Celebrate Chanukkah with BARTable
Photo courtesy of PJ Library Bay Area.
Happy Chanukah, BARTable readers. December 14 marks the beginning of the Jewish festival of Chanukkah. For eight days, the winter “Festival of Lights” is celebrated with nightly menorah lighting, special prayers, and fried foods. The Hebrew word Chanukkah means “dedication” and refers to the rededication of the Holy Temple. Find delectable dishes made by Jewish business owners at the restaurants below.
Use BART's Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options.
Photo courtesy of Saul's Deli.
Saul’s Restaurant and Delicatessen | Downtown Berkeley
A mainstay in North Berkeley since 1986, Saul’s Deli is a gathering place for Jews and goys alike. From old-world classics like brisket, pastrami, and corned beef, to more recent innovations, such as pancakes and patty melts, there’s something for every taste bud at Saul’s. Take BART to Downtown Berkeley, then head 0.8 miles to 1475 Shattuck Ave.
Photo courtesy of Boichik Bagels.
Boichik Bagels | Rockridge
Having opened its doors in 2017, Boichik Bagels in Berkeley (say that three times fast) is one of the hottest spots in the Bay for delicious, doughy bagels. In just a few years, the bagel shop has become many neighborhood dwellers’ go-to spot for piping hot, fresh-out-of-the-oven goods. Boichik – boychik means “young man” in Yiddish – also sells fresh lox, sable, and whitefish, tuna and egg salads. Take BART to Rockridge Station and travel 0.5 miles to 3170 College Ave, Berkeley.
Photo courtesy of Grand Bakery.
Grand Bakery | Fruitvale
Grand Bakery is known for its freshly baked, hand-twisted challah, and it has round challahs ready for Chanukkah. The bakery has been around since 1959. In 2017, it was taken over by New York native Sam Tobis, who retained the same recipes and bakers. Take BART to Fruitvale, then take the AC Transit 57 bus to 3033 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland.
Potato Latkes are a Chanukkah staple. Photo courtesy of Wise Sons.
Wise Sons | 19th St/Oakland, and 24th St Mission
Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen started as a humble restaurant on San Francisco’s 24th Street. It has since expanded to 11 locations and farmers' markets, including a Tokyo storefront. If you can’t make it to the original San Francisco location, Wise Sons Deli also has a highly BARTable location in Downtown Oakland, just two blocks from BART. It’s the first Wise Sons outpost in the East Bay. The longtime Jewish eatery is known for its bagels, but it also serves classic and creative reubens, chicken schnitzel, smoked trout salad and potato latkes. Take BART to 24th St Mission and travel 0.2 miles to 3150 24th St or take BART to 19th St/Oakland and travel 0.1 miles to 1700 Franklin St.
Photo courtesy of King Knish.
King Knish | Powell St
King Knish in San Francisco makes “an old world dish with a new world twist.” Knish is a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish food often made of dough or potatoes, and King Knish is the only baker in the Bay Area dedicated to perfecting the art of the tasty Eastern European snack. Take BART to Powell St then catch the Muni 45 bus and travel 0.1 miles to 660 4th St, No 479.
Talk to us!
Tell us about your weekend activities! Where's your favorite BARTable bike trail? Show us on social media tag #SFBARTable and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to see all of the best BARTable events, places to eat and where to have fun around the Bay.
