{"id":162332,"date":"2026-02-03T19:27:25","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T19:27:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/162332\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T19:27:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T19:27:25","slug":"chopped-winner-opens-oakland-bbq-in-time-for-super-bowl-plus-new-pizza-southern-and-mexican-restaurants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/162332\/","title":{"rendered":"Chopped winner opens Oakland BBQ in time for Super Bowl; plus new pizza, Southern, and Mexican restaurants"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s note:\u00a0Nosh<\/a>\u00a0covers 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. Have a tip for Nosh?\u00a0Submit it here<\/a>.\u00a0Subscribing to the\u00a0Nosh newsletter<\/a>\u00a0is the best way to stay up to date on all of the openings and closings, breaking news, deeper developments, and events in the East Bay food scene.<\/p>\n

Anahuac<\/p>\n

A new Mexican restaurant comes to Solano Avenue. Anahuac held its grand opening Jan. 31 with a menu of plentiful dishes including fajitas, enchiladas, a large seafood selection, and drinks. It is located in the former Fonda location<\/a>. Anahuac<\/a>, 1501 Solano Ave., Albany\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Eight Grams Matcha<\/p>\n

A new matcha cafe opened its doors in Berkeley, founded by a Cal alum<\/a>. A former RareTea boba shop, the cafe, currently in its soft opening, offers a matcha latte topped with honeycomb, and a banana matcha sweetened with banana milk. A few tea-infused puddings are also on the menu. Eight Grams Matcha<\/a>, 2440 Bancroft Way Ste. 101 Berkeley<\/p>\n

Go B\u00e1nh Mi <\/p>\n

A new Vietnamese sandwich shop opened Feb. 1<\/a> in Emeryville. Local publication The E\u2019Ville Eye reports that it\u2019s a ghost kitchen operating out of Lanesplitter Pizza on San Pablo Avenue. All sandwiches are between $8.95-$9.95 with go-tos like grilled chicken and some harder-to-find sandwiches like grilled shrimp and grilled beef wrapped in betel nut leaves. Go B\u00e1nh Mi<\/a>, 3645 San Pablo Ave., Emeryville<\/p>\n

Lulu\u2019s Little Kitchen<\/p>\n

Lulu on Solano Avenue in Albany temporarily closed Jan. 31 to adjust its business model and menu. The restaurant previously focused on Palestinian-inspired California brunch and dinner services. Now, renamed Lulu\u2019s Little Kitchen, it plans to softly reopen Feb. 6 and hold a grand opening Feb. 7 with \u201c[a] fresh menu, a new format, and all the heart of Lulu you know and love.\u201d The revamp includes a new counter-service model. Lulu\u2019s Little Kitchen<\/a>, 1106 Solano Ave., Albany<\/p>\n

The Pizza Boyz<\/p>\n

Located inside the former Fists of Flour<\/a> in the Laurel district, The Pizza Boyz opened Feb. 1 and includes combinations like tikka masala and an \u201cAfghan pizza\u201d made with halal beef, chicken, and vegetables. The Pizza Boyz<\/a>, 4166 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Saints Smokehouse<\/p>\n

Helmed by Chopped winner Rashad Armstead, Saints Smokehouse is scheduled to open Feb. 7 (a day before Super Bowl Sunday) with a menu of smoked barbequed meats and sides in downtown Oakland. Chopped judge Alex Guarnaschelli called a crab dish Armstead made on the show \u201cbrilliant\u201d and another judge, Geoffrey Zakarian, said the sauce was one of the best things he\u2019s ever tasted. Plates are between $18-$20, which includes either smoked half chicken, brisket, or pork ribs\u2013plus one side. Saints Smokehouse<\/a>, 218 13th St., Oakland.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tease Southern Kitchen <\/p>\n

A southern food business opens inside the Emeryville Public Market. With dishes like lobster mac n\u2019 cheese, garlic noodles, and shrimp po\u2019boys, Tease will surely please a palate hankering for southern comfort food. Tease started in Antioch and had a brief stint in Oakland. Located in the former Minnie Bell\u2019s. Tease Southern Kitchen<\/a>, 5959 Shellmound St., Unit 15, Emeryville.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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