The Oakland Eat Real Festival in Jack London Square is back!
This year the dates will be as follows.
September 14th – 16th 2018
Friday: 1pm-9pm
Saturday: 10:30am-9pm
Sunday: 10:30am-5pm
This is a free event where no “plate” will cost over $10.
Sadly that is considered cheap in Oakland these days. That is double what it was when it started.
I say “plate” because it will essentially be a snack. Some of my favorite trucks would appear at this festival and not offer their true full menu, but instead “half items” at double cost so that you can “try” them and have room for more.
Is Eat Real Festival Organic?
They are now claiming that all food is locally sourced and sustainable where as before it was just a wild mess of food trucks. So I do not know if this means they had to kick a lot of trucks out or they are just blowing hot air?
How are street food vendors using local, sustainable, or organic ingredients?
By agreeing to take part in Eat Real, vendors commit to using 1-2 organic, local, or sustainable ingredients in their food. Wherever possible, and whenever needed, Eat Real connects street vendors with farmers or distributors to help get the necessary ingredients.
I found this quote on their website so it seems sorta hot air like. I think they had to attach this whole idea to the festival so they themselves don’t seem like a money hungry promoter just putting an event together for profit. Because well, it is what it is. I doubt they are checking or enforcing this stuff.
It is just a wild mess of food trucks and I assure you many of them are self ran, struggling for money, cutting all possible budget corners and trying to make as much profit as possible while staying afloat in the expensive Bay Area. Meaning cheapest ingredients for the dollar. It’s still good food though. Trust me, you are not eating organic or locally anything when you go to your favorite burrito truck. You are eating deals and savings for profit.
But this is like the Christmas season as far as single day sales goes for most of these trucks. They get to charge more and serve smaller portions to infinite lines of “foodies”. And I mean infinite. You better be ready to play the waiting game on this day.
Directions and Transportation
Driving: Not a good idea. Parking will be costly, limited and traffic will be high. But if you drive, just go to Jack London Square. You can’t miss it, the huge mess you shouldn’t have driven in to.
BART: BART is always a good option but it is a little ways from actual Jack London Square. It is highly walkable, I would say 15-20 minutes tops. I used to do it every day for work when I worked at the Port of Oakland. However there is a free shuttle and AC Transit from BART to JLS. So if you’re lazy, do that.
Ferry: Yes! You can just take the ferry here because it stops right there at Jack London. The ferry is a great trip and a nice relaxing way to digest on your way home.
Train / Amtrak: I mean if you really want to arrive in style, take Amtrak lol. It’s also right there in JLS.
FAQs for Eat Real Fest
How much are tickets? Free. No tickets, just walk in. All plates will be $10 and under.
Can I use credit cards? Yes, most vendors accept credit or you can use ATM’s on site at a heftt fee so I would bring cash.
Is the food organic? No, just no. See the quote above where they make a claim that trucks are encouraged to use 1 or 2 organic items. Well a single truck can have 15 menu items and one of 15 can contain minimal organic ingredients and be valid. This is a marketing ploy and self back patting technique.
How long has this been going on? The festival is in its 10th year and started in 2009. They boast having over 600,000 attendees and making over $3 million in sales since the start. These numbers were given in 2015 or so.
Really though, despite all of my honesty and truths, you’re going to be impressed with the food if you like food trucks.
Be sure to make it out to try the Bay Area’s best street food from all over as well as local hand crafted beer, music, games and more!
This year over 50 street food vendors and artisans are expected to participate.
Site. Half the front page is broken links. I have given you more info than them.
If you miss the Jack London Eat Real Fest in Oakland but love food trucks, then you can make your way to a weekly Off The Grid Oakland on any Friday at all for more excellent local food trucks. I prefer this because you get regular prices, full menu items, less people. No FoMo. It’ll be there next week.
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