There’s a new tablehopper video on my homepage from New Chapter Creative Studio! When I relaunched tablehopper back in February 2023, the website video featured me traipsing around North Beach and Chinatown, and for this latest one, I’m meeting up with friends all over the Mission!
I promised to do a post about all the locations featured in the video, which are some of my favorite Mission spots (and what I like to order!), so let’s do it.
But first, let me share how wonderful it was to work with Saul Santell and Jeff Pizzo at New Chapter Creative Studio, a San Francisco video production company! They really cared about showcasing the craft and people behind everything we were shooting, as well as capturing the special vibe at each place, and on the street! If you’re a restaurant or bar or brand with a story to tell, you should reach out to New Chapter. Such thoughtful, quality work!
Tablehopping in the Mission with New Chapter
We started our shoot at one of my most-adored places in San Francisco, SanJalisco Mexican Restaurant. The Padilla-Reyes family has been running this cheerful corner restaurant since 1988, and it’s fantastic for breakfast and brunch (served all day!). Their chilaquiles are made from their housemade tortillas, and the chilaquiles Veronica, a personal fave, includes chorizo and nopales. Their platos are downright massive—whether you’re getting enchiladas, chile rellenos, or chile verde—served with creamy beans, Mexican rice, and a basket of their superlative, tender, fluffy tortillas. I also love their weekly specials, like my obsession dish: their goat birria en caldo, served Fridays and Saturdays only. Everything has that special homemade touch, because it is. 901 S Van Ness Ave. at 20th St.
I was so excited to take the New Chapter guys to Al Carajo! on our initial scouting tour. I wrote up this Mission jewel in the first Hopper Notebook, a teeny-tiny Mayan restaurant from chef-owner Javier León that has some of the most bangin’ food—it proves that nice people make the best-tasting food. From the huevos motuleños and monster torta de chilaquiles for breakfast, to the Valencia fish tacos and al pastor negro tacos (the pork is marinated in recado negro) for lunch, everything is spot-on and made with care. And now you can enjoy a cerveza with your ceviche and panucho while the sunlight streams in through the big open windows. 3224 1/2 22nd St. at Bartlett.
I’m so grateful our video isn’t an in memoriam for Beloved Cafe, which was just on the brink of closing, until two longtime workers (and sisters!) said they wanted to buy the business and keep it open (please help them!). This tiny slip of a space has pure rootsy SF character, from the beautifully carved, live-edge wood bar to the hanging plants, cabinets, and all the canisters of teas and herbs on the wall.
The place always smells amazing—thanks to all the fruit and vegetable smoothies and juices they make all day (the Everyday Greens smoothie gives me LIFE)—and their plant-based bowls, salads, wraps, and desserts are so fresh and nourishing. Come in for a tonic or golden milk when you need an immunity boost, and give yourself the time to sip and enjoy it in their magical space. Bring home a bag of their Golden Milk Latte powder, a staple in my pantry. 3338 24th St. at Bartlett.
It was time for a drink, and some of the most creative and culinary cocktails in the City are poured at the bar at LolĂł, thanks to Leon Vasquez and his outstanding team! I have been in love with owners Jorge MartĂnez and Lorena Zertuche since Loló’s early days (2007!) on 22nd Street, and am thrilled to see the smile of partner Juan Carlos “JC” Ruelas whenever I walk into the forever-upbeat and wildly colorful dining room. This is such a happy place.
I always go to town on their tacos (the tuna tacon, fried avocado, and taco tropical are classics for a reason) and I tuck into their carnitas if I have a wingman. This is one of my top spots to bring out-of-towners, it’s always a fun SF scene. 974 Valencia St. at 21st St.
Many of us have tiny city apartments, so we can’t really host a bunch of folks over for drinks, but thankfully, there’s 20 Spot, which always feels like your cool friend’s house party! And then there are inspired small plates (and a couple large ones) from chef Alejandro Rodriguez (previously Nopa) that are always peak season and pure California. Co-owner Bodhi Freedom (with co-owner Peter Goggin) is like my dealer of Paul Dethune Champagne, I can never pass up a glass (or two) when I’m there. The wine list is dialed and a delight to explore, matched by the choice soundtrack, provided by their excellent vinyl collection (they were doing this from day one), and they even installed a bass tube in the bar. Feel the bass, baby. The Mid-Century style and low light make 20 Spot the perfect date spot and neighborhood hangout. Vibes! Since 2013! 3565 20th St. at Lexington.
Dive bars are an endangered species, but I don’t worry too much about POP’S Bar, because bar owners Michael “Spike” Krouse and Tom Tierney know the special sauce: strong drinks that are well-made but not expensive (hello, pint glasses), a varied and friendly mix of regulars (the same can be said for the bartenders), and kick-ass music (their calendar is always packed). It’s a true neighborhood bar and Legacy Business, with deep history (and dogs!), and I love seeing their recently updated neon sign shine brightly like the nightcap beacon I love it for being (“Hey, let’s have just one more!”). You don’t just walk out of POP’S—you will likely stumble a little. 2800 24th St. at York.
Many thanks to New Chapter for documenting one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world with me, and the wonderful, talented, and fun people who make it so! ¡Viva la Mission! And mil gracias to all my cute friends who met up with us for cameos at various stops in our shoot!
Here’s more about New Chapter, a San Francisco video production company:
At New Chapter, we elevate brands and stories through collaborative visual storytelling, producing high-quality video and photography content for branding, advertising, marketing, documentaries, testimonials, case studies, and events. New Chapter is proud to serve a diverse clientele, including large and small businesses, start-ups, technology companies, non-profits, foundations, and value-driven organizations. (Check out our latest work for Bi-Rite’s 18 Reasons!) Every project we undertake is a dynamic partnership with our clients, from concept to execution and strategic release.
