Between courses: mystery food Ode to franchises of yesteryear Chuck wagon-ing Taste of a decade: 1940s restaurants Just cause it looks bad doesnt mean its good The other Delmonicos Between courses: Beard at Lucky Pierres Basic fare: spaghetti Famous in its day: The Maramor Between courses: wheres my butter? Life in the 19th century was chaotic and unpredictable in so many respects, but the weird and eventful life and restaurant career of the highly enterprising Mark Langdon Winn, with its succession of ups, downs, and strange twists, would stand out in any century. Michael . It was the era of hippies, bohemians, buskers, bongo-drum players, and jewelry makers. Three Italians originally opened Tosca in November 1919. Its worth a trip, just to say that a visit has been made to where it all (allegedly) began. fisherman's wharf and restaurants / pier and fishing / fishermans wharf on august 20 . Blancos was also a favorite after-theater spot for men and women who enjoyed a cold bot and hot bird as a light supper of champagne and quail was referred to in those days. San Francisco is home to an impressive number of Burmese restaurants but the first and, therefore, oldest is Mandalay, the Richmond District institution that opened in 1984. Levy brought innovations, switching to machine production of candy in 1949 and, a few years later, introducing a successful 10-cent candy bar for sale in vending machines. By the way, La Taq is also the only taqueria to have made The Chronicle's Top 100 Restaurants list - from 1996 to 2008. As far as his many business schemes went, he never stuck with any of them for long, restaurants included. 1970s, 1980s, Italian American Cafe, San Francisco Little Italy from the Kinolibrary Archive Film Collections. But no burrito-maker has garnered more praise than La Taqueria, where they have a slight variation from traditional Mission style with the exclusion of rice. It too had murals, never completely finished and lacking the inspiration of those at the earlier Black Cats, despite Maynard Dixons participation once again. This is not necessarily about the places that are extremely trendy, tourist traps or overhyped. The murals themselves were at some point scrubbed off or painted over by the landlord. The cioppino is highly regarded. Cecilia Chiang, 95, is a celebrated Chinese American. 1906, view east. Mannings Coffee Cafe: This popular diner from the middle of the 20th century had fabulous signage and offered a classic breakfast diner scene that is now lacking in San Francisco. It was located near the notorious Barbary Coast area of the city. But if you go to eat, Bauer was especially impressed with the sole during his visit a few years ago. Prohibition in 1919 was indeed a blow to fine dining establishments such as Blancos. The first Original Joes opened on Taylor Street in 1937 by Tony Rodin, who was grandfather of current owner John Duggan. Pictured: Former owner of Red's Java House Tom "Red" McGarvey stands in front of the port side cafe during the latter years of ownership. St. Francis Fountain (1918): The most kid-friendly choice on this list, and one of the least pretentious. How close we are to bringing lights back. These amazing photos will take you back to the 1970s San Francisco. $19.99 + $5.33 shipping. What Dallas looked like in the 1950s Through these Fascinating Historical Photos, What Austin, Texas looked like in the 1970s Through These Fascinating Photos, Rare Historical Photos Of old Mobile, Alabama From Early 20th Century, Stunning Historical Photos Of Old Memphis From 20th Century, What El Paso, Texas, looked like at the Turn of the 20th Century. The fate of the restaurant is unknown but it did not achieve fame as he had done in San Francisco [1864 advertisement]. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, This photo, which was taken around 1910, showshis grandfather at a Sperry Flour meeting inthe interior of the Old Poodle Dog Cafe, was sent courtesy of John Stutz, President of the Sacramento River Delta Historical Society. Haight-Ashbury was a neighborhood where most of the things were free. Yamalo Sukiyaki House restaurant in the Chinatown neighborhood of San Francisco, California, 1978. . We all remember when La Taquerias carnitas super burrito, dorado style, was named the best burrito in the country by FiveThirtyEight. In Spring 1856, he and his new business partner dissolved their partnership with the partner taking over the business. Restaurants of 1936 Regulars Steakburgers and shakes A famous fake Music in restaurants Co-operative restaurant-ing Dainty Dining, the book Famous in its day: Miss Hullings Cafeteria Celebrating in style 2011 year-end report Famous in its