La Guerrera’s Kitchen

We’ve finally found the answer to the best lunch spot that also doesn’t require reservations, waiting in long lines, or changing out of whatever we decided to sleep in that night: La Guerrera’s Kitchen, the very casual counter-service Mexican stall operating out of Swan’s Market, the food hall in Old Oakland. This place does magical things with masa, including hand-rolled tortillas and fluffy tamales with fillings like juicy pork in salsa roja, or gooey cheese with rajas. For a heartier lunch, go for the mole rojo with chicken thighs that immediately fall apart when your fork touches them, or the Guerrero-style chicken pozole with a spicy kick. While you could come here for dinner, this is where you want to be midday—the communal dining room is bustling, the sun is out, and the plant-filled parklet is the ideal place to recharge over a plate of food and agua fresca.