North Berkeley’s “Gourmet Ghetto” is considered the birthplace of California cuisine. It’s where the original Peet’s Coffee is located, and the neighborhood is home to Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse. For years, the culinary nickname remained a part of the neighborhood’s identity, until a new coffee shop owner said he wanted it to change, pointing to its offensive, racial context. Now, the neighborhood business association has decided to remove the name from its branding, but residents still seem split on whether the name is problematic enough to change.

Sarah Han, editor of Berkeleyside's Nosh.