Ok's Deli — Restaurant in Oakland

In the heart of Oakland, a culinary gem beckons to food enthusiasts with a penchant for nostalgia and adventure: OK's Deli. Upon entering this gastronomic haven, one can almost feel the passion and dedication of the culinary masters that came before, leaving a legacy of flavors that defy the imagination. With a menu that boasts both the Spam Mi and Szechuan Chicken, OK's Deli serves as a masterclass in the art of sandwich-making.

The Spam Mi is an edible ode to the past, a sandwich that lovingly wraps itself around one's taste buds like a warm blanket on a cold winter's eve. The salty tenderness of the spam melds seamlessly with the cool crunch of fresh cucumbers, their interplay only enhanced by the enigmatic sauce that binds them. But the true star of this gastronomic ensemble is the bread – a masterpiece in its own right, offering an unparalleled bite and crunch that leaves one yearning for more.

As for the Szechuan Chicken, it is a dish that dances on the precipice of adventure, beckoning the bold to embark on a culinary journey. The sesame buns, delightful in their nutty complexity, offer a delightful contrast to the crispy chicken within. The mala spice, though mild, adds a thrilling undercurrent of heat that runs through each bite. Alas, this intrepid sandwich is not without flaw, as it finds itself wanting in the realm of salt. Yet, this minor shortcoming only serves to remind us that even the most exquisite of dishes can be further refined.

In a world that moves at a breakneck pace, OK's Deli provides a respite for the weary soul – a place where one can find solace in the simple joy of a well-crafted sandwich. Their takeout service is nothing short of exemplary, offering a swift and seamless experience for those craving sustenance on the go. Though the quest for parking may prove challenging at times, it is a small price to pay for the treasures that await within.

So, to all who yearn for a taste of the extraordinary, heed the call of OK's Deli. It is a siren song that cannot be ignored, a gastronomic adventure that promises to leave a lasting impression on both...

My friend and I ordered takeout from here for lunch. The pictures on DoorDash looked especially tasty. It took around 20 minutes to get our food. I think the prices are a bit high considering this is a deli, but the menu provided enough variety to intrigue us.

We got the...

SICHUAN HOT CHICKEN ($17 - house sichuan spiced taiwanese style fried chicken thigh, iceberg lettuce, crushed cucumber, cilantro, house sesame ginger vinaigrette, scallion, house honey mustard, house sesame bun): My friend liked this! It wasn't too spicy and the sesame bun was the perfect thickness. The lettuce added a brightness to the sandwich. The chicken thigh felt like an XXL chicken you'd get from a Taiwanese snack shop like Shihlin.

HOT COPPA & FRESH MOZZARELLA ($19 - hot coppa, fresh mozzarella, arugula, shaved red onions, pepperoncini, house red pesto, rustic hoagie): I love Italian meats and this spicy sandwhich was gorgeous. I only ate half and saved the other half for lunch the next day. The thick bread paired well with the massive amount of meat I got. I am also a huge fan of arugula and the amount they gave also went well with the meat. The pesto had great flavor.

I'd definitely want to try their...

October 2022: Stopped by for lunch on a Saturday. Read about this new sandwich place and was very excited to try their food!

Ordered the Sichuan chicken 🐔 sandwich, the spam mi, the Asian potato salad, and a chocolate chip sesame cookie.

Overall, I thought the food was good. But I don't think I ate anything that I would crave again. It's unfortunate.

The Sichuan chicken was served on a nice fluffy sesame bun. I 😘 sesame bread so this was a nice bonus++! But I wasn't blown away by the chicken. Note that we took our lunch to go so perhaps the breading got soggy during the 15 minutes of travel. The chicken could have used perhaps some pickled jalapenos to add a little more kick and balance.

The spam mi was good. I love spam and really like spam musubi, for example. But for a banh mi sandwich, it was clever but just okay. Maybe the spam could have used some Hawaiian influence... Like add some teriyaki sauce like we'd taste on a spam musubi in Hawaii.

The Asian potato salad was good. I don't think I would get it again though.

Service was very friendly. I really want to leave a five ⭐ review but I just wasn't wowed by my lunch. Next time, perhaps I'd try one of the...