Since 2004, Rizza Punzalan has owned and operated Underdog Organic, a restaurant that serves the Inner Sunset with sustainably raised organic, vegan and vegetarian hot dogs. Last fall, she launched Underdog Pet Supplies, an organic pet store just two doors down from her Irving Street eatery.

Most hot dogs are made chiefly from “trimmings;” odds and ends that may include meat from an animal’s feet, head, fatty tissue, or “other edible slaughter by-products,” according to a UN report.

Underdog uses only organic meats, non-GMO soy products and other natural ingredients; the restaurant even makes its own sauerkraut. “I love hot dogs, and I couldn’t eat them because of what’s in them,” said Punzalan. “If I was going to eat them, I wanted organic trimmings."

Before opening, Punzalan worked for celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck in LA and as a vendor for farmers’ markets in San Francisco. She said she opened Underdog Organic because she “wanted to offer high quality organic food for everyday customers. Everybody deserves good quality food.”

Because pets are “also a passion,” Punzalan opened Underdog Pet Supplies two doors down at 1608 Irving in fall 2014. “The pet shop is part of my path: providing organic food for dogs, cats and birds — the stuff they’d eat in the wild.”

Punzalan said her businesses are “very community-minded,” which is why she works with local non-profits like Rocket Dog and San Francisco SPCA to donate food and supplies. Similarly, Underdog donates food to schools, youth organizations and groups staging fundraisers.

In keeping with her community focus, Punzalan noted that she does not purchase products from large corporations. “Underdog only supports small family-owned organic businesses. It’s what makes us the underdog. We did carry Honest Tea for a time, but they got bought by Coca-Cola, so they don’t need us.”

Punzalan said she'd like to offer Underdog Organic as a franchise opportunity for entrepreneurs who share her values. "I’d like to see Underdog all over, spreading good food to the people.”