Here's Hoping New Owner Doesn't Screw Up Tommy's Joynt The Pride And Joy Of 415 Media

  Many of you that come here know my appreciation and fondness for Tommy's Joynt --a virtual culinary institution on Van Ness in San Francisco.


Tommy's was sold recently. The new owner insists he has no intention of changing the beauty and atmosphere of the place.


I'm willing to give the guy the benefit of the doubt but I'm cynical. When I heard "craft cocktails" I worried even further. Please, no invasion of the food spectacle, please lord.


For those of you that have ever ventured into Tommy's Joynt, you know and can register my passion. It's old-school personified. It's literally meat and potatoes heaven. Tommy's is more than merely great, old-school food, it is forever San Francisco and a throwback to where you get decent food without having to get a loan from the bank.


Tommy's Joynt is a hofbrau-style smorgasbord with heavenly comfort food like roasted turkey, hot carved pastrami, corned-beef to die for. I'm not an ox-tail guy but they got that too. And beef burgundy and something that made me give up a Giants game recently, the lamb shanks on Thursday. Oh my God, the lamb shanks!


Tommy's is dark, a little dank but always clean. Whenever I used to hang out at the old KRON, I would find myself visiting Tommy's Joynt right across the street. It was always open, open pretty much every single day, the restaurant an hour later than the bar at 10: 45 AM until the wee hours of the morning. And the food is spectacular --not everybody's cup of tea but nirvana for the thousands of others who know what inexpensive, good and reliable food stands for. No, Tommy's Joynt is not the recipe for healthy food (slightly) but when you're looking for something hardy and yes, comfortable with a touch of San Francisco, then you go to the Joynt. Herb Caen's Van Ness stakeout. A local treasure.


That's why I'm hoping the old place isn't turned into some crappy, yupified edifice like what happened to venerable Brennan's in Berkeley, another great Irish hofbrau that lost its identity when new owners took over and messed it up. My opinion.


When I've interviewed various media members in town, if we're close by, I always pick Tommy's Joynt. It's a classic. One of these days I'm going to the Joynt and have a big party and invite some of 'yous to understand how cool it is and why I love it.

Please, new owner, don't screw it up.


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My favorite SF Media Hangouts/Restaurants; Tadich, John's Grill and Tommy's Joynt to name a few; Sunday Steak

My favorite media hangouts in the city are all legendary places; some a bit classy than others, and a few you might consider surprises.

*Tadich Grill has been around for over a hundred years--the food is great, we all know that, but what I love the most is the consistent experience of the place; the bread is always fresh and the butter is always nice, the waiters in their white uniforms with the old-fashioned food order checklist. Tadich also has a knack for giving you a great meal every time in and out and fast. Herb Caen used to love the private booth, but I still like the front counter.

*John's Grill: Always a winner in my book. Old-fashioned and a SF staple. This is where the Chron's entertainment and singles writer, Gerry Nachman, interviewed me. Like Tadich, the place is quintessential SF with great food and vibe, a certifiable throwback, located across the street from where the old Emporium used to be located. Best sand dabs in America and yes, again, classy waiters. No wonder it has Bogey edge.

*Tommy's Joynt: I joke always about Tommy's Joynt but it's still a hit. Hoffbrau food is my favorite but it has to be good. The old Hoffbrau in Oakland on Broadway was #1, at least until I devoured Tommy's. It's across the street from the KRON building. I've heard numerous stories. But I'll concentrate on the food: I like the hot turkey sandwich and the brisket is to die for. I'm not a beer guy but they have about 50,000 choices and the prices of both of the food and booze are reasonable.

What places do you like?



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