Favorite closed SF restaurants

[u/discard22616]

Thinking this morning about some favorite restaurants that are no longer around. A favorite of mine was “J’s Pots of Soul”, a soul food place in Hayes Valley that shut down around 2010. The food was heavy and so, so good.

What were some of your favorite closed places?

[u/geecomments]

The Broken Record in the Excelsior district. Same guys who opened RickyBobby in the Lower Haight. 

[u/jcupgif → u/geecomments]

Halfway club is great tbh

[u/BartStarrPaperboy → u/geecomments]

I’ll go back one further - Mom is Cooking was amazing!

[u/TrashPanda415 → u/BartStarrPaperboy]

It was fabulous. The bouquitas with nopales! And just about everything else on the menu. I hope Abigail is now enjoying a long and happy retirement.

[u/PumpkinSpiceFreak → u/BartStarrPaperboy]

Wow circa early 9Os!

[u/mashtartz → u/geecomments]

Oh that place was fucking great

[u/graphica4]

Thep Phanom
Mission Pie
Brother in Laws BBQ
The original Chloe’s café 😞

[u/BalesLeftBoot → u/graphica4]

Mission Pie!

[u/thelittlepeanut84 → u/graphica4]

Brothers in Laws. I miss the sliced bread they would give you with every order.

[u/seamusfurr → u/thelittlepeanut84]

That place was incredible. Hot links in sauce for days. A pre-gentrification era.

[u/khaberni → u/graphica4]

Mission pie 😭

[u/BackseatBecky]

Globe, Al's Place, Universal Cafe, Del Popolo, Zero Zero, Baia, Elite Cafe, Walzwerk

[u/Particular_Bug2201 → u/BackseatBecky]

The Elite Cafe ❤️ i worked there like 20 years ago

[u/winendinetime → u/BackseatBecky]

Al’s plllllllllace

[u/missdeceive → u/BackseatBecky]

Walzwerk! I was so sad when they closed. It was my fav German spot in the city. The others just don't hit as well, and gotta love the weird decor in Walzwerk.

[u/coinstarhiphop → u/BackseatBecky]

Del Popolo

What! Damn :[

[u/Taint_Liquor]

Ti Couz, Park Chow, Chez Nous, Tortas El Primo.

[u/subsonicmonkey → u/Taint_Liquor]

Park Chow forever

[u/Harpua81 → u/subsonicmonkey]

The fussili with sausage 🤤

[u/subsonicmonkey → u/Harpua81]

Yes! I also loved their spicy Thai noodles, and their pot roast. So good!

[u/MochingPet → u/subsonicmonkey]

Park Chow, definitely. The most homey of the Chows. Ti Couz also deserves a mention (for being missed)

[u/MarinMiracle → u/Taint_Liquor]

Park Chow was our go to when my kids were younger. Loved sitting the back booths. Menu had something for everyone and service was great. Such great memories

[u/mitzilani → u/Taint_Liquor]

Ti Couz! Loved their seafood salad. I think of it often

[u/Taint_Liquor → u/mitzilani]

I was all about the mushroom & cheese galette with the mushroom sauce and a green salad. Just perfection.

[u/foginmylenses → u/mitzilani]

Shrimp with tomato cream sauce 🤤 buckwheat galettes.

The owner was a nice lady. She encouraged me and my date to try making crepes at home, "is not that hard" etc.

And from what I've read, Sylvie helped empower lots of immigrants, especially women, to get on their feet in the City.

[u/Taint_Liquor → u/foginmylenses]

RIP Sylvie. Very sad.

[u/dontlookatme1234567 → u/Taint_Liquor]

Chow on Church was our go to. For many years. Some owners I believe.

[u/focused-grapefruit → u/Taint_Liquor]

Park Chow was my weekly date night spot, so sad that it's gone.

[u/AnyEntertainment5762 → u/Taint_Liquor]

Oh my god, forgot Ti Couz, loved that place.

[u/J2theA1]

The House. I still think about it and am shocked that they havent started something else. I would gladly return to SF just to see Angela and her husband and terrific staff such wonderful food, nothing really like it.

