When restaurateur Jay Porter moved from San Diego, he and his wife, Katie, looked for a diverse, affordable community where they could put down roots.
“We liked Fruitvale a lot,” he said. Having lived previously in Baja, “we were really comfortable living in a Spanish-speaking neighborhood.” In 2014, they opened The Half Orange at Fruitvale Public Market, serving fresh beer and sustainably-raised food, all sourced from regional producers.
“We felt from our previous experience that selling local craft beer and burgers was something that would cut across all the cultures that live here,” said Porter.
“Our goal is to get the beer in front of you at the best possible quality,” said Porter, who buys direct to make sure the product has “been taken care all the way from the brewery to here.”
Depending on the distributor, kegs can be stored in direct sunlight or unrefrigerated trucks and warehouses until it’s delivered. ”By the time we get it, it’d be all foamy and disgusting,” said Porter.
“People don’t know how good beer can be,” he explained. “In any region, you can have a lot of ‘good beer,’ but most people have never tasted it at its best.”
The Half Orange sources most of its supply from about 25 Bay Area brewers, including Fruitvale’s own Ale Industries, Faction Brewing in Alameda, and Social Kitchen and Brewery in San Francisco’s Inner Sunset.
“For a long time, it felt like you needed to be 'in the club' if you wanted to go enjoy the beer,” said Porter, “but the thing that we’re really about is that it’s for everybody. We’re going to give you a very fresh, every delicious beer that at its best quality.”
The Half Orange employs about a dozen workers, many of whom live in Fruitvale, said Porter; instead of tipping, a 20 percent service charge is added to each meal. The restaurant, which includes indoor and outdoor seating, accommodates 80 diners and is available for private events.
Although burgers make up nearly 20 percent of their orders, the menu offers a wide range of choices, including the Flying Saucer (a savory pancake with veggies and several meat options), tacos, sandwiches, and distinctive sides like cheese curds and chicken chicharrones. Brunch specials are available on weekends.
On Mondays, all drafts are $3.80; normally $40, bottles of wine are $25 on Wednesdays. Through January 29, The Half Orange is offering a $20 prix fixe menu to mark Oakland Restaurant Week.
“It’s a scratch kitchen, so we use grass-fed beef and we’re making everything by hand,” said Porter. “We’re trying to bring high-quality ingredients and handmade food at a price point that’s approachable for people who go out every now and then,” he added. “I think beer is a big part of that.”
“We’re going to help you discover how great local beer can be,” he said. “It’s delicious, good with food, and it’s fun for us to be ambassadors to people who haven’t had a ton of experience.”
The Half Orange (510-500-3338) is located at Fruitvale Public Market and is open from 11am to 9pm Monday - Thursday and until 11pm on weekends. Delivery is available via Caviar and DoorDash; for takeout orders, email [email protected].
