Residents in the Inner Richmond, concerned about late-night violence in the area, lost their appeal to overturn the Geary Boulevard Jack in the Box's after-hours permit, which allows the crud-food chain to remain open until 4 a.m. The brouhaha over their permit began after a firefighter was mowed down by a jerk in an SUV after a verbal argument that began at the Jack in the Box.
Inner Richmond Jack In The Box To Remain Open 24 Hours
Review: The Bacon Shake By Jack In The Box
Wow. That was horrific. Don't get us wrong: We are not (that much of) a food snob, one who loudly sings the praises of "The Laundry," the latest obscure Mission District restaurant, or, far more obnoxious, an Oakland food truck. Aside from gastronomic trends that we enjoy, and then enjoy making fun of others for enjoying, we have a profound fondness for any sodium-rich treat that reminds us of our upbringing — e.g., Jeno's Pizza Rolls, Ding-Dongs. So it was with much anticipation that we headed out the door today and into San Francisco's Union Square to buy ourselves Jack in the Box's latest concoction, the Bacon Shake. Boy, was that a tummy error.
Jack In The Box Now Selling A Bacon Milkshake [Updated]
So, Jack in the Box created a Bacon Milkshake. Why? Because you secretly want one, that's why. Shame on you. The noted fast food chain, it seems, wanted to create bacon-tinged buzz. This will probably do the trick. It's all part of a new ad campaign that asks: If you like bacon so much, why don't you marry it? SFist called our local Jack to ask more about the porky dessert. When we asked if it had real bacon in it, the store manager explained, "Real bacon? Ugh no. It's just a flavored shake, flavored with syrup, I think."
Petition To Stop Richmond Jack in the Box From Staying Open 24 Hours
After a booze-infused altercation between two tipsy men at the Geary Boulevard Jack in the Box resulted in an intentional hit-run at a gas station, angry residents started a petition to stop the fast food joint's late-night party. As of now, the Ultimate Cheeseburger hawker waits to reclaim their 24-hours status—something far too rare in San Francisco these days. But the fast food joint in question draws an unsavory crowd, usually from neighboring bars, looking for a quick high fructose corn syrup fix.
Anti-Gay Chick Fil-A Looking Toward Santa Rosa Spot
Noted chicken sandwich makers and anti-gay corporation Chick Fil-A wants to open a spot up in the North Bay. According to Grub Street, "A rep at gay-averse chain Chick Fil-A says that they are continuing to expand their 'footprint on the West Coast,' and they have their eyes on a former Burger King at 1452 Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa now."
Burger King Also Charging For Toys
In an effort to dodge San Francisco's Happy Meal ban, Burger King will also start charging 10 cents per trinket. This comes on the heels of McDonald's clever idea to charge customers for Happy Meal toys after Supe. Eric Mar's ban went into effect yesterday. (The proceeds from the toy sales for the latter fast food joint will go to the company's Ronald McDonald House charity, which is building a new facility to temporarily house families with sick children at the UCSF Mission Bay campus.)
Willie Brown Name Checks Subway (Again)
For whatever curious reason, former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown loves Subway sandwiches. And he likes to mention it. A lot. Today, the charismatic $5 foot-long deep throater wrote about his three favorite dishes around town. In addition to lavishing praise on the barbecue at MoMo's and melted cheese and ham fritter at Trader Vic's, Brown coos:
SFist Eats: The Melt
Just last week burgeoning grilled cheese (internet?) startup, The Melt, held a a surprise preview at their very first SF location. SFist was able to take a quick peak inside. The Michael Mina backed QR code expediting chain is opening their first space at 115 New Montgomery at the end of this month. With "grilled cheese in one minute" technology and online ordering, The Melt's founder Jonathan Kaplan (Flip Video founder) hopes to achieve national dominance with over 500 locations.
Racist San Jose Panda Express Sued By Feds
According to the Associated Press, a San Jose Panda Express is in a world of trouble after allegedly discriminating against Latino employees. "Federal officials are suing a San Jose Panda Express, accusing the restaurant of making Latino workers clean toilets and perform other menial work while Asian employees stood around and watched." The suit also claims that the manager "disciplined Latino employees more harshly and more frequently than their Asian counterparts."
