South San Francisco Neighbors Identify What They Would Bring Back to South City

South San Francisco, CA  October 1, 2021 via ESC FB

You are given the opportunity to bring one thing back to South San Francisco, no worry on cost or details, what would it be? What do you miss most from yesteryear in South City?

Nearly 500 responses were given to this question when we shared it as a #TBT (throw back Thursday) post last month. If you have yet to answer, do so now! And enjoy the memories shared by our South City neighbors below….. if only!

 

 

Jen Pena-ruiz

And the original six star newberry I believe it was called when my grandma lived on top of the perla. Best childhood memories so glad Columbus still there

Replies:

Ellen McCloud

Jen Pena-ruiz- Yes! Where the police station & park and recreation is now. Lived on San Felipe back in the day.

 

Jen Pena-ruiz

Yes! Omg how I wish it was like back then

—————-

Kat Cavallaro

Gallis sanitary bakery, I miss the pink champagne cakes my mom would get me for my birthday.

Replies:

Carole Kochan

Kat Cavallaro same here, all the way back to the Sixties! And their Christmas cakes!

 

Mark Garcia

Ops Grand Ave

 

Mark Garcia

Yep Gails sanitary bakery and the pet store on Geand

 

Joe Machado

Kat Cavallaro I knew Gary Galli. They also had a great Softball team at Orange Park.

 

———————————–

Maurine Ridings

The original Papa Joe’s and La Perla. The penny candy counter at the old schoolhouse store across from Magnolia School. Magnolia School. State Theater. Ben Franklin & Sprouse Ritz. Bettolucci’s. Jumpin’ Bean.

Replies:

Karen Ann

Gus Shihadeh..

School House Grocery

penny candy counter

 

Traci Nesbitt

Maurine Ridings Papa Joe’s had the best pizza!!

 

Joe Freitas

And Minestroni soup at 2am.

 

——————————-

Gail Dammuller

Gallons Sanitary Bakery when all those amazing little Italian ladies ran it.

Replies:

 

Michelle Cappa Flores

The original Westborough Square. So fancy now compared to when we went there in the 80s

 

Omar Enrique Lopez

Michelle Cappa Flores can I get this scar removed from the back of my head…. ahem big wheel in the garage incident. Just messing with you. The scar brings back memories of our fun childhood

 

Michelle Cappa Flores

Omar Enrique Lopez omg I had forgotten about that!! Lol!!

 

Omar Enrique Lopez

Michelle Cappa Flores funny thing is, 6months later I split my forehead open at tia angel’s place with Brian

——————————————–

Patricia Hardy

See’s candy shop on El Camino- I think it’s still there though. Rocky Road- my mom’s favorite,

Replies:

Mike Winters

Patricia Hardy big Easter egg

 

Mark Ambus

Patricia Hardy …. It’s still there. Your mom is right. Rocky Road.

——————————

Patrick Lucy

Ensure we keep a home grown Police Chief. We have some great officers and administrators who could fill that position

 

Melissa Gonzalez

Bring back stuff for children to do and Stop building housing. That’s ruining South City and having too many problems make their way here. It’s a totally different environment now then even 10 years ago, and not for the Better

Reply:

Sue Peterson Pirazzi

Melissa Gonzalez agreed! Too MUCH high density!

———————————

Joey Bernal

The industrial part of South San Francisco!!

 

Adriana Jaloma

The old play set at orange park with the tire swing and huge metal slide

Reply:

Stacey Ramsour

Adriana Jaloma the tunnel slide!

———————————————

Dana Marie Toney

Day in the park!

Reply:

A.C. Ruzcita

Dana Marie Toney miss those for sure

———————————————–

Theresa Arcano Gayanilo

Galli’s Sanitary Bakery!!!

 

Ana Villarreal

South City car wash!!

 

Star Mahoney

South City Car Wash!!!

 

Gloria P Ortega

The deli across the street from El Camino Highschool

Replies:

Enrique René Salmerón

Gloria P Ortega I used to go there in the morning for donuts. Before BART took over.

