The people of Napa were upset (for good reason) and the media were confused (also for good reason), but on August 8, New Belgium Brewing Company finally let everyone in on the joke: there’s no never had a plan to build a beer-themed water park in Napa. Valley. The company launched a month-long public relations campaign to create the illusion that a beer-themed Six Flags amusement park was inbound — kinda, for comedy lovers. The San Francisco Chronicle writes that the joke went too far, much like spilling beer on another partygoer’s white shirt to keep a funny story alive. At that point, it’s not really funny.
To be clear, it was already pretty obvious that the plans were unrealistic. There were never any license applications submitted to the county commissioner, nor any paperwork to the Department of Liquor Control. A community vote is the only way to get a project of just about any size through the overall county plan, anyway, and this one would have had a chance of snowballing to hell. The company, however, announced plans to donate $10,000 to the Napa Valley Community Foundation as a nod to tie the gaffe together.
Home kitchens in Alameda County are closing at an alarming rate
Just a year after licensing home chefs, new commercial operators in Alameda County are struggling to stay open. The San Francisco Chronicle discoveries of 49 initial permit applicants only 24 still have active businesses. Cooks were able to run these businesses thanks to a 2019 law allowing entrepreneurs to sell food from doorsteps. Some homeowners say it’s not sustainable to run the kitchen from home without another source of income.
Meet the 77-year-old man behind the North Beach barbecue pop-up
In the parking lot near Kennedy’s Indian Curry House & Irish Pub, James Adams hands out ribs, brisket, and even 7-UP Lemon Cake. He is co-owner and chef of Adams Smoked Meats, and was born in San Francisco before growing up in Stockton. SFGATE reports that the chef worked as a butcher at Shenson’s Corned Beef and Gallo Salame before opening his own business, and we’re all the lucky ones for this latest big hit. Grab a bite Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
California fast food workers live well below the poverty line
A new report from UC San Francisco and Harvard finds California fast-food workers earn $3 less per hour than other service workers, a total of $6,000 less per year. The Mercury News reports that while this information is not terribly new, current legislative proposals, like Assembly Bill 257, rely on data like this to make the case for joint representation, salaries higher and better working conditions.
This Berkeley barbecue restaurant is trying to stay afloat
After their mother died of COVID-19 a year ago, owners of Everett and Jones on San Pablo Avenue are looking for ways to keep the nearly 50-year-old business open. Food spoke with Shamar Cotton, one of the third-generation family owners, about being pushed into this position.
This fast casual restaurant in downtown SF has finally reopened
For the first time since 2020, Culver City-born Tendergreens opened in San Francisco. From August 4, fans will be able to pick up their favorite bowl, whether it’s the Happy Vegan or the Portofino, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
