Tommy’s Joynt buyer has no appetite for change

[KamaAina]

This is of interest because this is where we have our SF meetups (or try to; last time it was jammed with tourists and we ended up at a ho-hum diner across the street ).

http://www.sfgate.com/food/article/Tommy-s-Joynt-buyer-has-no-appetite-for-change-6317277.php

Tommy’s Joynt has been sold to Chris Henry, a San Francisco native who also owns Barrel House in Sausalito. He promises that he will change nothing about the popular restaurant, known for its sliced-to-order pastrami sandwiches and buffalo stew. He’s due to take ownership at the end of July....

“From the very beginning — and there was no disagreement in the family — it had to remain Tommy’s Joynt,” said Sam Katzman. “The new owners had to keep it Tommy’s Joynt, had to keep the staff, and had to keep it a Local 2 house.”

The third condition — centered around the union — was the trickiest part of getting a deal done. But it was essential to the Katzmans, who point out that many of the 30 employees have been there for decades.

Take Jose Orosco, the bartender who has put in 42 years behind the stick, and Carlos Gallegos, who came to San Francisco from his native Nicaragua in 1982. He has had just one job since he arrived — at Tommy’s Joynt.

I had no idea it was union! Shouldn't a sandwich cost 25 bucks?

I get back from a long-awaited trip to NYC at the beginning of August. A reconnaissance mission may be in order.

[arcane1]

1. I shouldn't be reading this during lunch time

[ghostsinthemachine]

2. Wow, I go there all the time

In fact it is my yearly health check to see if I can walk, without stopping too much, from Civic Center BART station (underground) to Tommy's in one stretch. Love it and know the staff fairly well there. Glad they are going to stick too. Love that they are union. Will miss the owners too, Sam was a great guy.

One thing I would change however is the Au Jus. It isn't all that great. And it would be easy to make it all that.

[KamaAina]

3. You have pretty much described the SF portion

of arcane1's daily commute.

[NBachers]

4. My heart sank when I read "Tommy's Joynt Buyer." I sure hope he's serious.

[mackerel]

5. My boyfriend loves that place and so does my brother.

I hope it does stay the same. I had no idea the SFDU faction met there.