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| - I was excited for the opening of Piada because it's different from anything that is in Oakland. On campus, you can get burgers from Five Guys, burritos from Chipotle, and Chinese food from many places, but you couldn't get Italian food. But then Piada came into town. Suddenly, I could get pasta without going through the trouble of making it at home.
When I walked into the restaurant, I noticed that everything looked very clean. the system for ordering food is very similar to Chipotle's. You order step-by-step; first, you choose between pasta, piada (a thin wrap), or salad; then, you choose your protein and sauce; and lastly, you choose your toppings. Personally, I like this system because it keeps the line flowing, and you get to choose specifically what you want in your meal. However, one thing that bothered me was when I was choosing my toppings, the worker asked me if I wanted the suggested toppings, and I replied, "yes, please." She then proceeded to push my order along without asking me if I wanted anything added. I did stop her to ask her for more vegetables in my pasta, but in my opinion she should have asked if I had wanted anything more.
The food itself was very healthy-feeling, and the portions were more than enough. For the price, the amount that I was getting was definitely worth it. I even had some to save for the next day. The pasta to meat ratio could have been a bit better by having a bit more meat. Also, there was not enough sauce for my liking. I found the meal a bit dry as did my roommate and parents. However, when we asked for a bit more sauce, they were more than willing to give us that extra scoop.
Another thing that bothered me about Piada was the lack of seating. With the instant popularity of this restaurant, many people come to sit down and eat here. The kitchen and line take up about a third of the space, so seating was a bit difficult to find.
Overall, I would recommend this place to others. Don't be afraid to ask for what you want because they are very willing to accept your requests. Be aware that the seating is a bit tight. But I did enjoy eating at this restaurant for its cleanliness, delicious food, and friendly employees.
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