Paula Tejeda, Chile Lindo Owner, posing in front of her restaurant
SAN FRANCISCO – The pride in Paula Tejeda’s voice comes through over the phone as she describes Chile Lindo, one of the small businesses recently added to San Francisco’s Legacy Business Registry.
Cultural legacy The backstory: According to the Mayor’s Office of Small Business, the city’s Small Business Commission unanimously approved 11 businesses to the city registry for their longstanding commitment to serving the community and for being culturally vital. The businesses approved on June 23 are in addition to four businesses that were added to the legacy registry this past spring.
Tejeda has been at the helm of this one-woman Mission District operation since 1995, but the business, best known for its empanadas, predates her as it’s been around for over 50 years. Tejeda says the business has changed ownership three times.
“I was the first one to focus exclusively on Chilean products and promoting Chile and building a brand in the Bay Area,” Tejeda says. She says that the brand is iconic and that it has a story.
Dontaye Ball speaks to the crowd and Mayor Daniel Lurie in front of Gumbo Social. 5176 Third St.
Photo by Jose A. Velazquez.
On Saturday afternoon, a group of about 50 people gathered in front of Nineteen21, a restaurant and lounge at 1701 Yosemite St. in the Bayview neighborhood for Walk The Block SF.
It was an event organized by SF Hip Hop, a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating the Bay Area’s contribution to the hip-hop music genre, locally and around the world.
Kamel Jacot-Bell of San Francisco, along with Alex Aquino, started SF Hip Hop a year ago. This was the first Walk The Block SF event in Bayview-Hunters Point. “We wanted to do something impactful in the community,” said Jacot-Bell. “We want to celebrate the neighborhood and support local businesses.”
Walk The Block promotes health awareness, safety, and unity in San Francisco neighborhoods. It’s an opportunity for people to get outside, get to know their neighbors and support local businesses in the area. The event Saturday stretched about a mile down Third Street. A mix of young and old participants made stops at local small businesses to shop, gather and socialize.
Mayor Daniel Lurie arrived around 1 p.m.; he listened to a rendition of “Lift Every Voice” by participants and joined in a group prayer before making the walk up Third Street. Lurie said he joined the walk to support the Bayview community.
“The energy on this walk, the leadership, this is what every community needs, and Bayview has it,” Lurie said. The mayor said that he enjoyed some good barbecue and sugar cookies during the community walk. He took one last group picture with organizers and participants at Third and Quesada streets before heading out.
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When it comes to San Francisco neighborhoods, Bayview often gets overlooked and misjudged. Those who have spent time there, however, know it’s a hidden gem. It’s home to a vibrant culture that’s embraced its diversity and uniqueness as a historically significant hub of eclectic street art, purpose-driven restaurants, small business with heart and a community of creative, passionate people who love this city.
Bayview is not only the sunniest neighborhood in San Francisco, but also features sweeping views of the bay, natural beauty home to countless migratory birds, and peaceful walking paths and parks ideal for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city.
As a born and raised San Franciscan, my favorite way to explore any neighborhood is through its food scene. And with that here’s a guide to spending the perfect day eating and drinking your way through Bayview.
Chef Dontaye Ball has been cooking delicious gumbo for the Bayview for the last five or so years. One time, he served a guest for free when they couldn’t afford a bowl; that guest came back three years later to express their gratitude, Ball said.
It’s Ball’s favorite memory from running Gumbo Social, formerly a pop-up operation but now a brick-and-mortar restaurant located at 5176 Third St. He loves hearing from people who have tried his gumbo, he said, because he loves “leaving a lasting food impression on people.”
14 Destination Restaurants in Bayview and Hunter’s Point
San Francisco’s east side is slept on, full stop. The Bayview and Hunter’s Point sometimes don’t get their shine. The neighborhoods were once known as Butchertown, and during World War II the Navy’s use of the area’s shipyards contaminated the ground with radiation. That history is honored today by many of the businesses working to keep the Bayview lively and vibrant. Old Skool Cafe has held it down for a decade, fixing locals up with jobs in a swanky jazz club. Gumbo Social is a newcomer to the neighborhood, bringing a second-line band down Third Street upon moving in. There’s something for everyone in this historic area, so long as one is willing to peel back the layers and get to the neighborhood’s delicious core.
Chef Dontaye Ball, better known as Mr. Gumbo, couldn’t tell you exactly how old he was the first time he tasted gumbo at his grandmother’s house in the Fillmore District. His grandmother always said eight years old. His mom believes it was more like four. But either way, to him, gumbo tastes like Christmas. Ball remembers the whole family elbowing into the kitchen and arguing about exactly what goes into the pot.
For a long time, good gumbo was hard to find in San Francisco. But thankfully, as we slog through this wet winter, San Francisco seems to be approaching peak gumbo. Brenda’s always made a serious bowl brimming with chicken, andouille, and okra. Boug Cali will be coming to the Ferry Building this year, bringing jars of seafood gumbo ready to grab and go. Meanwhile Gumbo Social opened in the Bayview last summer, where Ball dives deep into the iconic dish.