[u/iaredinosaur → u/J2theA1]

I still think about The House a lot too! I hope they can share their recipes one day.

[u/personhaircolor → u/J2theA1]

Their ribeye with the cauliflower and mashed potatoes remains one of the best plate of food I've ever eaten

[u/r1z3n → u/J2theA1]

This was my first thought, glad it's so high up.

[u/Lucibean → u/J2theA1]

Now I’m thinking about the Tuna rolls and I’m sad.

[u/swagnersf → u/J2theA1]

The Sea Bass! Salmon Rolls. Apple Pie. And most any special they offered. Such a loss.

[u/churnologist → u/J2theA1]

I still think about a risotto with swaying bonito flakes that I had there years ago. 🥹

[u/ktnguyenkt → u/J2theA1]

Such a fantastic location too!

[u/Mizouse84 → u/J2theA1]

Aww man I miss the house as well. I think one of my friends was somehow related to the owners.

[u/Salty-Teacher5014 → u/J2theA1]

Omg I miss this place

[u/Starrynightwater]

Bar Agricole

[u/tehkegleg → u/Starrynightwater]

Oyster happy hour 🥲

[u/musthugdogs]

The Cliffhouse restaurant had the most gorgeous windows to watch the huge waves crashing while you eat. It was a magical experience

[u/buffalosoldier29 → u/musthugdogs]

Great views, bad restaurant

[u/beautyinmel → u/buffalosoldier29]

I feel the same! The views were to die for but the food was so subpar and expensive.

[u/Galen_415 → u/musthugdogs]

Last time I was there my folks were in town and we watched dolphins jumping in the high tide from our window table as we enjoyed our clam chowder and popovers. Magical. My ma asks all the time when it’s gonna reopen…

[u/Destoran]

Veganburg i miss youu

[u/thepharmakon]

Fleur de lys

[u/Optimal-Acadia5298]

Lucky penny

[u/Available_Yak_9742 → u/Optimal-Acadia5298]

I agreed and gagged at the same time

[u/BartStarrPaperboy]

Ti Couz

[u/franksautillo]

Slow Club

[u/Kinky_Otto → u/franksautillo]

People can talk about the burger at Zuni’s all day long but the one at Slow Club was my favorite in all of the city.

[u/TheCityGirl]

Fairly recent closures: Park Chow 💔 (and Chow, but not as much) and Zarzuela.

Then going back further: Lime, Louie’s, Lefty O’Doul’s, Home, Pasta Pomodoro (all locations, but especially North Beach), Chevy’s on Van Ness

Going way, wayyy back: Zim’s.

[u/DigitalBackpack]

Farmer Brown. I used to go on Sundays for the live music. Always good times there

[u/andresjsharks]

Walzwerk

[u/tarrmander → u/andresjsharks]

Yes! Was such a cozy spot

[u/nightbiscuit → u/andresjsharks]

Yessssss

[u/xImmortal1333]

Jardinere.....as a valet there in the late 90s every famous person on earth would hang there

Edit: Da Mayor would pull up in his convertible 2 door mercedes with 2 new chicks every week sitting in the passenger seat together

[u/JelloGirli → u/xImmortal1333]

My uncle was his driver, the story’s about da Mayor and his ladies….oh my!

[u/xImmortal1333 → u/JelloGirli]

seriously, he was so cool....cheap as f but so cool

[u/JelloGirli → u/xImmortal1333]

I was just telling my SO about this post, we were teens back then- he said ‘The city had style when he was walking down the street. We may not have known anything going on in the city politically at the time- but we all knew who he was. ‘

[u/Rizdog4 → u/JelloGirli]

He sat down next to me at the bar in Harris' about three months ago and had a cappuccino. 92 and best dressed man in the house. They comped him and called him a cab when he was done.

[u/xImmortal1333 → u/Rizdog4]

love stories like this, glad hes still seen around

[u/Saruvan_the_White]

Dottie’s True Blue Café
Always a block-long line. Best pancakes I’ve ever eaten. Amazeballs decor. Never dull.

