Shuggie’s, the neon-soaked Mission restaurant that turned food waste into glittery pizzas and natural-wine-fueled nights, will serve its last service on July 11 after a four-year run, owners Kayla Abe and David Murphy announced. “We have put in so much of our own personal finances, and there is truly not a penny more that we can give,” Abe said. The owners shared the news on Instagram and plan to host a farewell party at the restaurant on July 11, as reported by The San Francisco Standard. In their announcement and follow-up interviews, they pointed squarely to finances, citing rising rent, unpredictable labor costs and shifting dining habits as key reasons for closing.
Owners Cite Costs, Pivots and Changing Diners
Abe and Murphy opened Shuggie’s in April 2022 and spent the past several years trying to adapt, from a rebrand and live-music nights to multiple menu overhauls, as reported by Mission Local. Last summer, the restaurant shifted away from its pizza-forward identity, rolled out a $40 Wednesday prix-fixe and tested a happy-hour deal that paired free snacks with a $16 drink, all in a bid to draw more regular traffic.
National Praise and a TV Moment
Their efforts did not go unnoticed outside San Francisco. Bon Appétit named Shuggie’s one of its 24 Best New Restaurants of 2023, a coveted national nod. Chef David Murphy also made a brief appearance on Bravo’s “Top Chef” in 2024, according to Axios, giving the restaurant another jolt of visibility that still could not blunt the impact of rising costs.
What’s Next for the Owners
The couple say they will catch their breath but are not stepping away from the stove for long. They are planning pop-ups in September, rooftop five- and six-course BYOB dinners and a set at Outside Lands, according to The San Francisco Standard. Abe told the outlet, “We have not been taking salaries for the better part of a year and a half,” a stark detail that shows just how thin the margins had become.
Shuggie’s neon dining rooms and irreverent, low-waste menu will leave a noticeable gap in the Mission’s late-night and natural-wine circuit. Regulars are already talking about crowding into the farewell bash on July 11 to raise a glass and send off four very colorful years.
