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Dona Tomas Restaurant Review

5004 Telegraph Ave. (49th St.) Send to Phone
OaklandCA 94609
510-450-0522 | Make Restaurant Reservations | Menu
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Known for years for providing fresh Mexican cuisine in a homey atmosphere. Dona Tomas Restaurant is one of our 2012 | Top 10 SF Mexican Restaurants |

Cuisine

Open

Dinner Tues.-Sat.

Features

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Chefs Thomas Schnetz and Dona Savitsky teamed up to create the Mexican restaurant of their dreams, featuring updated versions of regional favorites they discovered on their travels. Savvy diners relish not only the meals but also the knowledge that they are inspired and informed by authentic fare. Niman Ranch beef carnitas, watermelon/heirloom tomato salad, seared halibut-cheek tacos and zucchini-corn pudding are prime examples of how Schnetz and Savitsky make their dishes local, seasonal and largely sustainable. The outdoor area is lovely and the full bar, with a plethora of tequilas and specialty cocktails, makes Doña Tomás a special place indeed. Service is modest and prices have inched up over the years, yet this restaurant is still a favorite for many East Bay patrons. Please note that reservations cannot specify patio seating.

User Ratings & Reviews for Dona Tomas
Average rating    2
Reviews 1 - 1 of 11
Dona Tomas- Spoiled by Sucess
by soleilsinclair on 07/09/2008
 
We have been eating at Dona Tomas since they opened, putting up with the erratic service and uneven food but I'm sad to report that the food has gone downhill from what it once was but worse then that, from my point of view, is the attitude of management. I first noticed it a couple of months ago. Dona Tomas is always busy, walk-ins wait in line, wait people run around frantically, it's hard to get a glass of water or a 2nd beer in time to drink it with the food. Still, it is only 6 blocks from our home and my partner really likes Mexican.
I made a reservation for dinner on a week night, asking for the patio for my partner's birthday, the woman on the phone said that she had noted my preference. I arrived a little early, all dressed up, with a bag of presents and the hostess asked if we still wanted the patio and I said "Yes". Then another hostess took me to a table inside. I said that I wanted to be seated outside, she told me to wait while a table was set. Then yet another hostess came up and told me that we would have to wait in line with the walk-ins because seating on the patio is first come. Things went downhill from there with the manager coming over to berate us for "not knowing better" since he knew we ate there often and we left and drove to Sea Salt and had a great dinner complete with "on the house birthday cake". I have put up with the attitude because the wait staff is very good, hip, fun and casual, the drinks are good if pricey and the place is pretty but I won't go back for quite a while, if ever, particularly now that the food is simply OK. I like the small portions and I love eating outside even if we always spend more then I think we will... When a place is too popular the staff starts to slack, in my opinion, Dona Tomas has been spoiled from success.
 
Reviews 1 - 1 of 11
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