Before the "Chicken Sandwich Wars" of 2019, before every fast-food chain decided they needed a brioche bun and a spicy sauce, there was Bakesale Betty. And in Oakland, Betty is royalty.
Located on a busy corner of Telegraph Avenue in Temescal, this spot is impossible to miss. Not because of a giant neon sign, but because of the line that snakes out the door and down the block. And inside? The famous ironing boards set up as communal tables. It’s quirky, it’s chaotic, and it’s arguably the most important lunch in the East Bay.
The Sandwich
Betty’s doesn't do options. You are here for The Fried Chicken Sandwich. Period.
The magic is in the contrast. The fried chicken breast is pounded thin, breaded, and fried until it's shatteringly crisp. But the real MVP isn't the meat—it's the jalapeño slaw.
"No mayo. No heavy sauce. Just a vinegar-based slaw that cuts through the fried chicken fat like a razor blade."
The slaw is tossed in a vinaigrette (not mayo!) with red onions and plenty of jalapeños. It’s piled so high it defies gravity, sandwiched between a soft roll that somehow manages to hold it all together. The heat creeps up on you, but the acid keeps you coming back for another bite.
Don't Skip Dessert
It’s called Bakesale Betty for a reason. While the sandwich pays the rent, the baked goods are the soul. The Strawberry Shortcake is legendary when in season, but you can never go wrong with a massive cookie to cleanse your palate after the spicy slaw.
Bakesale Betty isn't just a restaurant; it's a rite of passage. If you haven't stood in that line, have you really lived in the East Bay?