5 Questions with Chef Gloria Dominguez

Chef GLORIA DOMINGUEZ is originally from Jalisco, Mexico, where her love for the kitchen was born at a very early age. She started her first Taqueria in 1988 and was the co-owner (with her son Alphonso) and Executive Chef at her Oakland restaurant Tamarindo Antojeria for 14 years. Chef Gloria is fascinated with learning about ancestral, pre-hispanic dishes of Mexico's vast landscape and is driven by rescuing the history of Mexican cuisine.

BFiO: Whose food in Oakland do you enjoy as much as your own?

CHEF GLORIA: Oakland is a great food city. I feel it offers the most diversity.

A couple of my favorite spots are Miss Ollie's and alaMar. When I eat there it transports me to memories of my travels. I can taste the passion in their cuisine. In Mexico, we call that *sazon*. That is what I look for when I go out to dine.

BFiO: What food do you think is overrated?

CHEF GLORIA: I think In-N- Out Burger is overrated! Would rather wait in line for some good tacos.

BFiO: What’s missing in the Oakland food scene?

CHEF GLORIA: I feel Oakland offers a lot, but more outdoor seating options would be nice. More parklets too!

BFiO: At what local markets do you shop for ingredients/food?

CHEF GLORIA: Most of my products I will get from my local farmers market including hard to find Mexican ingredients. I support small mom-and-pop grocers in East Oakland.

BFiO: What does The New Normal look like for Oakland restaurants & food businesses in the age of COVID-19?

CHEF GLORIA: The new norm is making sure you support locally owned small businesses.