The N-Judah Chronicles

There's no other way to say this - the unexpected news that Black Oak Books on Irving Street has suddenly closed just sucks. I got done with work early so I decided to take a long walk outside and make a few Irving and 9th stops before hiking up to Golden Gate Heights Park. Whilst talking to Alexis at Amazing Fantasy Comics, he told me that in fact, Black Oak Books at closed. I walked a few doors down and in fact, there was the notice on butcher paper.

What suprised me was that I was in there just two weeks ago (and in fact took this picture of some great old OZ books they had there, and was planning on coming back to buy one of those old RESearch books) and there was no indication things were not going so great for this store.

I'd been going in there every so often for years, as I found it was a great place to get Christmas gifts for folks, especially if they were interested in topics one does not always find at Barnes and Noble.

I don't know the specifics of why they had to close, but if I find out I'll post an update. For now, I'm going to finish this post, and go offline for a while and enjoy the rest of the afternoon, such as it is. But I really hope this isn't the first of a wave of local biz closings. That would really suck.

Posted by Greg Dewar at 5:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

So there I was on Friday, heading out for a 5:30 cocktail party at Alfred's Steakhouse downtown, a gathering of all sorts of local folks, internet rockstars Melissa and Beth and tv talk show host Art Bruzzone among others. But as I was getting ready to leave I noticed that my leather shoes had this weird white powdery stain on them. WTF? My normally fine looking dress shoes were looking hobo-esque. Now what?

As I was walking down Irving to catch the N downtown, I remembered that Sunset Shoe Repair was right there on Irving, so I walked over there hoping they were still open. It was 4:58pm and they close at 5pm on Friday. Not wanting to be a jerk customer I asked if it was ok to get a quick shoeshine, and the guy said yes. He not only polished my shoes and made them look new, he also explained to me what the stains were - salt stains. Because I'd worn them a lot during our rainy period and let them dry in the closet, salt residue built up on the outside.

This was awesome. Not only was I able to go to the event without hobo shoes, I learned something new about shoe care as well. How cool is that?

This morning as I recovered from last night's rock star partying, I was talking to someone in the neighborhood and they too had an awesome "save the day" story about Sunset Shoe Repair. Heck, as I googled around for some info, I found this this story about how great the service is here.

This is the kind of local business you really want to promote - it's a great business providing great service. Plus, it's giving folks out here something they actually need instead of Yet Another Nail Salon or Yet Another Cutesy Annoying Expensive Clothing Store, or Yet Another Lame Restaurant.

So the next time you need a shoe shine or a shoe repair you know where to go!

621 Irving Street
(between 7th Ave & 8th Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94122

PS: The awesome service here was a nice antidote to a rather typical Friday on the N going downtown. We stalled several times at the tunnel at Duboce, and then crawled at a snail's pace through once we actually got IN the tunnel. It was so slow, I decided to get out at Powell and walk to Kearny and Merchant instead of getting off at Montgomery like I'd planned.

But I eventually got there and talked to all sorts of good folks, including Luke and Elaine of Fog City Journal, Ben over at SF Weekly's blog and many more. It was fun, and on the way home later that night I capped things off with a quick drink at the Blackthorn. What a Friday.

Posted by Greg Dewar at 1:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Oh, Loyal Readers....I had hoped long ago to regale you with tales of the Double Decker Bus, tales of Holiday MUNI, and more...and instead I got a freakin' flu (and you have to realize I NEVER get sick, EVER) that kicked my ass something fierce for the duration.

It sucked, and for the first time since I was a kid, my holidays sucked royally. There's no good way to describe it. Anyway, things should be back to normally forthwith, but in the meantime, I wanted to post a short recommendation for breakfast on the N.

Darla's on Irving Street is rightfully known for their awesome burgers and fries, which many folks enjoy while playing Brainstormer Trivia at the Awesome Blackthorn, but many may not realize their breakfast menu is also really good.

In particular, Darla's manages to make a breakfast sandwich that defies physics and restaurant nonsense and is one of the best things I've ever had. Now, you'd think eggs, cheese and sausage on an English muffin would be easy to do, but you'd be wrong. Just try the over-cooked abominations at Starbucks on Irving, which I'd reluctantly put up with, and you'll see what I mean.

Darla, however, manages to make something that's fresh, just enough food without being too much, and tastes amazing. And it's accompanied with some bottomless (well sort of bottomless) coffee and the good will of a locally owned biz.

