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The Emeryville Pubic Market has a large, diverse assortment of dusty neon signs signifying an equally diverse but decidedly less dusty offering of food choices. Some of them are good, like the thai noodle stand. Some of them, unnamed, really suck. But they are all equal in the eyes of the filth that accumulates on their neon signs. That's reassuring.
One time I came in, and it looks like they had cleaned the signs. But I think some dust just fell off.
Usually come here when coming back from San Francisco, not your average food court, no Burger Kings or McDonalds in sight
You have many options to choose from (Thai, Vietnamese, Afghan, Jamaican, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc.)
I went to Sara's Mediterranean Deli and it was great ;their chicken tabaka and rice was very good.
I highly recommend this place!
It very close to where I live but I had never been there, finally did it today for the first time. It's a "non-fancy food-court", the price range is low but you get many choices; Japanese, Thai, Greek, Vietnamese, Afghan, Jamaican, Chinese, Korean, etc.
positive:
1) many choices
2) the samples that many of them offer as you walk by
3) price range
negative:
1) although it has the plaza parking space but it can be pretty full
2) limited seats inside, so if you have wait for your food to get ready, try finding a place to sit instead of killing time
3) the grill house beside it can make allota smoke from time to time...
I tried the california sushi roll, right at the entrance and it was really good, totally fresh and really big rolls, I am going there again for sure. I definitely recommend this place if you are not too picky about the environment around you while eating and if you have a limited budget.
One more important thing, I think it's better that each of the restaurants inside get e yelp page instead of all of them having one together!
No no no. Somehow I stumbled across a 5 star review of this place and I came to type this in the name of truth and honesty. 5 stars is wrong, wrong I say.
I believe in my heart that when the gods of Yelp invented this clever 5 star system that they had an example in mind for each rating level. A flawless, quintessential example for each of the 5 stars. The Public Market is a clear cut example of a 3 star A-OK type spot, not a 2.75, not a 3.143, but a full out 3.000.
None of the food is "really good". None of it has been "bad". I've had, what I consider to be "just fine" food here so many times I've lost count.
Yes, the variety is very nice, they have cuisine from all over the world! And it's fine. Just fine. That's it. I've yet to puke out my Afghan food and have also never screamed with glee at great Thai food, everything is flat out so-so.
It's so "so-so" in fact it never occurred to me to even write this until I saw that 5 star review. Do not be fooled, these 5 star references are false prophets, you've been warned.
This is the coolest thing ever in my book. Remember, it's a food court so of course the food is not going to be gourmet or even great. This is the perfect lunch break or travel break spot. Taking that into account, and in comparison to any other food court I've visited ever in my life, I would rate this one the highest.
Actually I've only ever eaten at the Jamaican place. I live in San Jose and I love Jerk Chicken so the rare occasions I come through Emeryville, I try to stop there. The jerk chicken is decent, but the experience is pretty authentic- the service is painfully s-l-o-w - exactly what you would expect from a Jamaican place!
What I like best is the atmosphere and just the idea of the place- so much to choose from in one spot, all calling out to you with their neon signs! I am not a food snob, so I can appreciate the simple, decent nature of the food being served here, and I really like how the places aren't chain franchises.
Next time I really have to try something new rather than sticking with my jerk chicken!
Emeryville Public Market exists to serve two distinct groups:
1.) The visitors from out of town that don't have access to Yelp.
2.) The groups of cheap, indecisive friends or family that require compromise.
If you fit into one of those two categories, this is a great place to dine at. The food is cheap and the variety is vast. A quick walk around and you're bound to find something that sounds appetizing. Japanese, Indian, Mediterranean, Jamaican, it's all here. None of Public Market's food is remotely outstanding, but nothing is terrible either. The consistency makes this place worth attending again and again if you like the food.
But if you have even a vague idea of what kind of food you want, you'll be best served heading elsewhere. There is so many better options for food in this area, as long as you know where to look and what to look for. That said, please keep this place in mind for those occasions where convenience and cash are factors.
Maybe I'm a bit biased because I have quite a few childhood memories associated with this place, but I think the concept is really pretty cool. Sure, it's not foodie heaven. It's a food court with ethnic food, the kind of place that I loved as a fat brown kid. It was like going to Disneyland, but even better because I was in line for food, not rides.
