Mrs. Kim, 5:48 a.m. Tuesday

a keepers essay · №18

issue 18 · april 25, 2026 · 12-min read

The last Korean tofu house on Geary Street

For 34 years, Mrs. Kim has been ladling soondubu before sunrise. As her block changes around her, she's not going anywhere, and she has things to say.

by Eric · photographs by Kiwi

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The southwest corner, 6:14 a.m. Saturday

issue 17 · apr 18, 2026 · by eric

The 6 a.m. tai chi circle by Lake Merritt

Twelve regulars meet at the southwest corner of the lake at six in the morning. They have done this every day for sixteen years. Through fires, through pandemic, through the year three of them died.

Don Ramiro at the cutting table, 7:14 a.m.

issue 16 · apr 18, 2026 · by nicholas

The Mission's Last Mariachi Tailor

Don Ramiro has been hand-stitching trajes for 41 years. His children are arguing about the shop.

Pastor Adeline Brown, 6:18 a.m. Saturday, Lake Merritt

issue 15 · apr 11, 2026 · by eric

The Oakland Roller-Skating Pastor

Sermons at 11. Lake Merritt at 6. Usually in vestments and skates.

Hank Doyle on Linda Mar Boulevard, 4:42 p.m.

issue 14 · apr 4, 2026 · by eric

The 96-Year-Old Skateboarder of Pacifica

He doesn't push hard. He just doesn't stop.

Roy and Linda Tran in their backyard, late afternoon

issue 13 · mar 28, 2026 · by eric

The Hayward Driveway Skate Park

Twenty years ago they paved over their lawn. The kids still come.

Lulu Garcia at Ocean Beach, 6:55 a.m. Saturday

issue 12 · mar 21, 2026 · by nicholas

The Sunset surf school for kids who can't swim

Lulu Garcia teaches kids from inland neighborhoods to swim and surf. There is no fee. There is a waitlist.

Larisa Pavlovich and Andrei Volkov, 5:42 a.m. Tuesday

issue 11 · mar 14, 2026 · by eric

The Outer Richmond Russian bakery passing the recipe to its third owner

Cinderella Bakery has been on Balboa Street since 1953. The recipe for the napoleon has not changed. The owner has, twice.

Big Mike Henderson at the front chair, mid-afternoon

issue 10 · mar 7, 2026 · by eric

The Tenderloin barbershop that became a youth program

Big Mike's Cuts opened on Eddy Street in 2008. By 2014 it was also a place for kids to do homework, eat lunch, and not be on the street.

Anh Nguyen at the broth station, 4:38 a.m.

issue 9 · feb 28, 2026 · by nicholas

The Daly City pho shop run by a 19-year-old after her father died

Pho Anh has been on Mission Street for 22 years. Last September, the owner died. His daughter took over the kitchen the same week.

Andre Diaz at his Outer Sunset workspace

issue 8 · feb 21, 2026 · by eric

The Outer Sunset photographer who documented every shop owner since 2012

Andre Diaz has photographed 412 small business owners on Judah and Noriega. He gives them the prints. He keeps the negatives.

The Wednesday lunch line, 2:48 p.m.

issue 7 · feb 14, 2026 · by nicholas

The Mission community kitchen where everyone eats Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Comedor Comunitario opens its doors every Wednesday afternoon. There is no menu, no charge, and no questions.

Tomas Reyes at the operator window, 6:09 a.m.

issue 6 · feb 7, 2026 · by eric

The BART conductor who has seen the same passenger every weekday for nine years

Tomas Reyes runs the 6:14 a.m. out of Daly City. A woman in a yellow scarf has been on the same train, same car, same seat, since 2017.

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Best Date Night Restaurants category card

Best Date Night Restaurants

refreshed may 2026

Best Family-Owned Restaurants category card

Best Family-Owned Restaurants

refreshed may 2026

Best Korean BBQ in San Francisco category card

Best Korean BBQ in San Francisco

refreshed may 2026

Best Coffee in the Peninsula category card

Best Coffee in the Peninsula

refreshed may 2026

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