2013 Update
Emil Villa had a fire and is closed, it doesn’t seem that they’ll be re-opening.
October 2011
We went to Emil Villa’s for dinner last night, as Mika was in the mood for ribs. I don’t have much of an update, as we got the same thing we usually get: Emil’s Rib Sampler ($21). This time I actually paid attention to which ribs we liked the most, and the best ones were definitely the baby back ribs. They were more tender, if a bit less meaty than the other ones. Still, all the ribs were very good. Indeed, I thought they were better than in the past. I also enjoyed the BBQ sauce, which was perhaps a bit sweeter (and thus more to my liking).
Service was phenomenal. Mike and I shared the sampler, and our waitress brought the dish in two plates unprompted. The portion was definitely large enough for the two of us. She also was very efficient bringing back drinks and catering to the kids.
In all, it was a very good experience.
December 2010
We go to Emil Villa from time to time. We usually get a BBQ ribs combo to share – 3 types of ribs with two sides for about $22. We all like the ribs, Mika in particular. The other food is less successful. Breakfast, in particular, is best avoided.
March 2008
Last night Mike went out with an old friend to dinner (he went to La Provence, in the Mission, where he had an OK soup and some awesome ravioli) and I was left at home with the kids. I was feeling pretty jealous, so I decided to take the kids out to dinner myself. I’d been in the mood for BBQ ribs for a while, and Mika couldn’t resist the smoky aroma of Emil Villa’s, so that’s where we headed. Even though Camila was a little devil, it was a good choice.
We decided to share the ribs platter, which has gone up in price (it’s $21 now) and gone down in variety/amount of food (it now comes just with two sides and buns, no soup or salad). Still, the ribs were enough for a mom and one kid (Camila only ate 1 rib). We enjoyed all of them. My favorite were the baby back ribs which had a very nice glace and did not need any extra BBQ sauce. The other ones were definitely helped by the sweet sauce, which wasn’t too spicy even for Mika. I’d definitely order this again.
The french fries and mashed potatoes we ordered were pretty ordinary, nothing to write home about.
This time we weren’t too full for dessert (when is a 6 yo too full for dessert?), and Mika ordered the chocolate cream pie ($4 a slice). It didn’t look that chocolaty to me, but she liked it. I had no complaints about the banana cream pie ($4 for smallish slice). It was bananaish and creamy, and very good. I may make a banana cream pie today myself 🙂 Camila had some chocolate ice cream ($3), which was unwisely served on a saucer. It was very chocolaty.
Dinner for the 3, including 3 drinks, came to $39. Not cheap, but those were pretty good ribs.
Emil Villa’s
1800 E 14th St
San Leandro, CA
(510) 351-7427
Original Review
San Leandro Restaurant Reviews
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