John Vanderslice
“I came to be here with a girl and stayed for the fog and the food,” says John Vanderslice, one of San Francisco’s best loved and most respected songwriters. In addition to releasing 10 albums, including 2013’s “Dagger Beach,” Vanderslice has developed an international following for his side project, Tiny Telephone. The Mission recording studio has hosted sessions with the Mountain Goats, Death Cab for Cutie, TuneYards and many others.
While starting Tiny Telephone in the late 1990s, Vanderslice worked as a bartender at Chez Panisse Cafe for five years, and, he says, “I stole every idea I could.” Tiny Telephone records in analog, which Vanderslice compares to using organic produce. Alice Waters and company also taught him to approach his craft in a different way —“less like you’re in a hurry and more like you want the best results.”
Do you do cook at home?
Unfortunately, because I’m producing full time now, I would say that my diet
is 70 percent vegetarian burritos from 24th Street.
So who makes the best one?
Right now, it’s La Espiga de Oro (2916 24th St., S.F. (415) 826-1363). They add these interesting peas and slices of green bean to the rice.
Where do you take visiting musicians?
If we need a break, we’ll go to Anthony’s Cookies or Arizmendi. We also tell clients where to get beers after work. We go to Old Jerusalem (2976 Mission St., S.F. (415) 642-5958), this great Middle Eastern restaurant, so frequently that I know everyone there.
So besides vegetarian burritos, what do you eat?
I run all the time, so I’m drinking all these smoothies that are comprised of organic fruit from the Alemany Farmers’ Market. My typical smoothie is fresh ginger, one whole lemon, fresh blackberries (when available), a banana, orange juice and some Straus yogurt.
Where do you go for special occasions?
My goal in life is to avoid restaurants with waiters. I was a waiter for 12 years, and it feels like we can get over this. I’m completely opposed to tipping, and find it racist and classist. There are plenty of restaurants where you order at the counter. I would say for a celebratory meal that going to El Metate (2406 Bryant St., S.F. (415) 641-7209. www.elmetatesf. com) and having tamales is about as great as it gets.