 

Molly Bolich

Gloria P Ortega Roy’s deli! I was going to say the same

 

Gloria P Ortega

Molly Bolich .., great minds!!! It was such a nice treat and friendly place too

 

Angie Rowland

Molly Bolich Roy’s

 

Rosanna Gwin

Molly Bolich I thought it was Roy’s?

 

Star Mahoney

Gloria P Ortega Roy’s Deli! They then moved to Grand Ave after his dad passed away and then they ended up closing down and moving out of state. (I think) Stephanie Miller do you know?

 

Stephanie Miller

Star Mahoney Mike and Susan bought a b & b in Vermont. Mike had a little restaurant inside the Inn. Then had to close bc of the recession in 2011.

 

Stephanie Miller

Star Mahoney Mike passed away earlier this year.

 

Diane Varni Hanson

Star Mahoney you are correct. Roy was my uncle and Mike was my cousin. Fond memories

 

Gary Schumacher

Gloria P Ortega Roy’s?

 

Danielle Howard

Gloria P Ortega Roys!!

 

Anne Vidovich

Spinali’s too

Salevao Pulepule

Gloria P Ortega Spinellis?

—————————————-

Santana Herda-Camacho

Day in the Park

 

Leah Nicolini

Fog…..but I may have to buy a can at the Wharf cuz there isn’t any where I live  I actually got a souvenir can and took it to Texas with me. I think I opened it cuz I was missing home soo bad!

 

Steve Studulski

Sanitary Bakery or Papa Joe’s. Tough to choose between them.

Reply:

Nancy Azzopardi

Sanitary Bakery…..sigh…

Also, to go back when SSF, wasn’t so crowded. Too many people now.

———————————–

Beatriz Enciso

Does anyone remember a family restaurant called the Southern Table? It was on El Camino. I Used to go there as a kid in the 80’s- early 90’s, and was very popular on the weekends.

Replies:

Gary Schumacher

Beatriz Enciso Was that on the corner where the Bank of America is

 

Sally Johnson

Beatriz Enciso I’m thinking it was called New Southern Restaurant

 

Jeffrey Soria

Beatriz Enciso New Southern before they built the BofA

 

Beatriz Enciso

Yes I knew it had southern in the name, I was a kid when we stopped going because it closed down! I loved eating there!

 

Cheryl Gardner

Beatriz Enciso I remember eating there too.

 

Ellen McCloud

Beatriz Enciso

Yes, where the bank is next to Chevron Gas station on EC.

 

Diane Varni Hanson

Beatriz Enciso yes, New Southern. My uncle owned it with his brother. They also owned Buri Buri Liquors.

 

Beatriz Enciso

Diane Varni Hanson I loved that restaurant! Especially the little vanilla ice cream cups that you could get for dessert!!

 

Michael Heaney

My first job as a busboy was at New Southern when it changed to a smorgasbord.

—————————————

John Guinn

All the delis. Buri Buri Deli, Westborough deli. I know there are still delis around, but they just aren’t as good as they used to be. The bread especially isn’t as good. Sandwich loaves from Parisian Bakery. Snap, I’m depressed.

Replies:

Dianne Nowak

John Guinn little Lucas still good

 

Joe Freitas

Charlie’s Deli. , home of the see thru sandwich. Whoop Whoop !!!

—————————————————-

Raul Antonio Gomez

801 Grand Avenue. Before it burned down the city was negotiating to purchase the home for a SSF museum.

Replies:

Ken Ibarra

Gary Sassman

 

Danielle Ferrero

Raul Antonio Gomez love you Gomez… and so thankful no one was lost in that catastrophe

——————————-

Gail Morris

well, I don’t really miss it, but my husband always took me to Jumping Bean after our dates…#neverafavoriteofminelol

Reply:

Joe Freitas

Gail Morris You know you loved it, yummy, yummy, yummy. Best fried rice & tacos.

