One Ninety Seven

I've been here several times. It's a hole in the wall take out place. Usually a place like this is great because the food is delicious and the staff are friendly but this is where they miss the mark a bit. I really wanted to like a local place like this and support their business. The food is really good at times and just good other times. I've had the chicken adobo multiple times and it's inconsistent but sometimes really good. The wings are great too and the pork tocino is really nice. They have super long lumpia which is a nice unique thing but when I got them the flavor wasn't anything special. The problem is the service and experience. Once they over charged me, luckily I caught it. Another time they didn't give me a whole meal. I ordered multiple plates and one was just missing. Luckily I checked my bag and counted the plates before taking it home. Another time they gave me the wrong rice, after I paid extra for the garlic rice, but I wasn't going to be opening every plate to check. It's frustrating. Also, their menu is pretty small with daily specials but they run out of regular menu items at like 4pm when they close at 9pm. They were out of garlic rice midday before. What really turned me off from this place is that when I point out the missing items or wrong orders or incorrect extra charges, they don't apologize or act surprised or anything like that. They look and reluctantly make the correction like I'm the one causing an inconvenience. I guess it happens so often that the staff isn't surprised. Do they just not care about giving a good experience or do they do this intentionally? It's one of those two based on their reactions when I point it out politely. Also, the specials board sometimes has prices and sometimes doesn't. When I ask a question while ordering, I often get a cold answer back. Overall the food is great sometimes (sometimes just good) but I don't think I'll be going back anymore because the experience just isn't there. It is usually busy when I go so clearly it's worth trying out and some people enjoy it more than me. There's always been street parking within a block or two when I went to get food.

I mainly come here for the g fire wings. Classic tasty soy garlic flavor chicken wings, add a side of rice or garlic rice too. The lumpia and chicken tosino are also good. I don't think you can go wrong with the menu. Vibes are always great here, street parking, some outdoor seating available. This is a great business to support. Fly decor and lots of character to say the least, give this place a visit when you're in oakland

First time there last night. Picked up food at 5:30 on a Wednesday and they were almost out of everything. Wings, Lumpia and white rice was all they had left, but that’s what we were there for! Really really tasty, we’ll be back soon. For lunch, maybe, so we can try all the other items. Thanks for a great meal!

Found this Filipino gem while working out in Oakland. It's a hole in the wall, but those are usually the best kind. They had traditional Filipino breakfast iykyk. I went with G Fire Wings Plate with the Garlic Fried Rice and XL Lumpia. SLAP my face and call me Sally that Good. The sauce on the wings with crispy skin and juicy meat, gimme more. The XL Lumpia is just that, 7inch Lumpia and it didn't disappoint. Just a heads up, I would call ahead for your order cause they be busy!

I've passed by this place countless time and finally decided to make a stop specifically for the wings. There's a bit of a wait as the food is prepared fresh. Service is nice and orders are taken through a slot in the door. Prices are higher than most wing spots, but their flavors are difficult to find compared to most western eateries.