Not the best quality food here, but decent food for under $10 or so. Also, it's a great place to go if you dunno what to get, or can't agree with your friends on what to eat. Some highlights are Pamir Afghani, Wazwan Indian, and the fries at the philly cheesesteak restaurant.
The only thing that I really like about this place is that if you and your family/friends cant agree on what to eat, this is the place to go. Then you can still sit down and socialize together and hang out at the bookstore or catch a movie across the parking lot.
I feel the food is okay, not exceptional. But, there is a variety of ethnic food to try out. They have a decent gyro stand, which I couldn't really find since I moved from SF to Richmond.
This used to be a regular place for me to go to. Especially when I didn't know what the hell I wanted to eat. They have every type of Asian food there, a couple delis, taqueria and even a hofbrau. It's pretty cool and convenient. Especially if you work in the area and have a bunch of friends(or coworkers) who wants to have this or that for lunch.
Now, truthfully, the food that they serve there isn't all that great and some of them are kinda pricey for what you get, but it is what it is.
This place is fair. What this place does have is variety! I've had cheeseburgers and Indian here. It's typically buffet style not made to order food. Portions are adequate. At peak times it's tough to find a table. They keep the dining areas pretty clean.
Not a place to take a date...
WHOA. WHAT? It's the world's cuisine gathered into one place for my convenience, yay! Man, I can't make up my mind! Huh? You're giving me samples? Oh more yay!
Sometimes, I feel greedy for taking a sample and not buying anything... Sometimes ;).
Pluses/Minuses:
+ Star Sushi Grill. Now, to be honest, I'd rather have an $8 lunch bento from nearby Miyozen, but what Star lacks in quality, they'll make up in quantity :).
+ The thai food place. One of the few places that cook after you order. The wait isn't long, and you'll get some solid pad thai and see-ew.
- Philly cheesesteaks are way too small for the price. It IS really good, but it's a rip-off!
- ATM charges $1.50. Then BofA charged me another $2. Ew.
- The Crepe place closed down! Aw.
This is no place for people to like to eat with napkins on their laps and drink with their pinkies up. It IS the place for people who want a variety of cheap, good, fast food and don't give a shiz for ambiance. So if you think you can stomach it, go ahead! Enjoy.
Emeryville Public Market is one of those places that you think would resemble the Chelsea Marketplace in NY or even SF's Ferry Building... fresh produce, gourmet food shops, and delicacies all around. But I would say that this is on the verge of becoming ghetto. It's definitely one, or many, steps up from your typical mall food court because there is a wider variety of non-chain foods but... the feel of it is different.
I'm not going to repeat the list of cuisines they offer (just read other Yelp reviews) but I do think that the Chinese and Vietnamese stands are competing against one another. It seems like there are more of these than the other cuisines and even the fish 'n chips stand (Crispy Fry) offers Chinese food. I ended up getting food from Wazwan Indian Cuisine because I didn't have cash and this was one of the few places that accepted debit/credit.
As for the "shops" there, they resemble Asian shops you find in an Asian plaza. It's filled with snacks and knick knacks. Seating in this area is nice because the space is very open and inviting. There is additional seating in the back near Crispy Fry. It gets pretty crowded during lunch hours so you might end up sharing your table (if it's big) with others. It's definitely a convenient place if you are going out with coworkers and can't agree on what to eat.
Cheap, quick fast food. I hadn't been here in several years and not much has changed it seems but the tables and the chairs.
The Afghan food that I got - chicken kabob and chicken curry with rice was so-so. The chicken kabob was slightly undercooked and so it was chewy. It was just too bad that I discovered this after taking it home.
Convenient location since it's a stones throw away from the movie theater.