——————————–

Justin Guzman

When Orange Park use to have that Day in the Park festival in the Fall. I loved all the random freebies even just the pens/notepads booths would give out.

 

Jennifer Totah

Pasquale’s Deli on Grand Ave and the art and wine festivals.

 

John Amodia

How about the 80’s. I enjoyed living there then.

Reply:

Stacey Ramsour

John Amodia same! It was the best!!

————————–

Christine Zagar

The “small town” feeling that South San Francisco used to have.

 

Julie Muehlman Goodwin

A salami & cheese sandwich on Sourdough from the deli at the end of Arroyo Drive and a Toto’s Pizza

Replies:

Mark Ambus

Julie Muehlman Goodwin … No fair. Toto’s is in San Bruno.

 

Julie Muehlman Goodwin

Mark Ambus there was a bakery near the Brentwood Market that had the best rum cake and neapolitans!

 

Brenda Cruise

Julie Muehlman Goodwin Buri Buri deli

————————————–

Kathie Malkinson

Kids being able to play outside alllllll day….. trick or treating so active almost all houses and apartments participated & kids would come home with half a pillowcase full of candy.

Not a place exactly but definitely a couple things my kids will never know

Reply:

Kathie Malkinson

Didn’t even have an adult with us, just a group of young kids in our cheap costumes with an itchy plastic mask and a dang pillow case.

—————————-

Nichole Van Riper

That small town feeling and affordable housing. Simpler times. Ok, so that’s three.

 

Jazrel Olvera

Art and wine festival on Grand Ave

Reply:

Wendy Sinclair-Smith

Jazrel Olvera too cold and windy

——————————–

Clay Puskas

Sports and Media sports card shop on Grand Ave. I used to go there all the time after school in the early 90s.

 

Bill Stephens

These two!

Replies:

Barbara Pizzo

Bill Stephens YES!! LOL!!!!I was JUST talking about that guy!!!!

JoAnn Murphy

Barbara Pizzo the dog was rusty!

 

Barbara Pizzo

JoAnn Murphy yes!!!! That’s right! Didn’t ya love seeing him every morning!!!

 

JoAnn Murphy

always look for them walking on El Camino

 

JoAnn Murphy

Barbara Pizzo they lived on the corner of Ravenswood and Northwood where the green fence used to be! he had a statue of Rusty in the yard

 

Julane Speccia

Bill Stephens I remember him . Such a nice person

 

Sally Johnson

Bill Stephens used to honk when I drove by. Brightened my day.

 

Lisa Fenech

Bill Stephens I used to love seeing these two every morning.

 

Christine Weldon

Bill Stephens omgosh the best! I think he lived just down the street from Michelle on Northwood. He was the highlight of my day whenever we passed him

———————————

Armando Rojas

Jumping bean was great. Would like to eat there again. Even though cheap fast food was good every time.

 

Lynda Marie Cardera

El Camino Drive In, Darby Dans the Original not the new owners..Papa Joe’s

Replies:

Michael Hutchings

Lynda Marie Cardera yep. All of the above.

 

Patty Douglass

Lynda Marie Cardera OMG! Darby Dans, the best! Their jalapeno spread on roast beef sandwiches with avocado! So delicious!

———————————

Dana Dwyer

Zimms, Oliver’s, Leaning Tower and I think it was called Sam’s Grill it was on the train tracks at Chestnut and El Camino area in the late 70’s

 

Derrick Wong

3rd place: that little burger joint in Brentwood area, 2nd place South City car wash, 1st:a well run Brentwood Bowl

 

Elisa Pena

South City Car wash where my Dad worked for 47 years

Replies:

Kathie Malkinson

Elisa Pena 47 freakin years?! Holy moly

 

Joe Machado

Elisa Pena I was devastated when they closed that Car Wash.

 

Bernadette Forbes

Elisa Pena I pray now he is getting so much needed rest after all those years of dedicated hard work.

 

Regina Greissinger

Elisa Pena 100%!

 

George Vlahakos

Elisa Pena I miss that place. They did the best car washes.

