La Perla, a culinary gem in Oakland's lower Dimond District, will serve its last roasted pork shoulder and arroz con gandules on Fruitvale Avenue next Saturday. The local favorite, which began in the back of a liquor store, has built a devoted following over the years, pulling in food enthusiasts from the neighborhood and as far as San Jose, Sacramento, and Santa Rosa, according to SF Chronicle.
In an announcement tinged with gratitude and optimism, the restaurant shared on their social media that while they might be closing their Oakland outlet, their journey is far from over. According to a social media post from La Perla, the team expressed their heartfelt thanks to their Oakland family and teased about their soon-to-open Castro Valley location, where traditions and flavors of Puerto Rico will continue to be celebrated.
Behind the scenes, this relocation is more than just a change of scenery. Chef-owner Jose "Cheo" Ortiz, 65, has been dealing with personal health challenges, specifically a battle with cancer. Commuting and long hours at the current Oakland location had become increasingly burdensome. "I'll be able to walk to the restaurant," Ortiz told the SF Chronicle. The new outpost will be nestled in the Castro Valley Marketplace, a fresh setting that promises to continue the restaurant’s legacy, albeit with possible slight modifications to the menu.
Much of the cherished feel of La Perla will remain intact, including its vibrant playlist that brings the space alive with tunes from salsa legends. Despite the cost of green plantains soaring—making their famous mofongo more expensive to produce—the spirit of the dishes will remain. Patrons queuing during a rush at the new location, rather than waiting in a parking lot as they did in Oakland, will be treated to the comfort of a separate lounge at the marketplace downstairs. After the closure and before the grand reopening, Ortiz plans to visit his native Puerto Rico, a trip he described as long overdue.
La Perla's presence in Castro Valley will augment the culinary variety of the locale, joining other new arrivals like Pho 510 and a Tony Gemignani Slice House location. With its new space accommodating close to 50 diners and a few outdoor seats, the restaurant is set to embark on a fresh chapter.
