Homeroom Mac & Cheese

The  winner of Oakland Magazine’s Best of 2012 in the Best Dog-Friendly Restaurant (Local) category, Homeroom continues to draw raves in the press for its mac and cheese dishes, but the goodness doesn’t stop there.

You and your canine dining companion can sit at the outdoor tables and watch the world go by on 40th; just ask for biscuits and water for Fido.

Especially for a first visit, we’d suggest going on a weekday or at off-peak hours, as the place can be mobbed at popular times. But when we stopped in for lunch on a Tuesday in July, the vibe was relaxed, the staff friendly, and the food great.