Richmond’s long-awaited El Garage restaurant now open
You might remember the Montano family of Richmond. Heck, how could you forget? El Garage, the pop-up located in the driveway of their Richmond home, was the happy place where you stood in a line that wrapped around the block for a taste of their cheesy, drippy, delicious birria tacos.
As first reported by Eater SF, that pioneering pop-up — the Montanos were among the first to bring the Tijuana-style, slow-cooked beef tacos to the Bay Area — officially opened its brick-and-mortar restaurant in Richmond and sold out faster than you can say quesabirria.
The restaurant, located at 1428 Macdonald Ave., is only doing takeout via online pre-orders to start as a way to help avoid crowds outside during the coronavirus pandemic. The goal, co-owner Vivana Montano told Eater SF, is for no more than six to eight people to show up at any given time.
They’re also keeping things simple by offering only three menu items: Three quesabirria tacos for $12; three birria tacos (with no cheese) for $9; and a bowl of the red consome for dipping, $4. Also look for horchata, agua fresca and pickled habanero.
What makes the tacos so special? That slow-cooked beef is ladled over tortillas that are dipped in red chile sauce and cooked to a crisp. Dip into bright consome and enjoy the tastiest of messes.
El Garage’s current hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays only.
Redevelopment, virus end this Hobee’s 33-year run
For Hobee’s first and only remaining franchise restaurant, it was a one-two punch.
Franchise owner Michael Lashen already was facing a major transition because of redevelopment plans at the Oaks Center in Cupertino, where the restaurant has served up breakfasts, lunches, dinners — and that famous blueberry coffee cake — to
residents and De Anza College students since the late 1980s.
And then the coronavirus hit.
“Since it seemed likely that the restaurant would not make a full recovery from the pandemic before having to shut down again for demolition, Michael opted to permanently close,” a statement on the Hobee’s site said. “This is certainly a major loss for the Hobee’s community and the City of Cupertino, where the restaurant achieved iconic status. For nearly 34 years, Hobee’s Cupertino established itself as a favorite of De Anza College students, local tech workers and South Bay families.
“Michael — along with former partners Gwil Evans and Gordon von Richter — made Hobee’s history as the first to open a franchised location. The venture was an instant success, reaching number one in sales volume for nearly a decade and remaining near the top during its entire run.”
According to the company, the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce honored Lashen as Outstanding Citizen of the
Year in 2003 and the restaurant as Outstanding Mid-size Business in 2012.
Some employees had been at this Cupertino location for 15 years or more. “Hopefully, it’s of some consolation that many of these familiar faces currently — or will in the future — work at other Hobee’s locations,” the company announced.
Five company-owned Hobee’s are still going strong. All are offering takeout and delivery during this coronavirus era, and nationwide shipping of the blueberry coffee cake is available.
The addresses of those restaurants are: North San Jose (680 River Oaks Parkway); Sunnyvale (800 W. Ahwahnee Ave.); Mountain View (2312 Central Expressway); Palo Alto (4224 El Camino Real); and Belmont/redwood Shores (1101 Shoreway Road).
Gelato subscription service now available
Who could use a stracciatella or crema limone delivery right about now?
Just in time to beat the (indoor) heat, Gio Gelati, the Italian gelato company that started in San Francisco’s Marina District in 2018, has launched a membership delivery program so you can get all of its creamy, organic flavors at home.
East Bay residents were graced with a Gio Gelati when the company opened its second location in San Ramon’s City Center Bishop Ranch in 2019. But during the pandemic, it is certainly safer and more convenient to get your pints via delivered subscription.
Gio Gelati chef Patrizia Pasqualetti crafts highquality classic flavors like white mint chip, espresso and capriccio, hazelnut gelato swirled with chocolate cream and wafer, as well as seasonal flavors — right now, think nectarine, apricot and strawberry. It also has vegan and dairy-free flavors.
In addition to San Francisco, Gio Club delivers throughout the Bay Area, to Marin County, San Mateo County and parts of Contra Costa, Santa Clara and Alameda counties (but not Alameda and Berkeley — that will happen by the end of year). It also currently does not offer delivery in San Jose but hopes to add the South Bay city soon.
The club offers two options: Gio Solo delivers three pints (15 ounces per pint) of gelato every two or four weeks starting at $42 with a one-time setup fee of $11.95. The Gio Gusto option gives you five mezzo containers (21 ounces each) of gelato every two to four weeks starting at $79 with no setup fee. Commit to three shipments and Gio will cover your shipping. Otherwise shipping is $5.
Just be sure to bring it in off the porch before it melts your dreams away.