There's a specific chain of events that happens any time a San Francisco landmark is in danger of shutting down, getting evicted or otherwise closing up shop. It goes something like: 1. Local institution announces imminent closure. 2. Fans of said institution (and scores of people who never actually went) lament the state of San Francisco while planning final, mournful visits. 3. Somebody tries to figure out how to save the place. In the case of Sam Wo's legendary service, the chain of events ran its course in under three days time, and there's a chance the century-old greasy Chinese joint could be spared by the Health Department tomorrow. more ›

Heartbreaking news from the Chinatown dive restaurant scene today as Inside Scoop reports Sam Wo, the century-old institution on Washington Street will close its doors forever after dinner service Friday evening. Although it was never known for having particularly good food, the tiny, three-story joint was popular among the Beats back in the 50s before it enjoyed another cult resurgence thanks to its "sponsorship" of Late Night With Conan O'Brien a few years ago. more ›

While visiting San Francisco for a couple of fundraisers on Thursday, President Barack Obama stopped off at Chinatown's Great Eastern Restaurant to grab some dim sum. Many of us have done this before, right? Right. They have some of the best dim sum in town. However, did you know that Great Eastern still sells shark fin, which was banned at the start of 2012? That's right, Obama buys dim sum at restaurants that aid in the destruction and depletion of the shark population. Classic socialist behavior. more ›

You may have loudly professed your love for food trucks. You may tweet with the utmost convincing gravitas about Occupy SF. You may like to gnaw on a sourdough loaf while taking a tour of urban-tinged street art. You may be a bottle of Fernet. You may even be Herb Caen reincarnate. But you are not a true San Franciscan until you've sat through multiple screenings of The Joy Luck Club. With much respect for Amy Tan's book—an excellent read, by the way—the film version of her acclaimed novel about relationships between Chinese-American women and their Chinese mothers is quite possibly one of the best pieces of entertainment ever made. more ›

Brace yourselves, folks, the October Surprises have started rolling in, albiet a bit late: As the Chronicle reports today, new allegations of money laundering have hit another already shady supporter of Mayor Ed Lee's campaign for a full term. Andrew Hawkins, perhaps best known as an "eviction strongman" (Chron's words) for the notoriously sketchy CitiApartments rental company, offered to reimburse 16 of his associates for donating the $500 maximum to Ed Lee's campaign at a recent fundraising event thrown by his current employer, Archway Property Services. more ›

Mayor Ed Lee and SF Neighbor Alliance, the bogus grassroots effort that pooped out the cringe-worthy Run, Ed, Run campaign, are under fire this week after witnesses revealed to The Chronicle that they had observed workers at a Chinatown voting station on Friday filling in absentee ballots for voters. The Chronicle reports: more ›

San Francisco is home to a robust and vibrant Chinatown. We know this because people often complain about it. Or go to visit it. Or complain about the people who visit it. This week, our friends at the Tenderloin Geographic Society once again pay a visit to other towns, this time with the goal of invistigating other pockets of the Easternized West. Or the Westernized East. We're still not sure. more ›

"Urban ecosystem" by Keoki Seu. more ›

"Rooftop Laundry" by SullyStyle. more ›

The Banksy pieces scattered throughout the city have been continually altered by other graffiti artists and taggers during the past week. more ›

On Thursday, SFist told you about two new graffiti pieces noted British street artist Banksy created on several walls in San Francisco. We now have a third, at least according to Uptown Almanac. more ›

Local street art aficionados are abuzz today after two Banksy pieces were spotted in San Francisco: one in the Mission, one in Chinatown. Erin Archuleta spotted this fresh piece on Valencia between 19th & 20th above Little Otsu. And caughtyouhoney snapped this piece in Chinatown. more ›

"Chicharrón anyone?" by SullyStyle. more ›

"You don't talk to her" by peephole. more ›

What better way to learn about another district than by kicking it for an afternoon with one of San Francisco's chatty supervisors. SPUR (San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association) will have monthly walking tours boasting one of the rabble rousers who sit on the Board of Supervisors. more ›

Congratulations to the MTA are in order. It appears that the Federal Transit Administration has given the thumbs up for final design work to commence on the Central Subway project. In the works for near on 20 years, the much anticipated Central Subway will provide visiting conventioneers at the Moscone Center with quick, immediate access to Union Square shopping and fine dining in the heart of Chinatown (without, like, the actual hassle of a direct connection to those pee-smelling Market Street lines). Riders interested in transferring between the Central Subway and Muni's existing rail line will be welcome to walk through a 10,000 mile long underground tunnel between the Union Square and Powell Street stations. Exercise makes Muni patrons heart healthy! more ›

Putting aside the fact that the ladies, if you will, involved in the infamous Muni bus fight lacked moral character, tact or basic human decency, community leaders hosted a panel discussion and media roundtable today "to reduce tensions between the city's Asian and African American communities." The discussion was sparked over the videotaped Muni fight that captured the internet's attention a few weeks ago. more ›

"Just another day on Muni... fuc**ng Muni," relents the cameraman shooting this video of a fight between two women on a Chinatown Muni bus. (The 30 line, if we have to guess.) more ›

CHINATOWN/SUNDAY: A man was shot in the city's finest neighborhood, Chinatown. The victim, according to reports, was an adult male, who was shot at Grant Avenue and Jackson Street "a little after 12 a.m. [on] Sunday." more ›