He ain’t Hizzoner anymore

On a sunny day, Clyde was walking up Fillmore and saw Gavin Newsom. Clyde wanted to say, "What's up, Mayor?" but that would be wrong. He's Lieutenant Governor Newsom now (duh Clyde) and looked pretty busy and didn't want to talk to the Clydester, or else the Lt. Guv thought Clyde was some crazed fan, not a fellow Redwood High alum.

But like Newsom or not, he is from our neighborhood and he is a part of us. He started as District Two Supe and, thank God, the boy wonder went on to beat lefty Matt Gonzalez for mayor. Mr. Gonzo would have tried to make S.F. into some sort of socialist utopia instead of the business-friendly place our fair city has slowly been trying to become under Newsom’s watch, and now Ed Lee’s. Sure, our dear Gavin has an ego, and whoa, can he wonk out on policy (the man can talk – remember the seven-hour State of the City speech on YouTube?). He was definitely snippy with the fourth estate (the run-ins with KGO’s Dan Noyes were legendary), and that tryst thing was ugly, but he was ours and he’s human and Clyde digs him. He changed San Francisco and the country’s attitude on same-sex marriage, and perhaps the world’s. He was 94123 when he ran the city, and nothing against Ed Lee (Clyde applauds the Twitter deal the lefties hated – sorry, no socialist utopia), but it was cool having one of our own in Room 200 at City Hall. Maybe it’s Michela Alioto-Pier’s time? This upcoming mayor’s race is going to be a doozy, but Clyde misses Gavin as Da Mayor.

NICK’S WEST: EATING SLOW FOOD FAST

He’s always referred to as Nick Fasanella of Nick’s Crispy Tacos on Polk, but he hasn’t owned the famed eatery since 2006. “I had a partner, things didn’t work out, we fought, he won [a lawsuit]. That was my baby, three years of blood sweat and tears. I went on vacation for three weeks and came back – the locks were changed, the bank account was changed, and I had a letter dissolving our partnership.” Nick hit a rough patch. “There were times I woke up with my fists clenched and my teeth grinding thinking of new ways to solve the problem. But to kill the dude and go to San Quentin was not an option, so I walked away and did something else.” Boy, did Nick get busy. He already owned the pizzeria next door to Nick’s; he then went to Tortilla Heights in NOPA and turned that place around. He started an Italian deli in North Beach. Then, it was out to the Sunset, where he says, “Underdogs was serving bad Hawaiian food, so we made it a sports bar/taqueria.”

Do you see a pattern here? Clyde does. Nick is a front-end guy: “A lot of the work I do is in the first year or so and then the place runs itself. I haven’t been over at Nick’s in five years and it’s still a testament that the place is doing well.” Clyde asks you, have you ever been to a Taco Tuesday there? The place is slammed.

So Clyde wondered, just where did this love of Mexican food come from? “I’m from Connecticut and have been a chef my whole life. I won a James Beard award. Then, I became a private chef and worked on yachts and spent lots of time in Mexico and Central America.” And that’s when he fell in love with Mexican food. He and his shipmates would go “tacoing” on various islands south of the border, meaning they’d eat as many tacos as they could in their off time.

Then Nick came to California. “When I first moved here, I ate Mexican food consecutively for six months but found the quality to be all over the map.” That’s when the concept for Nick’s Crispy Tacos was born: using quality ingredients but not charging an arm and a leg. “If you want to eat naturally, do you want to go to Boulevard and spend 50 bucks? Why can’t we have fast food like that? We’re not going to go to Mc Donald’s, but why can’t we have good fast food?”

Now Nick has opened Tacko (3105 Fillmore at Filbert, www.tacko.co, 415-796-3534). Why? “I’ve spent my entire life on a boat. I live on a sailboat in Sausalito. It’s a comfortable place for me to be.” So he wanted to combine two of his loves. “I’m basically taking my two favorite things … Mexican food and my love of the island [Nantucket].” The walls are adorned with pictures of sailboats and maps of Nantucket Island. How did he come up with the eatery’s name? “The airport code for Nantucket is ACK, so you put a T and an O on it, and you’ve got Tacko!” He went on, “This place was supposed to be in Nantucket. I have family and friends on the island and I want to live there seasonally.” Don’t worry, while there is a New England theme to Tacko, he’s not going to Yankee-ize the menu and replace tortilla soup with clam chowder, although he will offer a lobster roll at market price. He doesn’t apologize for being so nautical. “I didn’t want Pancho Villa pictures on my wall. No thank you.”

It’s going to be that great Mexican food we know from his other eateries. The folks who owned Kasa Indian left him a well-built kitchen and he’s added stools for counter service. And Tacko won’t cost you an arm and a leg. “A beer and a taco is going to cost 8 bucks,” says Nick.

Nick is able to look back at his old Polk Street digs with pride now, not anger, “Nick’s spawned a whole slew of Mexican places – Mamacita, Tacolicious.” Yeah, we don’t have to go to the Mission to eat good Mexican food at a fair price; we just have to go to Fillmore Street.

