Now that there is a Shelter in Place order in California, and eating out is not an option for now, I thought that this is the best time for me to catch up on posting past dining experiences. It will be a great time to reminisce about delicious dining memories and remember that the crisis is going to over one day. Then we will be able to share a meal and enjoy delicious drinks with our friends and loved ones once again.
I will start with a post of my yummy birthday drink with Mr Sweetie at Cholita Linda. This was my second birthday (and last) drink that evening after indulging my cravings for cheesy tater tots and cocktail at North Light next door to Cholita Linda. (Read about our delicious meal at North Light Bar and Kitchen here.) We walked next door to Cholita Linda for a second round of drinks, tacos, chips and salsa.
Cholita Linda started out a street food vendor in San Francisco. It has since transitioned into a brick and mortar in Oakland in 2014. Cholita Linda serves California Latin American fare with influences from Peru, Mexico, Cuba, etc.
I was still full from eating the cheesy tater tots from North Light but I enjoyed grazing on chips and salsa, and definitely enjoyed the sangria. My sangria was really delicious that when the coronavirus is gone, I want a mason jar of that yummy drink again!
It was a casual birthday celebration the way I wanted to spend my special day. I was scheduled to fly to Nashville, Tennessee for work that weekend that I told Mr Sweetie that we would have the nicer dinner that he wanted to take me to when I returned. Well, it turned out that he planned a surprise birthday party for me in March! More on that later.
I wish Cholita Linda the best and hope that it gets to survive this crisis to continue to provide the neighborhood with delicious casual meals. I will miss its colorful and vibrant restaurant reminiscent of Latin America, where one gets to enjoy an illusion of eating outdoors but indoors.
(Check out our past meal at Cholita Linda as well in 2014.)
Leah's Cozy Notebook 
10 responses to “Oakland | cholita linda”
Hi! I just wanted to say thank you for supporting my blog – I remember your lovely comment on the chakli aloo and when you reblogged my recipe it made my day! It may not seem like much but it really made my day and encouraged me so so much. Today is the last day of my blog but I will continue to check out your amazing posts each of which is like a little window into the soul of San Francisco – thank you for bringing that to the world! Love the passion and dedication you have for food and this blog, its very inspiring.
Saira
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Hi Saira, Congratulations on completing your goal for your blog. You and your blog will be missed in the blogosphere. As the Bay Area and the world are starting to slowly re-open again, I am becoming more busy but I am really enjoying the time that I have to visit other blogs and post as well. I looked at your blog again and your biryani recipe is going to be on my “Cooking Mason Jar List.” (I have the term “bucket list.”) I have been wanting to try to cook biryani for the longest time. Now that I have your recipe I finally will definitely do it one of these days. All the best and please post again whenever you can. Your blog is fun and it seems like you have an awesome family as well. 🙂 Lei
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[…] we walked next door at Cholita Linda when I had another glass of sangria while Mr Sweetie had tacos. (Hey, it was my birthday!I get to […]
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I have to drop by at Cholita Linda in San Francisco, that jar of Sangria looks delicious!
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Love Latin American food! We have a few places that feature Latin American food here, and you’ve inspired me to visit and order tacos and chips when things are back to normal. Most of us won’t take going out, having a meal outside and planning get-togethers for granted especially when this season passes. In the meantime, I guess we’re meant to cherish the time we spend at home. Stay safe!
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Everything you said is so true. As much as it feels strange — working at home, staying at home, not being able to eat out, I enjoy the quiet and serenity despite the chaos outside. There are so many things that we will never take for granted anymore most especially the hugs. 🙂 I love Latin Food. Every time I travel, no matter where I go, I always crave Mexican food as soon as I get home. And living in California, we are blessed with an abundance of Latin American cuisine — plenty and cheap. Do you have plenty of them in Singapore?
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We have several restaurants that specialize in Latin American food as it’s becoming more popular. It isn’t as cheap here though (mostly mid-range to high) because it’s considered as an international specialty. One of the places I tend to visit in Singapore is Guzman y Gomez, a Latin-inspired chain of restaurants that is originally from Australia. Their food is so good! 🙂
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It is the opposite in the Bay Area. Mexican food are the cheapest. Maybe because of our proximity to Mexico and having a large Latin American community in the Bay Area.
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Hi, I wish that soon we all are able to go out and have some really nice meal! I hope that restaurants and caffees will survive from this crisis! All the best, Minna
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Hi Minna, Dining out with loved ones is what I miss the most as well. In the Bay Area where there are so many delicious restaurants in almost every corner, it is our way of life. Now I try to focus on cooking as I never had time to do it. I hope that restaurants can survive this crisis as well. Take care! 🙂
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