 

Mary Vance

I didn’t even know it was closed, this was shortly after they closed it, I went to get my car washed and they were gone already.

 

Atilana Guzman

Elisa Pena el día que empezaron a derrumbar el car wash me dolió el corazón, por muchos años fue. El trabajo de mi esposo y muchos conocidos de mi pueblo,…

 

Elisa Pena

Atilana Guzman quien es tu esposo? Mi papi es Lupe Cabral

 

Atilana Guzman

Elisa Pena si yo conosco a tu papá también somos de cuquio mi esposo se llama. Julián. Guzman…

 

Elisa Pena

Atilana Guzman mucho gusto . Si somos de Cuquio. No creo que tuve el guste de conocer a tu esposo. Pero si me acuerdo del nombre Guzmán, pero se me hace que solo conocí a un Gabriel Guzmán

 

Atilana Guzman

Elisa Pena si. Gabriel es su hermano y el trabajo muchos más años ahí…..yo paso todos los días por ese lugar y todavía no me acostumbro a que ya no está el car wash…….

———————————-

Stacey Ramsour

The original Orange Park the way it was in the 80’s and The Boys & Girls Club!

 

Maya A. Chavda

Orchard Supply and all the other small businesses on Gellert. Who needs a Mercedes Benz showroom there?

Replies:

Erwin Jude

Maya A. Chavda YES!!!

 

Mike Winters

Maya A. Chavda why belongs at auto row someone’s pockets got filled

 

Maya A. Chavda

Mike Winters, I’m sure you are correct. It’s almost always a case of “follow the money“.

 

Nancy Azzopardi

My Dad worked there right until they closed. He loved that place, and the people.

 

Neil Vergara

Maya A. Chavda agree totally

 

Nina Jacinto Barroso

Thai Original BBQ, Bambu, Pho the Giou, Toppings, and Seniorita Bread in Westborough.

—————————————-

Marie Carelli-Partney

The Log Cabin at Orange Park and El Charro!

Replies:

Cheryl Gardner

Marie Carelli-Partney oh, I miss El Charro’s too

 

Cindy Brzezinski Strom

Marie Carelli-Partney Yes! Girl Scouts would meet there.

 

Cindy Brzezinski Strom

Avalon School

———————–

Dana Compani

The small town feel, the Spencer’s butcher shop, the toy store that is now a dumpy massage parlor. The open spaces, the orchard. McClellands orchids. Before the vicious politicians destroyed everything cool about S City

 

Mari Hazel

Myself. Since i had to move Bc it was too expensive to buy property

Reply:

Justin Guzman

Mari Hazel Same

———————————

Cat Muhammad

Affordable housing

 

Carmen Antonian

South city car wash!

 

Carmen Callirgos Bolivar

South City Car wash

 

Annabel Martin Gonzalez

Big Bite and small town feel. Hillside Elementary

 

Monica E. McGuire

No character anymore w/ those bulky high rises

Reply:

Erna Robles Facultad

Monica E. McGuire-Mine is Luigi’s Pizza

————————

Eileen Compagno Sosaia

GALLI’S SANITARY BAKERY

 

Sheri Medina

Galli’s Sanitary Bakery

Reply:

Maya A. Chavda

Sheri Medina, that name is familiar, but I can’t recall where it was.

Roxann Collins

Spruce drive ins

 

Scott Lesher

The Winston Manor Five and Dime store.

Replies:

Kim Hawkins-Lerch

Scott Lesher what about the drive in

 

Scott Lesher

Spruce and El Rancho for sure!

 

Sue Martin

Scott Lesher the hardware store? With all the great candy?

 

Scott Lesher

Yep. The whole area around the checkout was filled with candy and every type of trading card – baseball, Wacky Packages, Odd Rods, etc.

————————–

Carol Quigley

The roller skating rink, we need a nice skate park, and a Gym!!!

Replies:

Maureen Curran

Grand Arena

 

Sue Martin

Carol Quigley grand Arena

 

Carol Quigley

Sue Martin yup

——————————–

Leslie Granillo

South City Car Wash!!!!!

