“When you look at the East Bay, Walnut Creek is the center point of that entire region. And Broadway Plaza is the bub of the whole retail and shopping experience.” – John Duggan, owner of Original Joe’s, as quoted by SFGate
According to SFGate, Broadway Plaza is the newest hotspot for San Francisco and Oakland restaurants that want to move or expand into the suburbs. As locals, we understand the allure of our hometown outdoor mall, but did you know about 6 million people visit it per year? No wonder everyone wants in!
Original Joe’s plans to open its East Bay location across from Macy’s in Broadway Plaza in April, becoming the next transplant to a town that now boasts more than 150 restaurants, according to the Walnut Creek Downtown Association. That’s both a good and bad thing.
Local business owners, according to the SFGate article, are concerned about oversaturation and being priced out of town. There’s also always the risk of the restaurant boom going bust. I’m no expert in this area, but I have lived here for 25 years and have never once thought there would be a “bust” of any kind downtown. As long as I can remember, it has been growing, growing, growing! Covid was the exception, however we do often see one come and then go – it has to have good food and service or it won’t survive.
As the article lays out, there are dozens of options for every type of cuisine, plus new and innovative concepts coming to our little town every month. And Broadway Plaza may be the engine that makes it all run, but our downtown is super walkable and there are great restaurants all over the downtown map. It is a restauranteur’s paradise! Some of the newer ones that have recently popped up, not in and around Broadway Plaza are Daryoush on Locust, a Persian restaurant – has anyone been? Dads BBQ in the Rossmoor Shopping Center – heard some good things and the food truck Chicken & Biscuits on Boulevard – hear rave reviews, drove by last night at 7 pm, was going to try it, but it was all dark and the truck was on the street.
What are some of your favorite go-to spots? How about the best new places you’ve tried recently? Let me know in the comments!