{"id":48442,"date":"2026-05-28T12:58:50","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T19:58:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/?p=48442"},"modified":"2026-05-28T12:59:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T19:59:24","slug":"the-tenderloin-deserves-a-fresh-look","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/2026\/05\/28\/the-tenderloin-deserves-a-fresh-look\/","title":{"rendered":"The Tenderloin Deserves A Fresh Look"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by\u00a0Randy Shaw<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0May 26, 2026 (BeyondChron.org)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Promoting the Tenderloin\u2019s Revival<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tenderloin\u2019s sidewalk drug activities are finally declining. Stores that were fronts for illegal activities have been closed. Long troubled blocks have been cleared. Problems remain, but unfairly negative perceptions of the Tenderloin are slowing the neighborhood\u2019s revival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tenderloin has much to offer. Those who want to support San Francisco\u2019s largest remaining low-income and working-class neighborhood, the one with the most children and with the greatest ethnic diversity, need to give visiting the Tenderloin another chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s some of what you will find in the Tenderloin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The City\u2019s Largest Residential Historic District<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tenderloin is a national Historic District. It has 409 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Roughly 100 of these buildings covering 33 blocks have plaques detailing their history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also nine \u201cLost Landmark\u201d plaques<\/a> on sidewalks. They highlight places like the Compton\u2019s Cafeteria and Blackhawk Jazz Club, which are no longer with us (the must-see Compton\u2019s Cafeteria Riot play<\/a> at 835 Larkin brings back that legendary 1966 event).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tenderloin was likely the nation\u2019s first apartment and hotel district. It\u2019s primarily composed of large buildings. It\u2019s only single family home was built in the 1960\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can learn about the neighborhood\u2019s extraordinary history by visiting the Tenderloin Museum. The museum was an outgrowth of my research into the Tenderloin\u2019s lost history; that history is fully displayed in my book, The Tenderloin: Sex, Crime and Resistance in the Heart of San Francisco<\/a>. It\u2019s got over 125 photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to its permanent exhibitions the museum has evening programing and events. Check out what\u2019s happening on the museum\u2019s website<\/a>. You can buy tickets there<\/a> for the acclaimed Compton\u2019s play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The museum also offers guided walking tours<\/a>. The tours bring Tenderloin history to life. They also enable visitors to see many of the Tenderloin\u2019s unique murals; only the Mission rivals the Tenderloin for its public artwork (a huge new mural funded by Chris Larsen\u2019s $5 million donation<\/a> to revive Larkin Street was just completed at Golden Gate and Larkin).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tenderloin Museum is about to triple in size. A new exhibition is planned on the Cadillac Hotel\u2019s legendary Newman\u2019s Gym, where Muhammed Ali, George Foreman and other famous boxers trained. Another exhibition will highlight the Tenderloin\u2019s role in helping Indian-American hotel owners build the national hotel industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The museum will also feature what will be the city\u2019s largest public collection of historic neon signs. If you visit at night you will many throughout the Tenderloin. The neon sign pictured above replaces one at the same site in the 1940\u2019s and 50\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try the Tenderloin: Its Delicious<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tenderloin has long been a neighborhood of restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. Some bars closed during  but Aunt Charlies Lounge<\/a>, the Nite Cap Bar<\/a>, Cinnabar<\/a>. Bourbon & Branch<\/a>, The Zombie Village<\/a>, and Emperor Norton\u2019s BoozeLand<\/a> remain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tenderloin\u2019s Black Cat Jazz Supper Club<\/a> remains one of the city\u2019s preeminent jazz venues. CounterPulse<\/a> and its 115-seat theater has a long history of experimental art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The monthly Thursday Art Walks<\/a> are great way to capture the Tenderloin and adjacent Lower Polk\u2019s current art spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tenderloin dining spots reflect the neighborhood\u2019s ethnic diversity. I can\u2019t list all the  great Tenderloin restaurants but  Son and Garden<\/a>, Azalina\u2019s<\/a>, Brenda\u2019s French Soul Food<\/a>, and Out of Sight Pizza<\/a> are all worth a trip to enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Out of Sight Pizza will soon open a dive bar with top quality bar food at the corner of Turk and Larkin. It\u2019s being named Reggie and Maude\u2019s, after Tenderloin madams Reggie Gamble and Maude Spencer, whose historic 1917 sex workers\u2019 campaign is discussed in my book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saigon Sandwich<\/a> continues to have long lines. L & G Vietnamese Sandwich Restaurant<\/a> is one of Mayor Lurie\u2019s go-to lunch spots in the Tenderloin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A great Chinese restaurant is Hai Ky Mi Gia, <\/a> \u201cSan Francisco\u2019s Mom and Pop Noodle House.