30 - the Victorian Pub - San Leandro

15325 Washington Ave., San Leandro, CA 94579, (510) 614-7130

Last visited - November 2008

Most likely known to many as "the Vic", this San Leandro hole-in-the-wall bar is recognized as a homey place for its locals. Located right off of the Washington Ave exit across from the Walgreens, you'll find yourself wondering, "Why is there a bar here?", believe me I was befuddled the first time I seen it. This place is so hole-in-the-wall that I can't find a picture of it on Google. Well, not the first few pages at least. I was introduced to this bar by my co-workers at Peterson Tractor. They go on regularly and enjoy a couple of pitchers to ease the hard work week. Drinks are decently made, the beer isn't ridiculously priced, and there is a nice juke box with today's tunes.

I like places like these because it reminds me of the way "America" used to be. America with it's steel workers and brick-layers and all that blue-collar, work a "dollar-a-day" for an "honest man's wages" kind of deal. When I picture the Vic, I am reminded of the U2 song, "These are the hands that built America". Anyways, it's just a bar. They don't serve food neither. Walgreens can supply chips. Hell, the guys sometimes order pizza delivered there.

The Vic has limited seating, two pool tables, a dart board and a big TV. Last I heard they installed a couple of gaudy LCD's to guide the eyes of sports fans. They like to turn on to MMA and wrestling there, so if you're into that kind of stuff and around town, duck into the Vic and have a pint. I find myself having a good time the few times I been there. I think I should make another pilgrimage there myself.

29 - Frank's Saloon - San Leandro

2014 Marina Blvd, San Leandro, CA.94577, (510) 895-0140

Last visited - June, 2009

(image from citysearch.com) One of the things I grow fondly of is the amount of lesser known eateries around the Bay Area. If the East Bay restaurants were to be made into a Monopoly board many of the casual diners would be made to resemble Baltic and Mediterranean avenue. It's quite sad, but a lot of these places deserve a brief visit if one has the time.

Yesterday I went back to Frank's Saloon towards the Marina in San Leandro for some tacos. They do it pretty good there. These little soft shell tapas with spicy pork and chicken. It's definitely got a kick and the price is cheap. I think it's about $1.75 each, and you can get full off of four of these. They did a remodel to the kitchen so it's a bit cleaner. The people there usually buy the food to supplement their drinking and drinking games.

The bar is friendly and there are three TV's for the usual sports. I think the price of drinks is low, so you don't have to worry too much forking up the tab for a round. There are two pool tables and an electronic dart board. I played a sorry game of darts the last time I was there. I'm usually there for the tacos and beer. If you're headed to San Leandro and find yourself towards the Marina, I suggest you go in for a bite too.

15 - Foster's Freeze - San Leandro

2601 Alvarado St., San Leandro, CA 94577, (510) 357-2094

Last Visit: September 29th, 2008

I hope I don't make a habit of this, writing up a place from a restaurant chain, but I do enjoy this particular Foster's Freeze. This is the only one I have ever been to, this is probably the only one that I will ever go to - voluntarily.

The thing is, this Foster's is owned by a Korean guy. I don't know what the stereotype is about Korean chefs, but this burger artist is actually really skillful. He likes to arrange everything in the burger just right, so that when you bite into it, you'd hit all the insides every time: lettuce, onions, cheese, and good old beef. The Korean guy is generally happy, and if you ever go, ask him to make a Boss burger. It's his master-piece.

I went there last Monday, September 29th. I guess nothing but gloom faces for that day. Congress had rejected the vote for a $700 billion dollar bail-out plan for Wall Street. The Dow Jones dropped an unprecedented -777 points. I lost a tenth of my portfolio in the morning. I guess that didn't mean much. I was still able to buy a burger at Fosters. My girlfriend did the math: Instead of the bail-out, if we split the amount of money that they were going to give Wall Street amongst the 300 million Americans in the United States, we'd each get $2300 and change. I rather like that instead of bailing out people who made bad business judgments.

Not a great post, but I do enjoy throwing in the events of the day into my blogs.

Yelp's two cents: - Read Chad L.'s review.