THE EAST BAYS LIVING ROOM! Sorry, not a food court. Well technically it is. But your not gonna' find a cinnabon, burger king taco bell or any franchises. However; you WILL find a great selection of cuisines from around the world. And not too bad at that. I'm a fan of the sarabol (maybe a franchise) and the gyro joint. but if you want a late breakfast you can get one there. there's another place for brekkys in the PM but I can't recall it's name. Come to think about it when I
talk about that place with others they don't have a clue either. But for lunch or dinner you can travel to exotic places like INDIA! with it's spicy flavorful en tree's. or THAILAND! with it's aromatic delicacies. or JAPAN! fresh fish delights the palate. Or how about' PHILADELPHIA! with it's artery clogging cheesy goodness. Wait a minute, wait a minute the AE35 unit tells me Philly is not worldly. OK but it still is a good cover if your already there and don't want to go searching for a Philly cheese steak joint.(you know the ones geese!). Anyhow, i love this place. for a lot of the reasons others do but, I like that it brings us together to break bread. Or naan. Or tortillas. Or pitas. Oh, you know what I mean. Never mind.
I would also like to be fair to all the parents who've decided to spoil the child and spare the proverbial rod. TAKE THEM HERE!
I really don't give a crap how your little darlins' actup in this environment. It actually works. Please feel free to let them run around and be children. Who cares here. but PLEASE, keep them out of any of the fore mentioned. I think it is needless to say that bars are out of course.
There is so much mediocre food here to choose from that it can be seriously overwhelming.
Great place if you are out by yourself or with a friend, and have no idea what to eat. The food is great for the price (I have never spent more than $7 and I always leave full) and the options range from afgan, fish and chips to mexican. Not romantic, but cheap and pretty fast, so go with someone you're not trying to impress.
What is not to love about this place? I have often come here after work when I am tired and not feeling up to cook. It feels like a fabulous culinary United Nations in here. This place never fails to put me in a good mood. Maybe it's the multi-cultural, mixture of family and friends, neighborhood block party feel about this place that I love; maybe it's the airy, light-filled space; I don't know, but whatever it is I love it.
Whatever you are in the mood to eat, you'll find it here. I have four particular favorites: everything at Bangkok Thai is always fantastic; the chicken kabobs and okra are great at the Afghan place; the Indian place has great chicken masala and tandoori; the Japanese place makes a great rice, chicken, egg and veggie dish (all of these are gluten-free, by the way). My boyfriend always gets the chicken pasilla and hummus from the Mediterranean place at the end and the lemon cookies (leave a couple for him, please!) from the cookie/tapioca pearl place. Oh, and did I mention that there is an awesome Borders store here?
This place is ridiculous. On one hand, it feels like a quirky wasteland that once was a mall's food court, only the Hot Dog on a Stick is replaced by Vietnamese women yelling something while handing you nuggets of chicken skewered on a toothpick.
They have everything! Its like the greasy marketplaces of every region of the world condensed into an auditorium in bumfuck Emeryville. I spent no less than 45 minutes surveying the place before i decided on Persian food. That lunch combo was delicious, plentiful and the kind woman at the counter new which things were vegan (in this bizarro world, the tofu curry was one of few that weren't). My special friend got chili tofu at the thai place, which was ok.
Anyways, everything is cheap and ridiculous. There's a goddamn liquor store in there! I'll go back next time i feel out of my mind.
Hmm.. I didn't even know it was called the EPM till now, I always called it the food court! So when I used to live there, I have to say I loved going there because it was an easy one stop place for a group of us to all agree on. Almost any type of food you wanna try out is at your fingertips, even some good gelato. I always played it pretty safe, just got Indian, Chinese or Mexican, it wasn't the best food I have ever tried, but it worked and tasted pretty decent.
Imagine this: You're at work and look at the time. It's 8:00 AM. Ten minutes later, you just know it's going to be one of those days. Every second feels like an eternity, there's too much to do, and you don't have enough time to even check your email.
What do you do? You come to the Emeryville Public market at lunch after four grueling hours to escape the tedious place called work, and out of temporary insanity, declare this is a good place to eat.
I admit, I'm pathetic. After having a severe case of post travel blues, I decided that the only thing that could take my pain away was to simply dull it with another kind of pain. You know, the kind you feel when you stab yourself with a fork but don't penetrate the skin? That's what eating my cheese steak was like. Only it tasted like recycled cardboard.
Now the Public Market does have redeeming qualities. It boasts a large selection of international food such as Jamaican, Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Mexican, and even American diner style food. It has a mini-market, a random toy shop, and a bookstore. There's even a massage chair set up every so often. The pho and Pad thai isn't bad, and anything at Crispy Wok can be fried beyond recognition so that it tastes like grease, soy sauce, and potato chips.
