understory oakland
Restaurant · St. Elizabeth
Ohlone Territory, 3340 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94601
Highlights
Worker-owned spot with Filipino, Moroccan, Mexican, Lao flavors
Worker-owned spot with Filipino, Moroccan, Mexican, Lao flavors
"Understory, a worker-owned restaurant, announced its closure after three years of operation. Known for its pay-what-you-can meals and diverse cuisine, it won the James Beard Foundation’s Emerging Leadership Award in 2022. The collective plans to reopen at a future location and has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support staff and moving costs." - Paolo Bicchieri
"Understory is a new worker-led restaurant and bar from Oakland Bloom, a volunteer-led nonprofit that supports immigrant, refugee, and women of color chefs looking to start their own food businesses. Every Sunday, they feature a different pop-up by Oakland Bloom chefs, and they also have a rotating menu from Thursday to Sunday (this week’s is Moroccan-inspired), all for takeout only. While you’re at the Old Oakland spot, grab one of their cocktails, like a pandan cold brew or hibiscus margarita, and add boba to any of them. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Team Infatuation
"Understory opened in early 2021 as a worker-led restaurant and bar serving food inspired by the backgrounds of the workers running the kitchen, leading to a win for the Emerging Leadership award from the James Beard Foundation in 2022. Moroccan, Filipino, and Mexican influences can be found in the form of snacks like ukoy fritters, small plates like breakfast tacos, and sliders with fillings like kefta beef. There are a few cocktails on offer, as well as dessert." - Dianne de Guzman
"A brightly colored, collectively owned community space with high ceilings and a long bar that functions as both an organizing hub and a restaurant; it treats queer space as inherently political, hosts local artists, offers some menu items on a sliding scale, and serves dishes reflecting the team’s diverse backgrounds—examples include a North African–inspired lamb tagine and Filipino ube flan." - ByRay Levy Uyeda
"A worker-led restaurant based in Oakland that was honored by the James Beard Foundation with the Emerging Leadership award, signaling recognition for its worker-driven model and community-oriented leadership." - Monica Burton
