Last week, I tried to swing by ARINELL PIZZA for a slice around 8:45pm, and was frustrated to find it closed. (I was off to my other slice standby: Marcello’s in the Castro.) The next day, a tablehopper reader wrote in to tell me there was a sign posted at Arinell stating that they were closing due to staffing issues on 9/10. Big. Sigh. We learned back in April that owner Ron Demirdjian was having issues keeping the business going with less people out drinking and partying in the Mission, and sadly, he decided to permanently close the 33-year-old, New York-style slice shop that has fed thousands of us over the years. Really sorry to see this one go. Thanks for saving our drunk asses fat too many times to count. Fortunately, the Berkeley shop is still up and running in case you’re craving their trademark slice. 509 Valencia St. at 16th St.
Broke-Ass Stuart shares the unfortunate news that THE BROKEN RECORD is closing after 15-plus years in the Excelsior. I have been to some great pop-ups and had some strong drinks there over the years. Owner Jason King posted on Facebook: “We can no longer keep up with increasing expenses after 2 1/2 years of covid related slow downs, rising costs (goods and services), loans and, finally, a new lease that we unfortunately can not afford. This is not a plea for help nor is it a crowd funding cash grab. Just a reality. We will be closed to the public after Saturday the 15th of October and will entertain a couple private events as we clean out the property. As of now, there is no tenant lined up to take over but I know the landlord is attempting to rent out the space. For the sake of the Excelsior, I hope he finds someone with the capabilities to provide something amazing because the neighborhood deserves vibrancy. Whomever moves in, remember they did not shut us down and they will need ALL your help to stay open in the years to come.” Swing by for a final-final while you can. And as BAS notes, King’s other bar, Church Key, is still trucking.
After 20 years of owning the classic (and legacy business) ST. FRANCIS FOUNTAIN, owners Peter Hood and Levon Kazarian are looking for a new owner (they will keep the soda fountain open and running until that transition happens). Read more in this SFGate piece. I really hope SF’s oldest ice cream parlor and diner ends up in the right hands—I’m still not over the tragic gutting and dismantling of It’s Tops. 2801 24th St. at York.
The sign for Arinell Pizza on Valencia is a beacon in the night. Yelp photo by Andrew D.
