Oakland Eats: 'Happy Burrito' & 'Happy Donuts' Debut, 'Sushi Valley' Rebrands, More

Oakland Eats: 'Happy Burrito' & 'Happy Donuts' Debut, 'Sushi Valley' Rebrands, MoreHappy Burrito on Webster Street. | Photo: Albertino M./Hoodline Tipline
Nathan Falstreau
Published on April 13, 2018

In this hyperlocal edition, we focus on restaurant developments in the Downtown and Uptown corridor with news of a beloved burrito spot's reopening, a new donut shop's impending debut, and more restaurant-related news from The Town. 

Opening

Happy Burrito (1616 Webster St.)

After several months of renovations, it looked like Happy Burrito on Webster Street was set to close, but the burrito joint is back in business, said tipster extraordinaire Al M.

The prices are a little higher than before, but the menu is the same as before the restaurant took a hiatus. When pressed for details about the temporary closure, the owner declined to comment. 

Happy Burrito is open weekdays 9am–5:30pm, Saturdays 11am–4pm and is closed Sundays. 

Photo: Albertino M./Hoodline Tipline

Happy Donuts (378 17th St.)

As we reported last September, a new donut shop called Happy Donuts was set to move into the former Chez Mado convenience store space. While the owners were hoping for an October 2017 debut, renovations took longer than expected. 

While tipster Al M. was in the neighborhood this week, he noticed that the pastry shop is adding final touches and the "coffee machine and pots are ready to go." 

He spoke to someone on the scene who said the business is waiting on a final inspection, but they weren't sure when they'd be getting the green light. 

When the new place is up and running, expect to see locally roasted coffee beans along with with an assortment of house-prepared sinkers

Sushi Valley. | Photo: C. V. M./Yelp

Sushi Villa (367 17th St.)

Tipster Al reports that the former Sushi Valley spot on 17th Street, which closed up shop late last year, has now become Sushi Villa.

It's not clear why the former iteration closed, however, the restaurant did receive a swath of negative Yelp reviews in its last days, totaling an overall 2.5 stars. 

When Al inquired about the name change, the owner said the menu is the same and declined to comment further. So far, the new eatery isn't faring much better as its predecessor; Sushi Villa has a 2-star rating thus far on Yelp out of two reviews. 

The menu features an extensive list of signature rolls like the Rainbow with crab and avocado topped with assorted fish, teimaki hand rolls with shrimp tempura or salmon skin and vegetarian maki rolls with mushrooms and radishes. 

Photo: Albertino M./Hoodline Tipline 

Dragon Pearl Asian Fusion (365 19th St.)

Lastly, Al reports that a new Asian-fusion restaurant is slated to open in the former Mama's Vietnamese Restaurant space, which closed earlier this month. 

The eatery shuttered for a month-long period last July for repairs, but according to one Yelper, "they never recovered from [the] extended closure." 

Photo: Albertino M./Hoodline Tipline

As far as renovations, Al said the interior will remain the same with the exception of "a dragon mural that will painted in the center of dining room."

For eats, it appears from a photo snapped by our tipster that the new restaurant will serve a variety of Japanese-inspired sushi and sashimi plates along with Chinese-style stir-fry and sides. 

Thanks as always to the man about "The Town," Al M.!

Have you noticed an addition (or subtraction) from Oakland's food landscape? Text a tip and a photo to 510-757-9959, and we'll look into it.