Spending time in Merritt? Get to know this Oakland neighborhood by browsing its most popular local businesses, from a seafood restaurant to a pho spot.
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit in Merritt, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results.
1. The Rockin' Crawfish
Topping the list is Cajun/Creole spot The Rockin' Crawfish, which offers seafood and more. Located at 211 Foothill Blvd., Suite B (between 3rd Ave and Second Avenue.), it's the most popular business in the neighborhood, boasting four stars out of 1,235 reviews on Yelp.
This franchise has seven additional outposts in Florida, Georgia and California. The menu offers seafood boils by-the-pound with mussels, crawfish, shrimp, clams and crabs. Other popular items include oysters, fried catfish, Cajun fries and seafood gumbo.
2. Portal Oakland
Next up is New American and breakfast and brunch spot Portal Oakland, offering burgers and more, situated at 1611 Second Ave. (between 16th Street and Foothill Boulevard). With four stars out of 1,158 reviews on Yelp, it's proven to be a local favorite.
This beer garden has a patio with views of Lake Merritt. From the dinner menu, look for garbage bread (stromboli stuffed with vegetables and cheese, served with pesto and marinara), the herbed garlic frites and the French dip sandwich (thinly sliced roast beef, Swiss cheese, caramelized onions on ciabatta with au jus.)
The restaurant also serves brunch on weekdays before 3 p.m.
Check out the full menu here.
3. Tacos Mi Rancho
Food stand and Mexican spot Tacos Mi Rancho is another top choice. Yelpers give the business, located at 1434 First Ave. (between 14th Street and 1st Av Place), four stars out of 800 reviews.
The food truck has an extensive menu, offering Mexican favorites like tacos, quesadillas, nachos, tortas and burritos. Yelpers recommend ordering the carne asada taco trio, along with the 15-inch super burrito and the vegetarian burrito, stuffed with guacamole, beans, cheese and salsa.
4. Pho Vy Vietnamese Cuisine
Pho Vy Vietnamese Cuisine, a Vietnamese spot that offers noodles, soup and more, is another much-loved neighborhood go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 177 Yelp reviews. Head over to 401 International Blvd. to see for yourself.
This spot serves up traditional Vietnamese favorites like spring rolls, pho, soup, stew and rice. Yelpers recommend ordering the signature beef stew, along with the meatball pho, the vermicelli salad and the fish cakes.
Explore the menu here.
5. Pho King
Check out Pho King, which has earned four stars out of 565 reviews on Yelp. You can find the Vietnamese spot at 207 18th St.
On the menu, look for rice plates, soup, pho and appetizers like spring rolls and chicken wings. Try the spicy bun bo hue (beef, pork and vermicelli) or the popular dac biet (combination noodle soup).
This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
