Hello Kitty Cafe rolling into San Jose
She’s baaaaaaack!
Hello Kitty, the winsome whiskered one, and her sweet snack van are rolling through the Bay Area this month. The cafe on wheels is adorable, as are her offerings: themed macaroons, cookies, mini-cakes and mugs. Even the pink bow-shaped water bottle is a big seller.
The van will be in San Jose at Santana Row on Saturday, and then visit Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton on Sept. 30. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Lining up early is advised, lest you miss out.
Beep’s Burgers expands to Danville
A true classic from the golden age of drive-in hamburger stands has expanded for the first time — 55 years after opening.
Beep’s Burgers, which started grilling on Ocean Avenue in San Francisco in 1962, is now serving burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, shakes and root beer floats at Blackhawk Plaza in Danville.
As the menu shows, a few things have changed since the early Beep’s days: The burgers are now made from hormonefree, antibiotic-free Angus beef. The chicken sandwiches and salads feature Mary’s free-range chicken breasts. And garlic fries hadn’t been invented way back when.
Even with high-quality beef and an upscale bun, the basic burgers still evoke the old-school style with their simple additions of tomato, lettuce and Beep’s sauce or house mayonnaise. (Other additions are available.)
For owner Samantha Yen Wong, who purchased the original in 2014, the venture has been a sentimental one. “I studied at San Francisco State University from 2006 to 2011 and frequently ate at Beep’s with my friends,” she said. “When I saw it was for sale I was very interested.”
You might call this Danville eatery a satellite location, for the burger stand was named after the signature “beep” sound of early Space Age satellites, the website says. The neon sign in San Francisco, now restored, still depicts a rocket ship.
The Danville Beep’s serves from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily at 3690 Blackhawk Circle Plaza. 925-263-2228; www.beepsburgers.com.
Midwest classic Steak ‘n Shake opens in Campbell
The Illinois-born Steak ‘n Shake is often called the Midwestern equivalent of California’s In-N-Out Burger.
Both enjoy cult-favorite status. Both have stood the test of time. Both evoke yesteryear with their retro decor.
Beyond that, the two restaurant chains are tough to compare because of the vast differences in menu offerings and service style, as customers will find out with Steak ‘n Shake’s opening in Campbell.
One key difference: “We offer table service. We’re not a drivethru,” says Dan Leder, owner of this franchise that sits near the entrance to downtown.
And while In-N-Out devotes its energies to its small, traditional menu that revolves around a signature burger, one type of french fries and three milkshake flavors, Steak ‘n Shake offers an ever-expanding menu that plays to today’s trends.
For example, the Prime Steakburger, a 6-ounce, all-natural patty of choice-grade brisket and chuck, has joined the other burger options, which include a Portobello Swiss, a Jalapeno Burger and a Royale with fried egg. Meal-size
salads are now offered. And the new Breakfast Shakes feature mix-ins of Cinnamon Crunch, Cocoa Krispies, Honey Smacks or Frosted Flakes.
“The menu is 75 percent bigger than it used to be,” noted San Jose resident Jan Bartolotta, who worked as a carhop for Steak ‘n Shake in Orlando, Florida, from 1970 to 1972. She was happy that one of her faves, the cherry limeade, survived the upgrades.
Also making the cut after all these decades is the chili, available by the cup, bowl, on a frank or Cincinnati-style as a three-way or five-way with spaghetti.
Details: This Steak ‘n Shake serves from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at 501 E. Campbell Ave. Leder’s Daly City franchise is at 362 E. Market St. At San Jose State University, Spartan Shops runs a smaller franchise with a limited menu; that counter is open to the public.
Anthony’s Cookies baking in Berkeley
Anthony Lucas, who’s been baking cookies in San Francisco since 1997, finally has opened a second location — and it’s in the East Bay.
Anthony’s Cookies is now baking seven-plus varieties daily in Berkeley: cinnamon spice, classic chocolate chip, gluten-free chocolate chip, toffee chip, white chocolate chip, whole-wheat oatmeal raisin and his ultra-popular cookies & cream.
Rotating flavors include German chocolate, peanut butter, coffee, double dark chocolate, oatmeal cranberry and candied pecan chocolate chip. (Candied pecans and walnuts are also sold by the bag at Anthony’s.)
Lucas perfected his recipe as a student at San Francisco State and starting selling his cookies out of his car, according to Timeout.com. He later opened a storefront in the Mission district at 1417 Valencia St.
Local, organic ingredients are used whenever possible, the website says.
The south Berkeley shop at 2575 San Pablo Ave. (between Parker and Blake streets) will be open daily (except Tuesdays) from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., until 6 p.m. Sunday. www.anthonyscookies.com.
Wacky ice cream comes to Oakland
Oakland is now home to another Humphry Slocombe, the SF-based ice cream company founded by Jake Godby and Sean Vahey in 2008 and known for its wild and wacky flavors (like Hibiscus Beet Sorbet, Elvis: The Fat Years and Here’s Your Damn Strawberry).
The electric-blue shipping container that is home to Humphry Slocombe is located at The Hive in Oakland’s Uptown district, a shopping/gathering space that’s already home to hip spots like Drake’s Dealership brewery and Firebrand Artisan Breads.
Joining the unusual slate of flavors is Oakland-centric Oatlandish, a combo of Drake’s stout and oatmeal cookie.
Humphry Slocombe is at 2335 Broadway (between 24th and 25th streets), Oakland; open 1 to 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, noon to midnight Friday-Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday; www. humphryslocombe.com.
Nasch Austrian Bistro closes its doors
Nasch Austrian Bistro, an offshoot of chef-owner Matthias Froeschl’s Naschmarkt, has closed in Los Gatos.
For nearly two years, the popular restaurant on Santa Cruz Avenue had offered a casual alternative to Naschmarkt, Froeschl’s successful restaurant in downtown Campbell. Here, the emphasis was on sausage plates, spaetzle and salads, and diners could order chicken or pork schnitzel as a sandwich.
Naschmarkt remains open for dinner, from 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, at 384 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell. www.naschmarkt-restaurant.com.
Hatch chile time at The Habit
Hatch chiles, the signature crop of Hatch, New Mexico, are ripe and ready for roasting — and The Habit Burger Grill has added three special dishes to its menu this month in celebration.
The dishes are a Hatch Chile Golden Chicken Salad with house-made cilantrolime ranch dressing and a Hatch Chile Charburger (beef) and Hatch Chile Chicken Sandwich, both with roasted Hatch chile, creamy spiced Hatch aioli and pepper-jack cheese.
To find a location, go to www.habitburger.com. Send tips to Linda Zavoral at lzavoral@bayareanewsgroup.com.