It isn’t like San Francisco Denny’s provided us anything beyond generic overpriced eggs and pancakes. But losing it still stings my heart in that place that loves everything nostalgic.
The location at 816 Mission lived a stone’s throw from Metreon, home of many first dates when I moved to San Francisco in 2010. We would saunter to the house of passable coffee after watching Inception and Cinderella, and somehow still spent $30 each for sausage links and toast — because SF. Broadly though, Denny’s reminds me of childhood times spent with theater kids after a rehearsal; It’s where we wasted time in Sacramento when we wanted to avoid our parents.
Their last day of business was Aug. 1, with franchise owner Chris Haque citing vandalism, slow business, and dine-and-dash customers as the reason. I’ve eaten at this San Francisco Denny’s multiple times in the past decade, and it’s always had a decidedly lifeless vibe, lackadaisical service staff, and a large dining room alongside bland entrees. Now I’ve learned to no surprise that it was the most expensive Denny’s in California.
San Franciscans tend to shade big-box chains, but then lose their shit when they shutter. The most well-read stories I filed at Hoodline were Taco Bell and Walgreens closures. And while divisive opinions abound on the pharmacy giant, I think people miss places like Taco Bell, Chevys and Denny’s not just because of the explosive diarrhea, but because there’s comfort in the familiar.
“Man, this sucks. I went there after my graduation from CCSF,” I read online. Added another: “I’ve never been there and never would have gone, but, yet, I feel this sense of loss.”
Many people despised this location though. Said one:
“Finally! Terrible food and horrible service!” Added another, “Who eats Dennys in 2024? Last time I tried them in 2009 after Avatar, and we all became deathly sick!”
Oh well. I wish I had a better diner pick for you, but the Mel’s across the street and on Geary have both been hot messes for me, from stomach cramps, weird service and very unreliable hours. Admittedly I do like the hotel bar-looking one on Van Ness.
Probably the best diner food I know in San Francisco is Pinecrest on 401 Geary St. And I love Crepevine in Inner Sunset for gigantic portions of eggs and fries. What Orphan Andy’s lacks in food quality, it makes up in late hours, proximity to bars, and charm.
We will endure without this San Francisco Denny’s because it seems none of us loved it very much anyway.
Saul Sugarman is editor in chief of The Bold Italic.
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