Vulcan Thai Cafe

12/07/2007

4 star rating

Yum Yum Yum. I love this place. It's kinda in the middle of nowhere, it's totally a hole in the wall. Every time I come here. There's a lot of people
I really like their grain rice. I've tried the Panang Curry and Pad thai. Both delicious. They are great for take out. Parking can be a pain though.

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Oakland, CA

11/13/2007

5 star rating

The Vulcan rocks! You won't meet Mr. Spock here, but the food is really great. They don't have all the fancy specials that a date kind of place Thai place would have, but try the Spicy Basil Fried Rice or Panang Curry. I have been coming here for years with my boys from work. Just for lunch though, I wouldn't be in this neighborhood by myself after dark! Place is in a funky artist enclave in east Oakland.

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Oakland, CA

12/07/2007

5 star rating

Service is screaming, they are all very nice, warm and makes me feel like I am in Thailand. There is not one dish I have had that I did not like. I have been going there for years and prefer not to go to any other Thai restaurant as they do not compare to the Vulcan. My favorite dishes are: appetizer; angels wing, soup; po-tak, seafood; pad-ta-lea and the deserts are wonderful.

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Kenny L.

I don't rep the Bay Area, I rep the East Bay

Fremont, CA

10/27/2007

3 star rating

Since I've started working in East Oakland, I noticed that most of my meals were either in Alameda (which I know real well) or I end up munching on a grilled cheese sandwich over at the In-n-Out on Hegenberger.

Since I try to keep things vegetarian (I call in "vegetarian" but it's really more like pescatarian) during the work week, a Thai place in the middle of East Oakland is most welcome, there's always a tofu option in their curries. I just wish their curries were hotter, or if the place had a "how spice do you want this" option. I can see this place become a regular stop for me.

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John L.

Judge not the Chinese restaurant by the decor, but how many Chinese are in…

Emeryville, CA

10/18/2007

5 star rating

Absolutely unbeatable for the price, and heck even compared to some higher priced places, this still is better!

The biggest problem with this place is the location-- you may not want to linger after dark once you leave the cafe. The ambiance inside is definitely homey, and sets you at ease. Artists' work is on display in restaurant.

For lunch, most dishes run from around $6 to $10, and dinner goes slightly higher. As all the reviews have stated, it's family run. I don't know how anyone can consider this pricey for Thai food, especially for the exceptional flavor.

Don't expect the fancy schmancy candles, statues and drapery you see in some other Thai places, just great food, a great location to relax, and excellent prices. The rating is strictly based on service, food, and flavor. And boy, does it deserve the high rating!

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Dan C.

do you want to come to a club where people wee on each other?

Oakland, CA

11/22/2007

5 star rating

this is the best thai spot in oakland. and it's still a bit of a hidden gem, but it's name has gotten out there a bit in the last few years because i've noticed more and more people in there. but that's because they know how good the place is. their specials are usually a good bet, i especially love the panang salmon when it's available. the thai bbq is great too, the claypots are excellent. great thai iced tea. and they have serve good ol' fashioned american breakfast in the mornings that's pretty decent too. the prices are totally reasonable. they recently reserved some of the parking in the usually packed lot for customers too, so you should be able to park a bit easier here now. great off-the-beaten-path place.

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Michael J.

In lulz we trust

Hayward, CA

06/19/2007

4 star rating

This place was a big surprise for me. I love thai food (I spent over 9 months in Thailand) and one day I was driving along San Leandro blvd. and I was like "Thai Cafe...I'm hungry...omfg!" I stopped, and proceeded to have lunch. This place is in the middle of nowhere, and is pretty small, but the food is excellent. The people who work there are extremely nice. It's a tad pricey, but then again, Thai food usually is.

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Carlos E.

Looking for ......!!!

Oakland, CA

07/19/2007

4 star rating

This secret place in the Fruitvale District is so good, family operated, good Thai food, interesting art on the walls, probably not the best location in Oakland but i think it's one of the best ways to start exploring Oakland, the real Oakland :O)

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225

Brian D.