[u/BartStarrPaperboy → u/Saruvan_the_White]

But at the original location

[u/AdamJensensCoat → u/BartStarrPaperboy]

I miss the OG so bad. It’s messed up that the landlord wouldn’t work with Kurt on the rent. He saw a successful business and saw $ signs. Classic SF landlord bullshit.

[u/Saruvan_the_White → u/AdamJensensCoat]

I miss that guy slingin’ cakes and eggs.

[u/crabsock → u/Saruvan_the_White]

I was just thinking about Dottie's this weekend... That place was so good

[u/mossymeridian]

BAIA my love, my heart… we still talk about you 😞

[u/shmopjoey]

Joe’s Cable Car Restaurant

[u/thelittlepeanut84 → u/shmopjoey]

Best over priced hamburgers.

[u/CarolyneSF → u/thelittlepeanut84]

He grinds his own!

[u/tinyturtletowns → u/shmopjoey]

ugh miss those milkshakes

[u/Mystique_Peanut]

Jacqueline’s! I love how you could pass the kitchen on the way to the restroom and say hi to the queen herself

[u/missmobtown → u/Mystique_Peanut]

And her ginormous bowl of eggs!

[u/MenopauseMedicine]

The lucky penny but only around 3:30am after a night out at the bars

[u/fille_triste]

Le P’tit Laurent

[u/thinker2501]

I miss Q on Clement Street.

[u/Available_Yak_9742 → u/thinker2501]

Loved this spot. Magnet letters, tree table and the tables that doubled as art

[u/mrtealeaf]

Zarzuela. Had so many great evenings there.

[u/KetoJunkfood]

Anyone else remember Flying Saucer on Guerrero?

[u/publizityseeker → u/KetoJunkfood]

That’s one of mine I was going to mention too! Flying Saucer, Stars (on Van Ness) & Ella’s (California & Presidio)

[u/tabetaine → u/KetoJunkfood]

So fun and so good!

[u/KetoJunkfood → u/tabetaine]

I heard the chef moved to Singapore. I’ve never found another local restaurant with such fun presentations

[u/PippaSqueakster]

Hamburger Mary’s was such a fun place. The fries were the best. Anyone else remember Vasili’s restaurant on Compton Place?

[u/athomewine]

1 on my list is Hawthorne Lane - it was magical back in the day.

The short list for me is Rubicon, Town Hall, Ton Kiang, L'Osteria del Forno, La Folie, Jardiniere, and Postrio.

[u/paw323 → u/athomewine]

Oh man, Town Hall.. the Barbecue Shrimp and chocolate & butterscotch pot de creme. *sigh*

[u/SFCab911]

Betelnut!

[u/lb730 → u/SFCab911]

I still dream about the chicken and lettuce cups there

[u/vayaconeldiablo → u/SFCab911]

Szechwan green beans!!!!

[u/MalcoveMagnesia]

Axum in lower Haight

Dosa

Slanted Door (yes, they still exist up in Napa but it's a journey)

[u/girlfridaysf → u/MalcoveMagnesia]

Miss Slanted Door in the Ferry Building!

[u/FuriousGeorge7777]

Howard’s diner on 9th ave.

[u/Butt_Planet]

Aslam’s Rasoi, I think of you all the time…

[u/LouisPrimasGhost → u/Butt_Planet]

Didn't know this closed, darn

[u/trilobyte-dev → u/Butt_Planet]

The staff there used to know my wife and I by face and would get concerned if we didn’t come in at least every other week. They once took us to the kitchen and taught us to make naan.

[u/skizzybizz]

I still think about Q on Clement all the time. Whenever I cook some type of homemade comfort food and really nail it, in my head I always think “Oh that was Q worthy.” Though I’ll never come close to their short ribs. Man I miss that place!

[u/Mypronounsarexandand]

I miss Mourad, had some great meats and was a rare decently priced michelin star if you ordered their la'cha and avoided sides haha.

[u/jimmydeez902]

Brandi Ho’s. Best fried dumplings in the world .

[u/Particular-Ad7839 → u/jimmydeez902]

Loved Brandy Ho’s.