day: Reeves Bakery, Restaurant, Coffee Shop Washing up Taste of a decade: 1910s restaurants Dipping into the finger bowl The Craftsman, a model restaurant Anatomy of a restaurateur: Chin Foin Hot Cha and the Kapok Tree Find of the day: Demos Caf Footnote on roadhouses Spectacular failures: Caf de lOpera Product placement in restaurants Lunch and a beer White restaurants It was a dilly Wayne McAllisters drive-ins in the round Making a restaurant exciting, on the cheap Duncans beefs Anatomy of a restaurateur: Anna de Naucaze The checkered career of the roadhouse Famous in its day: the Aware Inn Waiters games Anatomy of a restaurateur: Harriet Moody Basic fare: salad Image gallery: tally ho Famous in its day: Pign Whistle Confectionery restaurants Etiquette violations: eating off your knife Frenchies, oui, oui Common victualing 1001 unsavorinesses Find of the day: Steubens Taste of a decade: 1850s restaurants Famous in its day: Wolfies Good eaters: me The all-American hamburger Waitress uniforms: bloomers Theme restaurants: Russian! Her nickname Buttsky, which referred to her habit of saving cigarette butts, appears in the hall of fame of names that run beneath the black cats. A writer in the March 1854 issue of The Pioneer wondered Why there are not a dozen or two broken necks there daily.. . High on any list of San Francisco classics and SFs oldest restaurant, Tadich was founded in 1849. Reds Java House has a fascinating history, To please customers during prohibition, the Tosca owners brought in cappuccino machines to steam milk for what would become the bar's two famous drinks, the house cappuccino (simply hot chocolate and steamed milk with Brandy) and the White Nun (steamed milk, brandy and kahlua), a drink the late Carol Doda used to sip regularly during breaks between her gigs at the Condor Club, according to. The current owners, the Buich family, have been involved in the restaurant since 1912 and purchased the restaurant from owner John Tadich in 1928. San Franciscans nearly lost this more-a-century-old institution during the pandemic, but now the Old Clam House is back and serving boatloads of fresh seafood on Bayshore Drive. Spotting the detectives but not knowing who was under surveillance, Blancos manager went from table to table notifying all the guests of the detectives at work. No young-thing to the Mission burrito scene, La Taq has been run by Miguel Jara and his family since 1973. Tadich has moved several times since it first opened, but the restaurant spent more than 50 years on Clay Street before it openedin 1967at its current location in the heartof the Financial District at 240 California Street. Vegetarianism goes back centuries, but it wasn't until the 1960s and 70s that vegetarian cuisine started to generate more public recognition. Heres where California reservoir levels stand after this weeks rains. The Fountain Head was not fancy. The names of Coppas regulars are interspersed with those of famous writers such as [Johann Wolfgang] Goethe, [Franois] Villon, and [Guillaume] Apollinaire. In the end, theres a classic San Francisco restaurant for every mood, ranging from seafood joints, diners, taquerias, clubby wood-paneled rooms, and anything else a lover of old-school dining could want. 15 Restaurants That Nail Delivery in San Francisco. Restaurant history quiz (In)famous in its day: the Nixons chain The checkered life of a chef Catering to the rich and famous Famous in its day: London Chop House Who invented Caesar salad? . Levy sold his shares in Blums in 1952 and resigned as head, but the number of stores continued to grow under a succession of new owners. In addition to endless varieties of chocolate candies, Blums also specialized in ice cream, including its fresh spinach flavor, ice cream desserts, baked goods such as Koffee Krunch cake, fruit and vegetable salads, Blumburgers, and triple decker sandwiches. It ended badly, California snowpack hits highest level this century for March, Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). Atmosphere Taste of a decade: 1840s restaurants Eating Chinese Park and eat Thanksgiving quiz: dinner times four Dining sky-side Habenstein of Hartford Back of the house: writing this blog Image gallery: supper clubs Restaurant cups Truth in Menu Every luxury the markets afford See it, want it: window food displays Time to sell the doughnuts Who was the mystery diner? The story says those famous house cappuccino machines are still never used to actually make beverages with espresso. Since 1965, Tommys Mexican Restaurant has been owned by the Bermejo family, who are always quick with a warm welcome. You can read about several of the awards she earned in these roles