 

Elizabeth Wilberg

South City Car Wash

 

Lucy Alves

Fruit stand on Hillside and south city car wash

 

Linda Pro

Papa Joe’s and Bonanza‼️

 

Amanda Blanco

Day in the park

 

Jake Ter

Old Grand Avenue Branch Library Century 10 Plaza and Old Westborough Square.

Trino Jimenez

Papa Joes and Big Bite

 

Patty Douglass

Drug King, had the best soda fountain!

 

Tina Krzyzanowski-Hardley

Spruce drive-in

 

Laura Servetti-Lewis

So City car wash

 

Maria Reyes

Drive in theaters

 

Miguel Nava

South city Football

 

Gisela Jimenez

Arts and wine festival

 

Lisa Contreras

The original Tanforan Mall

 

Patty Douglass

All the agriculture that was once there.

 

Michelle McFadden Rodriguez

So City Car wash…best place ever

 

Richard Girard

The south city car wash

 

A.C. Ruzcita

A drive-in would be great

 

Mike Gehrett

Little Lucca’s!!!!

 

Jay Novinski

New southern buffet

Reply:

William Elliott

Jay Novinski best fried chicken ever

——————————————————–

 

Lourdes Husary

Hungry Hunters on Airport . I used to love going there.

 

Sandra Rand Armstrong

Grand Arena Roller Skating Rink

 

Steve Firpo

Day in the Park.

 

Tina Grassi-Armanino

Capri Italian Restaurant

 

Pamela Burnett Peterson

Arby’s restaurant

 

Marie Ryder

The Army Navy Store on Grand Avenue

Replies:

Tom Del Selva

Marie Ryder cheer up Fleet Week is upon us soon

 

Marie Ryder

Tom Del Selva You’re an idiot

 

Tom Del Selva

Marie Ryder you miss me..admit it!!

 

Mike Pardini

She added the store part later!!

 

Marie Ryder

Mike Pardini aren’t you a funny guy !!

 

Mike Pardini

Marie Ryder you miss BOTH of us

—————————————————

MaryJo G. Waldschmidt

Galli’s Sanitary Bakery!

 

Jaclyn Cameron

Gosh these comments really make me miss home. It’s sad that home is not the home I remember though.

 

Jose Loops Ruiz

Papa joes pizza

Replies:

Chris Rogers

Jose Loops Ruiz

Mochate!!

All Star

Jose Loops Ruiz

Chris Rogers yeaaa

 

Chris Rogers

Jose Loops Ruiz

Don’t forget Brothers Market

—————————————–

Sheny Mendez

South City Car Wash

 

David Hidalgo

Buri buri park when it was hidden by trees

 

Debbie Hensic Loudon

State theater , drive~movies

 

Jeannine Edwards Stambaugh

Bertolucci’s Restaurant.

 

Sara Monares

Affordable homes

 

Steven Kelly

Day in the park!

 

Taz N Annie

Day in the Park

 

Mike Winters

Painting sign hill with Boy Scouts

 

Donna Smith Arago

El Charro on grand Ave.

 

Michael J. Shreve

I love to do the drive in one more time and swing on the swings

 

Sherry Snider Fuimaono

The See’s Candies factory

 

Ruby Martinez-Reynoso

BIG BITE!!! best steak fries ever!

 

Maureen Curran

The Big Bite on Linden Avenue.

Replies:

Cheryl Gardner

Maureen Curran  their pineapple shakes

Maureen Curran

Omg! I used to work there, Cheryl! They were so darn good and paired with the yummy steak fries!

 

Cheryl Gardner

Maureen Curran the best!

————————————–

Matt Tinitali

Dunk Court on Zamora!!

 

Pete Catelli

El Rancho or Spruce Drive Inn’s

 

Butch Woodman

South City Sports.

