2020 New Restaurant Roundup – a Year in Review
The year 2020 was anything but ordinary. The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on most businesses, and in particular on small businesses. Yet, amid the turmoil of businesses struggling, and even closing, little glimmers of light shone through by way of new restaurants opening.
All of these restaurants have opened to take-out service, delivery, and outside dining only and join the many established restaurants who have adapted to this new way of doing business.
Now there is finally a poke restaurant in Downtown San Leandro. Yaya Poke opened at 1384 E. 14th Street to good reviews on Yelp – diners raving about large portions, good quality, and affordable prices.
At Bayfair Mall (15555 E. 14th Street), the San Mateo staple Joy Sushi has opened in San Leandro, much to the delight of local diners. Here too, portions are generous, and the service is rated as outstanding.
Viet Kitchen, located at 967 Manor Blvd, has arrived, earning great reviews on Yelp for their great value, service, and quality of its traditional Vietnamese dishes.
If you love Chinese barbecue, you may want to give Taishan BBQ a try, at 1960 Lewelling Blvd. Chinese barbecue offers a crispier skin than American barbecue, like Peking Duck, which naturally is on the menu.
In addition to its two Hayward locations, Metro Taquero has now found a home in San Leandro, at 13775 E. 14th Street. Metro offers staple street foods that diners find flavorful and filling, and with friendly service to match.
After the closure of Thai Satay, and its successor Shabu House, Hong Kong Chef has taken over the space at 1376 E. 14th Street in Downtown San Leandro, offering dim sum as well as other traditionally recognizable dishes. And in tune with the theme of all of these new restaurants, portions are large, and the service reported to be wonderful.
Congratulations are well-deserved for these restaurants for remaining resilient and opening for business during the pandemic. Amazing as that is, there are more eateries coming!
Gemignani’s Slice House is slated to open in the former Vine location on Parrott Street (read more here), Joe’s Pho is opening a second location in Washington Plaza, Bag O’Crab will open in the former Englander space, and Urban Ka Re House is preparing to dish out eats at Greenhouse Marketplace. Stay tuned for more details as these restaurants open.
Gemingnanis is opening March 22nd now, at least that is what they told me when I went to ask
[…] the Cooler, Kanda Ramen & BBQ, Maejoo Korean fried chicken, and soon Slice House Pizza and other exciting new restaurants, all within a short walking distance from the […]