Bakesale Betty

(510) 985-1213

5098 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA 94609 37.8371 -122.2622

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Neighborhood: Temescal

BAKESALEBETTY.COM

Last updated 9.05.09

Bakesale Betty

added by Patrick Heig

What People Are Saying About Bakesale Betty

The Editor

Joanna Currier

Contributor

Aussie transplant, baker and local character Alison Barakat opened this Temescal storefront in 2005, bringing with her devotees from her stints at Chez Panisse Café and local farmer’s market stands. Donning a bright blue wig, “Betty” is often seen warmly greeting the cultish crowds who come for her pièce de resistance, a simple fried chicken sandwich that's inspired a movement. Now, the chicken starts cooking at 9:30 a.m., and legions of fans join the fast-moving line down the block to secure their heaping sandwich, crafted from a whole, split, buttermilk-battered breast, fried to a delicate…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
If you want a chicken sandwich, come early and prepared to wait. Everyone else wants one too.
On the Menu:
Keep an eye out for Betty's shortbread on Temescal restaurant menus in strawberry season.
Where to Sit:
This is not a sit-down bakery, but there are a few "tables" to be found outside on clear days.
Save Time:
Bakesale Betty's goods can also be found at the Temescal and Walnut Creek's Sunday markets.
Payment Methods:
Gift Certificate, American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Travelers Check
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Family-Friendly Dining, Breakfast, Outdoor Dining, Notable Chef, Hidden Find, People Watching, Lunch Spot
General Info:
Open 7 Days
Cuisine:
New American
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/09/09

Delicious pecan shorbread cookies!

by tulip333 at Citysearch

Over the weekend, I made my way to Bakesale Betty for the first time. If you?re like me, you?ll be looking for a sign out front, which you won?t find. However, you?ll know you?re at the right place when you see the long line out the door. Plus, you can?t miss all the ironing boards that are set up along the sidewalk. Yes, ironing boards are used as tables. Great idea! For a first time customer, it?s a little intimidating to approach the counter when there isn?t a menu to be found except for a sheet of butcher paper on the front window listing the chicken sandwich and lemon ice. I highly recommend ordering one of each. I am usually not a fan of coleslaw, but the slaw used in the chicken sandwich was very good. You should also try some of the baked goods. Since I couldn?t pick just one, I ordered a brownie, oatmeal raisin cookie, pecan shortbread cookie, lemon scone, and a slice of apple pie. I couldn?t wait until I got home to taste the treats so I ate a bite of everything. Everything was good, but the pecan shortbread was the best. In hindsight, I wish I bought more of them. I will definitely be going back to Bakesale Betty. The only suggestion I have is for them to have a board listing all the goodies and prices.

  • Pros: Good chicken sandwich, lemon ice, and pecan shortbread cookie.
3 Star Rating: Average

05/10/08

Pastries good! Fried chicken - not so much.

by ava713 at Citysearch

The strawberry shortcake was definitely good and so was the sticky bun. Unfortunately have to say that I really didn't find the fried chicken sandwich to live up to the hype. It was crunchy which I like but both the chicken and cole slaw that was served with it were bland; no flavor at all. Maybe mine was a bad batch. I'll give them another shot and hopefully won't be disappointed.

We got there at 11:45 and there was already a line. The nice thing is they pass out free goodies while you're waiting.Though they skipped over our group near the front of the line for some reason - that's not cool!

  • Pros: Inexpensive, baked goods delish
  • Cons: Fried chicken sandwich was tasteless
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/29/08

Awesome lunch spot and great friendly staff

by shaolinlfe at Citysearch

their buttermilk fried chick sandwich is insanely awesome. they make fresh pot-pies everyday and i'm in love with their ironing board tables on the sidewalk. Besides all of their food and bakery items that makes them awesome, their friendly staff takes the cake (pun unfortunately intended)

  • Pros: friendly staff, fried chicken sandwich, food, sidewalk "tables"
  • Cons: parking, small eating area

The Details on Bakesale Betty

Know Before You Go:

If you want a chicken sandwich, come early and prepared to wait. Everyone else wants one too.

On the Menu:

Keep an eye out for Betty's shortbread on Temescal restaurant menus in strawberry season.

Where to Sit:

This is not a sit-down bakery, but there are a few "tables" to be found outside on clear days.

Save Time:

Bakesale Betty's goods can also be found at the Temescal and Walnut Creek's Sunday markets.

Category:

Bakeries, Restaurants, Catering

Payment Methods:

Gift Certificate, American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Travelers Check

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Family-Friendly Dining, Breakfast, Outdoor Dining, Notable Chef, Hidden Find, People Watching, Lunch Spot

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

New American

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