Vik’s Chaat Corner is a busy Indian restaurant in the more industrial area of Berkeley. Chaat means “to lick”. Traditionally this is known as road side snacks that made people lick every last morsel.
They have have a regular menu, and add different specials on weekdays and weekends.

Sweets Case

Decor, Vibe - Warehouse with minimal decor and spartan tables. Their grocery store is next door. Lots of workers on lunch break were eating when we went there.

Menu Pictures

Dessert Menu

Picks:

Chicken Curry Special ($6.25) was a boneless chicken curry that was very spicy but tasty. It came with long grain Basmati rice. Some of the items were pretty greasy especially the Dal (Lentils). The Raita (Spiced / Flavored yogurt) helped reduce the spiciness. The small helping of Achaar (Spicy Pickle) packed a sensory punch.

Masala Dosa ($6.50) is a Crispy savory crepe made of finely ground rice and dai with South Indian style spiced potatoes. It was served with coconut chutney and sambar (Light and spicy Lentils)
The crepe was hot an crispy when we got it. The potatoes inside were flavorful but not spicy. A good vegetarian dish. The Sambar was pretty greasy.

OK:
None

Pans:
None

Vik’s Chaat Corner serves up hot delicous Indian food and very resaonable prices. It is packed on the weekends, a testamet to the good food and excellent values. They have a small kids menu.

They are moving around the corner to 2390 4th St in April 2009.

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Kirala is a popular Japanese restaurant in Berkeley. They have 2 locations. The one in North Berkeley is a to go shop. They do no take reservations, so the place fills up rapidly. We came for lunch. They have a separate lunch menu as well as a sushi menu.

Sushi Bar

Decor, Vibe - Classic Japanese restaurant decor. Lots of workers in their 30’s and 40’s were eating lunch.

Menu Pictures

Lunch Menu

Sushi Menu

Appetizers

Dinner Menu

Wine List

Picks:

Sushi Lunch Special ($12.95) had 3 pieces of real crab California roll, hand rolled Unagi sushi, salmon ball, and 4 different types of fish sushi. Very good quality all around, even the miso soup was good.

Kitchen Lunch Special ($11.25) came with a small chicken teriyaki, piece of cooked sea bass, and a Mushroom Soba noodle. Great variety and good quality all around. They have a sample the lunch special placed right near the front door every day.

Nabayaki Udon ($8.75) with Batter fried shrimp tempura, poached egg & vegetables came out very hot and steam from the stove. Lots of noodles, fish cakes, a nicely tempura’d shrimp.

OK:

Seaweed Salad ($5.50) had Sesame seasoned seaweed mix and tasted average. Good quantity, but nothing special.

Pans:
None

Kirala has above average service. Lunch was a good deal. Dinner is more expensive, but they have a much more extensive dinner menu including many small plates of Robata grilled items. Cannot wait to try it sometime. They also have a large Sake selection. Wines by the glass start at $5.25, Bottles from a reasonable $23.
This is one of the best Japanese restaurants in the East Bay. Be sure to give it a try if you like Sushi.
Berkeley Bowl is two blocks away, be sure to visit this interesting supermarket.

Kirala 2 To Go menu

Kirala 2 To Go Selection

Kirala 2 (To Go)
1511-D Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94709
510-649-1384

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Zachary’s Chicago Pizza is a popular restaurant in the East Bay that serves Chicago style pizza. It has been packing them in for over twenty years. The serve select individual slices (Sausage, Pepperoni, Vegetarian) and whole pizzas, both thin and stuffed (thick) crust. The thick crust has filling between layers. They also have half-baked pies for sale.
Decor, Vibe - College pizza place decor with tons of colorful posters on the walls. They have a sit down area and a counter area for quick bites. Lots of college students eating lunch along with the artsy Berkeley crowd.

Menu Pictures

Special pizzas are on the menu most the time.

Menu

Picks:

Thin crust Pepperoni slice ($3.25) - Most people go deep dish here, but the thin crust is good. Not very greasy all lots of pepperoni hidden under the toppings. The pepperoni is quite spicy, while the cheese is thick and good.

Stuffed Zachary’s Special ($17.95) was a 10inch deep dish pizza filled with tomatoes, sausage, onion, green pepper, and mushrooms. Very dense and heavy, each slice is very filling with lots of sweet and savory tomatoes. The crust is a crunchy and chewy style crust.
So filling that I could only handle 2 slices. The leftovers were good the next day.

OK:
None

Pans:
None

Zachary’s Chicago Pizza does not dissapoint. The wait can be long though. It is the deep dish leader in the San Francisco Bay Area. A little better than Little Star in San Francisco.
This place is a must visit for pizza lovers. Thin crust lovers should look else were for the best.

Also at:
1853 Solano Ave.
Berkeley CA 94707
(510) 525-5950

3110 Crow Canyon Place
San Ramon CA 94583
(925) 244-1222

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