The way we eat has changed dramatically over the past year - and with all of the shifts and uncertainty, restaurants and chefs have had to get creative. Tons of pop-ups have well, popped up, in San Francisco, and they’re making some of the best meals we’ve had recently. From cinnamon rolls and breakfast tacos to café con leche-flavored conchas, here are 32 SF pop-ups you should know about right now.
And because there are so many pop-ups to keep track of, we decided to split this list into two. For a guide to East Bay pop-ups, head here.
The Pop-Ups
Sandy's SF
Sandy’s SF is a pop-up doing New Orleans-style muffuletta sandwiches, and they’re stuffing theirs with soppressata, mortadella, prosciutto, provolone, and an olive salad. Pick ups are out of Maison Corbeaux in Pacific Heights. Check their Instagram for the next pop-up date.
Hunnybee
Hunnybee’s mostly-Filipino menu changes weekly. One day you might see pork belly sisig and churros with ube sugar, and the other, pancit and empanadas. Keep an eye on their Instagram for updated menus and pop-up dates (pick ups are usually out of Liholiho Yacht Club). Hunnybee also donates a portion of their proceeds to charities, like Stop AAPI Hate or Mission Meals Collective.
Mama Soco's Birria
If you’re in the mood for cheesy quesabirria tacos or birria with rice, you’ll want to track down Mama Soco’s. They recently popped up at Excelsior Coffee’s block party, and have also made appearances at Speakeasy Ales & Lagers in the past. Check their Instagram for future pop-up dates.
Midnite Bagel
Midnite Bagel is sold out until June (we blame it on the bagel article). However, you can still place a very early pre-order here for home delivery or pick up at the Ferry Building Farmers’ Market in the-actually-pretty-distant-future, June. They specialize in sourdough bagels, but are also making plain and smoked salmon cream cheese, and buckwheat black sesame bread.
We Got Crabz
We Got Crabz is, unsurprisingly, a crab and lobster-focused pop-up operating out of Nabe in the Marina. Every Saturday, you can pick up things like garlic noodles or Singaporean chili crab with fried mantou. Pre-orders are required, so be sure to DM them on Instagram or email wegotcrabzsf@gmail.com by the night before you want to pick up.
Trestle Pop-Up
Fans of Trestle and their prix fixe three-course menu will be excited to hear they’ve reopened - but as a pop-up at The Vault. Their $39 menu changes weekly, but expect to see things like roasted duck leg confit with caramelized sunchokes or chocolate coconut cream pie. Make a reservation here.
Smokin D's BBQ
Smokin D’s makes Texas-style smoked barbecue - so expect to see things like brisket sandwiches, prime rib sliders, or smoked meat by the pound on the menu. They don’t have a set schedule, so keep an eye on their Instagram for pick up dates or the occasional pop-up - their most recent one was at Standard Deviant Brewing in the Mission.
Norte 54
Norte 54 is a bakery specializing in Mexican pastries, like café con leche-flavored conchas, guava cakes, and pineapple turnovers. They’re currently operating out of Nopalito’s Broderick location and to-go window in the Mission from Tuesday to Sunday, and at the Mission Community Market on Thursdays.
Outta Sight
Outta Sight is a pizza pop-up in SF making slices and whole pies topped with everything from fennel sausage and mushrooms to pepperoni. They occasionally pop up at places like True Laurel or Habibi Bar - and will usually post pop-up dates to their Instagram stories.
Marinucci's Pasta Shop
You’ll usually find Marinucci’s selling fresh pastas and sauces at the Outer Sunset Farmers’ Market on Sundays. They also recently started popping up at the Mission Bowling Club. They have squid ink linguine, whole wheat pappardelle, squash and brown butter sauce, spreads, and more. Pre-order online, and check their Instagram for pop-up dates.
Good Children
For comfort in the form of sweet treats, head to Good Children, a dessert-focused pop-up. In addition to cookies and sundaes, you can order pints of chicory coffee praline, hibiscus rose, and kiwi sorbet. They’re currently on pause, and used to operate out of Dear Inga in the Mission. Keep an eye on their Instagram for future pop-up dates.
Masak Masak
The Malaysian pop-up is operating out of Biondivino in Russian Hill. Right now, they’re taking pre-orders only for things like goat curry, steamed and stuffed soft tofu, and mango citrus panna cotta for delivery throughout SF, the East Bay, and Marin County.
Total Meltdown
Cheese lovers, assemble - Total Meltdown, a pop-up serving grilled cheese, mac and cheese, and cheesy tater tots, is open for dinner from Tuesday to Sunday at Mission Picnic. Toppings range from birria and pulled pork to gochujang maple glazed bacon. Order ahead here.
Hermanita
Hermanita is a pop-up highlighting food from Baja, Mexico, serving things like pozole rojo, lamb barbacoa, and chicken tamales. It operates out of Uma Casa on Saturdays and Sundays, and is first come, first serve - so be sure to get there early. Keep an eye on their Instagram for updates.
LoJo's Taco Shop
Get your breakfast taco fix at LoJo’s Tacos, a pop-up operating out of Avedano’s Meats in Bernal Heights. Their thick flour tortillas are filled with everything from maple-glazed bacon and eggs to chorizo and homestyle potatoes. You can stop by on Saturday mornings from 8am-noon, and take your tacos to Holly Park to enjoy in the sun.
Akna
Akna is a Mayan-Yucatecan pop-up in the now-closed Barcino space in Hayes Valley. Their extensive menu has a dozen different tacos, from cochinita pibil to lamb al pastor, and rice plates, salads, and breakfast dishes. Rounding out the menu are desserts like flan and buñuelos, and bottled cocktails and beer. Order your food to go Wednesday to Sunday, 11am-8pm.
The creamy, Japanese-inspired Basque cheesecakes from Basuku Cheesecakes have been known to sell out in less than 15 seconds, so if you want to get your hands on one you’ll need lightning-fast reflexes - and probably a dose of luck. Pick-up locations across the Bay change, so your best bet is to keep an eye on their Instagram for updates and instructions on how to order - and may the odds be in your favor.
Chicken Dog Bagels
Alex Rogers is operating Chicken Dog Bagels out of PizzaHacker in Bernal Heights on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Rogers specializes in sourdough bagels and bagel sandwiches filled with lox or smoked trout rillettes. In case you’re wondering, Chicken is his dog. Pre-order here at noon the day before you want to pick up your bagels, or walk up to order.
This pop-up makes some of the best bagels we’ve tried recently - they’re chewy, with a crackly crust, and are well-seasoned all over. They also occasionally serve bagel sandwiches. If you’d rather stick to loose bagels and cream cheese, pre-order here for delivery or pick-up in SF or the East Bay. Poppy Bagels also makes appearances at the Grand Lake Farmers’ Market on Saturdays.
Intu-on
Intu-on is an Isaan Thai pop-up currently operating out of Hayes Valley’s Birba Wine Bar on Sundays. The chef, who previously worked at Kin Khao and LA’s Night + Market, is offering things like papaya salad, shrimp mousse toast, and crispy curry rice. Check their Instagram for menu updates.
Sankofa Pop-Up
Keep an eye on the Ghanaian pop-up’s Instagram for future pop-ups, which have been known to sell out quickly. The menu changes, but expect to see dishes like chinchinga, chicken palaver, stewed okra, and hibiscus bofrot.
Astranda Bakery
Eric Chow, a Tartine Bakery alum and pastry chef from Bar Agricole, is currently focusing on making scones, crostatas, and fluffy, coffee-flavored cinnamon rolls. Chow is on paternity leave until May, so keep an eye on Astranda’s Instagram for updates.
Frolic & Detour Bakery
Frolic & Detour pops up once a month at Deli Board and Garden Creamery, and focuses on cookies. They have eight different flavors that all sound great - including masala chai molasses, birthday cake, and chocolate espresso passion fruit - so if you want to try them all, your best bet is to order at least one of each. If you can’t wait for Frolic & Detour’s pop-ups to get your hands on these cookies, you can also place an order online - you’ll get a box of 12 for next day pick-up at Saint Frank Coffee in Russian Hill.
Ox & Tiger
The dishes at this pop-up draw on the chefs’ Filipino and Japanese cultures - so expect things like chicken karaage sandwiches, yakisoba pan, mentaiko pancit, and more. You can subscribe to their weekly Japanese sandwich plan or order takeout for pick-up in SF from Tuesday to Friday. Check their Instagram for the latest menus and updates.
Stop by the Hawaiian pop-up for kalua pork sliders, furikake fries, and excellent plate lunches with salt and pepper karaage and macaroni salad. Unco Franks is currently operating out of The Devil’s Acre in North Beach from Tuesday to Sunday where you can stop by to grab food and cocktails to go, or sit down in their parklet out front.
Miguelito’s
From Wednesday to Sunday, Abrazo in Russian Hill is hosting a pop-up called Miguelito’s. They’re selling charred octopus tacos topped with chorizo aioli and a citrus slaw, carne asada street tacos, chicken, carnitas, elotes, and more out of Abrazo’s side door on Union Street. And if you want an extra kick, ask for their house-made habanero salsa, which they’re selling by the bottle.
Beretta Pop-Up
Our spot in the Mission for Italian small plates and cocktails is also popping up on Divisadero. So if you’re in NoPa and are suddenly hit with the all-consuming need for burrata, like, right now, you’re in luck. They’re currently open for takeout, delivery, and outdoor dining.
Al Pastor Papi
If (and by if, we mean when) you’re in desperate need of some al pastor, check Al Pastor Papi’s Instagram to see where their truck is at. The location changes every day, but they’re typically around SF. If, by some miraculous force, you don’t want al pastor, they’ve also got carne asada, chicken, and nopales - all of which you can get in tacos, open-faced quesadillas, burritos, or bowls.
The Vegan Hood Chefs
Since 2017, The Vegan Hood Chefs have been bringing plant-based soul food to SF, and healthier options to local Black and brown communities that have historically lacked access to them. They’re currently popping up on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at Speakeasy Ale & Lagers - check their Instagram for updates. The menu varies, but expect to see things like lobster mac and cheese, oyster po’boys, or sweet potato and black bean tacos. You can also place a catering order on their website.
Pie Society
Angela Pinkerton, who was previously a pastry chef at Che Fico, is now making excellent pies for pick-up. The menu changes weekly with what’s in season (so keep an eye on the website), but expect things like Gravenstein apple, pluot raspberry with a brown butter shortbread crumble, key lime, and passionfruit and bay leaf meringue pie. Five- and nine-inch pies are available for pick-up on weekends at places like Ritual Coffee, Smitten Ice Cream, and other spots in SF, Oakland, and Berkeley.
The Filipino pop-up has seven-course dinners and prepared food to-go. Their offerings change periodically, but standbys include things like chicken inasal, lumpia, pancit luglug, and sisig fried rice. You can place an order online for delivery or pick up in SF from Thursday to Saturday.
Claws of Mantis
This Vietnamese spot doesn’t pop up on a regular schedule. But if you check their Instagram and find a date is approaching, put it on your calendar immediately - so you can look forward to things like papaya salad, braised pork belly, and pandan butter mochi. In the past, they’ve had set dinner menus for pick-up and delivery in SF, and recently, they had an a la carte menu and outdoor dining at The Showdown in North Beach.
