The Beauty of Betty’s

I figured I would start my first official post with an homage to an Oakland classic and one of the greatest sandwiches in the history of the world: the fried chicken sandwich at Bake Sale Betty’s. For a sandwich lover with a general fear of mayonnaise and “special sauce” of any kind, this is one item I can order without any caveats. Mine came out steaming. The combination of a soft white roll, crispy chicken and lemon-dressed cabbage and green peppers is simply perfect. At $7.75, it’s not exactly a cheap lunch, but given that it’s massive, you could certainly split it with a friend–or your valentine. Why not skip the cliche and expensive prix fixe dinner, and go for an original that’s cute and quirky? If you go the splitsies route, you can always move on to Betty’s baked goods–which include scones, banana bread, and cookies. Otherwise you’ll end up as my friend and lunch companion did, feeling gross, “but in the best possible way.”

Personally, I ate nearly the entire sandwich. And I’m not sorry.

To get your hands on the sandwich–or any of Betty’s other treats–head to the southeast corner of Telegraph and 51st. Though there’s no big sign out front, you can identify the hotspot by the line out of the front door, or the painted ironing boards that serve as outdoor seating. Betty’s is open Tuesday through Saturday from 7-6, and from 7-3 on Sundays. You can also pick up some of Betty’s best at the Temescal Farmers’ Market on Sundays.