Jewish & Kosher Foods
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Jewish & Kosher Foods
November 2003
We are relatively new to North Berkeley and are looking for a
reliable source for challah. I know it's a personal thing,
taste-wise, but what do you recommend?
Try the challah at the Bread Workshop on Addison/Bonar street, 649-9735. They
are a smaller bread company. They also sell bread at Berkeley Bowl (but I
don't know if they sell the Challah there or only in their shop). It's got a
lovely touch of rose water and saffron. My kids love it and will eat one each
(if allowed)!
challah lover
I vote for Semifreddi's as the best challah!
They sell it in Andronico's or from their retail store in
Kensington. Probably also from their production facility in
Emeryville, which I think has a little store attached.
Pam
Grand Bakery has the best challah. They may be a little far
from Berkeley, but well worth the trip. Also many schools in
the area do a fundraising project with them to have challah and
other baked goods delivered to the school every Friday.
-challah enthusaist
I absolutely LOVE the challah from Great Harvest Bread Co. 5800
College Ave. Technically, it's in Oakland, but at the border of Berkeley.
They bake it on Fridays, so it may not be ready early in the morning.
Check a little later in the day. I like it because it chewy, not tough, sweet,
and moist. Semifreddie's challah is available in many markets and is
pretty good. And the Grand Bakery in Oakland on Grand Ave (above the
Grand Lake Theater) is also very good and kosher. The Grand Bakery
closes about 3pm on Fridays to get ready for Shabbat, so you can't be
too late! Enjoy!
Barbara
My 2 favorite challot in the area are the Grand Bakery in
Oakland and Nabolom in Elmwood, Berkeley. They are perfectly
doughy and delicious!
martha
My personal fave for challahs is Semi Freddie's. You can go to
their bakery in Kensington, or get them at Andronico's and
Trader Joes and probably lots of other stores.(they also make
cinnamin/raisin challah..mmmmm).
The Grand Bakery in Oakland also makes fabulous Challah's. Semi
Freddies is more convenient for us though.
June
Short of making it yourself, I say Semifreddi's. It's readily
available at many stores, as well as their bakeries. It's also
kosher, in case that matters to you. If you get it at the
store, be sure to check dates - it doesn'tstay fresh forever!
(it also makes great french toast if it's not too fresh)
R.K.
You have tapped into one of the great Berkeley debates! As you
say, it is a matter of personal preference. My personal
favorites are the challah from Grand Bakery (which is in
Oakland, but you can get Grand Bakery challah at Andronicos)
and Cheeseboard. Semifreddis is also very popular (can be
bought either at Semifreddis in Kensington, or in Oakland, or
also at Andronicos), but I find it too eggy. Good luck on your
quest!
Fellow challah lover
I think the best and moistest is made by the Grand Bakery in
Oakland; it's available at their bakery (if you get there early)
or Andronico's (where I get mine).
Heidi
I always go to The Grand Bakery on Grand Avenue in
Oakland, right by 580. They have great cookies too. I've also
heard Arizmundi on Lakeshore is good but haven't tried their
challah yet.
Suzanne
My family's favorite challah is from Hopkins Street Bakery, just up from
Monterey Market. Don't know whether they still make small ones, but my
kids used to love getting the little ones just their size. I think they only
make them on Fridays.
Judy
How brave you are to raise this controversial issue! I think
the best challah in the whole wide world is the challah from
Grand Bakery - the kosher bakery on Grand Ave in Oakland. Bob,
the owner is also a great guy and this family owned business
deserves support.
But in addition, Bob maked the BEST CHALLAH! Lots of stores
carry it. I know Afikomen on Claremont in Berkeley has it on
Fridays. You can call Grand Bakery at 465-1110 and ask who gets
those bulk deliveries on Fridays.
Shabbat Shalom!
Challah lover
Nabolom Bakery on Russell near College in Elmwood.
nadja
ACME Bakery. There is one on San Pablo and Cedar. They sell
challah on Fridays and Saturdays. It is delicious! (So is all
of their other breads for that matter.)
bread addict
The Best Challah around is at Grand Bakery on Grand Ave. in Oakland. It's a
little bit of a drive from where you are but well worth it. All of their Challah is
Parve.
Shabbot Shalom!
We really like Semifreddi's Challah, available at many grocery
stores.
Anonymous
Hands down, the best challah in the Bay Area is baked by the
Grand Bakery, the kosher bakery on Grand Ave. in Oakland (same
block as the Grand Lake Theater on the same side of the street.)
It is chewy, soft, golden brown, sweet like Shabbat, and tastes
better than any I've ever had in many metropolitan areas that are
home to many kosher bakeries (including NYC, Philadelphia, & Los
Angeles.) Bob Jaffe, the baker at the Grand, bakes plain, sesame
seed, poppy seed, & whole wheat every week. He also will bake
large challot for weddings and other special occassions. If you
can't make it to Oakland every Friday, you can buy the Grand
Bakery Challah at Piedmont Grocery, the Berkeley Bowl, and
Andronico's. Call the bakery to find out where else the challah
is sold. But you may want to visit the Bakery on a Friday
morning. It's a great place to meet & schmooze with other people
getting ready for Shabbat, and Bob may be playing one of his live
Grateful Dead or Neil Young concert tapes. Check out his amazing
vintage concert posters on the walls!
(510) 465-1110 3264 Grand Ave., Oakland
PS: The Grand's chocolate babka is to die for. My mother takes it
home to New Jersey whenever she & my father come visit.
Grand Fan
Nabolom Bakery on College Avenue at Russell Street is our
favorite.
Zoe
Semifreddies and Acme make good challah. But in my opinion, the
absolute BEST challah around is from Grand Bakery in Oakland,
near the Grand Lake Theatre. It is really outstanding!
(Although some grocery stores sell Grand Bakery challah, it is
never quite as fresh as getting the challah from Grand Bakery.)
Jen F.
Oct 2006
Where can we get it - delicous and healthy? We like the one made
at Holy Land (near College and Ashby), but would like to explore
other versions
Thank you.
The matzo ball soup at Saul's (Shattuck @ Vine) is not
bad. But I've gotten the best results by making it at home from a package. I think I
get Manichevitz (sp?). Be sure to make the matzo balls SMALL (the size of grapes)
because they expand massively when you cook them. Also, use Swanson's canned
chicken broth rather than the powdered kind that you can (optionally) get along with
the matzo ball mix. I add pearl onions, baby carrots, celery, and bits of chicken
meat to the soup. It's really not hard to make, and is better than anything you'll find
in a restaurant
Lotsa Matzo
Yum! Oakland Kosher Foods on Lakeshore-- AMAZING matzo ball
soup! My kids, husband, parents, friends, everyone loves it. I
even served it for the high holidays at my home this year,
instead of making my own. They also have lots of cool Israeli
products like falafel mix, chocolates, candies, not to mention
kosher meat, and other foods... Enjoy!
matzo ball soup fan
Did you check: http://www.yelp.com/
or http://www.chowhound.com/ ???
They are GREAT resources for restaurant/food (and various
other) recommendations. ''B'tai Avon''
-Love NYC kosher
Saul's on Shattuck across from Safeway! Yum!
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