On a beautiful Saturday District 10 Supervisor Malia Cohen led 23 cyclists on a foodie adventure down Third Street in the Bayview. Stops were made at five restaurants where riders heard restaurant history and tried samples. Supervisor Cohen organized the ride in an effort to promote Bayview restaurants by showcasing them for San Franciscans from other neighborhoods.  Amongst the riders were two SFTravel staff members who plan to use their experience in marketing to tourists. Also in attendance was Bayview resident and SFBC’s own Community Planner, Neal Patel.

At Las Isletas, a Salvadoran establishment, Yajairar, daughter of owner Miranda Nubia, told us that six years ago they took advantage of the city’s façade improvement program to transform a previously dark space into one that is sunny and inviting.  Riders agreed that the pupusa and taquito bites were outstanding.  Las Isletas is open every day of the year, caters, delivers and has longstanding customers from Daly City who visit every week.

Eskender Asged, owner and chef, hosted riders at Radio Africa & Kitchen.  The name Radio Africa comes from his experience growing up in Ethiopia where the only entertainment at family gatherings was short wave radio.  His menu is inspired by modern Eastern, Northern African and European cooking and he uses ingredients that are fresh and sustainable, often from his own gardens.  Riders were served fresh mushrooms and pesto on toast and his unique and delicious edamame hummus.

Old Skool Cafe, a 1940’s style supper club, is owned by Teresa Goines, a former youth probation officer who wanted to offer youth probationers a chance to learn professional skills and earn money legally.  She hires them to run every aspect of the restaurant – menu planning, pricing, cooking, hosting, serving and management.  One employee said that working at Old Skool Café is a second chance and that Teresa encourages them to pursue their dreams, and no dream is too big.  Riders shared a fabulous and authentic (according to a rider from the American South) sweet potato pie.

Yvonne Hines and her daughter Siobhan welcomed the group at her bakery, Yvonne’s Southern Sweets. Yvonne started her business out of her home and moved into a storefront in 2006 to take advantage of the light rail traffic.  She benefited from the city’s façade improvement program, receiving assistance from logo design to storefront painting.  Yvonne grew up in San Francisco eating southern desserts baked by her Texas bred grandmother.  She shared three of her specialties with riders – butter cookies, pecan pralines and mini sweet potato pies.

Limon Rotisserie opened its third San Francisco location in Bayview about a year ago after learning of the city’s plan for a new condo complex, affordable housing, and redevelopment funds for new businesses on Third Street. Fran Perez manages the Bayview store of the family-owned Peruvian chain located in the lobby of the new condo complex. has enjoyed a steady rise in business every month.  An array of flavorful appetizers was presented to riders, including exceptional empanadas.

Ride participants told Supervisor Cohen that the event far exceeded expectations.  Many planned to return that evening for dinner.  Some bought take out and one rider said she intended to write Yelp! reviews.  This is exactly the kind of response Supervisor Cohen was hoping to generate, and she plans to lead similar rides to other District 10 restaurants next spring.  Watch for announcements on SFBC’s Chain of Events.