Our Favorite Sandwich Spots
Sandwiches aren’t usually something you eat just because but rather they’re something you crave. For us, satisfying the craving is hard to do with the chain shops. No disrespect to places like Ike’s Sandwich Shop but it’s the mom & pop shops that really get the job done. Here are some of our faves:
LUCIA’S CRAFT SANDWICH
This deli is well worth the trip to hillside town of Crockett. In fact, it’s so good it would be worth the trip if it were in San Jose. If it’s a classic deli sandwich you are craving they’ve got you covered with their mortadella with whipped ricotta or spicy coppa on fresh focaccia bread but be warned, their sandwiches are BIG. Ingredients here are top notch. They also offer gourmet melts & grilled cheeses that are stellar (the potato & leek grilled cheese is dynamite!) In addition to seasonal sandwiches like the juicy rib roast with horseradish aioli. 611 2nd Ave, Crockett.
THE SAINT
Located in the heart of Oakland’s Dimond District, this place puts a local twist on Italian Classics as well as offer some truly unique and delicious creations. The namesake sandwich is a generous blend of salami & ham along with a mix of vibrant peppers & olives balanced with a garlic aioli—so good! They also offer a daily special sandwich and you must get the chipotle pasta salad as a companion to your sandwich, it’s outstanding. 3016 Macarthur Blvd, Oakland.
OK’S
DELI
Pronounced “Oaks”, this place has a little bit of everything. The Italian Combo is just that, a satisfying mix of salami, ham & mortadella topped with pepperoncini’s, red onions and lots of crunchy lettuce served on house made sesame focaccia. Their signature items are a mix of Asian themed sandwiches like the popular Sichuan Hot Chicken (not a deli sandwich but really, really good), Konbini Tuna Salad and their Sisig Bolilo. So many outstanding options. 3932 Telegraph Ave, Oakland.
Mid-Century Modern Still Reigns in the East Bay
There’s something quietly magnetic about a Mid-Century Modern home. You know the feeling—stepping into a space where everything flows effortlessly and you can feel the harmony. Light pours through clerestory windows, ceilings soar, and rooms open effortlessly onto the outdoors. In the East Bay, especially in parts of Berkeley, Kensington, El Cerrito, and the Oakland Hills, these architectural gems aren’t just homes—they’re statements. And when it comes to East Bay real estate, they are in a class all their own. Literally.
So what is it about this style that makes people fall in love? Built primarily between the mid 1940s and late 1960s, Mid-Century Modern homes (MCM) are known for their clean lines, minimalist detailing, and a strong, intentional connection to nature. They were designed with everyday living in mind—open floor plans, indoor-outdoor flow, and an emphasis on natural light long before those elements became the desire of the masses. For today’s buyers, especially those drawn to design and lifestyle, these homes feel at once modern, calming, and rooted in something meaningful.
Of course, we can’t talk about Mid-Century Modern without mentioning Joseph Eichler —arguably the most famous name associated with this movement. While Eichler was technically a developer and not an architect, his vision helped bring modernist homes to the masses. His homes, found throughout the East Bay, were affordable, beautifully designed, and ahead of their time.
HOW THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL IMPACTS HOME OWNERS
Last month, Congress passed—and President Trump signed—the landmark One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Here are some highlights from the bill, which includes several provisions that can make a tangible difference for homeowners now and down the road:
Expanded SALT deductions
• The bill temporarily raises the State & Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000 for tax years 2025–2029. If you are paying $20,000 in property tax and other local taxes you can now deduct much more of that amount.
• Likely to have the biggest impact with middle-income earning ($500K or less AGI) home owners.
Mortgage interest deductions
• Mortgage interest deductions are now permanently limited to $750K of mortgage debt (MFJ, Single), $375K (MFS) for homes purchased after 2017. Additionally, this allows mortgage insurance premiums to be an itemized deduction beginning in 2026.
Mortgage insurance deduction returns
• The deduction for mortgage insurance premiums, which expired after the 2021 tax year, is permanently reinstated, starting in 2026. This includes various types of mortgage insurance and guarantee fees. This change aims to benefit new and middle-class homeowners who may be required to pay for insurance when putting less than 20% down on their home.
Bonus Depreciation (BIG for investing)
• Allows for accelerated deduction of 100% of qualifying property costs in the first year, rather than spreading the deduction over several years. By front-loading large deductions, high-income earners can offset income in top tax brackets, effectively lowering their marginal tax rate for the year.
• Example: A high-earning professional purchases a $1.2 million duplex in El Cerrito and allocates $200,000 of the purchase price to appliances, flooring, fencing, and other items eligible for bonus depreciation. Because of the new rules, they can deduct the entire $200,000 in the first year—potentially reducing their taxable income by that full amount. If they’re in the 35% federal tax bracket, that’s a $70,000 tax savings in year one, dramatically improving the property’s return on investment.
The East Bay itself is a quiet treasure trove of these homes. Look up the work of Donald Olsen, a Bauhaus-trained modernist whose glass-and-steel homes still perch over the Berkeley Hills with dramatic views. We also celebrate architects like Roger Lee, a Harvard-educated Chinese-American architect based in Berkeley who designed over 100 residences in the Bay Area. Or William Wurster, whose understated California modernism influenced countless homes across the region. Each of these architects contributed something unique to the East Bay’s design DNA.
The appeal spans generations. Younger buyers love the retro-meetscontemporary aesthetic, while longtime East Bay residents see them as icons of thoughtful design. Redfin did a survey a few years ago and Mid-Century Modern was the most searched architectural style in California among buyers between the ages of 35 and 55.