McDonald's Happy Meals Now Healthy-ish
The nascent taste bud's loss is now the juvenile waistline's gain. So to speak. See, the noted fast food chain announced today that the McDonald's Happy Meal will receive a healthy makeover. Accused of aiding childhood obesity, the new Happy Meals will boast apple slices, reduced portion of french fries (boo!) and a wider selection of small drinks, including...
Behold Tim Lincecum's Typical In-N-Out Order
According to USA Today, adorable SF Giants pitcher Tm Lincecum has an In-N-Out order that will have your taste buds singing showtunes and your heart committing harakiri. Check it: His traditional fare? Three Double-Doubles. Two fries. A chocolate-strawberry shake. Ketchup please, but hold the lettuce and tomatoes...
Chick-fil-A Opening In San Francisco/Bay Area?
Chick-fil-A, a Georgia-based fast food chain noted for their fried chicken sandwiches and anti-civil rights philosophy, might open shop in or near San Francisco. Gulp. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Chick-fil-A plans to add 90 new locations around the U.S., "including the San Francisco Bay Area and Boise, Idaho." It's particularly intriguing in light of the recent discovery that, among other atrocities, the company works hand-in-hand with ex-gay abuse groups. Terrible.
Taco Bell Giving Away 10 Million Questionable Tacos
Not sure if this is good or bad news, but Taco Bell plans on giving away 10 million free tacos featuring their famous beef-like crumble. This latest marketing scheme was sparked by the lawsuit that claimed Taco Bell's meat contains a scant 36% real beef. Get your free taco via Facebook. Or, at the risk of getting all Marie Antoinette on you, print out a bajillion of these coupons and hand them out to people in need. [Eater]
Major Beef With Taco Bell
OC-based fast food giant Taco Bell has been hit with a lawsuit alleging they're fibbing when they say their food uses "seasoned ground beef" or "seasoned beef." In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in the Central District, Southern Division, in Santa Ana on behalf of plaintiff Amanda Obney of California, the suit "charges that Taco Bell's meat mixture contains binders and extenders and does not meet the minimum requirements set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be labeled as beef," explains USA Today.
Haight McDonald's Nixes Dollar Menu
Well, this seems downright mean, depriving someone of a $1 McDouble. And that, dear readers, is just what the Haight and Stanyan McDonald's has done. See, according to the Chronicle, the store "eliminated its Dollar Menu about a month ago, making the items on it too expensive for the people who spend the better part of their day on the sidewalk in front." (Is that even legal? The Dollar Menu, as you all know, is as American as dissidence and apple pie.)
SFist Eats: Jollibee
Many San Franciscans recognize the joyful cartoon bee outside the city's only Jollibee at Fourth and Howard streets, but few venture inside to check it out. What is Jollibee, you ask? (With a gluttony of food writers, we couldn't find one whimsical article or review on the unique-to-S.F. joint...
How to Make In-N-Out's Double-Double Animal Style
Lindsay William-Ross at LAist brings our attention to a serious gastronomic matter: making you own In-N-Out Double-Double Animal Style burger. "Using a serious of mathematical formulas, a care package shipped overnight from California, and some kitchen intuition, J. Kenji Lopez-Alt of the site's 'A Hamburger Today.' completely breaks down everything on the burger from spread to beef and what it means to 'grill the mustard' on the patty," William-Ross explains.
Peninsula Gets Another In-N-Out
Already basking in the glory of having a Chili's, two Targets, and a Krispy-Kreme, the Peninsula can go straight to hell after signing a deal to get another In-N-Out in their neck of the woods. Bah. The family-owned chain will drop a spore at 949 Veterans Boulevard in Redwood City, providing the South of San Francisco set with affordable, tasty food that's as California as surfing, "like," and oversized purses. San Francisco, as many of you know, has only one In-N-Out, located in the impenetrable Fisherman's Wharf area. [Biz Times, via Grub Street]
McDonald's Happy Meals Banned in Santa Clara County
Happy Meals are about to get a lot less happy. That is, unless the fast food chains that peddle them can change their ways. For the toys and other promotional items that accompany those highly-caloric kid's meals are soon to be banned in parts of Santa Clara county.
