September closures deplete hot dog creativity in Berkeley, plant-based options in Oakland

Editor’s note: Nosh covers food and restaurant news across the East Bay, and each week we publish one article covering all the restaurant openings and one article covering closings. The openings and closings for each month are then compiled into a round-up. Have a tip for Nosh? Submit it here.

Berkeley restaurant closures

Seoul Hotdog

09.12.25: Seoul Hotdog served its last Korean corn dog on Sept. 6. An announcement on the Berkeley campus storefront stated the business was closing with gratitude, but didn’t provide context for the closure. Seoul Hotdog was known for serving creative snacks like spicy mozzarella dogs and hot Cheeto dogs wrapped in crunchy batter. Seoul Hotdog was located at 2505 Hearst Ave. (between Euclid Ave. and Etcheverry Ln.) in Berkeley.

Hayward restaurant closure

Wah jee Wah

09.26.25: Wah jee Wah, a popular restaurant known for its live-fire Indian barbecue specialties, has closed its Hayward location, per KQED. Owner Ron Dumra said the closure comes after the landlord raised his monthly rent from $4,000 to over $11,000, but that new locations are already brewing. A new South San Francisco flagship is in the works, and Dumra is already managing a pop-up at California Craft Beer in Fremont. Wah jee Wah was located at 32681 Mission Blvd. (at Warner Ave.) in Hayward.

Oakland restaurant closures

Blue Bottle

09.19.25: Blue Bottle departed the iconic WC Morse building in Oakland’s Temescal district on Sept. 26. Blue Bottle has occupied the historic former car dealership since 2014 and used to offer espresso tech repairs, visible through a plastic partition in the space. The cafe has recently shaved down its opening hours, and an employee said declining business made continuing unviable. Blue Bottle workers across its four East Bay shops joined the Blue Bottle Independent Union (BBIU) in early August, becoming the first California locations of the coffee chain, which is owned by Nestle, to do so. Workers first announced their intent to join the union on June 17, and WC Morse cafe workers organized a picket to protest the firing of a staff member after employees requested that the company acknowledge their union. Blue Bottle was located at 4270 Broadway (at 42nd St.) in Oakland.

Roasted and Raw

09.19.25: Roasted and Raw, a holdover for plant-based bowls, empanadas and pastas announced its closure on Instagram. The cafe plans to sell its space and is actively seeking a buyer.

“With a week or two left of service, we are looking to turn this into a win for us and our landlord by selling to an established restaurateur looking for a beautiful turn-key ready restaurant space in a reviving downtown,” a September 15 Instagram post reads. Stay tuned on Instagram for updates on their next moves. Roasted and Raw was located at 607 14th St. (at Jefferson St.) in Oakland.

Richmond restaurant closure

Riggers Loft

10.03.25: As Richmondside’s Joel Umanzor reported, after a protracted battle with the city, Riggers Loft, a winery and event space, has closed.

“We wish it could have ended differently but the city had the power, the resources and the final word,” Riggers Loft announced in a Facebook post. “We still believe our case against the unlawful detainer was strong. However, the uncertainty of jury trials and the timing of eviction mean that even a legal victory would come too late to save the business. So we end this chapter and say a sad goodbye to everyone.”

Riggers Loft was at 1325 Canal Blvd. in Richmond.

September closures deplete hot dog creativity in Berkeley, plant-based options in Oakland

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