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Mac-and-cheese joint opens in time for winter’s late arrival

on February 19, 2011

If the week’s sudden turn to winter has you hankering for some comfort food, you’re in luck.  Homeroom, Oakland’s newest restaurant, specializes in everyone’s favorite comfort food: macaroni and cheese. After a scrape with McDonalds, and a couple years of planning, building and recipe-testing, Allison Arevalo and Erin Wade opened the doors to cheesy goodness on Tuesday.

Homeroom sells ten different takes on the American classic. You can opt for the actual classic—just like your mother made it, unless she made it from a box.  Or you can go for something different, like Mac the Goat, which comes with goat cheese, scallions and buttery breadcrumb topping.  Or you can dig into the Trailer Mac–chopped hot dogs mixed in with a crushed potato chip topping—but don’t worry, it’s all local and organic. To finish your meal off, try a homemade Oreo or peanut-butter pie, and wash it down with house-made soda.

The Temescal location was designed by local firm Abueg Morris Architects.  But Arevalo and Wade crafted many of the finishes that give the restaurant its charm with some help from their husbands (For example, check out the tables—built by hand from real high school bleachers). If you want to see it for yourself, head to: 400 40th Street, Oakland. Bon appetit!

Editor’s Note:  This story was updated to give some credit for Homeroom’s design to Abueg Morris Architects, who were not mentioned when the story was originally published.  Our apologies for the oversight.

10 Comments

  1. Becky on February 19, 2011 at 3:22 pm

    You know, the “scape” with McDonalds was a manipulative move by Allison and Erin to create publicity. THEY came to McDonalds and said, what if we had a name similar to yours? Well what do you think McDonalds would say? The whole “McDonalds vs. us small folks” was nothing but self-promotion.

    You want to support new restaurants? Support the ones in Uptown, the new ones on College Ave, Piedmont Ave, Montclair, etc. STOP serving self-promoters like Allison and Erin. It makes me puke.



    • Christopher on February 19, 2011 at 9:49 pm

      Oh Becky… who are they supposed to promote? I believe self-promotion is one of the keys to staying in business. Oh Becky… why so angry?



    • soij on February 21, 2011 at 2:02 pm

      All advertising and promotion is manipulative. Where did you eat today, Becky?



  2. Susie Wyshak on February 19, 2011 at 4:06 pm

    Awesome pictorial!



  3. T on February 19, 2011 at 4:50 pm

    Whatever, Becky, like there aren’t enough restaurant dollars to go around? When 95% of startups fail in the first year these entrepreneurs are smart to use every angle they can. Let’s let the food speak for itself. Welcome to the ‘hood my mac’n’cheezy friends, I will see you soon.



  4. Amy on February 19, 2011 at 5:43 pm

    Wow Becky! Really? You sound a little jealous maybe. I agree with T. I was there yesterday and they were packed, and the food was great. I don’t think they were prepared for such a great turn out so service was a little slow. They were promoted on “Daily Candy”, with no mention of the McD issue. Go figure!



  5. AB on February 19, 2011 at 6:20 pm

    Whatever, Beckys a straight hater . . . Homeroom had my attention when they said they’ll offer gluten free alternatives to every one of there entrees! I can’t wait to try it.



  6. Wes on February 19, 2011 at 7:45 pm

    You can find a similar diatribe from Becky over on Homeroom’s Yelp page. The poor, poor multi-national corporation feels insulted, so count on Becky to troll the Internet and offer her support. Pathetic, but true.

    Homeroom is a wonderful place. The food is hearty and tasty, the people are friendly and gracious, and the space itself is fantastic. I can already see myself going back. Often. Sorry, Becky, but I’d rather see my money go to Homeroom than your precious Mickey D’s. Get over it.



  7. Danalexa on February 19, 2011 at 11:33 pm

    Perhaps Homeroom should create a new dish-The Becky. Her comments were mentioned to me by a FB friend and I made it my business to check out the article. I’m going tomorrow. Becky’s got the buzz goin’



  8. […] with a twist: local cheese, local beer, and vegan and gluten free options. Check out the coverage: Mac-and-cheese joint opens in time for winter’s late arrival – Oakland North : North Oak… Homeroom Restaurant – Mac 'n' Cheese in Oakland | San Francisco – […]



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