Indie Director, Business Maniac

Oakland, CA

04/27/2007

4 star rating

This place is awesomely Oakland. The rumble of the industrial metalworking places next door, the weird little "art park" at the end of the alley...

Also the sun-deck is a really nice place to eat a lazy breakfast for all the slacker artist types. Get a real job!

They serve breakfast, including a "Thai Energy Breakfast" which is noodles, egg, and ham, but they also have the standbys like omlettes or eggs or pancakes.

For lunch they have the standard Thai offers, including a bunch of curries, Pad Thai, and a reasonable (5 item) veggie menu. They also serve a green papaya salad (my favorite). Everything comes in your choice of "MEDIUM, HOT, THAI HOT." Thai hot, baby. That's what I'm talkin' about.

Expect to spend roughly 8 dollars for breakfast or lunch, which is one entree (with accompanying sides) plus a drink.

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Mavis B.

ilikeylikey

Oakland, CA

03/31/2007

4 star rating

Hell yes! some downhome Oakland Thai. The restaurant, if you choose to call it that, has a little bit of the cafeteria feel, but the food is good. It's not 'here I am rock you like a hurricane good', but it made me happy. Also, there's some coin op washers back by the bathrooms...might as well go for the twofer.

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(1)

04/08/2007

1 star rating

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Rachael H.

Fatty Boomba!

Walnut Creek, CA

04/14/2007

4 star rating

The first time I tried to go here I was extremely scared that it was the building on the corner that was empty save for broken glass and scrap metal.. but when you go into the parking lot another 10 yards you will see this gem tucked away behind an archway of overgrown plants. Whew.

This is a homey, off-the-beaten-path little nook. Don't be scared off by the slight "ghetto-ness"!! Everyone is really nice, you get a little salad before the meal (which I love because of the dressing, fuck all you who are against iceberg! haha), and I've become addicted to their Pad-Se-Ew. I know multiple others who are addicted to their warm peanut sauce. Once you find a couple dishes you like, you're hooked for life.

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102

286

matthew capital r.

fighter captured

San Francisco, CA

01/30/2007

4 star rating

It's connected to a set of artist live work lofts and it's kind of hard to see if you're not looking for it. head southeast on San Leandro and it's on the right side.

Cheap, service is usually quick, and the barbeque and pra ram chicken are both very good.

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Mike M.

If there is anything more important around than my ego, I want it caught…

San Francisco, CA

07/26/2006

4 star rating

Want to feel like an Oakland native and take your friends to a hidden, family operated Thai spot? This is the place. Awesome family (every time I'm there the kids are doing their homework at one of the tables) runs it with interesting art hanging on the walls. Food is nothing incredible and definitly not bad, its just a Thai spot. The unusual location is the biggest turn on...

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Jamie S.

Yum-diddely-dumptious!

Alameda, CA

07/23/2007

3 star rating

This place has quite the interesting ambiance - there are usually small children doing homework and watching TV in the "dining area." It feels like you're in someone's house eating, actually, but the upside to that is that the food tastes like good Thai home cookin'. If you ever have to go to the restroom in that place, pay special attention to the TUB that's in there! It cracked me up when I first saw it. Also, the location is a little hard to find, its in this really industrial area. But on to the food....
The crab fried rice is delicious, and I really also enjoy eating the "Anger Wings" aka Angel Wings (it used to be called Anger Wings on the menu until recently when they fixed the typo) but that appetizer is kind of expensive - I think almost 7 dollars and you only get one chicken leg. I kind of expected the menu to be cheaply priced because of the way it looked, but the prices are actually comparable to other, fancier Thai restaurants around town.

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Meay T.

Yelp VIRGIN, looking to make it big...