on her LinkedIn page. Since 1977, this cash-only Vietnamese spot has served Sixth Street locals, tourists, industry veterans, and luminaries like this has been verified Julia Child. Since the beginning the restaurants had a long history of women leaders including founding chef Deborah Madison, Annie Somerville, and current executive chef Katie Reicher, who continues the legacy of showcasing seasonal vegetables grown on nearby farms. Restaurant-ing al fresco A chefs life: Charles Ranhfer The (partial) triumph of the doggie bag Early chains: John R. Thompson Anatomy of a restaurateur: Mary Alletta Crump Laddition: on discrimination Between courses: dining with reds Banqueting at $herrys* Who invented lobster Newberg? His family sold it last year, but the new owner, SF native Chris Henry (who also owns Barrel House in Sausalito), A setting in author Dashiell Hammetts "The Maltese Falcon," John's Grill has walls covered in SF memorabilia and photos of famous dinner patrons (the lengthy list is proudly displayed on the restaurants. Early vegetarian restaurants Famous in its day: Blancos Blue plate specials Basic fare: club sandwiches Gossip feeds restaurants Image gallery: business cards Restaurant row At the sign of the . Soon the downward slide began. The second Cliff House survived the 1906 earthquake only to be swallowed in flames a year later. The restaurant also has a series of banquet rooms, such as the 'Godfather room,' available to hire. There were, cable cars, neon lights lined up the buildings that glow at night, theaters on every block, and the food was served on the streets, crabs, and lobsters were also served on the streets. Its candy counters in department stores such as I. Magnin, Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus, and others were not run by Blums. Doggie Diner: When our school bus drove by the Doggie Diner on the way to a field trip at the San Francisco Zoo, I would look down at my sad bologna sandwich with American cheese and swear Id eat at Doggie Diner someday. Pictured: Tom Sancimino (left), Steve Sancimino and Darin Samuel work the counter. Sliced-to-order pastrami sandwiches and buffalo stew (pictured). Though the murals remained in existence for scarcely a year, because of the devastating fires that followed the earthquake of April 1906, they have been forever tied to the restaurants mystique. In 1914 Blancos boldly advertised that it was the finest caf in the United States.. Your email address will not be published. Since the late 1950s Blums had passed through the hands of various majority stockholders. The interior atTommy's iscluttered with a hodgepodge of memorabilia including signs, photos, stuffed animal heads andbeer steins. You can see our selection of the "true classics" in the above slideshow. After his retirement he took up painting, focusing on portraits of men such as business magnates, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, and poet George Sterling. Fior dItalia has settled at 2237 Mason St. after several moves during its lifetime including at least two forced by fire. To use social login you have to agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. The operator of a booth selling crepes at Illinois county fairs reported that hardly anyone bought them and that some fairgoers referred to them as creeps or craps. When Coppa moved to Pine Street, a new row of cats appeared, but now marching in the opposite direction. Tea at the Mary Louise Restaurant-ing as a civil right Once trendy: tomato juice cocktails Famous in its day: Thompsons Spa The browning of McDonalds Eating, dining, and snacking at the fair A Valentine with soul (food) Down and out in St. Louis Serving the poor For the record The ups and downs of Frank Flower Famous in its day, now infamous: Coon Chicken Inn Nothing but the best, 19th cen. On Christmas Day, 1894, a fire destroyed the building. This famous waterfront dive on Pier 30started in the 1930s as Francos Lunch, catering to local longshoremen and sailors. Photos by Momo Chang. He and Piantanida split up, and for a short time Piantanida conducted a restaurant called La Boheme in the space formerly occupied by Coppas. Gavin Newsoms PlumpJack Group, then Balboa Cafe is indeed a venerable place to grab an excellent burger or belly up to the well-worn wooden bar to chat with a bartender over a nitro espresso martini. A bar that welcomed Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin back in the day now welcomes everyone who walks through their doors. We didn't include this one in this "classics" slideshow when we first ran it, but quite a few readers reminded us it's one that we couldn't omit. It appears she continued to run the