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Doña Tomás

5004 Telegraph Ave. (49th St.) Send to Phone
OaklandCA 94609
510-450-0522
Known for years for providing fresh Mexican cuisine in a homey atmosphere. Doña Tomás Restaurant is one of our | Top 10 San Francisco/Bay Area Mexican Restaurants |

Cuisine

Open

Dinner Tues.-Sat.

Features

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Doña Tomás is a welcome change from many of the cookie-cutter modern varieties of Mexican establishments that abound throughout California. The food here, for starters, is excellent. Perfectly prepared carnitas with chipotle and queso Oaxaca; chile rellenos stuffed with chanterelles, spinach and goat cheese; and crab tostadas are among the standout dishes. The menu features the best of seasonal produce, fresh cheeses and Niman Ranch meats. The outdoor area is lovely and the full bar, with a plethora of tequilas and specialty cocktails, make Doña Tomás a special place indeed. Service is modest and prices have inched up, yet this restaurant is still a favorite for many East Bay patrons.

User Ratings & Reviews for Doña Tomás
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.
 
 
 


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