Oakland, CA

02/01/2007

4 star rating

I would never have known of this place if I didn't have to pull my car over because some a**hole driver was up on my arse! But, as I'd like to think - all things happen for a reason. This place is worth the visit, esp. since there aren't that many Thai restaurants around this area. It's location is a tad bit sketchy but once you step inside it's fairly cozy. I can't say it's the best Thai food I've ever had but it's good enough to try at least once. I've been back twice already, and have recommended it numerous times. It's never packed so it's an ideal 2nd-date place. =) Overall - good food, good experience & friendly staff!

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Elle P.

I Never Don't

Oakland, CA

07/20/2006

4 star rating

No, this place is not sketchy, and anyone who says that hasn't traveled a few miles up the road where ladies of the night and loud muscle cars meet. This place is in the cuts, though. The Vulcan Cafe is part of a horde of artist lofts (ooh, so scary!) so you should only be afraid if you fear artsy-fartsiness. The food fresh and satisfies a hungry tummy. They even have burgers. I recommend the Tom Ka Ghai, an orange sour soup with chicken, cilantro and coconut milk, and this steak that they serve with a lime dippy sauce.

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488

Fremont, CA

04/14/2007

3 star rating

i used to come here a lot when i worked in e. oakland. this was actually considered our special occasion restaurant, b/c there's not much else around. that being said, they actually have some decent thai food here. i liked getting the eggplant and chicken, as well as the pumpkin curry, and of course pad thai. i also had the duck noodle soup, which is pretty good, but i didn't particularly like the rice noodles it came w/. they have western breakfast dishes here as well!

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nadja h.

Robotic cheesemonger

Oakland, CA

04/04/2006

5 star rating

I feel like people get sketched out by the location of this restaurant, so if you're expecting candle-light, tablecloths, or even matching chairs you can just stay at home.
The restaurant has the most delicious soups ever. I crave them all the time. I'm actually working up a little crave right now just thinking about them... almost everything else I have had there has been top notch (not a fan of their "fresh" spring rolls, I prefer the Vietnamese style) and they are very quick and nice.

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Jong L.

yazuka boss in training

Oakland, CA

10/07/2006

3 star rating

Thai restaurant in a ghetto lounge environment. This is truly off the beaten path. Food is okay. It has a nice family charm to it.

I recommend the soups. The Pad Thai was too spicy for my taste.

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147

Tony s.

I'm sure it'll work itself out.

Oakland, CA

07/05/2005

3 star rating

First to Review

Oaktown homies aint scared of this neighborhood. This Thai restaurant is in the middle of nowhere, in the industrial area of Oakland, right next to the elevated BART tracks. Only been here once. Standard thai noodles, rice, etc. Food was just OK. Aside from the tables, you'll also find a couch in front of a large screen TV and a whole bunch of children's toys to play with.

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Robin S.

Lil Grrl

Oakland, CA

04/10/2006

3 star rating

Family-owned Thai restaurant has a nice homely charm. Quiet during the weekdays, ideal for people who want some privacy to study.

The food is good. The soups are great and sometimes, you can ask them to make you something that's not in the menu. Like the Thai chicken noodle soup. Mmm, wait it's 10:00 pm. Darn too late to order take-out!

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106

James E.

Opinionated Crank or Englightened Humanist?

Oakland, CA

09/01/2006

4 star rating

This place is not for everyone. But it's cool, and I think the food is great! I love the pumpkin curry, the yrice with mango, and their fried calmari (the best anywhere!!!!).

It's a cool spot for folks who like secret places. In the midst of an old foundry, now artist rental lofts. Vulcan Cafe is like the dorm's cafetera. They serve some american food (burgers, etc.) at lunch.

Totally kid friendly. I was their with friends and their 4-year old and the resident 4-yr old had a great time playing.

Kudos for the chirping frog garden outside.

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962

jill k.

my two cents are free

Oakland, CA

10/28/2005

3 star rating

i came here with my advisor at mills during my first year of college, and loved it! i've had better thai since then, but it is still a diamond in the rough!

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