Carl's Jr, CPK Served After Alice Waters Live Demonstration
Described by OC Weekly as the "quintessential Berkeleyite," Alice Waters visited Los Angeles this past weekend to promote her latest literary effort, In the Green Kitchen: Techniques to Learn By Heart at the L.A. Times Festival of Books. Although this year's Festival of Book was reportedly "weaker than most for food lovers," defenseless Waters had to watch, after "[having] her way with unbelievably high-quality vegetables on stage," as the audience was presented with lunch choices like Carl's Jr., California Pizza Kitchen and Panda Express. Oops. We imagine neither the Donna of organic food nor the audience were none to thrilled. (In fast food's defense, the Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger is a modern marvel to behold.) [via Eater]
The KFC Double Down, a Love Story
Many have written about, talked about, gushed about and cursed about the KFC Double Down, a sodium-rich, chicken treat we have yet, but are eagerly awaiting, to taste. And, since we can't take Double Down reviews written within the 7x7-mile compound of San Francisco seriously -- SF denizens are best when critiquing, say, a sprig of thyme -- here's a delightful video shot by Alex of 1, 2, 3 Geaux that, more or less, explains what's it's like to enjoy the infamous KFC treat.
Biggest Dining Surprise of the Year: In-N-Out, or Lack Thereof
Paolo Lucchesi at Eater complied a super swell list of this year's biggest dining surprises according to local notables (including yours truly). But Lucchesi, of course, is the only one who goes right for the gut. Insofar as the biggest grub surprise of 2009 goes, he writes, "That there is still only one In-N-Out—sans drive-thru—in this entire city but there are 20 La Boulanges." Truer words have never been typed -- White Night Riots material, folks. Here's to hoping the Synder family drops a few more spores in SF in 2010.
Legendary McRib Returns to San Francisco?
Uh oh. Both Eater LA and the LA Times are reporting that an outbreak of McDonald's elusive McRib sandwich has ensued in the greater Southland. This naturally begs the question, when will the McRib spread to the Bay Area? According to the McRib Locator, the McRib has already been spotted in one of San Francisco's many McDo franchises. Could this be true?
South SF Man Calls 911 Over Wendy's Menu Prices
Billed as the best story of November thus far, SF Examiner brings you a true tale of jarring criminal mischief. Ahem:
Chron Columnist Catalogs "Vile" Fast Foods; We Think They Look Kinda Good
We know it's, like, not cool around these parts to admit one's love of over-processed, non-organic, industrially farmed fast food. And maybe it's just that we haven't had breakfast yet, but we couldn't help but notice that all of the foods chosen by Chron editor and "Poop" columnist Peter Hartlaub in his roundup of fast foods he finds "vile" look sort of delicious to us right now. McDonald's McGriddle sandwich? Who doesn't like the combination of sausage with a pancake with syrup? Those KFC bowls? Delicious hangover food if you ask us. And while Domino's is hardly the best pizza or the most politically conscious food choice for liberals, that bacon cheeseburger pizza would also hit the spot. We admit we have not tried the Taco Bell Volcano Taco (pictured), but it, too, might entice us after a long day of driving down I-5. We're really sorry if this offends your sensibilities. And all this on a day when Mayor Newsom issued an executive order for sustainable food practices citywide!
As God As My Witness You'll Never Go Hungry Again With Our New Kobe Steaks and Pomme Frites!
So, the Old Gray Lady hauled out the printing press to publish a story about how "cool-hunting hipsters" love Valenica Street. Sure, it's a dated piece. Wildly so, it seems. The article goes on and on Valencia Street faves: terrorist hangout Ritual Coffee Roasters, the macabre plant/carcass retailer Paxton Gate, and the God-we-love-this-place-so-much-but-wish-half-of-you-who-go-there-would-head-to-Casanova-instead Amnesia.

