Mission Mission

On last week’s Roll Over Easy my fellow Mission Mission contributors Luke and Chris talked about the joys of watching the Blue Angels buzz the city during Fleet Week. They pointed out that there are always complaints about the noise and rattling windows. But there have also been complaints about the cost. Last year KQED suggested that it costs about $1 million to fly the planes over SF. Luke and Chris thought they brought a lot of joy to people, with no specific cost to anyone who wanted to watch (excepting residents’ tax money). Beyond that, I would assume that they’re meant to sustain excitement and support for our military might and justify its spending.

[photo by John 'K']

Personally, I’ve never been a fan of the Angels. Their skill is impressive, but it’s not my thing, and I agree that the noise is annoying in that it’s not opt-in. So, I invite you here to speculate with me about what we could do with one million dollars that would still not really accomplish anything, but would bring joy to all kinds of people around the Bay Area, with no added cost to them.

What would you do? What would you like to see?

Here’s my stab at it: a life sized At-At standing with the Oakland cranes shooting It’s Its all over the Bay Area. Now, I know there are people out there who aren’t Star Wars fans (I’m not), and people who can’t tolerate ice cream (I can’t), but even so, how cool would this be??

[Photo by Gary Liu, via It's Always Sunny in San Francisco]

<3 Bender’s

[Photo by Morgan, via It's Always Sunny in San Francisco]

This weekend is Artbeats at Pier 70! (When the hell else do you get to go to Pier 70??) Should be fun!

Tomorrow is the Bay Area Record Fair at Thee Parkside – Should be fun!

Eater SF reports:

Sunflower, the dual-entrance Vietnamese restaurant that straddles the corner of 16th and Valencia, has long been a favorite amongst Missionites for its solid renditions of classics like garlic noodles and imperial rolls, not to mention reasonable prices that have held firm despite Valencia’s increasing gentrification. But now, Sunflower is mysteriously shuttered, with only a sign on the door reading “We are closed until further notice. Sorry for the inconvenience.” A call placed to the restaurant was answered by a voicemail box with an identical message. A staffer at Sunflower’s sister location in Potrero Hill, which remains open, refused to comment on why the Mission location was closed, or when it might reopen. [link]

[Photo by Angela Rose]

While working on yesterday’s post about the new patio seating at Monk’s Kettle, I started reminiscing about Kelly’s Burger, which was housed in the same spot about a million years ago.

When I was a dirt-poor college student in 2003, a $6 Kelly’s burger was a major once-in-a-blue-moon splurge. And they knew it: On the back of the menu it said, “Not the Cheapest – Just the Best!” Different times. (A burger at Monk’s Kettle, if you add bacon, is $18.)

Here’s the beginning of a Chowhound thread about Kelly’s, started by Chuck McCall on May 14, 2002:

I checked out Kelly’s Burgers the other day, which just opened on 16th St between Valencia and Guerrero. Their menu consists of (drumroll please) mostly hamburgers (including a Texas burger which comes with a fried egg.) They also have chilidogs and sandwiches.

There were only a couple of other people in there (noon on Saturday). The staff was friendly. It’s an order at the counter and they bring it to your seat kind of place. That tall dude who used to work Truly Med. down the block was behind the grill and apparently owns the place.

Oh yeah, that guy! As for pricing:

My total for the cheeseburger, fries and coke was $7.75.

Daaaaamn! I think you could also get a draft beer for $2 at happy hour.

Here’s a pretty good Yelp review by Eggs M.:

I ended up here on a date with the biggest piece of shit asshole you would ever want to have sex with just because he’s got nice arms and laughs a lot. Why, you might ask, do I have sex with these people on the first date anyway??!!! I don’t fucking know. I’ve been doing that since I was sixteen years old, it didn’t work then and it doesn’t work now that I’m old but still lame enough to be taken out for dates to ‘Kelly’s Burgers’. Why does everything have to be such a goddamn fucking nightmare? Should I feel humiliated when I see this guy out with his girlfriend, or just laugh it off? Fuck. Oh, the burgers were good though.

Check out the rest of the menu (via MenuPix) after the jump: (more…)

It’s Anchor Steamy but kinda different. Refreshing on a hot summer day, and probably refreshing on a muggy rainy day too. Hella good.

It’s called Man Lines and it is strangely grim and positively haunting.

[via Megan Brian on Ello]

Culture Collide just announced its schedule, and it looks pretty awesome. Bands from all over the world, playing up and down Valencia Street, and passes are only $20. It’ll be just like Austin: if you don’t like something, you wander a couple doors down and find something else. Plus I don’t think I’ve ever seen bands from Jordan or Poland before.

Check it out: