What It’s Like To Eat In Chinatown & The Mission When The Streets Are Closed For Restaurants

In May, San Francisco launched the Shared Spaces program, which closes streets off to car traffic in order to give restaurants more space for socially-distanced outdoor dining. On paper, the program makes a ton of sense. Coronavirus rates have forced the state to effectively ban indoor dining for the foreseeable future. And it’s clear that restaurants can’t survive on takeout and delivery alone. In these uncertain times, the Shared Spaces program is a compelling experiment, one that could improve restaurants’ chances of survival.

Chinatown is home to the city’s first full street closure, which kicked off on July 18th. Three city blocks - the stretch of Grant Avenue between California and Washington streets, and Commercial between Kearny and Grant Avenue - are now pedestrian-only every Saturday and Sunday through September 20th. Last week, Valencia Street in the Mission also underwent a car-free transformation. During a three-month pilot program, two blocks of the street will be closed to car traffic Thursdays through Sundays. And since the launch of the Shared Spaces program, many more streets in the city have applied and requested to close for traffic.

Especially in neighborhoods like Chinatown, which has been heavily economically impacted by anti-Asian racism, the Shared Spaces program feels imperative. But still, many questions remain, like who actually stands to gain from this program? In what ways will geography and terrain impact the success of future Shared Spaces street closures? Surely, restaurants in hillier neighborhoods, or those that consistently drive less foot traffic, are at a greater disadvantage. Will diners, who are already conflicted about the safety of outdoor dining, come out to support them? How will the city ensure restaurants all over the city - not just in the center - aren’t left behind?

We recently checked out Grant Avenue in Chinatown on its second week of street closures, and Valencia Street on its debut weekend of the program. Take a look at the photos below to get a sense of what it’s like at restaurants when the streets are closed.

photo credit: Thomas Ty Tran

In Chinatown, Grant Avenue, between California and Washington streets, and Commerical between Kearny Street and Grant Avenue are closed every Saturday and Sunday from 8am-9pm. Below, tables spill out onto the street outside of Dim Sum Corner.

photo credit: Thomas Ty Tran

Grant Street from California to Washington street, closed off to cars. The Chinatown street closures are expected to last at least through Sept. 20th.

photo credit: Thomas Ty Tran

On the left, diners outside of Far East Cafe on Grant Avenue. On the right, sidewalk dining near Bow Hon restaurant.

photo credit: By Thomas Ty Tran

More sidewalk seating at Bow Hon on Grant Avenue.

photo credit: By Thomas Ty Tran

In the Mission, Valencia Street between 16th and 17th streets and 18th and 19th street will be completely car-free Thursday-Sunday from 4 to 10pm. This is sidewalk and street seating outside Limon Rotisserie.

photo credit: By Thomas Ty Tran

Valencia between 16th and 17th Streets is one of three streets closed off to car traffic.

photo credit: Thomas Ty Tran

Tables and chairs outside Puerto Alegre and We Be Sushi.

photo credit: Thomas Ty Tran

On the left, pedestrians and diners pass through Valencia Street. On the right, a server outside of The Chapel’s Curio bar.

photo credit: Thomas Ty Tran

Street seating outside Etcetera Wine Bar, which built a parklet near the corner of Valencia and 19th streets.

photo credit: Thomas Ty Tran

The line outside Tacolicious on Valencia Street.