With multiple locations across the bay, Cholita Linda is weaving Latin American comfort food into the great tapestry of Bay Area restaurants. Cholita Linda has three brick-and-mortar locations: one in Alameda, one in San Francisco, and, the one in this review, on Telegraph Avenue in Oakland. Cholita Linda is open from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm. In addition to dining in, you can also place mobile orders between 11:15 am and 9:45 pm, with the exception of no deliveries on Thursdays.
As you enter, you are instantly greeted by the exciting and vibrant colors throughout the restaurant, feeling a sense of warmth and home. There is plenty of seating, with a vast bar seating area and plenty of beautifully decorated table space. Right at the front, there is a counter to order at, with a pickup order counter in the adjacent room, which must be accessed by the street. The food comes out very quickly, still very hot. Online orders are also swiftly prepared, with only about 10-15 minutes of food preparation. Because they offer online orders and takeout orders, this restaurant is perfect for college students and working people who need a quick bite to eat.
Ben ordered the Cubano and a strawberry lime agua fresca while Jack ordered the Asado and a mango lime agua fresca, both getting orders of chips with guac and yuca frita. Both sandwiches were perfectly pressed, with the outside fried to a perfect crisp and the contents of the sandwich warm and packed with flavor. The Cubano had a good ratio of roasted pork, sliced ham, swiss cheese, and condiments, though it lacked enough pickles, with some bites overpowered by the rich meats and aioli.
The Asado was perfect, with the Peruvian roast beef and caramelized onions perfectly complemented by the arugula. The common note between the sandwiches was the amount of aioli, which was very generous, so if you do not like that much aioli on your sandwich, opt for Cholita Linda’s light aioli option. Overall, the sandwiches were delicious, bringing comfort, while also satisfying the pallet.
The drinks were both fantastic, with a perfect blend of sweetness and citrus. The drinks are a must with the sandwiches, as the citrus of the lime cuts the richness of the sandwiches. Ben called both drinks “gas.”
The sides were also phenomenal. The guac was perfect, with the perfect hint of lime in the creaminess of the avocado. The chips were good but lacked enough salt. One of the highlights was the yuca frita. It was perfectly golden on the outside, with the initial crunch giving way to the warm interior, providing a great blend of textures. For the sides, the chips were not entirely necessary, but the yuca frita was essential.
Ultimately, the food at Cholita Linda is incredible. It’s an amazing option for comfort at a reasonable price. If you’re in search of Latin American cuisine or are curious to try something new, Cholita Linda offers an authentic and unforgettable experience. It’s definitely safe to say that Cholita Linda is Bishop’s Foodies approved.