And most importantly, it offers an escape from the cruelty of having to sniff the Man's butt 8-10 hours a day.
But I think Nobu put it best when he said this place is kind of like sleeping with someone you find unattractive simply because you have been overworked, under paid, and under laid. Please don't tell anybody I've eaten here... Awww crap... Too late. Damn you, Yelp!
Can't come to a consensus on what to eat?
Come here. Hang out. Watch the weird dude slop noodles onto his jacket, accidentally slinging some into his pie-hole. Get different things, universally decide that the dish of the person on your left is much better than what you got. Top it off with gelato. Leave greasy smudges on books at borders.
What's not to love?
I'm low maintence, regardless of what my boyfriend thinks, and Emeryville Public Market just hits the spot for me. Looking for cheap, greasy Chinese, Indian, Mexican, Vietnamese, Korean, American, Greek, whatever-else-you-can-think-of-type-of-food? Come here.
Places I frequent: Crispy Fry (chef's special chow fun), Pamir Afghan Cuisine (daily special is always a good deal) and Philly Cheesesteaks & More.
Places I typically avoid: Star Sushi Grill and Yaki Ichiban.
Places I go out of necessity: California Vietnamese Cuisine and Sorabol Korean.
granted, i haven't tried every stall in this place, but.. i have never had anything good yet. In fact I've been quite disappointed every time. There's lots of grilled foods to choose from. It wouldn't be so bad if it was some cheap eats and bar gins, but no! you pay $10-15 for a lunch.
I love small ethnic food finds, and this is not it.
I like the melee of different ethnic foods you can get in this place. From pho to gyros. What a combination. The prices aren't half bad, but it really is just a huge mall-like cafeteria. There is a book store attached to it for those who want something to do other than eat.
There's also a coffee shop, a MUST HAVE for me. If you're up for some adventure this place would do it. Just don't expect it to not be noisy or hectic. It's not a relaxing atmosphere at all.
Damn, I feel like I keep giving this place chances to wow me. There are plenty of options, plenty of variety. Every place sucks. I'm not kidding. I think I've tried most everything here with the exception of the burger places. I've had a lot better elsewhere. Even for an international mash up like this place is... I can be more satisfied with mall food courts.
I think part of the problem stems from the fact that the food doesn't move fast enough. A lot of stuff here sits on burners for the whole day and ends up stale or overcooked by the time it gets to you. This includes the stews. One good thing about the Public Market is that it's cheap and it's fast - real fast. Like instant gratification. However, the overall satisfaction never comes for me. Kind of disappointing since I like to patronize what local food options I can here in Emeryville.
Let me be more specific - when it comes to fast Asian, Mediterranean, or Middle Eastern foods, one of two criteria should be met for me:
1. The food should be authentic (ie. Mom and Pop hole in the walls)
OR
2. It should at least be tasty in it's own way (ie. Panda Express)
Neither are fulfilled by the Public Market.
I like to eat here, it's so kick back. It's all about cafeteria style. No tablecloths and silverware here. You get a tray and some plasticware and order up. They have several booths, Indian, Chinese, Sushi, Korean BBQ, Hamburgers, Fried Fish, Jamaican, and a couple of others. I've tried the Indian, Jamaican and Korean BBQ. I like the latter the best. I had the BBQ Veggie Bowl. You can choose 5 of the veggies they have to put on top of your rice and cellophane noodles. They put the meat on top of that. I didn't eat the rice because I'm watching the weight... the rest was yummy indeed. There are tables and chairs throughout this place and a large flat screen TV where most of the tables are. The prices are good so I'll go back now and again. The food is pretty good but doesn't go past the three star level.
Public Market Rule #1: Everything around you will always look better than what you are eating.
Public Market Rule #2: You still can't bring your tray to the popular kids' table.
Public Market Rule #3: Don't run around with a sample toothpick in your mouth. It's dangerous.
Public Market Rule #4: Taking a date here does not guarantee that they will view you as "worldly"or "cultured"
Public Market Rule #5: Therrrrrre arrrrre nooo ruuuuules.
This place is boss for first time comers. It like food heaven. From A-Z in the food. They have everything, international fast food. It's literally a mall of food. I only tried a few things here, but I plan to try each place. If you're feeling indecisive this is the place to go!
