SF Eats: Little Chihuahua to close Mission location; Farallon says farewell to Union Square; morePhoto: Little Chihuahua/Facebook
Alisa Scerrato
Published on August 20, 2020

Here's the latest in SF food news. In this edition, a popular local taqueria closes its Mission outpost, a Union Square seafood restaurant permanently shutters after 23 years of business, and a bubble tea chain closes its Fisherman's Wharf location. 

Closings

Mission

Little Chihuahua (581 Valencia St.)

Little Chihuahua owner Andrew Johnstone. | Photo: Stephen Jackson/Hoodline 

The Little Chihuahua will permanently shutter its Valencia Street location this Sunday, August 23.

The local mini-chain of taquerias will continue to operate its original location at 292 Divisadero St., as well as outposts in Noe Valley (4123 24th St.) and Polk Gulch (1431 Polk St.)

"Like many of our peers [in the Mission], operating was not sustainable after the pandemic hit," owner Andrew Johnstone said via email. "We're fortunate that the rest of our locations in San Francisco — Lower Haight (which turns 13 this October), Noe Valley and Polk Gulch — are thriving, and successfully positioned to make it through the pandemic business climate."

Last month, Johnstone temporarily closed Little Chihuahua's Divisadero location when an employee tested positive for COVID-19. After testing all the employees and deep-cleaning the space, Johnstone was able to open it back up a week later. The location is now doing "great," he said. 

Customers in the Mission can continue to order food for delivery via the Little Chihuahua's website. All three locations deliver and offer takeout. 

"We're grateful to have had the support of our neighbors in the Mission, and take comfort in knowing they still have easy access to our food," Johnstone said.

Union Square

Farallon (450 Post St.)

Photo: Courtesy of Farallon

After 23 years in Union Square, upscale seafood eatery Farallon is closing its doors for good.

SFGate first reported the news, which was shared in an internal email sent to employees. The email cited the COVID-19 pandemic as the cause of the closure. A representative for Farallon did not respond to a request for comment by press time.

Owned by Bay Area-based chef Mark Franz, Farallon was known for its opulent interior and seafood-centric menu. It earned many laurels over the years, including Wine Spectator awards for its comprehensive wine list. In a review last fall, Chronicle critic Soleil Ho praised its happy hour and "showstopping nautical decor."

Prior to opening Farallon, Franz spent a decade as the executive chef for Civic Center's famed Stars restaurant. He's one of the primary figures in "The Last Magnificent," a 2017 documentary about founding chef Jeremiah Tower.

Fisherman's Wharf

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice (2699 Taylor St.)

Photo: Albertino M/Hoodline Tipline

Tipster Al M. alerted us to the closure of CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice, which had operated in Fisherman's Wharf for the past two years. While a representative did not confirm the closure, the space has been cleared out. 

Established in 1997, the Taiwanese bubble tea chain has thousands of locations throughout the U.S. It will continue to serve its milk teas and fresh tea drinks at its sole remaining San Francisco location, which opened last year at 852 Market St. (and Fourth). 


Thanks to our veteran tipster Al M.! If you've seen something new (or closing) in the neighborhood, text your tips and photos to (415) 200-3233, or email [email protected]. If we use your info in a story, we'll give you credit.