business of making and selling baked goods and confectionery until 1859. The original "Falcon" replica, seen here in 2005, was stolen from John's Grill in 2007. It burned in 1940. Before going to California he owned two grocery stores in Boston. Paoli's at 575 Commercial St in San Francisco, CA (1975) comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment In 1956, in addition to Blum's four San Francisco locations (Polk St., Fairmont Hotel, Stonestown, and Union Square), there were stores in Carmel, Pasadena, Beverly Hills, Westwood, and San Mateo and three more planned to open soon in Palo Alto, San Rafael, and San Jose. The few women named are hard to identify since their last names do not appear, but Maisie was freelance writer Mary Edith Griswold and Isabell was allegedly a newspaper writer. Burrito historians claim that the first-ever Mission-style burrito was assembled in 1961 at El Faro, then a grocery store owned by Febronio Ontiveros. The hotel soon relocated to another city in Nevada and he lost his investment. Fior d'Italia, 2237 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA, USA, +1 415 986 1886 It may never get built, Hit bean company Rancho Gordo embroiled in discrimination lawsuit, San Francisco citizens once traveled by gondola. A golden era for hippies.. there was a lot lot of nudity in the 60s and 70s, which im missing here. For this list, some ground rules were established: Each spot must be a full restaurant (no bars or one-item spots like ice cream places or coffee shops), each must have opened before 2000, and each must offer something special (a significant bit of history, a spectacular view, or a standout dish, for example). Long Wharf (aka Commercial Street) was hardly a fine location. Martinez is seated at the far right. But things soon turned sour again. You can also e-mail her at jmullins@sfchronicle.com. Just get a cheeseburger and fries, which were added to the menu in 2001 and were the first significant menu addition in 40 years. Editor's note: This is the first installment in an SFGATE series of the "most San Francisco" restaurants. A restaurant reviewer in 1986 dismissed crepes as forgotten food served only in conservative restaurant markets. In 1860 they moved to the boomtown Virginia City, Nevada, where silver had just been discovered. The city had only 500 people in 1847, jumping to 410K in 1906 thanks to the ol' Gold Rush. He spent his final days in the Alms House on Blackwell Island where he was described as suffering from religious mania. It also came out that his father had been an alcoholic. By 1947, the business was in good shape, reporting sales of over $3.5M, most of it coming from the Polk Street store, and the rest from sales in department stores and mail orders. El Faro was reportedly the first to serve the super burrito, with the addition of sour cream, guacamole and rice, in 1961. Blums candy continued to be produced for years despite the brand being acquired by a Kansas City MO company in 1983. Does he want somewhere historic with classic old-school San Francisco vibes? He covers Bay Area culture, co-hosts the Total SF podcast and writes the archive-based Our SF local history column. These are the San Francisco establishments long-known for their greasy fare or classic martinis. Also, don't forget to check out the video showcasing San Francisco in the magical decade. The second floor of John's Grill has a Falcon shrine, complete with a knock-off of the statue used in the "Maltese Falcon" film noir classic. The Polk street store also had a confectaurant, as its combination soda fountain + candy counter + bakeshop + restaurant was known. The skyline was unmarked by the hideous new buildings. A luxurious Blums opened in 1959 at Wilshire and Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills [shown above]. Forget about the fact that its in touristy Fishermans Wharf. Here it is served with creamed spinach, mashed potatoes, baked potato and topped with au jus. Many locals love to eat at this San Francisco institution before attending the symphony, opera or another event near the Civic Center. Its presented as a triumphal success, when really its a boom and bust story sadly common in the restaurant business. It was known worldwide for hippies and radicals. The Sal Sancimino family has run the place since 1946 with many nods to tradition. For either a power lunch or a romantic night out (make sure to sidle up to the fireplace for the full effect), pair Greek classics like dolmathes and moussaka with a glass of crisp white wine. Peter Hartlaub is The San Francisco Chronicle's culture critic and co-founder of Total SF. Click through this slideshow to find out. Somehow Levy resurrected the business, getting through the Depression, and then sugar rationing during World War II. The New York Blums stayed in business only about six years, and two Oregon units opened in 1967 and 1968 fared even worse. Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission. Hartlaub and columnist Heather Knight co-created the Total SF podcast and event series, engaging with locals to explore and find new ways to celebrate San Francisco and the Bay Area. This survivor at 2801 24th St. stands out from the others because of the pains the owners have taken to preserve the feel of a neighborhood soda fountain. Order up some petrale sole, chicken Jerusalem, or the Sam Spade special (chops, baked potato, sliced tomato) and soak it all in. The Fountain Head was open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to midnight, with a menu that included a wide range of meats and vegetables, along with puddings bearing such homely names as Aunt Sallys and Cousin Janes. Wed love to see a return of Fosters and Clintons Cafeteria as well. Taste of a decade: 1930s restaurants Anatomy of a restaurateur: H. M. Kinsley Sweet and sour Polynesian Bar-B-Q, barbecue, barbeque Taste of a decade: 1920s restaurants Never lose your meal ticket Beans and beaneries Basic fare: hamburgers Famous in its day: Tafts Eating healthy Mary Elizabeths, a New York institution Fast food: one-arm joints The family restaurant trade Taste of a decade: restaurants, 1800-1810 Early chains: Vienna Model Bakery & Caf When ladies lunched: Schraffts Taste of a decade: 1960s restaurants Department store restaurants: Wanamakers Women as culinary professionals Basic fare: fried chicken Chain restaurants: beans and bible verses Eating kosher Restaurateurs: Alice Foote MacDougall Drinking rum, eating Cantonese Lunching in the Bird Cage Cabarets and lobster palaces Fried chicken blues Rats and other unwanted guests Dining with Duncan Basic fare: toast Department store restaurants Roadside restaurants: tea shops Tipping in restaurants Rewriting restaurant history Basic fare: ham sandwiches Americas first restaurant Joels bohemian refreshery. The menu changes daily, but stick to the seafood, especially since they never serve frozen fish here. In 1948 the Colony in New York City served Crepes Colony with a seafood filling. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Your email address will not be published. Though mostly (and justly) known for its Irish coffees, the Buena Vista Cafe also has a decent breakfast and lunch offering, with views of the Bay. Home of the San Francisco Chronicle's archive and more than 150 years of journalism covering the Bay Area and beyond. She built Zunis reputation with her burgers, Caesar salad, bloody Marys, and of course, the famous roast chicken for two with bread salad. [Photo shows the altered restaurant building front, much of it bricked in including the large center window above the door which now supports a sign; the building to the left was Blancos Annex hotel. Good-bye to good old times. Another notable feature of the Pine Street murals were two works by a woman, painter and jewelry designer May Mott-Smith. It's about finding a mix of restaurants with the essence of San Francisco that are cutting-edge, iconic and popular among locals. Collections; . At Bush and Belden in the Financial District this is another one of the city's oldest restaurants. This one-of-a-kind SF eatery was founded in 1947 by Tommy Harris. Next he went to New York City where in 1843 and 1844 he manufactured and sold a cure-all product called Winns Irish Vegetable Relief Candy, good for weakness of the chest and lungs, liver complaint(s), asthmatic affection, impurities of the blood, dyspepsia and all bowel complaints.. At The Sale Hunt you will find all the information you need for whatever question comes into your mind. Eddy & Mason Sts. San Francisco, CA 94124 (415) 826-4880 More Information This old school favorite is located in the Bayview District of San Francisco and has been home to the city's best clam back since. And the house cappuccino, of course. The grandiose building boasted a 200-foot tower topped by an observation deck. Despite economic woes (recession and inflation), the energy crisis, urban decline, crime, and escalating restaurant prices, restaurant-going continued to rise. When she's not working, her favorite things to do are hike in Marin County and take dance classes, especially Samba, Afro-Brazilian and Salsa Rueda, throughout the Bay Area. It changed owners (within the same family) but continues to offer Southeast Asian specialties including mango chicken, Burmese curry beef, and fish chowder. The super-dry gin martinis