Understory

Welcome to Restaurant World, where we explore the diverse culinary landscape of Oakland, CA. Today, I am excited to introduce you to "Understory," a unique fusion restaurant that combines Moroccan, Filipino, and Mexican flavors. Located at 528 8th St, Oakland, Understory offers a blend of cultural influences and a variety of dining options.

With a focus on inclusivity and sustainability, Understory provides a range of utilities, including takeout, reservations, delivery, and vegan options. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible and accepts credit cards, Android Pay, and Apple Pay. Whether you're looking for a casual dining experience or a private event, Understory has you covered.

Customer reviews rave about the creative and delicious dishes at Understory. From the crispy fried oyster mushrooms to the flavorful kefta burger with fava bean patty, there is something for every palate. The Harissa biscuit sandwich and ube waffle with vegan chicken add-on showcase the restaurant's commitment to innovative flavors.

One standout dish is the tofu inasal, a lechon-style BBQ tofu served with java rice and spiced vinegar. The tangy and savory flavors of this dish are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Additionally, the Chocnut tart and grilled elote salad offer a perfect balance of sweet and savory.

As a food reviewer, I am impressed by the dedication to quality and community at Understory. The restaurant's worker-owned model and relationships with local organizations add depth to the dining experience. From brunch to dinner, Understory offers a culinary journey that celebrates diversity and deliciousness.

If you're looking for a unique and flavorful dining experience in Oakland, look no further than Understory. With a menu inspired by different cuisines and a commitment to sustainability, this restaurant is a must-visit for food enthusiasts. Explore the culinary wonders of Understory and savor the eclectic flavors that await you.

Understory Menu

Location

Address: 528 8th St Oakland, CA 94607
Phone: (510) 817-4356

🕓 Work Hours
MON Closed
TUE Closed
WED Closed
THU 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
FRI 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
SAT 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
SUN 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Business info

  • Offers Takeout
    Yes
  • Reservations
    No
  • Delivery
    No
  • Vegan Options
    Yes
  • Many Vegetarian Options
    Yes
  • Wheelchair accessible
    Yes
  • Accepts Credit Cards
    Yes
  • Accepts Android Pay
    Yes
  • Accepts Apple Pay
    Yes
  • Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Hipster, Casual, Intimate
    Yes
  • Moderate Noise
    Yes
  • Offers Catering
    Yes
  • Good for Groups
    Yes
  • Good for Brunch, Dinner, Dessert
    Yes
  • Street Parking
    Yes
  • Free Wi-Fi
    Yes
  • Happy Hour Specials
    Yes
  • Full Bar
    Yes
  • Heated Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Covered Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Private Dining
    Yes
  • Gender-neutral restrooms
    Yes
  • Waiter Service
    No
  • Drive-Thru
    No
  • TV
    No
  • Bike Parking
    Yes
  • Bring your own container allowed
    Yes
  • Compostable containers available
    Yes
  • Plastic-free packaging
    Yes
  • Provides reusable tableware
    Yes

Last Reviews

  • Author: Thuy Dan T.

    10 July 2024

    We came here for weekend brunch. The space is nicely decorated with some larger tables for bigger groups if you need. Our server was so friendly too and it's admirable to see how community-driven and supportive the business is. Unfortunate to see that this location has now closed.

  • Author: Sydney J.

    16 June 2024

    This review consists of multiple visits, where I got to try a bunch of their dishes. You can't order online, but you can call ahead to order for takeout. Fried oyster mushrooms: Definitely one of my favorite items here, they are crispy and crunchy and I really enjoy the texture of the breaded exterior. The tamarind BBQ sauce tastes pretty similar to ketchup. Kefta burger with fava bean patty and fries: It contained lebneh, arugula, pickles. I thought the patty was really good, it tasted more similar to meat than I expected. Harissa biscuit sandwich: It's a freshly baked buttermilk biscuit with garlic-herb lebne, arugula, cabbage slaw, and I opted for the vegetarian chicken. The biscuit is nicely toasted and I thought the vinaigrette/dressing on the salad was nice. Ube waffle with optional vegan chicken add-on (costs $8) and calamansi syrup: This was okay, the chicken definitely tastes like soy protein and the waffles were alright but it didn't really taste like ube. Unfortunately ube is a mild flavor so they probably would've needed to put a lot more for the flavor to come out. Tofu inasal (the standard is chicken but you can choose tofu): This is lechon style BBQ tofu, java rice, atchara, spiced vinegar (sinamak). Overall, it's quite acidic in taste especially from the vinegar. I liked the rice since it was more savory, and the grilled triangle-cut tofu. A good choice if you like food more on the sour side. Vegan ube horchata: It was surprisingly not sweet. It actually reminds me a bit of che thai (the Vietnamese dessert). Chocnut tart: This is a dark chocolate ganacheco trart with coconut-graham crust. You can taste the coconut a bit, but it's mostly the rich thick dark chocolate taste, a nice balance between bitter, savory, and filling. I really liked this personally. Grilled elote salad: This was nice because of the cheese and I liked the corn and more sour elements. A lot of avocado on top as well. Banh xeo, vegan pork and oyster mushrooms option: This was pretty good, I personally would've liked it to be saltier but the food was savory overall. As a vegetarian, I really appreciate that they offered a meatless version. I'm so sad that they are closing at end of June 2024, they are a worker-owned restaurant and have relationships with a lot of community organizations.

  • Author: Laura V.

    23 April 2024

    We came for brunch. Food was delicious and service was super friendly. Their Chilaquiles sauce was excellent and I wish their Harissa biscuit fried chicken sandwich was on their dinner menu. I'd order it for brunch and dinner!

  • Author: Elizabeth L.

    24 February 2024

    Went with a group of 5 on a Sunday around noon, thankfully we were seated immediately. We were able to find street parking a block away. Understory is worker-owned and a POC-owned, which is exciting as you'll see a rotational menu inspired by different cuisines. I ordered the banh xeo which was delicious! The egg crepe was crisp and the shrimp inside was tender and big. The pandan latte was good, though I asked for extra syrup because I prefer a strong flavor. They also do an Understory Collective Meal which is a cook's choice brunch sampler - I would recommend asking what's in it, as we ordered ube waffles and didn't realize it was already part of the sampler. The ube waffles we ordered separately came with calamansi syrup whereas the one in the sampler did not, but it makes all the difference. The syrup adds to the sweetness and mouthfeel of the waffles- otherwise they're on the drier side.

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