Cholita Linda — Restaurant in Alameda

It makes me sad because I actually love this place. The food is amazing especially their salads. However, I just had the most disappointing experience where I had to double pay for an order. Still don’t have a refund and a whole bunch of nonsense. Do not use the delivery feature on their website. There is zero accountability for their delivery. I received a confirmation email about my delivery order and then nothing else no tracking no nothing I went and sat outside in the window of time. They said it would arrive in and nothing I never got a call. When I called them, they informed me DoorDash fulfills their delivery orders and tried to tell me it was a DoorDash issue, but in fact, I placed this order fully through their website so it is completely on their business to fulfill the order. The girl didn’t even offer to make another order for me. She said I had to talk to the manager to get a refund. Annoyingly because I was starving and my husband has been in the hospital and this was kind of a desperation “I need some real food in me right now” meal I actually put the order through again for pick up this time and went there myself, even though I did not have the physical emotional bandwidth to do so. This completely bold and utterly clueless girl who did nothing to help me with my order issue then says when I go to pick it up, “ We remade it for you.” Like honey don’t make it seem like you’re doing me any favors I literally just paid for the same food twice. This was infuriating. To be honest, I only really bit her head off about it because then she’s making it sound like she’s gonna tell this manager that I don’t get a refund when I already had to double pay for this order. Their staff actually doesn’t have amazing. Customer service and really won’t help you out when things like this happen then they try to give themselves a pat on the back for remaking an order I had to double pay for....

We love Cholita Linda, been fans of theirs since their farmers market stall days. So happy to see them here in Alameda although the Temescal location isn't that far a jaunt.

**Updated during Pandemic times: Cholita Linda has become a monthly rotation in our takeout since I became overwhelmed cooking all meals, ALL THE TIME during the pandemic.

Their fish tacos are where it's at, although everything we've ordered here has been a hit. Fried with a satisfyingly crunchy exterior, the inside is nicely seasoned and never fishy tasting. If I'm trying to fool myself with a healthier option I order the salad with fish- but I'm not fooling anyone! Crisp, chilled mixed greens. shredded cabbage, and vibrant radish slices comes topped with crushed tortilla strips, perfectly seasoned and cooked black beans, drizzled with rich crema, and OH- A GENEROUS PORTION OF THEIR FAMOUS FRIED FISH. Make sure you order a side of tortillas to assemble your own fish tacos and their house-made hot sauce, whatever you get. It's a nice blend of heat, vinegar, and spices that perks up and accents their food nicely.

The tostones con picadillo is a better deal than the picadillo plate as the quantity in the latter is a bit paltry. The agua frescas are not too sweet (our favorites are the blackberry strawberry, or strawberry mango) and the house sangria is a nice blend of fruit and wine- we have yet to try their maizena de coco for dessert, but I'm sure it's tasty just like the rest...

This restaurant is practicing portion SHRINKFLATION. Do not order To GO or delivery. You will be disappointed at how little their portions are. I ordered 3 tacos to go, which were about $15. I order a side of rice and beans, for $5.50, a side of plantain, for $6, a side of hot sauce for $1., another side of spice vinager, .50 and a side of guacamole for about $5. The entire meal was about $34. I picked up the order and to my dismay, they had given me about 1 tablespoon of rice and 1 tablespoon of black beans. I asked the server why was it so little? She insisted on saying those were the portions. I told her those portions were ridiculous for what I paid! Very reluctantly, she went back and “added” half of the initial portion. I looked at the almost empty box and asked her again, “How much more did you add? It looks the same”. Please be mindful that I was being respectful to her. I understood she’s an employee and probably repeating what management tells her but my GOODNESS, these people are CHEAP. In the end, she gave me a $5 refund for the cost of the side of rice and beans but honestly, I am never coming back. These people are taking advantage of their clients. Even the plates they serve, if you notice, fill the plates with lettuce and everything else is very small. You be better off going to Chipotle’s. I am still upset about the...