Mission Mission

Our pal Sarah recently “retired” to Oakland but realized that the only way she could get her SF friends to visit would be to educate them about all the rad things the East Bay shares with the city, so she constructed this comprehensive compendium of comparisons between the various bars, restaurants, and other fun that each side has to offer.  Even your groceries are covered:

Rainbow Grocery (The Mission) / Berkeley Bowl (Berkeley)

Can you imagine Rainbow but twice as large, half as expensive, and with a fantastic meat and seafood selection? If not, go visit Berkeley Bowl, or its newer location, Berkeley Bowl West. The Bowl is an East Bay staple, and can satisfy every hippie, health nut, hipster, and politically conscious bone in your body.

She’s got an Oakland answer for everything from Bender’s and Bi-Rite to Toronado and Tartine, so if you’ve ever been the slightest bit reluctant to venture to the other side, please do read on.

Our buddy Broke-Ass Stuart, who bartends at Evelyn Lee on Thursdays, brings us news regarding the disgustingly beautiful creation known as Frito pie:

What’s a Mission Frito Pie? I’m glad you asked. A Frito Pie is a Texas thing where a serving of Fritos is topped with chili and nacho cheese. While those are great, I’ve decided to put a Mission style twist on it. We’re adding chicharrones, as well as hot sauce like Tapatio or Cholula, to the mix. Honestly, I just tried some and it was amazing. Possibly the best drunk food ever. And we’re giving them out totally FREE.

So, I’m assuming I’ll start seeing all you lovely people on Thursday nights now? I mean, not only are you getting FREE Mission Frito Pies, you can get a shot and a beer for $6. See you soon.

I hope they serve it straight out of snack-sized Frito bags.

Local bartender, musician, DJ, and all-around rad guy Josh Yule was recently interviewed in the SF Examiner, and he had some fairly interesting things to say:

I’m from Florida. I don’t want to piss off my Florida friends. Florida has a different way of thinking. Most people there aren’t forward-thinkers, they’re backward-thinkers. And that’s why I came out this way. I wanted to get as far away from the South as possible. I think I’m a San Franciscan now. I think after 10 years, I have my residency — I hope. I’ve been told by a friend who grew up here that after 10 years, I am a citizen of San Francisco.

I hope he’s right, because that means I’ll be an official citizen soon too!  There are plenty more poignant tidbits, like how to make a French 74 and whether or not the Knockout is haunted, so read on.

[Photo by the talented Beth LaBerge]

Okay, well I was bummed to announce that last weekend’s Haçeteria would be the last Haçeteria at Deco because of Deco’s impending closure or whatever, but now I’m stoked that the owners of one of my perennial favorite places are gonna be doing something new. Here’s what our tipster tells us:

Here’s some news… the four main owners of Benders have just bought a new bar, its called Deco Lounge now in the TL, it changed owners this week and it’s being taken over by Benders.

It’ll have a different name.

The Deco space is great. There’s an entertainment license, three big rooms on the main floor — and I think there’s an upstairs AND a downstairs. I’m sure the Bender’s team will deliver something killer.

[Image by Google Maps]

Bartender mistook “soda water and the check” as “soda water and some Jack.” Oh shit.

— Josh Ellingson (@ellingson) October 24, 2012

Can anybody beat that one?

Just wake me up when it’s time for brunch.

Aren’t weekends in the Mission just grand?

Grub Street has the scoop:

[T]he new bar will have a serious cocktail focus, with a weekly changing cocktail menu, farmers’ market ingredients, and even a Champagne cart on weekends. As for the décor, it’s going to echo the sort of dark-red, heavily draped Victorian interior of their Upper Floor, a set they use at the Armory for a BDSM video site.

[...]

Also, there will be erotic art installations from local artists, and a private lounge that’s available by reservation with its own separate entrance. It also sounds like they’ll be using this private barroom as a launching point for the popular public tours of the Armory.

Champagne cart! Read on.

And if you haven’t watched the short film about the final days of the Ace Cafe, set aside some time this afternoon.

[via Eater SF] [Artist's rendering by Andrew Dalton / SFist]

This just in: the Rite Spot Cafe, one of my favorite spots to grab a burger and watch a Japanese cowboy belt out Jimmy Rodgers tunes, is wrapping up its renovations and opens on September 5th. They are actively booking music acts for the month, so it looks like their nightly live show format will remain the same.

It has been closed for about a year for “serious or repeated violations pertaining to vermin infestation.” Translation: roaches. Well, let’s hope all that was taken care of.

I love the Olympics. They’re campy and absurd, and they’re a glimpse into the superhuman race breeding amongst us. Synchronized swimming or rhythmic gymnastics, anyone? What about that one that involves running, swimming, fencing, riding a horse, and shooting a gun? I call that one “Survival”.

The London 2012 Olympics start this Friday. So which local bars can we watch them in? Tell me, and I’ll compile a list. Ready, set, go! USA!

[Ginny is taking over the Mission Vegan column from Caroline, who moved away for medical school. She loves cats, metal, and kale.]

I’ve only visited Dear Mom for the booze, but I’m well-aware that they also serve food. The problem is that those weekly pop-up dinners, as crazy and creative as they are, are pretty heavy on the meat and cheese. That’s all good for my omnivorous friends, but for a vegan lush like myself, I need something to stabilize all that Maker’s. Sad Vegan™ no more:  This Saturday, Hella Vegan Eats is hosting a pop up dinner and I’m hella excited.

Here’s the Facebook invite!!! Come say hi…if you dare!

UPDATE: