Fuel is the ultimate South Oakland place to eat. It has it all: great beer selection, delicious food (sweet potato fries and chipotle polka are my faves), half-price after 11:00PM, and good atmosphere.
The food here is bar food taken to the next level with fresh and house-made ingredients. There's still plenty of fried stuff, but it's always done with a twist or some kind of strange ingredient to keep it interesting.
The drink menu is full of powerful cocktails (16oz for 6 bucks) - try the 5-speed, you won't regret it. The beer selection is the real star here though, with a constantly rotating tap selection with some real winners, and decent house brews.
Service is spot-on. Bartenders are knowledgeable and helpful.
BOTTOM LINE: Great food and drinks. Half-price after 11. A little step to the left of normal South Oakland fare, and a great place to start or end your night.