I love this place. When I was living in the Richmond, I went there often and was gaga over the Dry Pan Fried String Beans

Bay Area’s oldest Burmese restaurant wins major national award

By Elena Kadvany Feb 28, 2024 - SF Chronicle

Mandalay, the Bay Area’s oldest and one of its best Burmese restaurants, has won an award sometimes referred to as the Oscars of restaurants. 

The Inner Richmond restaurant at 4348 California St. is one of six restaurants in the country to win this year’s James Beard Foundation’s America’s Classics Award. It honors “national treasures of timeless appeal that reflect the richness and diversity of our country’s food culture,” James Beard Foundation CEO Clare Reichenbach said in an announcement.

Mandalay opened on Feb. 4, 1984, and people still line up for its punchy tea leaf salad, comforting noodle soups and flaky paratha. The restaurant has been credited with laying the foundation for the Bay Area’s now-rich Burmese food scene.

“We’re very excited,” owner Kevin Chen said Wednesday morning, shortly after learning the restaurant had won the award. Chen took over Mandalay from his uncle in 2003. He said despite the restaurant’s press coverage over the years, the award came as a surprise. It feels particularly meaningful, he said, on Mandalay’s 40th anniversary year.

Since 1998, over 100 restaurants have received the James Beard Foundation’s classics award. Four San Francisco restaurants have previously won: seafood institution Swan Oyster Depot, dim sum favorite Yank Sing, burrito standby La Taqueria and the 175-year-old Tadich Grill.

Winners of the James Beard restaurant and chef awards will be announced at a June 10 ceremony in Chicago.

Bay Area’s oldest Burmese restaurant wins major national award

The menu. Bon Appetit!

https://www.mandalaysf.com/burmese-cuisine-menu/

AND

Mike ElShawa, the founder of Sam's, emigrated from Gaza in 1970. Best falafel I've ever had was in the Souk in Damascus, Syria, 25 cents US.

By Nico Madrigal-Yankowski March 1, 2024 - SFGATE

After six decades, this Anthony Bourdain-loved SF spot is ready to grow

While the smells and sounds of fresh falafel and sizzling rib-eye might lure you into Sam’s East, a new restaurant in San Francisco’s North Beach, it’s the aura of the family’s late patriarch, Mike ElShawa, that will make you stay.

Sam’s East is the second restaurant from the ElShawas — of legendary Sam’s Burgers fame — and there isn’t a single burger on the menu. That’s because this restaurant, their first in six decades, is an homage to Mike’s legacy and the family’s Palestinian heritage.

The first thing you’ll notice upon entering 620 Broadway Street is a giant mural of a sunset behind the San Francisco skyline that features the two stars of Sam’s Burgers’ history — Anthony Bourdain and Mike ElShawa. Painted by local muralist Natalie Gabriel, current owner Emad ElShawa said it’s meant to be a “centerpiece” similar to all the memorabilia on the wall of Sam’s Burgers. While Bourdain might have put Sam’s burgers on the map nationally when he dined there for an episode of “The Layover,” to San Franciscans, Mike was the main attraction.

After six decades, this Anthony Bourdain-loved SF spot is ready to grow

Greg