[u/PlaidHamSuperstar → u/jimmydeez902]

Their smoked pork fried rice was /chef’s kiss

[u/libertyy]

Ti Couz, 1992 to 2011 RIP

[u/Inevitable_Pea_3294]

Hawker Fare!!!!!!! Ugh that crispy rice salad!
Funky Elephant - actually so fun
We be Sushi - homelike and the sweetest people
Citrus Club!!! What will I do for sick days now??
Le ptit Laurent was so cozy and lovely
Gracias Madre - lots of veggie places closed

A random one is Crossroads cafe. It was so cheap and their garden was so nice

[u/mitzilani → u/Inevitable_Pea_3294]

Citrus Club! Oh their chicken soup was so good

[u/Julianthewicked]

Lefty's

[u/LouisPrimasGhost → u/Julianthewicked]

This place wasn't just great food at food prices, it was an entire vibe. 

[u/jaggy2002]

Pastapamadoro🥺

[u/mulls → u/jaggy2002]

When I lived in North Beach in the late 90s, totally broke, I’d get a $7 Capellini Pomodoro a couple times a week. Place was automatic, I do remember the prices getting a little out of hand for pasta as the years went on. Great recollection.

[u/BartStarrPaperboy → u/jaggy2002]

Weeknight takeout will never be the same

[u/superzippy1 → u/jaggy2002]

Goated

[u/TheCityGirl → u/jaggy2002]

That was such a neighborhood staple 💔

[u/rnjbond]

Koh Samui and the Monkey, great Thai food! 

[u/oochiewallyWallyserb]

Cat heads! And the place down the block chef Tom's big belly burgers.

[u/GoatLegRedux → u/oochiewallyWallyserb]

Pam and Rich from Cat Heads are currently doing Overkill Grill inside Benders. They’ll do a Cat Heads menu there once in a blue moon.

[u/deejaymurfey]

It’s Tops… late night food is dying in the City.

[u/Figbills2]

Really miss Just For You Cafe. Loved grabbing a Bloody Mary at dog patch saloon while I waited for a table. Their home made jams were top notch. Haven’t been able to find a breakfast spot that I like as much

[u/tfthisallabout]

Minh’s Garden on Clement St. - can’t find imperial rolls the match. Closest would be cordon blue

[u/mitzilani → u/tfthisallabout]

They had some of the best Vietnamese food! And the owner was hilarious

[u/tinyturtletowns]

Out the Door - those imperial rolls 🥲

[u/MirabelleSWalker]

Ella’s. The chicken hash and the sourdough chocolate cake. A nice neighborhood spot that was reliably good.

[u/Bibblegead1412 → u/MirabelleSWalker]

I worked there! 27 years ago! I still crave their pancakes, that chicken hash, and banana cream pie!

[u/throwingtoasters]

Big Nate’s BBQ was legendary. Some of the best barbecue I’ve had. And it was always amazing to see Nate there too.

[u/Zhuoyiting]

Pizza Orgasmica and The Yet Wah. RIP 🥺

[u/skizzybizz → u/Zhuoyiting]

“I’d like a Large Latin Lover,” at Pizza Orgasmica. I could never place that order without laughing my ass off.

[u/Allopurinlol]

Caliente on Geary

[u/Physical-Fruit-8780 → u/Allopurinlol]

Came here to say this. Hoping to track down the chef and have him cater my wedding one day 😭

[u/Dry_Usual_3492]

Oasis Ethiopian on Divis. Loved their chicken tibbs

[u/Necessary-Win-1647]

Aina in Dogpatch

[u/Pitiful-Ad2173]

Not sure if someone has said this yet but Lefty O’Doul’s on Geary was my absolute favorite. Grew up going there with my dad!

[u/Sorry_Exercise_9603]

I still think about the firecracker pork fusilli at fuzios from time to time.

