HOT BREAKFAST SANDWICHES COME TO UPTOWN OAKLAND

Fast casual breakfast and lunch spot with an emphasis on quality sandwiches
opens today near BART and Oakland businesses
Oakland, Calif. – January 3, 2017 – Oakland entrepreneurs Ann Thai and Loren Goodwin have opened The Gastropig, a pork-centric breakfast sandwich spot, in the heart of Uptown Oakland. Located two blocks away from 19th Street BART station and across the street from Pandora, The Gastropig is ideally situated for busy commuters who want to pick up a hearty breakfast on their way into the office or want to enjoy a fast, high-quality meal.

The restaurant will offer an array of delicious breakfast sandwiches and pastries served all day, with additional hot lunchtime options. During the morning hours, hungry diners can expect to find four hot breakfast sandwiches and two grab-and-go deli sandwiches, as well as grilled cheese on sliced brioche ($6), avocado toast with cilantro crema ($8), with daily specials served later in the day.

The Gastropig’s signature breakfast sandwich, #Baconslut, is an applewood smoked bacon sandwich with an over easy egg, cheddar cheese, and Aleppo chili aioli served on a brioche roll ($9.50). Pair it with a side of The Gastropig’s fresh-made waffle iron hashbrown with cheddar and scallions ($4). Another Gastropig original is Not Your Momma’s PB&J, a chunky-peanut-butter-and-seasonal-jam sandwich on a Firebrand pretzel croissant roll ($6). And what’s sure to be a favorite grab-and-go sandwich is The Gastropig’s Ode to Genova ($8), a classic Italian deli sandwich that pays homage to Oakland’s Genova Delicatessen, which closed in 2016 after more than 90 years in the Temescal neighborhood.

Fresh pastries are delivered daily by a local bakery, and the restaurant’s Melange a Trois coffee blend is supplied by Moschetti, a family-owned artisan roaster in Vallejo. Other beverage options include nitro-charged cold brew coffee, Vietnamese iced coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice, hot tea, and bottled soft drinks. Everything at The Gastropig is served in 100% recyclable or compostable packaging.

The Gastropig’s co-owners Thai and Goodwin, both Oakland residents, bring complementary backgrounds to their managing partnership. Thai has enjoyed a 15-year career in hospitality and event management in the Bay Area, and overseas with Sheraton Hotels. In addition to opening two of Oakland’s favorite haunts, Lake Chalet Bar & Grill in 2009 and ERA Art Bar & Lounge in 2010, Thai owned LUX Premier Events, a wedding and event planning company, which she sold in 2016. Goodwin is a professional chef who trained at the California Culinary Academy, then cooked at Chez Panisse from 2007 to 2010, and is now a sought-after private chef throughout the Bay Area. Goodwin and Thai also co-owned the popular Rock & Polish salon in Jack London Square before selling the business in 2016.

“As people who live and work in Oakland ourselves, we saw a need for affordable, high-quality food,” said Goodwin. “Especially in the Uptown area, where the working community has very few breakfast options.”

The Gastropig replaces the long-shuttered Our Place Restaurant on Franklin Street, between 21st and 22nd in Uptown Oakland. The space was completely redesigned with the help of architects John Skrivanich and Katie Logan of Gensler in Oakland and branding & design specialist Mashama Thompson of 510 Media. A combination of dark tile on the walls, natural wood tables, cement floors and an open kitchen give The Gastropig a clean, industrial vibe. The main entrance’s solid red door provides a fun pop of color. The 1,400 square foot restaurant seats 49 guests, with communal tables, a chair rail, side tables and a large service counter.

The Gastropig is located at 2123 Franklin Street in Oakland. The Gastropig is open Mondaythrough Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (closed Saturday). Breakfast is served all day. The restaurant is located two blocks from the 19th Street BART station. Metered street parking is available. For additional information, please visit www.thegastropig.com or call 510-817-4663.