “funk to punk, and from bhangra to be-bop and hip-hop and all shades in between.” (see events)
• Art exhibits
• Billiards table

OPEN UNTIL: 2AM (Wed-Sat) • 12AM (Mon-Tues/Sun)

PARKING: street

WEBSITE:  Luka’s Taproom & Lounge

REVIEWS: yelp