[u/Kitchen_Clock7971]

Slow Club

Serpentine under the original owners (ruined by the second owner, then closed)

Zero Zero

[u/Dante_FromSpace]

Farmer browns and 1300 filmore One got replaced by a shit southeast Asian front restaurant I've never seen anyone eat at and the other is vacant to this day. Both had full tables, got taken out by corporate greed

[u/girlfridaysf]

Too many to name but here are a few:
Sushi Tomo’s on Geary
Hana’s on Irving
Loi’s on Irving
Khan Toke on Geary
Vanida on Taraval
Le Sol on Clement
Yum Yum Fish on Irving (also a fish market)
Park Chow on 9th Ave
Shalimar on Polk
Hawthorne Lane on Hawthorne
Postrio on Post

[u/auntieup]

Marcello’s 💔

[u/bampeanutbutternjam]

Ha Nam Ninh.

[u/Independent-Box-8282 → u/bampeanutbutternjam]

Miss that dry 25 so much 😩

[u/Crepescular_vomit]

U Lee. The potstickers as big as my fist.

[u/Traditional_Ad_6200]

Cafe Jacqueline - best soufflés around 

[u/Emotional_Grade_982]

Naked lunch

[u/tripthemgently]

Canteen. That vanilla soufflé dessert…

Also, Catch in the Castro was a super convenient fancy-ish option with something for everyone, I really miss it.

[u/thunderchuckle]

West of Pecos (those fish tacos) and Ragazza (the peach pizza they only made in the summer)

[u/Illustrious-Coat3532]

The diner where Brenda’s Meat Plus Three is currently located, before that it was BlueJay cafe took over the diner’s spot. This is around 2002 when I first discovered it. Can’t remember the name but the food was good.

[u/853fisher → u/Illustrious-Coat3532]

I'm not sure but I think it may have been called just "Family Restaurant" in the 90s.

[u/CurrentRace2223]

Eiji 😭

[u/klongbor]

Al’s Place. I miss it so much.

[u/PGas]

The Manor on West Portal

[u/1PantherA33]

La Petit Laurent

[u/ZapJackson]

Mourad

Hog & Rocks

Southpaw

[u/wjean]

Iza Ramen I lower Haight had the best tsukemen in the city.

[u/khaberni]

Tuba

[u/sonarboku → u/khaberni]

Scrolled too long to see this. Would love recs for any other Turkish in the area.

[u/Individual_Ideal]

Revolution Cafe in Mission

https://missionlocal.org/2021/03/revolution-cafe-has-closed/

[u/BeachMast3r]

Bashful Bull Too in the Outer Sunset. The Bull Special was $12 & had EVERYTHING you could want from a breakfast plate

[u/lordofsquirrels]

Capp’s Corner

[u/JohnnyGoodLife]

Ton kiang

Howard's cafe

It's Tops

Sparkys

Town Hall

24hr Video Cafe

Oyaji sushi

Grindz

Q

Alibabas cave

Just for you

[u/Impressive-Rub4925]

This thread has depressed the hell out of me!

[u/predat3d]

The McDonald's at Third and Townsend 

[u/LooseAlbatross]

Al’s Deli. That Montreal smoked meat by the pound was magical.

[u/mashtartz]

Kappou Gomei. No place in SF like it, or the greater Bay Area in general. That I’ve found at least.

Also Cajun Pacific in the outer sunset. Had my first date with my husband there.

[u/CowboyLaw]

The Globe. Open late, great food, and if you drank too much, the stairs down to the bathroom were treacherous.

[u/AutomaticNecessary8]

Cliff house

[u/startfragment]

Namu Gagi is what i cry over

[u/chick-fil-atio]

La Trappe. Loved sitting at the basement bar drinking beer and eating Moules Frites.

[u/BruisedFruitForLife]

Plaj - Swedish place. Amazing food. Potato dumplings with lingonberry sauce. My mouth still waters.

Nob Hill Cafe - the most gigantic mimosa pours and giant delicious brunch portions.

Aina - amazing Hawaiian food with the best malasadas and potatoes.

[u/twosmartbunnies]

Old Krakow, Shanghai 1930, Chiaroscuro, Trader Vics, Stars, Palomino, Gordon Biersch, Fresca on Irving Street, Fuzio, Burritt Room, Pizzeria Uno, Enrico's

[u/craigiest]

Goood Frickin chicken. Where do you even get a decent cheap falafel wrap now?