This place gives me the heebie-jeebies...
Never tried anything, but the mixed smells alone give me nightmares.
Its like a mall, but of food. Nothing really special. The smell of all the different foods is kind of overwhelming + the variety makes it difficult to choose what to eat sometimes. I got sick of it after eating here almost every day the first month I started school at Ex'pressions (which is a block away) so now I try to avoid this place by all means haha.
Best thing to eat here: Hamburgers
It had been years since I had been to the Emeryville Public Market, so I was excited while walking around on a recent visit. We went to the Mediterranean and the Vietnamese counters but weren't blown away by what we ordered. It was OK, but not impressive.
When I used to live in North Oakland, I would stop by the crepe station here, and the little lady behind the counter would recognize me and would start making my order of kielbasa sausage, onions and cheese. Sadly, she has moved on and has been replaced by a whole new group of people...oh well, things change.
Not everything in this place is (or was) bad. There was an Italian deli a few years ago that made really good desserts. Unfortunately, it closed.
My theory is that the stall owners must have some kind of pact: "we won't be in competition with each other if we ALL serve crappy food."
The whole place kind of gives off a creepy vibe if you go there anytime other than lunch rush. Sketchy characters wander around, the tables are dirty, it's one step above eating in a Greyhound station.
If you work in the area, as I did briefly several years ago, you really should consider walking across the bridge to Hollis St. (where the food options are slowly expanding), eating at the Borders cafe, schlepping to Bay St., or packing your lunch.
If you read my reviews you know I love me some gummy little tapioca balls. I swear the best nonfat Taro tapioca smoothie is found at this place. However, If you are not asian (Im not), dont try to alter your request since they don't understand what you are saying and I think they don't give a rats ass anyway. However, this place is the best in the East Bay for those littel bubbles of goo!!! My mouth is watering.
This is totaly biased because I use to work right around the corner from this joint. Dude, the smell of the place when you walk in is that of dead birds that have sat in the arizona sun for a decade. But some grub is ok there.
Hungry? Strapped for cash? Want the best bang for your buck?
Emeryville Public Market is definitely for you.
The Market is the most solid place to get a decent meal for a reasonable price. Not only that, the variety of foods served in the market is extraordinary:
Delicacies I have tried and suggest:
-Crepes: Delicious with fresh fruit
-Indian: Tandoori chicken is so flavorful
-Japanese: Soba is huge and will fill you
-Pizza: New York style, delicious
-Korean: Decent, good flavors
[APPROVED]
Housing a smorgasbord of quick international food options (Afghan, Mediterranean, Thai, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Italian, Mexican, etc.), the Public Market is a convenient place to go for lunch. Today I ate a side of falafel and then a tempura plate for lunch while enjoying the company of my coworkers who ate other types of food (justifying my second lunch excursion this week). The facility is usually crowded but fairly clean. The food isn't per say spectacular but it is decent and reasonably priced. I was disappointed to find that the crepe stand has closed, as it was my favorite booth.
This place offers a wide variety of cuisines so no one will have to compromise. For this reason, it's great place to take an eating buddy. But don't expect the food to be great. Based on my experience and other people's testimonies, the
-Korean BBQ
-Afghan (next to the Korean BBQ)
-Bangkok Thai
-Chinese (freshly cooked to order) restaurants are the better places to grub. The other restaurants however are OK. Of course, Peet's Coffee is a wonderful conversational environment. You can't go wrong with Peet's Coffee.
If you really want a highly rated restaurant that serves delicious food, beverages, and pastries, you may want to explore Cafe Aquarius.
Five words "The Grease of All Nations."
Two more words. "Food Poisoning."
haven't tried all the food vendors here yet but so far, whatever i've tasted has been decent.
i'd say this place beats any given corporate food court at a mall
i prefer the mediterranean and middle eastern food choices but have tasted some of the asian joints too.
inexpensive ethnic fast foods... i kind of feel like i'm not in the united states when i'm in here...
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Emeryville, CA
Emeryville, CA
Category: Burgers
Emeryville, CA
Category: Grocery
Emeryville, CA
Category: Coffee & Tea
Emeryville, CA
Category: Chinese
Emeryville, CA
Category: Restaurants
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