Richmond’s best bites discussed at RPAL

By Kathy Chouteau

There’s nothing like good, old fashioned hard work to build up an appetite. And some animated conversation about food? That’ll do it too.

For this “Rich Dish” segment, the Standard stopped by the Richmond Police Activities League (RPAL) on Macdonald Avenue, a nonprofit offering a diverse range of engaging activities for young people. There, we found staffers Jerry Anderson and Mark Anthony along with a group of Chevron Richmond employees volunteering on community service projects as part of the company’s Humankind Week.

While the volunteers took a break to devour a Quiznos lunch furnished by RPAL, the Standard asked them to share their go-to spots to chow down in the city.

Chevron’s Kelli Wong was quick to recommend 2207, a Korean eatery located up Macdonald from RPAL. Wong said the rotating seasonal salads with fruits and veggies are her favorite dishes there. The tiny take-out restaurant quickly went viral upon opening, had a pandemic pause—and fortunately for Richmond foodies—reopened.  

Wong also gave a shout-out to Bubbaloo Café, a family business with very friendly owners and a great menu.

Maru Saechao, a Chevron employee who lives in Richmond, offered a wealth of recommendations. First up was Andy’s Donut Stop, where she especially loves the glazed donuts. Up 23^rd Street from Andy’s, Saechao recommends Phila Burger Station for the cheese burgers, garlic fries and excellent service from owner Sam Lee. She’s also a fan of Masa Tamale & Taqueria’s fish tacos and flautas, as well as Extreme Pizza in the Point.

RPAL’s SF Junior Giants coach Jerry Anderson said, “Generally I prefer seafood and salmon is my favorite.” He only had positive things to say about Little Louies Café & Deli in Point Richmond, where he orders the salmon sandwich. He also said he likes the salmon dish at Lara’s Fine Dining along the water in Marina Bay.

In Anderson’s work at RPAL, the salmon fanatic has also teamed up with the Northern California Salmon Association to take kids out on fishing expeditions. “Everybody that went out caught salmon,” he happily recalled.

Another RPAL staffer, Mark Anthony, seconded Anderson’s recommendation of Little Louie’s. He said he really likes the breakfast at the Point Richmond eatery. His very favorite menu item? The French toast.

Chevron’s Dulce Ortiz highly recommends the El Trompudo taco truck at Hellings & 13^th in Richmond. She said the carne asada fries are her go-to order. Ortiz also said she really loves Phila Burger, like her colleague Saechao.

Jay Lloyd, another volunteer from Chevron Richmond, recommended Masa’s, like Saechao, along with Johnny Boi for the eatery’s tasty smash burgers.