Mission Mission

Eye on the ball

Chris Rock once opined that Richard Pryor was like the Willie Mays of comedy (flashy, fun to watch), while Bill Cosby was more like Hank Aaron (consistent performance). Foraying this analogy into vegan restaurants, then, we have a bunch of Willie Mays-type establishments here in San Francisco (makes sense, Go Giants!), but there’s something to be said for most runs batted in. Cha-Ya is a Hank Aaron, and I mean that as a compliment.

I’ve written before about how my omnivorous friends sometimes grow weary of my suggesting dinner at Cha-Ya. One thing I’ve noticed, though, is that I always seem to have success getting eaters of all stripes to eat at (or get takeout from) Cha-Ya when they’re under the weather. Hey friends, go with me more and maybe you’ll get fewer colds in the first place! It’s not like eating their veggie tempura is a hardship.

While picking up my to-go order tonight, I noticed this sign directed at employees explaining what food they could and could not cook for themselves in the restaurant kitchen. Want to make a vegan feel safe? This is how we do it:

Say hey, kids!



I rarely go to Ritual because I live closer to Four Barrel (and I LOVE it), but I ended up at the former this evening. Ritual’s vegan apple nut bread is very mediocre: nothing is horribly wrong with it, but it’s too sweet, too dry, and has little character. But they sell all their pastries for $1 close to closing time, so at least I didn’t pay more than it was worth!

Next time I’ll just try harder to get to Arizmendi before it closes.

We happened upon this pair en route from the Phoenix to Serrano’s Pizza last night around 10. Were they occupying? Camping out at a stop on a road trip? Were they still there in the morning? So many questions.

Hot new look for the summer – a gently worn, authentic Eddie Bauer bag. Real deal Mission District grime and good times embedded in the thread. Stop being a Chrome drone or Timbuksnoozer and get some stylee. Guaranteed to keep your booze brisk and your tacos crisp while you’re chillin at Dolo parque this summer. Nuff said!

Relatively new pie pusher Mission Pizza has finally published their menu and boy the choices are overwhelming! Three types of Mission themed pies plus a Mexican Mariachi to boot. Somehow though they’ve amazingly been able to procure all toppings at the same cost. No matter your slice, you pay the same price! The only variable in price seems to be pie size. Any theories as to this egalitarian pricing scheme?

Among the many things for sale at the Fair Oaks Street Fair right now!

This old building on 15th and Dolores has been hiked up on stilts for a couple of months now. Wondering why? No, it’s not being relocated to Oakland to be cooler.

The short answer is that someone’s excavating the site for construction of a new building. The long answer involves some crazy-ass history including a Luterhan church founded by Swedes and an arson plot allegedly perpetrated by the Aryan brotherhood.

Intrigued? Read on at Curbed SF.

[photo by dexnandflexn]

Once a year, usually during a particularly warm stretch of days, five blocks of Fair Oaks Street (between Guerrero and Dolores) transforms into a massive garage sale.

And I can’t think of a better setting in which to get your thrift on — this Saturday promises pleasant temperatures in the mid-70s, and Fair Oaks Street always promises to be one of the loveliest tree-and-flower-lined streets this neighborhood has to offer (as well as being a half-block away from the Ames Alley community gallery).

Plus, you can hunt for that perfect Mother’s Day present you may have forgotten to buy.

After Sunday’s fire displaced at least 37 Mission District residents, Ellen from the McCoppin Hub Neighborhood Association writes to let us know:

The San Francisco Friends School at 250 Valencia St is hosting a quick
donation drive [Tuesday] through Friday in their lobby from 8am-6pm daily.
Top requested items are new/gently-used clothing for adults and kids,
toiletries, blankets. (Housewares and other items may be part of a
future drive at another location when the immediate needs have been
met.)

SF Friends School is also hosting a Neighborhood Meeting to discuss
what is needed and co-ordinate efforts on Thursday May 10th, 5-6pm. A
Red Cross Representative will attend. All community members and other
aid organizations are welcome. Please join to show your support and
brainstorm what we can do next.

[photo by nancymancias]