We stood behind a couple who looked like they belonged in Brooklyn or the West Village as opposed to the sleepy neighborhood that is the Outer Richmond District of San Francisco. I’d lived in the avenues, albeit five years ago, and had felt conflicted about its quiet suburban feel. These days, however, it seems a new energy has taken root on this side of San Francisco.
What I appreciate about the Outer Richmond (and most spots in SF) is that even when an incredibly hip eatery opens—staffed by mullet-sporting, mustachioed youths—there are still old couples and families there, enjoying themselves as much as any young Zoomer.
My friend Anna and I fall somewhere in-between and tonight, we were excited come to grab some pizza at the Laundromat SF.
The restaurant has made quite a name for itself, and I loved an excuse to get back out to that side of the city. I’d been there once before and had experienced the hot demand and long wait times, but we weren’t nervous about that. There was also a wine bar that was calling our names just a few blocks up and over.
Getting a Table at the Laundromat SF
It wasn’t just the patrons who had a trendy hipster vibe. The hosts were both as cool as cucumbers. The girl who jotted down our names sported an Amelie-style bob while the young kid working with her had a real Dazed and Confused thing going. He had shoulder length brown hair and rocked a band t-shirt and baggy jeans.
The front of the house was busy as people waited and scoped to see if they could snag seating at the bar. It’s first come first serve and given the forty-minute to an hour wait time for a table, it made sense that it was a shark’s den for those seats.
The wait wasn’t so bad if you knew how to do it right. You’re welcome to order a drink from the bar and, as Anna and I knew, there were some places around that could help fill the time while other diners finished their meals.
We let the host jot down our phone number. The we proceeded toward a new bar that we wanted to try just past my favorite theater in the whole world: The Balboa Theater. Whether they’re showing Space Jam on VHS or hosting surf documentaries to fundraise for Maui, this small theater is a community staple. My favorite part of seeing a film at this theater is the trailer that the staff made for the concessions stand.
Getting a Drink While We Waited at Rampant Bottle & Bar
I was in love with Rampant Bottle + Bar (or Rampant Wine Co.) as soon as we spotted the hand-painted “RAMPANT” sign in the window and Danny DeVito “It’s Always Sunny” Artwork.
We hurried across the street and entered the small space. It would seem that luck was on our side, and almost as soon as we walked in a couple sitting at the bar smiled and got up, offering us their seats.
Hooking our coats and bags under the bar counter, we were greeted by the cheerful barman in a cozy striped cardigan with a “hi friends!”
I did feel like a friend.
Behind him a white tile backsplash, soothing green wall color, open shelving, and varied selection of wines made it impossible not to feel at home.
Anna ordered a glass of a chilled red while I opted for a glass of non-alcoholic riesling. It’s a brand I’d had before and my body was still working to get over a cold.
Thirty or so minutes later, we realized her service was spotty, so we closed our tab and walked back over to the Laundromat.
Hipsters and Beers at the Laundromat SF
Heading back before an official text from the host meant we were waiting by the bar for a bit, but this was no problem. It was fun to people watch. A dad with his son trying to convince him to take one more bite. A woman in a Big Island hat snatching up two open seats for her and her girlfriend.
Friends of the chef, waiters, and owners (at least that’s how it appeared) showed up and hugs were exchanged. They fit the part of this trendy restaurant, each resembling either a snowboarder who’d taken one weekend away from Tahoe or a rad artist with shag-cut hair and thick bangs.
The host let us know when our table was eating dessert, and after that, it was only a few more minutes until we were shown to a high-top in the back.
Getting Our Veggies and Our Pizza Fix Too
Hand-drawn menus were available at the host stand, so we’d perused while we waited. This meant that we knew what we wanted almost as soon as we sat down.
I remembered their kale salad being delicious, and we both wanted to try the broccoli pizza. I’m a vegetarian and Anna is willing to forgo meat when she’s with me on a solo date!
We also made sure to get a side of ranch and the truffle honey. Oh! And we made sure to request red pepper flakes because neither of us can resist that extra spice.
Anna stuck with chilled red wine while I opted for a beer (my first since being sick).
The Kelly’s Cove kale salad was as delicious as I remembered. It’s made from dino kale, expertly massaged (a must when it comes to kale), and dressed with a caesar dressing that is dill-forward.
The pizzas are thick. They’re cut in square slices and can serve two to three people easily. We each ate a couple slices and were able to take slices home.
Our broccoli pizza had charred broccoli rabe, fennel shaved into thin slices, a base of red sauce but topped with calabrian chile sauce (an cheesy looking sauce generously applied on top).
With the addition of the homemade ranch dressing and truffle honey, it was a deliciously unique meal of nutty, sweet, and savory flavors.
This all washed down with a crisp pils? Welp, there’s not much I could ask for more of.
The Bathroom is Worth a Visit
What you should know is that the Laundromat is known for bagels in the morning. They’re probably more famous for their bagels than they are for their big pies.
As we stood in the front of the restaurant, waiting to be seated, I heard a friend of the owner telling his buddy next to him that the toilet seat had been a gift from another friend.
This, of course, piqued my curiosity.
The toilet seat is clear with bagels printed on it. It’s pretty outstanding. Across from it is a piece of art with a bad ass woman on a motorcycle with gothic lettering spelling out “Fuck Housework.”
There’s only one bathroom, so don’t spend too much time admiring the design when you’re there, but it’s definitely worth it if you already have to go.
Grab a Cookie From Butter Love Before You Jet from the Richmond District
When we were just the right level of stuffed, we got the check and thanked our waiter who was rushing around, efficiently handling the rush while still having fun and saying hi to friends who stopped in and snagged seats at the bar.
I noticed a coffee machine behind the counter and could see how that could come in handy, especially for those working.
We hopped down from our seats and made our way out of the restaurant, walking through the aisle between the high-tops at the center and the tables that were set up against the walls. Bold artwork making a statement behind happy diners.
Outside, we waited for our car to arrive and smelled the sweet caramlized scent of freshly baked cookies. A local had just bought some cookies and, upon seeing us waiver in front of the little bakery, Butter Love Bakeshop, insisted that we should buy something as well.
We ended up buying the Cowboy cookie (which I think had coconut and toffee) and who cares what it had in it because it was FREAKING DELICIOUS melt-in-your-mouth crunch and chew goodness.
I couldn’t stop laughing at the fact that you could order a carton of milk (plant and cow based) with your cookie until our car arrived.
The ride home from our old haunts felt like a warm love letter to the city and the places we’d lived. We pointed out storefronts that had changed and those that remained the same after all these years.
Though this wasn’t a visit to a slice shop necessarily, this Friday night trip to the Laundromat SF certainly scratched that community-love, pizza itch!
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