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]
I really don’t like this news.
That’s potentially a major bummer.
Let’s hope it’s just a rat infestation or other minor health code issue.
I got food poisoning from that place once, but that was over ten years ago.
It’s being remodeled (about time) and they’re making it handicap accessible. Breathe, folks.
I hope you’re right. Source?
ADA compliant, my bad.
The owner is my client.
Thanks for the info.
Why wouldn’t they list signage/voicemail indicating they’re closed for renovations? Might want to let them know that would probably the best move and require very little effort.
Already did. The sign will be changed.
The guy who posted it isn’t exactly savvy to what is going on in this ‘hood. (Owner’s brother-in-law).
The city owns this building btw, so no one in it is losing their lease.
Cool, thanks for providing all the clarification here.
Not completely accurate to say the building is owned by the city. It’s owned by the non-profit Housing Development & Neighborhood Preservation Corporation. Doubtlessly they are supported financially by the city and are therefore going to be responsive to City Hall; but they could always sell if they were short of cash…
The vigil has begun
http://i.imgur.com/SS4Hx2T.jpg
Hopefully last week will not be the last time I heard, “Hello Young Man”
I love that guy!
I hope he’s wearing his Versace belt too!
Yup, enjoy that $20 lobster-sushi-fusion taco “pop-up” featuring German beer flights that takes its place. San Francisco is not a nice place to live any more. You want more evidence? Stay tuned.
it’s funny to see the naive young warriors who just moved here freak out anytime a restaurant closes because they haven’t been around long enough to recognize that restaurants close all the damn time in the city and it’s nothing new nor a sign of the apocalypse.
It’s funny to see naive old people (or whatever) think that things aren’t happening in a completely different manner this time and that long time businesses are not closing at an exponentially greater rate as a result of the tech economy and increased wealth inequality in this city.
Zing!!
+1,000,000 to this.
If someone has been around a long time and keeps saying “this happened before,” “this always happens,” “it’s a boom and bust city, bro,” “this is just like last time,” it is a 95% bet they are living in their 2003-era rent controlled apartment, which they can now afford without roommates, and thus are completely isolated from what it actually takes to live in this town now.
Moved here in the late ’90s, and this is nothing like last time.
there were plenty of Chicken Littles the last time too, definitely not a great place to live if changes in your environment cause anxiety and panic.
lol I’m on your side but I’m old too
As much as I don’t want to see another affordable restaurant gone in SF, I never thought their food was any good.
Their Pho is very good — the rest of the stuff is nothing special.
Yeah, one in Potrero is way better than this joint. Thanh Tam > Sunflower in Mission, too.
Oh no shit, is that the same place as the one on 18th in Potrero? I seriously love the Potrero one
Yes, and it’s only closing for renovations.
Did anyone read Susie’s comment? Fucking chill, babies. As easy as it is to be pessimistic, this sounds like it has a happy ending.
It does. They’re changing the sign too. I saw Grace today (the owner) and her dim brother-in-law made the sign and voicemail message. He literally has zero idea of what is happening in this neighborhood. :/
The city owns this building so no one is losing their lease. The sunflower folks have the place nextdoor too (used to be mariachis) and it’s been empty for four years. That’s why. Makes no sense to me, but it’s obviously working for them somehow.
i don’t think it’s closing, but who cares if it did? not really that good; much like Big Lantern this place thrived off of there being a dearth of good Asian food in the neighborhood and tourists/newjacks thinking it was something special. now there’s Ler Ros, Mau, and Chino right near by. Now I know all those places are evil because they are new and popular and weren’t there 4 years ago when you moved to the Mission, but the food is better and the same price as Sunflower.
Actually, they are much pricier than Sunflower, and they are infinitely douchier.
Just looked at the online menus, they seem to be about the same price, Sunflower is a bit more expensive on some items, it seems that the info you pulled out of your butt may be off.
Aside from sort of preposterous comments re: cost (and I like several of the places you cite, but c’mon now), “Asian” cuisine happens to be more than one thing and represent more than one geography, and none of the above are Vietnamese.
Can’t wait to eat their over priced food again soon!
And why the fuck is this a big deal?