It was also my last day out before I had the horrid flu hit, so it provided me with a nice memory as I puked my guts out a few days later, unrelated to said awesome sandwich. The flu sucks, the holidays sucked, but Darla's was a beacon of hope in a sea of bullcrap.

Lighter lit because...Darla's rocks!

Posted by Greg Dewar at 7:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

One of the main reasons I continue to hold out for a new apartment somewhere within striking distance of our Mighty N (despite the amazing amount of pain and suffering such a decision has inflicted on me) is because there are so many interesting local businesses that offer bargain hunters like me incredible deals, as well as saving me a trip to other parts of Our Fair City. Sunset Super is one of those places.

I don't know that I've ever been in this store when it wasn't busy, and Saturdays are obviously incredibly busy, but frankly that has never bothered me since no matter what, I'm always able to get in, buy what it is I need, and get out in a reasonable amount of time.

More important than the speed of service is the fact that if you are looking for any sort of Chinese or other Asian ingredients, this is the place to go. I bought a container of the good green curry that the folks at Whole Paycheck charge a fortune for, at a significant discount. Sunset Super also has an amazing array of frozen food that you can't find in most stores, and their selection of candy and snack foods from all around Asia is one of the best I've seen.

Now, a word on the meat market - some of my colleagues, upon entering said store immediately make all sorts of assumptions, none of them good, about the quality of the meat here, but they are incorrect! Not only do they have just about any part of the pig or chicken you might need, but they also have an incredible array of seafood. Now, sure, some of it, in fact much of it is alive when you buy it, and that may not be everyone's cup of tea, so to speak, but to me that just makes coming to Sunset Super that much more fun.

True, it was a bit wince-inducing when a woman and her young daughter were in the market, obviously for the first time, and the kid exclaimed "Look mommy! Pet Froggies for sale!" as she pointed to a vat of live frogs. But to me that just made the visit that much more interesting.

Other notables include an incredible selection of sake, soju, and some types of imported Chinese liquor that I have never heard of that looks rather fierce. Their sake deals are amazing - the same dry sake you'd pay a fortune for at Safeway for some little bottle comes in a 1.5 liter bottle for like, 7 bucks. Talk about a bargain! They also have the city's biggest selection of canned luncheon meats as well so if you find yourself jonesing for some SPAM but just can't bring yourself to picking one up at Safeway, try "GreatWall" luncheon meat instead and impress all your pals!

All in all, one of my all time favorite places to find bargains on Irving Street. Check it out sometime and you'll most likely end up buying something good at a great price!

Sunset Super
2425 Irving Street
(415) 566-6504
Next Door to the Awesome Tel-Aviv Kosher Deli, which we'll review soon!

Posted by Greg Dewar at 5:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Once upon a time, getting a haircut was a simple affair for a guy. Go to the barber, sit in the chair, get a haircut, maybe a shave with a straight razor, and enjoy a moment's respite from daily life.

Then the 60s happened and suddenly, finding a sanctuary where one could get a haircut got more and more difficult. Suddenly, "barber shops" were no longer in vogue, and instead we had endless variants of "hair salons," excellent at serving the needs of those who require highlights and endless expensive whatnots, but the rest of us just wanted a good haircut.

Fortunately for those of us in the Inner Sunset, Sunset Barber has been with us for 40 years, and continues to provide patrons a quality haircut in a modern, barbershop setting at a reasonable price.

The father-son duo of Issa and Jay recently remodeled their longtime location on 9th Avenue (between Irving and Judah), taking a classic barber shop and updating it for the 21st Century, while retaining all of the charm and neighborly feel that longtime patrons have come to know and appreciate. "Most of our business is repeat customers because they know we're going to treat them right," said Jay, as he masterfully cut what's left of my hair the other day. "If we get someone in here once, they're going to come back." Besides, how many "hair salons" will give you a shave with a real razor, anyway?

Having been a longtime customer, I can attest to Issa and Jay's mad haircutting skillz, and the friendly atmosphere that permeates the premises. More importantly, when I go to the Sunset Barber, I'm not just going to get a haircut, I'm going to help continue a successful family owned business that's been around for four decades thanks to their hard work. Spending my money at a locally owned place like this isn't a holier-than-thou political sentiment - it makes good sense because I get great service at a great price - and I have the added benefit of keeping my money here in town, instead of sending it off to the home office for that chain store around the corner.

With the recent improvements to the shop and young Jay's enthusiasm for his work, I have no doubt Sunset Barber will continue to prosper and provide us with Yet Another Reason why we like living out here, and why the N-Judah continues to be a great way to find the best of Local San Francisco.

Sunset Barber Shop
1374 9th Avenue (between Judah and Irving)
1/2 a block from either the 9th/Irving or the 9th/Judah stops!

Posted by Greg Dewar at 9:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lately I've been trying out a new exercise plan which basically consists of leaving an Undisclosed Location near UCSF, and walking all the way to the beach every morning. Since I don't have a dog anymore, I don't have that little reminder to get outside and do a dedicated walk in addition to all the other walking I do every day (dogs have a way of making their point that is rather unique if you DON'T walk them).

More often than not, I end up getting a small coffee at Java Beach, conveniently located at the end of the N Judah line. It's a fun place I have grown to look forward to as I come to the end of my walk, and it usually has a line out the door because it's so popular with the locals. If I have time, I like to sit down and read something before hopping on the train home.

Also, various species of bird have discovered the cafe as a great place to get something for free. One day I spotted these industrious little birds using the rails as a bird bar. Today, however, I not only spotted some rather odd looking little birds, but had one sit down at my table, eye my protein bar, and regale me with his take on the day's events.

A nice way to start the day, for sure!

Posted by Greg Dewar at 2:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

UPDATE JUNE 29th: N-Judah service HAS BEEN RESTORED TO THE BALLPARK! If you found this page on Google, please disregard it and read this update instead!

Hey Giants Fans! Don't forget - if you're going to the game tomorrow, the N Judah will no longer take you to PacBell/AT&T/SBC park!

Our friends at MUNI have posted this easy to read and understand page chock full of information, for your review! (

Well, let me amend that last statement. Yes, there is lots of information there, but it's arranged in such an incoherent manner, it might prove a bit confusing. Esp. the downloadable map - which is completely wrong!

You'd think in a city that's at the center of all sorts of internet innovation, MUNI might have a website that's at least somewhat easy to use.

Posted by Greg Dewar at 3:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

UPDATE: I noticed that although this particular bargain is no more, Burgermeister has a new series of specials for each day of the week. Go to their site and check it out!

Few businesses have the opportunity to make money and invent a new way to cure a bad case of the Mondays, but one does here in San Francisco, and it just happens to be on the Mighty N Judah line. Of course, I'm talking about Burgermeister, located (among other places) on the N Judah at Carl and Cole, with another branch of this fine institution at Church and Duboce, a stone's throw away from another N Judah Stop (and yes, the infamous J-Church chugs along on occasion by there too).

Most people know Burgermeister for their incredible burgers, made from the always wonderful Niman Ranch beef. For Philadelphians, I would also encourage you to try their cheesesteak sandwich - I don't know that anyone on the West Coast can match a true Philly cheesesteak, but of all the places I've been from Seattle to SF to LA, Burgermeister seems to come the closest.

Continue reading "N Judah Business Review: Burgermeister - Giving You At Least One Reason Monday Doesn't Suck" »

Posted by Greg Dewar at 9:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

One of the things I like about living in San Francisco is the number of good small businesses that operate in town, and so many of them are easily accessible by the Mighty N-Judah line. Don't get me wrong - I shop at the Safeway as much as the next person, thanks to the bargains on pricier items offered by their Club Card, but sometimes it's nice to to hike all the way from the Sunset to the Safeway for a handful of items.

Up until recently, if you wanted to shop at any sort of an organic or non-mainstream market in this area, your options were rather limited. Either you had to go to the nice (but pricey) Andronico's on Irving and Funston, or you had to go all the way out to the end of the N Judah line at Ocean Beachfor anything not pesticided to death. Now, I'm no purist when it comes to organic foods and all, but not everyone shares my view, and not everyone has time to go all the way to Ocean Beach during a busy workweek.

Now a new store has opened this summer, Essential Foods, at Irving and 4th Avenue, right on the N-Judah line. It's funny how I missed this place since the storefront has been vacant for years, but one day when I was walking instead of riding the train, I saw it and walked in.

Not only were their prices better than Andronico's, they had more than just "organic" food - they also had a decent selection of imported foods and noodles and whatnots. Best of all was the friendly, non-haughty atmosphere of the place, which is the result of the personable and friendly attitude of the owners.

In an era when sometimes in SF I feel like an "alternative" store should be asking me "would you like a dose of 'tude with your order" Essential Foods had none of that. They're just nice people who want to run a nice store that serves the neighborhood well. Best of all, it is one of the few stores open until 10pm - a nice change from the "roll up the sidewalks at 9pm" vibe many stores have.

Continue reading "Local Business Roundup on the N-Judah Line - First in an Occasional Series" »

Posted by Greg Dewar at 2:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)