Published Jun. 2, 2026at12:00pm<\/p>\n
Angela Cao really likes dogs. She was born in Shanghai, but grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she was surrounded by animals \u2014 cats, horses, birds, and dogs. Now, she lives in SoMa and owns a pomeranian named Merlin and a golden retriever named Chicken. Next month, she\u2019s opening a cafe and bar in their honor. \u201cI thought it would be cute,\u201d Cao says.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Called Stray Dog, the new Mission coffee and cocktail spot opens on July 1, at 2545 24th St., in the former home of Junior cocktail bar. The name is a not-so-subtle nod to Cao\u2019s first bar, Lost Cat Bar & Bites (opens in new tab)<\/a>, on Polk Street near Union Square. With the sophomore effort, Cao is taking inspiration for the menu from Shanghainese all-day cafes \u2014 and from Merlin for the logo, a black-and-white drawing of a fluffy, smiling pooch.\u00a0<\/p>\n San Francisco-based Ritual Coffee Roasters (opens in new tab)<\/a> will provide the coffee, which will be available throughout the day. There\u2019ll be a classic espresso menu, with Asian influence in the form of pandan, ube, and lots of citrus in the signature drinks, such as coconut water topped with espresso foam and a riff on cold brew and orange juice. Those beverages come from Cao\u2019s business partner, Nathan Angelo Depante, who cut his teeth at Home Coffee Roasters (opens in new tab)<\/a> and Kona Street Market (opens in new tab)<\/a>, sister bar to the Pacific Cocktail Haven (opens in new tab)<\/a>. He also works at Lost Cat but will take on a larger role at Stray Dog.\u00a0<\/p>\n On the food side, Cao plans to find bagel and pastry partners before opening.<\/p>\n The bar offerings will include 10 to 14 cocktails, plus beer and wine. The cocktails will also lean pan-Asian and splashy, similar to the menu at Lost Cat, which features a Thai tea milk punch and lychee-tini. Prices will also be similar to those at Lost Cat, staying in the $17 or $18 range. There\u2019ll be no food at night, but throughout the week, Cao says there\u2019ll be events; neighbors have come by to let her know that Junior\u2019s closing created a severe lack of bingo and trivia nights in the area. She hopes this new venture stokes an Asian nightlife community in this part of the city.\u00a0<\/p>\n