Zella's Soulful Kitchen
1430 7th St. [Map]
Oakland, CA 94607
Ph: (510) 768-8003
Hours: Mon-Thu 7am-4pm; Sat 9am-2pm
Facebook: Zella's Soulful Kitchen
Twitter: @zellaskitchen
Price range: $ (Entrees $10 and under)

Best East Coast-Style Sandwich

The Yoakland and Jersey Breakfast sandwiches from Oakland's Cafe Underwood are inspired takes on what you'd find in delis in the tri-state area. — The Yoakland and Jersey breakfast sandwiches from Oakland's Cafe Underwood are inspired takes on what you'd find in delis in the East Coast tri-state area. (Jenny Oh)

Back in my student days at New York University, I'd often grab a quick bagel with cream cheese or an egg-and-cheese on a roll from the local deli before heading to class. Cafe Underwood's two breakfast sandwiches are gussied-up versions of what you'll often find in the tri-state area. Served on perfectly toasted Kaiser rolls flecked with poppy seeds, you can choose from the "Yoakland" (with an oozing over-easy fried egg with melted cheddar cheese, garlicky aioli and greens) or the "Jersey Style" (fried egg, melted cheddar cheese, Taylor ham and ketchup). Both go well with their coffee (brewed with beans from local company Highwire Coffee Roasters) and feel free to use the complimentary Wi-Fi if you've brought your laptop with you.

Cafe Underwood
308 41st St. [Map]
Oakland, CA 94609
Ph: (510) 995-6660
Hours: Mon-Thu 7:30am-10pm; Sat 8am-10pm; Sun 8am-7pm
Facebook: Underwood Oakland
Twitter: @CafeUnderwood
Price range: $$ Entrees ($11-$17)

Best Torta

Cosecha's hefty torta sandwich requires two hands and several napkins. (Jenny Oh)

If you've ever tried Cosecha's superb Mexican-style sandwiches, or tortas, for lunch -- then you should definitely head over at the next available opportunity for Saturday brunch. It's the only time you can order their breakfast torta that's layered with soft, organic scrambled eggs (from Free Spirit Farm), bacon, guacamole, tomato, cilantro and guajillo salsa spooned on top of a crusty white roll. Chances are you'll leave happily full with red-stained fingertips (a small price to pay for this flavorful sandwich).

Cosecha
907 Washington St. [Map]
Oakland, CA 94607
Ph: (510) 452-5900
Hours: (Breakfast Hours) Mon-Fri 11am-3:30pm Sat 10:30am-3:30pm; Closed Sundays
Facebook: Cosecha
Twitter: @cosechacafe
Price range: $$ Entrees ($11-$17)

Best Egg McMuffin Clone

You get more bang for your buck with Chop Bar's version of the Egg McMuffin. (Jenny Oh)

If you're willing to spend just a a dollar or two more, Chop Bar's breakfast sandwich is a pretty good deal at $5. And you get a generous-size English muffin stuffed with a poached egg, cheddar cheese and thick-cut slices of Col. Newsom's Kentucky ham (avocado is extra, and if they happen to run out of ham -- don't worry, their bacon is a fine substitute as pictured above.) Plus they have their own walk-up window where you can get coffee and other breakfasty items if you're on the run and want to bypass the wait for the restaurant.

Chop Bar
Address: 247 4th Street [Map]
Oakland, CA 94607
Ph: (510) 834-2467
Hours: (Breakfast Hours)Mon-Fri 8am-11am; Sat-Sun 9am-3pm
Facebook: Chop Bar
Twitter: @ChopBar
Price range: $ (Entrees $10 and under)

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5 Bites: The Best Breakfast Sandwiches in Oakland

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