“Mission Buzz” will be a regular update on changes, tidbits and other news from the Mission’s commercial corridors. Got news? Send to tips at tips@missionlocal.com

Mission Street

Street view of the entrance to Chicken Fried Palace, with colorful mural above, glass doors, and signs posted on the building.

On Friday, Lily Brown and her team at the Chicken Fried Palace were getting ready for a 9 a.m. Saturday opening at the 2240 Mission St., the spot vacated by Wes Burger.

The diner by Michelin-Starred chef Seth Stowaway (Osito) is partnering with Cole Jeanes of Memphis spots Kinfolk and Hard Times Delicatessen, as reported earlier by SF Eater.

The exterior of Mission Tavern at night, showing a lit sign above a gated entrance and a window with an illuminated "OPEN" sign.

Mission Tavern opened on Sep. 27 at 2331 Mission St., the former home of Honduran restaurant El Catrachito. The business offers Mexican dishes, cocktails and beer. Customers can also come for karaoke and live sports.

Street view of a row of colorful storefronts, including a restaurant with pink tiles and signs in Spanish advertising natural juices and Yucatecan food.

Taqueria San Jose reopened at 2839 Mission St., just across from the location it has called home since 1980. The restaurant prides itself for serving Mission residents with the family’s al pastor recipe for more than 40 years. 

A person stands in front of a yellow and blue food truck with a service window open, parked on a city street near a sidewalk menu board.

After three years selling out of a truck, Shirly Arepas is now serving its Venezuelan dishes out of a food truck. Owner Shirly Ruiz, started selling her arepas outside of Evergreen Market at 2539 Mission St. four years ago. She moved to sell in the Tenderloin until she was robbed at gunpoint.

She decided to move back to the Mission and started selling out of a truck she parked at 2551 Mission St. After years of savings, Ruiz was able to buy the food truck, which she parks at the same location from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Mondays through Saturdays.

Valencia Street

Street view of a building with signs for “Mission’s Kitchen Coming Soon” and “Comix”; a person on a scooter and a white SUV are on the road in front.

Mission’s Kitchen, now at 2738 Mission St, is opening a new location at 1020 Valencia St, near 21st Street. The diner style restaurant offers a menu that combines classic American breakfast with Mexican and Central American dishes. 

It is not clear the Valencia location will open as management’s still hiring staff. 

Street view of a modern building with large windows, trees on the sidewalk, a bike rack, and scattered leaves on the ground; an empty street runs in front.

Little Sweet at 790 Valencia St. near 19th Street opened its ninth location in the city last week. The business offers teas, bobas, coffees, ice cream, egg puffs and shakes.

A person paints the lower panels of a storefront window bright pink while sitting on a small ladder outside a shop called DéLAM.

Delam, Persian for my heart, at 1152 Valencia St. is set to open today at 5 p.m. The new business is a Persian restaurant and wine bar serving California and European bottles.

A white SUV is parked on a city street lined with trees and buildings; a person stands on the sidewalk, and autumn leaves cover the ground.

The building at 766 Valencia St., home of Bernal Cutlery and the Incline Gallery is for sale. The three-story office/retail building has 9,500 sq. ft. and is the former home to a mortuary, New College and Mission Bicycles. Real estate broker Kevin Klink said he does not expect the business to leave the building once a sale is made, which he expects in the next year.

16th Street

A modern storefront at 3061 with large windows, open glass doors, two orange cones at the entrance, and a poster with a QR code on the left window.

Cafe La Esperanza on 3061 16th St. near the southwest BART plaza will open either this fall or early next year. The cafe will be operated by residents of Casa Esperanza, a transitional supportive housing space for youth ages 18-24. The youth-led cooperative will serve “high quality coffee and local treats.”

24th Street

We didn’t notice any developments. Please reach out if there’s something that we missed.


Reporting from the Mission District and other District 9 neighborhoods. Some of his personal interests are bicycles, film, and both Latin American literature and punk. Oscar’s work has previously appeared in KQED, The Frisc, El Tecolote, and Golden Gate Xpress.


More by Oscar Palma