eat oakland

Sweetheart Cafe, 9th and Harrison

Narrative
This little gem of a refreshment stand and candy store is simply the best boba I have had. Period. My friend Huy and I found it while wandering about Oakland in 1998 when we were both fresh faces to the Bay Area. I go every so often when I need refreshment and want it in beverage form. I've tried others about Oakland and San Francisco Chinatowns (Asiatowns?) and always go back for their avocado with pearl, baby coconut juice with pearl and popcorn chicken or squid when I am in the mood. This morning I needed a pick-me-up after class before I headed into work.

Contact Information
Sweetheart Cafe
315 9th Street
Oakland, CA 94607-4211
(510) 835-8136

Hours
Daily: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Cuisine This sweet shop features all manner of teas, pearl milk drinks (boba), fried snacks, bulk candies, Pocky and pastries.

Price Range
Super cheap!

SUMMARY
The Sweetheart Cafe is a treasure chest for any fan of sweets in downtown Oakland. You can get a tea-snack combo for under $6 that will delight your tastebuds with popcorn chicken lightly seasoned with cayenne pepper and fried bay leaves. Or peruse the dessert menu for a sago palm drink, sweet red bean, sugar cane juice...the list is almost endless!

If you loved the feeling of the candy store from the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie, you'll enjoy the bins filled with sweet dried fruits and sugar drops, as well as the racks of chocolate and novelty candy. The Pocky selection is quite extensive and you'll find all the soda you could ever want...if you didn't want a pearl drink that day.

When I snack there, I bounce between the popcorn chicken and fried squid. Each is fried delicately and served in a little brown paper bag double-bagged with a plastic bag to keep any grease away from you. Another little treat? Make sure you get the little skewer (or two) to spear your treats and pop them in your mouth after sprinkling the various pepper offerings (cayenne or garlic). This will keep your fingers from glistening or leaving evidence of your snacking!

On a hot day, I'll default to their coconut milk with pearl drink. It's tropical, smooth, and just has a perfect blend of coconut and creamy texture. Avocado also does the trick. Green tea with milk and pearl is also sublime.

Service
The cafe is super-organized. Your order is taken, you pay and you're given a number. This is when I usually wander to see if I need to fill my Pocky craving. A few moments later you're served with your beverage. They call out the number deli-style and a cue forms while everyone is waiting for their treats. Conversations can be overheard in Chinese, Spanish, and English. Little kids to grandparents (and perhaps great-grandparents) stand about waiting for their turn at the counter to be rewarded with yummy goodness!

Rest Rooms
No public restrooms.

posted by wrki @ 11:41 AM