produced by: | |||||
Previous Posts
BAB Guidelines
'Bay Area Bites' is part of KQED's Blog Authors Collaborative. Blog contributors and commentators are solely responsible for their content. If you're interested in writing or contributing to a blog on kqed.org, email us with your idea. |
Sunday, June 05, 2005
A Living Institution - Heinold's First & Last Chance
Amongst its many other charms, the Bay Area is full of living legends in the form of restaurants, markets and bars. My favorite of these in Heinold's First & Last Chance Saloon in Oakland's Jack London Square. Heinold's has been open and in the same location since 1883. Back in the 1920s, the commuter ferry between Oakland and Alameda stopped right in front of the saloon and, since Alameda was a dry county, Heinold's truly became the mens' "First and Last Chance" for a libation. Heinold's is also known as "Jack London's Rendezvous", in honor of its most famous regular. In fact, The First & Last Chance is referenced at least 17 times in London's novel John Barleycorn. Of course, the first thing you notice when you walk in is the extremely pitched bar and floor--something like 20 degrees. When the Big Quake in 1906 struck, the pilings under the bar shifted, and no amount of effort could get the floors even again without damaging the whole structure. My favorite way to enjoy Heinold's is on Sundays like today. Head over to the Jack London Square Farmer's Market and make your way to the Afghani stand. Pick up a Spinach Bowlani, a tub of Garlic Cheese and a jar of Spicy Carrot preserves. Secure an outside table at Heinolds, head inside, and order a your beers from Jim (Newcastle is particularly complimentary). Of course, if Afghan food isn't your thing, you can also choose from DiBrova sausages, Donna's Tamales and more. Really, is there any kind of street food that doesn't go with good beer on a hot day? It's truly a blessing to have a place like Heinold's in our backyard. Why not make a day of visiting this historic bar, the Farmer's Market, and the gorgeous waterfront surrounding it? Heinold's First & Last Chance Saloon 48 Webster Street (at Water Street) Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 839-6761* *Don't be surprised if the phone doesn't get answered. It's all at the whim of the barkeep. The Wine's Life Series will be back on June 19th |
Locate CP Restaurants:
KQED Food Sites
Tasty Food Sites
Tangy Food Blogs
|
Eye Candy: Food Photos
BAB on flickr.com
Join Flickr for free and share your photos with the Bay Area Bites and Beyond group pool.
Food Books
James Beard Awards and
IACP Awards 2007 Winners
James Beard Awards and
IACP Awards 2006 Winners
James Beard Awards
and IACP Awards 2005 Winners
|
||
Copyright © 2005-2008 KQED. All rights reserved. |
1 Comments:
Hey Fatemeh,
I couldn't agree with you more. The J.L. Square area has never stopped changing. I started going there in maybe 1984 or so. Heinnold's was something I could always count on. One of the bartenders would usually have some nice cold leftover fried chicken for me and we'd hang out there for hours. Sometimes to watch the boats in the harbor, or turn the other direction and watch the drunks high-center their cars on the train tracks. Life is good.
Biggles
6/05/2005 7:06 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home