rad signage

Can We Replace All of Valencia's Street Signs With THIS?

— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |

I realize this sign is located atop of some evil yuppie Everest no-no place, but just look at that sign.  Sure, if I understood anything about typography, I might throw out some learned words justifying my admiration of this piece of perfection.  But I don't, so you'll have to just settle for my guttural take on this—that the red-on-yellow italicized whimsy of Valencia embodies the laid-back-Rhea's-sando-no-hands-on-the-handlebars spirit of the street far better than some dumb white-and-black blocky sign.

Amirite?

Meanwhile, in the Richmond ...

— By Alissa |

While everyone in the Mission is chowing down on delicious, authentic Mexican food on a regular basis, Richmond District residents are falling through a downward spiral of infinite culinary sadness! I was out there yesterday and it looks like that that fancy Korean place on 6th & Balboa closed recently, and someone hung up this plaintive sign in the window begging for some “really yummy” Mexican food.

As much as I love the Richmond (which I do, a lot) I have to admit that the taco offerings out there are pretty dismal. One of the only taquerias in the Richmond that I can think of is Gordos. How their flavorless, sloppily constructed burritos have achieved bi-coastal success is beyond me. But anyway, this sign is hilarious. Not only is the community just begging for a good taqueria, they’re doing it in English, Spanish AND Chinese! Purveyors of ordinary tacos need not apply! Only really yummy ones will do!

Added point of irony: Namu, which formerly occupied this space, was best known for their Korean tacos.

Previously on Uptown Almanac: 

Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem Opens on Mission

— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |

This spot opened the other night in the former Bissap Baobab space on Mission and 19th.  The grill is not yet opened, the video games aren't hooked up, and they got their supply of beer only yesterday (three bucks for a red-white-and-blue Bud), but it seems like it's an alright spot for those interested in loud electric music over the usual metal tracks played at nearby Bender's.

The place is owned by the proprietors of Russian Hill's Bullitt and Tonic bars, so that alone pretty much will tells you what to expect.  The interior is pretty minimal with almost nothing on the walls, big tables, small black pleather stumps to sit on, and no Muppet memorabilia anywhere. However, the bartender who happened to look like Animal (and dismissed the idea of an “opening,” saying they got their license so they just started pouring drinks to whomever walked in the door) indicated there is still a bunch of work to do on the place.

Let's just hope they import their killer sweet potato tater tots to the Mission.

UPDATE: I forgot to mention they will have Jameson on tap “soon.”

Previously on Uptown Almanac: