by Katie Milliken-Flohr

There’s finally a place in Berryessa that’s trendy, has great food, and is locally owned. D-D Delight is a neighborhood gem that I wished we had sooner.

I was born and raised in San Jose, but let’s get even more specific. I grew up in Berryessa. That’s also the neighborhood where I live now. It’s quaint. We have an awesome Costco, and I can bike to a Lee’s Sandwiches.

While I love my neighborhood, our nearest quality coffee shop is downtown. If I’m not hosting at my house, my closest meeting place is usually Japantown. Sometimes, I can convince a friend to grab pho, but that’s about as close to home as it gets.

But, that’s about to change. Right by Flickinger Park, D-D Delight opened last year. While I’ve driven/biked by it dozens of times, I finally checked it out for a meal. Unassuming from the outside, I was fittingly delighted by the restaurant.

D-D Delight offers fusion food, blending foods throughout Asia with a Mexican flair. There are riffs on ramen, pho, lechon, bahn mi, and birria. Beyond that, there’s a wide variety of boba, sago, and coffee-based drinks. You can sit for a full meal, or just grab a milk tea with some bites to share.

Beyond that, the atmosphere is just adorable. There are vibrant yellow couches beside a wall covered in fake flowers. The room has lots of natural light and a green-and-gold color scheme that matches the logo. There’s also a patio for eating outside. Some patrons brought their dogs with them for the meal.

The place itself feels trendy and fresh, like something from a hip part of Flushing in New York and not out of the quiet suburbs.

Now, back to the food. My dinner-time companion (ty, Claudia!) ordered a dino banh mi dip, a sandwich with generous portions. Dino does in fact describe the size of the rib inside the sando.

I opted for sweet and ordered a banh mi French toast. For $16.50, I had four medallions of awesome French bread coated in an egg custard, then served with a side of Vietnamese-style whipped coffee. I left totally full, savoring every rich bite.

I expected more of a tapas situation, so we naively ordered spicy chicken-loaded fries to share. The fried chicken in the dish was fantastic, with pickled onion and a spicy aioli adding additional flavor to the fries.

D-D Delight is a great option for a meal. I would recommend it as a brunch spot if you’re okay skipping the mimosas (no alcohol is served here). I plan on going back to try a savory dish for dinner and to check out their drinks for a quick snack with friends. You may even see me on the patio with my dog.

My Rating

• Food: A+, fusion done right with generous portions
• Atmosphere: Cute and photo-ready
• Price: $10-15 for drinks/snacks; $20-30 per person for a meal