 

Jafeth Islas

Day in the park

 

George Vlahakos

The original sit down pizza hut in westbourugh shopping center. Had the best pizza, arcade. Many childhood birthdays. Plus the pizza was 1000 times better back then. Current pizza hut pizza is terrible.

Replies:

Mark Ramazzini

Dourghty & Dunn. The comic book store. I forgot the name of it. Spent a lot of time in both those places

 

George Vlahakos

Mark Ramazzini fantasy comics

 

George Vlahakos

Dourghty and Dunn was awesome. They moved to Alameda, but shut down in the mid to late 90s

—————————————

Sandi DaSilveira

The Hofbrau place

 

Abel Villa

Roy’s deli … enough said … if you know you know

Reply:

Candy Reglin

Abel Villa yes Roy’s

————————-

Margaret Mellott

Totally my younger years!!!

 

Debbie Kyhl Younger

My youth

 

June Uyenoyama

Paradise restaurant!

Mary Andersen

Open spaces

 

Sharon Nakada

Sanitary Bakery

 

Jacob Castillo

Blockbuster !

 

Fany Gomez

THE DRIVE IN !!!! ON SPRUCE N RAILROAD… TOO YOUNG TO REALLY ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE.

 

Andrea D Morrow

Gali Sanitary Bakery

 

Tom Bone

Dans glass.

 

Maria Luly Ramirez Martin

Car wash!!!!

 

Deanna Carrillo

Ssf car wash

 

George Vlahakos

Roy’s deli

 

Sherrie Boos Reynolds

White Front

 

Maile F. Tafuna

Good N Rich drive thru liquor

 

Neil Vergara

Less traffic

 

Mari Avila Madrigal

Big bite

 

Richard Wells

YEP , ARBY’S

 

Marie Vasquez

My Best Friend Candy Reglin

Reply:

Candy Reglin

Marie Vasquez awwww I miss you to my pancake

—————————–

Traci Nesbitt

My mommy

Reply:

Glen W Tashunka

Traci Nesbitt love

—————————–

James Stewart

Parking.

 

April Suarez

Big Bite!!!!

 

Shelbyy Martin

Blockbuster

 

Salvio Felipe Gustafson

Bertolucci’s

 

Ben White

SSF Football

 

Sandra DaRoza Wilson

Arby’s lol

 

Jason Zumwalt

Traffic flow

 

Randy Randleman

Gotelli Speed Shop

 

Brian Phelan

Whitefront!

 

Paul Mitchell

Gotelli speed shop.

 

Cheryl Stewart

Farrell’s

 

Paul D Young

Well funded pre-K to 12 school system

 

Phillip Castillo

Jackson arms

 

Randy Rebarber

All Star Burger

 

Ceejay Rios

Roy’s deli

 

Ron Sanders

Ben Franklin

 

Denise Gernandt

My mom

 

Mike Pizzo

The Capri

 

Olivio Gomez

The Big Bite!!!

 

Maya Vanderwerf

S.sf car wash

 

Sheny Mendez

QFI Supermarket

 

Anne Vidovich

My parents

 

Jeff Downs

My grandmother

 

Francisco Mejia

Ed’s diner !!

 

Stephanie Velles Nejib

Big bite !!

 

Ronald Velasquez

Galli’s Bakery

 

Sue Martin

Sanitary Bakery

 

Nora Chávez

Big Bite!!!

 

Janet Krone

Roy’s Deli

 

Paul Robert Theisen

White Front

 

Roger Snow

Capri Restaurant

Replies:

Sheny Mendez

Yes!

 

Cheryl Gardner

Roger Snow was that over by where Joanne’s is now?

 

Roger Snow

Cheryl Gardner I think JoAnne’s was next door. I think it’s a Filipino restaurant now

 

David Doyle Gipson

Roger Snow I used to deliver for them in 1979, great Italian food.

 

Roger Snow

David Doyle Gipson My brother did too around 1971 or 72. His first job after getting his drivers license. Best garlic bread ever

 

David Doyle Gipson

Roger Snow yes!

——————————

Paul Arretche

Car Wash

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++