text: Being a vegetarian in Oakland are not easy but for a relatively quick as opposed to table service meal Red Oak Cafe hits the spot I have found all the vegetarian sandwiches to be tasty though I fail at eating them neatlyso eat alone or with a friend who you are not too selfconscious around if you get a sandwich I usually like vegetable chips but I am not a fan of the ones at Red Oak Go for the vegetable of the day instead as the vegetables are tastier and better for you too The vegetarian bean grains plate and vegblue plate special are good but as another reviewer said they are not too excitingnnThe omnivores I have brought here like this place toomy mother pronounced her corned beef reuben as one of the best she is ever had not too shabby for a New Yorker nnMaybe I hyped up the oatmeal smoothie in my mind too much but I found it a little too fruity grapecranberryish for me Still not bad for a goodforyou breakfast in a hurrynnUsually I have no complaints about the service but I did feel awkward when I grabbed a bite to eat here one Friday evening The employees were already cleaning the tables even though the place was open for another hour and a half and chatting really loudly with each other I felt rushed I guess I cannot blame them entirely as it was a gorgeous day out and it was Friday