Still full from last weekend, East Bay? Don't head for the juice just yet. Instead, ride this wave of gluttony all the way through the holidays, starting this weekend.
First up, Uptown Oakland hotspot Hopscotch is offering a changing selection of holiday-inspired specials through December 28 (they're closed Christmas Day). On Saturday and Sunday, indulge in a stuffed half duck served with duck liver gyoza and roasted acorn squash. Upcoming specials include rib eye and ribs, smoked goose, and, the grandaddy of them all, whole roasted Dungeness crab with "Old East Bay" seasoning. Check out the full specials menu (and dates) here. 1915 San Pablo Ave, Oakland
There's a new spot in Old Oakland to tend to all of your decadent lunchtime needs. Tina Ramos, aka "Tina Tamale," has opened shop inside La Snackeria with her husband Gil Yee—down the street from her family's much-lauded La Borinquea. Ramos and Yee are slinging a self-described menu of "Chino Latino" fare, including horchata boba, churros Chino (wonton skins fried in lard with cinnamon and sugar), and a char siu pulled pork quesadilla. There are salads and, of course, tamales on hand too. 815 Washington, Oakland
Char Siu Pulled Pork Quesadilla. Photo Credit: Carolina Abolio
Over in Temescal, get your meat-heavy brunch on at Hog's Apothecary. The meat-and-beer destination's new weekend brunch includes such heavy-hitters as a fried egg and scrapple sandwich; savory Belgian waffles (with fried chicken and gravy options); and a heart-stopping Butcher's Breakfast, which includes grilled quail, scrapple, bacon or sausage, grits, a sunny-side egg, and something called "animal juice." 375 40th Street, Oakland
Up for more meat? Of course you are. Boss Burger, from one of the founders of Little Star Pizza, has opened in Albany. The Shake Shack-style burgers feature 5 Dot Ranch beef. Other options include a fried chicken sandwich, a natural-casing beef hot dog, beef chili, and a veggie burger. Regardless of your order, you'll definitely want a side of crinkle fries fried in grass-fed beef tallow. 1187 Solano, Albany