\u201d It\u2019s in the heart of Little Saigon at Larkin and Ellis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yemini<\/a> brings out the cuisine of the Tenderloin\u2019s Yeminese population. Sungho<\/a> enables diners to experience the traditional Korean gukbap. Sai Jai Thai<\/a> has been serving authentic Thai food in the Tenderloin since 1997. Chao Pescao<\/a> offers Cuban-Colombian dining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bodega<\/a> has a storied history. <\/a>Caleb Zigas, who went on to found La Cocina, wrote a restaurant review<\/a> for Beyond Chron in 2004, soon after the original Bodega Bistro opened in Little Saigon. Now on Mason, Bodega is run by the son of the prior owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of my personal favorites is Kinara Fusion Kitchen<\/a> at Geary and Jones. It specializes in creative Indian fusion dishes. Its around the corner from two popular Indian restaurants, Shalimar<\/a>\u2014a favorite of D5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood\u2014and Chutney<\/a>. On the same block as these two is the acclaimed Ox & Tiger<\/a>, a Filipino and Japanese inspired pop up. Also nearby is Cantoo<\/a>, a popular Latin Asian restaurant<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try these restaurants. They are delicious!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next time you attend the Golden Gate Theater, the Warfield or the Orpheum, consider dining at one of the Tenderloin\u2019s top restaurants before or after.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Become Part of the Solution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tenderloin cannot revive without more positive foot traffic. You can help make this happen by patronizing neighborhood venues. Think about it: Where else can you do a social good by eating a great meal or enjoying a festive bar?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more people who come to eat or drink, the more people will follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why sharing positive experiences about the Tenderloin is so helpful. If you on social media, when you have a positive Tenderloin experience, post about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many already post Instagram videos rebuffing negative stereotypes about the Tenderloin. Check out this Instagram post<\/a> from Darian Anthony. These posts can make a huge difference, particularly in attracting young people to the neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re social media inclined, you can also post your video on Instagram at visittenderloin (www.visittenderloin.com<\/a>) <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tenderloin was on the rise when Covid hit. Its brand has since been badly hurt by increased drug activities. The Tenderloin\u2019s reputation can only be restored if people give the neighborhood a fresh look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tenderloin has always been a gritty neighborhood. Even during its many decades as one of the city\u2019s most prosperous neighborhoods,  it has never been for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The summer is a great time to visit. You\u2019ll be glad you did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Randy Shaw<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Randy Shaw is the Editor of Beyond Chron and the Director of San Francisco\u2019s Tenderloin Housing Clinic, which publishes Beyond Chron. Shaw’s new book is the revised and updated, The Tenderloin: Sex, Crime and Resistance in the Heart of San Francisco. His prior books include Generation Priced Out: Who Gets to Live in the New Urban America. The Activist’s Handbook: Winning Social Change in the 21st Century, and Beyond the Fields: Cesar Chavez, the UFW and the Struggle for Justice in the 21st Century. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More Posts<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by\u00a0Randy Shaw\u00a0on\u00a0May 26, 2026 (BeyondChron.org) Promoting the Tenderloin\u2019s Revival The Tenderloin\u2019s sidewalk drug activities are finally declining. Stores that were fronts for illegal activities have been closed. Long troubled blocks have been cleared. Problems remain, but unfairly negative perceptions of the Tenderloin are slowing the neighborhood\u2019s revival. The Tenderloin has… Continue reading → <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1878],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48442"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48442"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48442\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48443,"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48442\/revisions\/48443"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48442"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48442"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48442"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}