NOT ALL BICYCLISTS ARE JUICED

Fillmore Street has been a target-rich environment for Clyde’s stories this month. After spotting Gavin Newsom, the Clydester was almost run over by a peloton of cyclists blazing down Fillmore. Was it the allegedly juiced Lance Armstrong? No, it was a group of riders from Rapha Cycle Club (2198 Fillmore Street at Filbert, www.rapha.cc/san-francisco, 415-896-4671). Rapha is for serious road riders; it’s a combination café, gallery, retail shop for Rapha biking accessories, and basically a place to hang out if you’re passionate about cycling and if you want to talk and watch races on their flat screens. With the Tour de France starting in July, pop in and ask the cyclists what’s going on. Clyde can never figure it out. Anyway, a warm welcome to the hood for Rapha, located in that empty Metro Sport storefront that was becoming an eyesore.

SANDWICH HEAVEN ON LOMBARD

Bobby Brodsky is easy to spot. He usually has a Giants cap on and a smile. He owns Mr. Pickles (1926 Lombard Street at Buchanan, www.sfmrpickles.com, 415-292-6264) and he loves it here. “I like it – the people are nice, it’s a good neighborhood, and there are lots of Giants fans!” Bobby is so dedicated to making a good sandwich, he got rid of his Giants season tickets to free up funds for his sandwich shop. “It’s worth it,” he says.

Whoa, thought Clyde, now that’s dedication. As for the sangos, the Clydester had a BLAT – bacon, lettuce, avocado, and tomato – on freshly baked sourdough bread. It was awesome and Clyde devoured it. Clyde’s boss, Earl, had the Big Easy – chicken salad, avocado and Swiss cheese on toasted wheat – and he told Clyde it was delicious. Why does the food rock? “We only use the freshest ingredients and we bake our bread fresh every day,” Bobby beamed. “It’s healthy food.” Bobby likes the sunny disposition of 94123 where folks are good and healthy because they’re always working out, and he sees lots of smiles.

The Bay Area native hails from the Peninsula but digs working here. “It’s great to be in San Francisco, I really love it here,” he says. His business has been well received by most of the community. “We’ve done some catering for some firms in the Financial District and we’re busy all weekend with people getting sandwiches for their weekend getaway.” One key customer he hasn’t seen a lot of is the Marina Mom. Come on, Marina mothers, do you really feel like cooking tonight? Did Clyde mention Mr. Pickle’s prices are very, very reasonable? You can get chips, a sandwich and a drink, and be out of there for less than ten bucks, and it’s good food that’s good for you, not fast food. Where the heck else can you do that in S.F., beckons Clyde? Or even in 94123?

Bobby’s bestseller is the Mr. Pickle, which is a mouthwatering combo of chicken breast, bacon, avocado, and cheese. Then you have your choice of bread – Dutch, sweet, wheat, or sourdough roll, or sliced wheat. Then you have your choice of cheeses – American, Swiss, jack, pepper jack, or cheddar. “Everything,” which Clyde seriously recommends, is mayo, mustard, garlic sauce (this is a Mr. Pickles specialty), lettuce, tomato, pickles (duh), peppers, and onions. So not only does he serve good food, but Bobby is a good guy and already a Friend-of-Clyde. Pop on in and see Bobby and give this Niner and Giants fan the support he needs in these strange economic times. And yes, San Francisco whiners, Mr. Pickles is a chain (with several locations all over Northern California), but get over your chain hatred. Bobby and his crew are all about the neighborhood, and you can’t say that for every business owner in 94123.

Also, when you go to Mr. Pickles, make sure to get a frequent buyer card: buy nine sandwiches, get the tenth free (Clyde’s favorite four-letter word).

CLYDE’S CALENDAR

 

Saturday, June 25, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.: Ghirardelli Square Kids Bash …. OK, Marina moms, more fun for you and your little ones! G-Square and its environs will be transformed into a giant playground for you and your kids, including Beach Street and Aquatic Park. Tickets for kids 10 and under cost $15 presale ($20 at the door) if you go to www.ghirardellisquarekidsbash.eventbrite.com. This ticket will allow your little one access to games and activities like a jumpy house, train rides, face painting, and a performance by BASHO and friends. Ellen Park and Kayla Lee, mothers and owners of Peekadoodle Kids Club (900 North Point Street, Suite F100, www.peekadoodlekidsclub.com, 415-440-7335) in Ghirardelli Square, are co-sponsors of the event and they know what they’re doing when it comes to kids. Also, bring a blanket to donate to Project Night Night (which provides 25,000 care packages to the homeless) and receive a free raffle ticket to win G-Square prizes!

 

Thursdays, 8:30 p.m.–whenever: Comet Club Comedy Night … Clyde saw Comet Club (3100 Fillmore Street at Filbert, www.facebook.com/cometclubcomedy, 415-567-5589) owner Regan Caponi making his last minute arrangements on opening night of ha-ha heaven on Filbert. He had to go to S.F. commission hearings, talk to neighbors, listen to whiners, find funny comics, and he seemed both happy and relieved. In these times, we could all use a laugh, and guess what? There’s no cover charge! This event is on its way to becoming a 94123 institution. Come on by – Clyde would rather laugh than listen to some dreadful rap music like so many of our bars play.

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