The team behind LocoL is preparing to bring a new bakery project to Oakland, California, this month. The fast-growing chain founded by chefs Roy Choi and Daniel Patterson with a mission of bringing nutritious, affordable food to underserved neighborhoods, revealed the location and opening date in a post to Instagram on Saturday.
The eatery is taking over the building formerly home to Tomm’s Bar-B-Q & Deli at 3446 Market Street in West Oakland, less than two miles from its second LocoL outpost on Broadway. It’s slated to open on March 31.
It’s still not clear what LocoL Bakery will offer. The East Bay Express reported last summer that it would operate as a small coffee shop with savory pastries. Eater has reached out for more information.
West Oakland bakery coming together.
— Papi (@RidingShotgunLA) September 24, 2016
Opening soon with our new Bunzz.#LocoL #Oakland pic.twitter.com/fmbYCK4xyH
LocoL was initially supposed to launch its first restaurant in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood, but construction has been stalled long enough for restaurants in Watts and Uptown Oakland to open.
The company’s anticipated location recently began sporting a ‘For Lease’ sign. However, Hanson Li, a partner in LocoL, told Eater SF in January that their lease is still valid “as far as they know” and that the company is still planning to open in the neighborhood. “It just hasn’t worked out so far,” he said. The chain is also reportedly exploring more properties in the East Bay and San Francisco.
While LocoL was hailed as one of the most important dining establishments to open in 2016, New York Times critic Pete Wells notoriously gave the Uptown Oakland location a zero star review. The critic received a wave of backlash from fans of the restaurant and its mission. The controversy raised questions about what sorts of restaurants should be reviewed. Stay tuned for more updates on LocoL Bakery.
• Mid-Week Menu: LocoL Expands to West Oakland; Burma Bear and Agave Open Uptown [EBE]
• All Bay Area LocoL Coverage [ESF]