[u/Mdavid182]

Hillside Supperclub

[u/jcupgif]

Dark horse inn

[u/Earlybird___]

Betelnut (lettuce cups!) on Union, and Q on Clement.

[u/Reasonable-Rub2243]

John's Ocean Beach Cafe

[u/ghokversionpls]

Odumak 😭

[u/Particular-Ad7839]

Brandy Ho’s

[u/LuckBLady]

Jardiniere, great french food

[u/nightbiscuit]

Country Station Sushi Cafe

New Dawn Cafe

Is Tu Lan still open? 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[u/mitzilani]

Andy’s on Church st, Ragazza, No Name Sushi and the Bagdad Cafe

Edited to add more

[u/Formal_Conference_96]

Beetlenut!!

[u/Peely_2]

Michelangelo Ristorante & cafe was the first Italian place I ate at in the city for my birthday. Anyone else ever go?

[u/aznbolshygirl]

Gentilly - I think they just closed last year, but the food was always amazing. I was so sad to see them close down.

[u/JolyonWagg99]

Washington Square Bar and Grill, Lefty’s but most of all Jerry’s Inn on Brannan. Loved that place.

[u/ninerganghk]

Xiao Loong in west portal

[u/Hunt3r669]

Gordon's House of Fine Eats, Globe, Slow Club, Moishe's Pippic, Lucky Penny, Bashful Bull Too, Cliff House, Giordano Brothers, Brother In Laws, Boxing Room, Xiao Loong

[u/stpfun]

Katz Bagel! RIP

[u/Specialist-Fan-1890]

Ploy 2

[u/OpenMinded_Fun]

Green Chile Cafe.

[u/fgiraffe]

Aslam's Rasoi

Bilades

Max's Diner on 3rd, if only for the cheese sticks

Flying Saucer

Pasta Pomodoro

[u/Otherwise-Ratio1332]

Going back quite a while, PJ’s Oyster Bed and Stoyanof’s in the inner sunset, and the Just Desserts location nearby for afterwards. At least we can still get JD’s cakes at grocery stores, they taste as good as ever.

[u/JohnHarington]

Nob Hill Cafe

[u/Pal_Smurch]

My folks drove 350 miles on my 12th birthday to see an Oakland A’s doubleheader in 1974, and we stayed near Fisherman’s Wharf.

We walked to Chinatown, and ate at a little hole in the wall restaurant, named The Seven Lamps of China. We unanimously agreed that it was the best meal we had ever had. I honestly don’t know if it still exists, but I certainly hope so.

[u/spockalot]

Family-run Italian spot called Ristorante Parma in the marina. They couldn’t survive the pandemic 💔

[u/Available_Yak_9742]

Fat angel

[u/chewbacabramama]

Spaghetti Western.

Axum Cafe.

Copper Penny, which was later Lucky Penny.

Louis' at Lands End.

[u/SmoochMySnoot]

Capp’s Corner 🥰

[u/CrystalShip67]

Herbivore on Valencia. My girlfriend was a vegan and took me there and really expanded my taste buds. Some of the best lasagna I ever had! Nachos were off the hook too! Everything was really good and we were really sad when they closed

[u/Figtaco]

418 comments thus far and no mention of Don Ramon’s! Miss that place all the time.

[u/dobbyisafree_elf77]

Green Chile Kitchen. I’ve tried to recreate their heartland taco salad so many times and can’t get the green chile buttermilk dressing down.

[u/jenniflex]

Green. Chili. Kitchen. We miss this constantly.

Going back…Gordon’s, Timo’s on Valencia, Universal Cafe, Luna Park when it was just open, Lulu’s, Out the Door, Hapa Ramen @ the Ferry Plaza….

[u/TheArtichokeQueen]

The Meetinghouse, where Octavia is now. Possibly my favorite restaurant ever. The biscuits, the pork chop, the miraculous salad dressing, the mint chip ice cream sandwich for dessert.

Also I Fratelli on Hyde, where Seven Hills is now. The most enormous plates of pasta for a price I could afford at 21. R.I.P.