are legendary, and the rye Manhattan also garners praise. A row of stenciled black cats at the original location, by Xavier Martinez, was inspired by Le Chat Noir in Paris, the city where Martinez had studied painting. Fires were frequent occurrences in San Francisco and he was burned out at both of his initial locations in less than a year. Pictured: The current incarnation of the Cliff House after its 2003 restoration. Poodle Dog: Not only was the French food at this five-story 1800s restaurant hailed as the best in the city; there were dining rooms with beds, so stuffed customers could sleep off their wine-drenched meal. Magic Pans were closing all over, and by the time the 20-year old Magic Pan on Bostons Newbury Street folded in 1993, very few, if any, remained. Courtesy of OpenSFHistory.org. The first, Owl/Rexall Drugs, was followed by the California-based chain Uncle Johns Pancake House. 1983 The Food Marketing Institute reports that 2/3 of all fish consumed in the U.S. is eaten in restaurants. Open since 1976, Khan Toke says that its one of San Franciscos first Thai restaurants. The Mission burrito is an undeniable San Francisco classic, but there are so many places to pick from! That's when I realized picking the most "San Francisco" restaurant, with no other parameters, is not an easy task. Janis Jopin rented an apartment next door to Tommy's in 1964, according to Chronicle archives. Heres who has offered big bucks so far. Whether its your first visit to Fishermans Wharf or your first this week, theres no better bayside dining experience to be found in the infamously tourist-clogged destination than Scomas. San Francisco is considered one of the greatest restaurant towns in the World. From the collection of Bob Bragman. Years later, in a Poughkeepsie NY newspaper story of 1878, Mark Winn would blame the failure of his San Francisco restaurants on employees who robbed him. The North Beach Original Joes interior emulates the first Joe's, complete with big red booths, but it also has a bit of a modern twist. 14 Buzzy Coffee Cocktails Around San Francisco and the East Bay, A Guide to Election Day Freebies and Specials in the Bay Area. 17 San Francisco Restaurants With Spectacular Views, 17 Fresh Seafood Restaurants in San Francisco. Castro This was taken two months after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. Reading the tea leaves Is ethnic food a slur? Just like the original photograph the art project sits below the Cliff house along Ocean Beach in San fRancisco, Calif. on Sept. 5, 2008. There's nothing quite like a burger and a beer at this outdoor spot on the Embarcadero (since 1955), preferably consumed before heading over to the ballpark for a Giants game. Fior dItalia (1886): We found an advertisement for Fior dItalia in The Chronicle right beside one for Tadich Grill. Alice Waters opened Chez Panisse in North Berkeley more than 40 years ago, in August 1971. Here's the Cliff House's third structure, seen on Dec. 28, 1965 as big waves pound the base of the Cliff House. It spawned a variety of Joes outposts in the Bay Area, including Original Joes No. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1970 Press Photo Girls Wade Beneath San Francisco Cliff House Restaurant at the best online prices at eBay! Finde more about San Francisco In 1970S at thesalehunt.com 17 Fresh Seafood Restaurants in San Francisco Greens The landmark vegetarian restaurant opened in 1979 as part of the SF Zen Center. He may have briefly tried to make a comeback at his original address, but in 1859 the Fountain Head on Commercial Street and a confectionery run by Eliza Winn were put up for sale. The original Poodle Dog died after Prohibition arrived in 1922, and an attempt at a comeback was lackluster. Sam's Grill was founded in 1867. Ceilings on display The Automat goes country Maitre ds Added attractions: cocktail lounges Lunching at the drug store Lunch in a bus station, maybe Suffrage tea & lunch rooms Image gallery: have a seat! Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password. The family still gets Swan Oyster Depots Dungeness crab from two fisherman whose fathers supplied Sal. San Francisco, 1972 Alfonso Cevola/Flickr People have always been passionate about wineand it goes great with a protest. More on San Francisco restaurants in the Big Event: The first burrito review in Chronicle history, This 1947 Pizza recipe is a culinary travesty, Talk to the Clown: Bay Area fast food in the 1970s. Poodle Dog Restaurant, Flood Bldg., Emporium. All those old cars. On one occasion he was arrested as a public nuisance, wandering the streets of New York wearing armor and a tin helmet (possibly the shampooing device?)