The highlight of the Emeryville Public Market is its giant "food court" type area, which specializes in ethnic foods. There are many different food counters (each is a separate business). Each member of the family can pick their favorite; each of you can eat food from a different country all at the same meal. Overhead you will find many international flags displayed. One of the businesses is a salad bar (you make your salad and pay by weight) for the more health-conscious.
This is NOT a fine dining experience, but its a fun place to eat because of the variety. You take your tray and find a seat - just like you might in a mall food court. The chairs are those white plastic lawn-furniture types and the tables can be dirty at times. When it is busy you will probably have to share a table with strangers (each dining group will stick to its own end of the table). The food is not exactly cheap, considering the budget-style atmosphere of the place but it IS reasonably priced and a decent value. (Similar price or slightly more expensive than a typical fast-food meal.)
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