In the East Bay, MCM homes that are well-preserved or tastefully updated are consistently the most competitive. I’ll give you a recent example: In April (keep in mind how economically volatile it was then) there was a very well updated MCM for sale at the top of the Berkeley Hills. Gorgeous house without Bay views. Even during one of the rockiest months of the year so far, this home received 17 offers and sold for over $1,300/sq ft! That’s nearly double the amount of offers for next highest property in the East Bay for that month.
MCM homes are so unique when it comes to real estate that in order to give clients realistic expectations they need to be treated separately. When we take deep dives into a creating comparative market analysis (CMA) for a buyer or seller, if our subject property is not a MCM we have to remove comparative properties that are MCM’s, otherwise the data will be skewed. This is another reason we caution folks about putting too much stock into Zillow’s Z’estimate. It’s not factoring this or the condition of the home into its algorithm . . . at least not yet.
Owning a Mid-Century Modern home isn’t just about style—it’s about a way of living that still resonates, decades later. These homes invite us to live more intentionally: to value simplicity, to blur the lines between indoors and out, and to appreciate craftsmanship over trend. In today’s market, they also require a nuanced understanding—whether buying, selling, or just admiring from the sidewalk. The truth is, not all square footage is created equal. And when it comes to Mid-Century Modern, the details matter more than the data.
Headlines, Reality & Locality MARKET PULSE
Real estate headlines, like most headlines, were all over the place in July. One week it was prices softening in the Bay Area; the next, it was prices rising in the Northeast. As of August 1st, interest rates dropped quickly to a 5-month low— likely sparking a wave of buyers as we head into our second busiest season (September and October).
Locally, the media spotlighted an uptick in price reductions across the Bay Area. Though down from June, July’s price cuts were still 30% higher than last year. The region’s finance and tech/bio-tech job markets—known for their boom-and-bust cycles—likely play a big role in these month-to-month shifts. With job security still shaky in these sectors, it’s understandable that some would-be buyers are holding off.
Still, zooming out reveals some stability and optimism. The graph below shows a 2.5% year-over-year increase in Bay Area dollar volume for the first half of 2025— which is impressive given all the recent volatility.
And as we always say, it’s the local numbers that matter most. Here’s what July looked like for a few nearby cities:
GRILLED PEACH CAPRESE SALAD
Stone fruits are, without a doubt, one of the best parts of summer peaches are arguably the king of summer. While you can never go wrong with a peach cobbler . . . using peaches with a savory twist has been a big part of my summer repatoire the last few years. I’ve tried more than a handful of recipes and this one has been on repeat as it’s as avorful as it is easy. If/when you do decide to make this recipe I highly recommend splurging on some top quality aged balsamic vinegar. It’s
• 2-3 Heirloom tomatoes
• 3 peaches
• 1 tbsp neutral oil (avocado/ vegetable)
• 6 basil leaves
• 8 oz burrata cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp aged balsamic vinegar (the good stuff)
Steps
1. Heat grill to medium-high heat.
2. Slice the peaches down the center and around. Gently pull the peaches apart and remove the pit. Slice into ½ inch slices. Brush lightly with oil (avocado, canola, or vegetable).Fry the pancetta in a small pan. Set aside and prepare your grill for medium heat.
3. Grill the peaches 2 to 3 minutes per side. Enough to slightly caramelize them on the grill without making them too soft.
4. Slice the tomatoes horizontally, about ¼ to ½ inch thick. Arrange the slices of tomato, peach, tomato on a platter. Break the burrata over the top of the tomatoes and peaches. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle fresh chopped basil over everything.
8/02 BBQ WITHOUT BORDERS
Raise funds while tantalizing your taste buds. No Immigrants No Spice’s signature summer event celebrating the bold flavors and vibrant cultures that immigrants bring to the Bay Area and beyond. Tickets available at humanatix.com (normally sells out)
8/02 EAST RICHMOND HEIGHTS
ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL Join more than 50 local artists, vendors and 7 community groups at this FREE event that celebrates the creative spirit of Richmond. On Bernhard between Cyrpess & Kensington in Richmond.
Upcoming Events
8/09 & 8/10 GRAVENSTEIN
APPLE FAIR Having lived in Sebastopol for 3 years in my 20’s, it holds a special place and this festival is definitely worth the drive. Celebrate all things apples with incredible local food, tons of music and a whole weekend full of apple oriented contests/events. Tickets available at www.gravensteinapplefair.com
08/10 MARTINEZ OPEN AIR
MARKET If you want to stay local but feel like you took a mini vacation, I STRONGLY recommend taking the Amtrak to Martinez for this market fair. The ride takes you along the San Pablo Bay for some incredibly surprising vistas. And the fair? It’s full of vintage, collectible, antiques, arts & crafts and even better—it coincides with their farmer’s market. After the fair you can play some miniature golf and visit a few of the local breweries, too.
OFFICE EVENT
8/29-8/31
BLUE NOTE NAPA
JAZZ FESTIVAL Also known as the Black Radio Experience, this 3 day festival returns once again to Napa. This year’s lineup includes Earth, Wind & Fire, The Roots, Goapele, DJ Jazzy Jeff and many many more. Tickets available at www.bluenotejazz.com
8/31 MAI TAI DAY Come celebrate the classic tropical drink that was created by Victor Bergeron, aka the original Trader Vic! And what better place than one of the oldest Tiki Bars in the country . . . Trader Vics.
