Local’s Corner

This place closed permanently, but I ate there sporadically for the last two years.
Great menu ideas, but some lack of proportion sometimes in the amount of food per dish – for example, too many pickles, too little cheese, or too little meat per dish. Overpriced, considering the lack of space in the premises.
The Local’s Corner seems to have been an experiment to test the waters of the new and recent gentrification scenario in the Western side of the Mission District in San Francisco. Local’s Corner customer service was a little too casual or inconsistent at times. Level of cleanliness was OK. Hours were odd: sometimes I felt ripped off if I went there after brunch and before dinner.
The factors that destroyed this business was the lack of seating space and the lack of attention and courtesy: the news say, a «latino» group of students with family had arrived there, then more people of the same group continued to arrive until they were asked to leave, because of lack of space. The group (or one family from that group) was unable to sue the establishment for racial discrimination (sounds like they were politically motivated), so they sent all these racial-​discrimination opposing organizations to raise hell at the restaurant, which was a politically motivated, unnecessary burden. However, the problem originated because of the lack of good customer service and the lack of seating space: you don’t ask your customers to leave once you seat them and you must warn your customers about your lack of space. I could only eat there only when the place was not too full.
So the problems at the Local’s Corner were: lack of corteous treatment, lack of space, and high pricing – the food portions were, sometimes, too tiny, although the chef was trying to solve that problem. I bet if the prices had been a little lower, the business would have survived big time.
Their coffee was really good and the chef was very kind.

This review doesn’t even really matter, given that they are (unfortunately) closing in a few days, but here I go anyway.
I live around the corner and I’m in the industry, so there’s no reason I waited so long. But I did and I am so sorry. I love how small it is, the service was totally rad, and the food was SO. GOOD.
I went by myself and ordered four things. Oysters, uni, caviar, and the salt cod pasta. I think. I’m pretty sure. Everything was seriously so incredible. I am sad that I probably won’t be able to eat here again.
Good luck to everyone that works here, I know they will do just great with whatever they do after Local’s Corner.

My brunch here was rather an unforgettable experience! The 18 dollar brunch is carefully designed and to my satisfaction. We chose egg and waffle and both are good! And the yoghurt with granola us homemade and fresh!

I agree w Bob.
Food was exerllente! The Best Hamachi Crudo I’ve ever had in US.
Chef is really creative, servers are nice.
Wine section was solud, too.
I just dont understand why people is complaining about this place…

Cozy atmosphere, lovely service, delicious dishes. We thoroughly enjoyed the homemade sourdough bread, the brussels sprout salad, and the salmon. I will be back soon!

«So overpriced» «Don’t like it messing up our neighborhood» «It’s frozen». «The portions are tiny».
Are you kidding me? Chef Malloy knows the guys that yanks your food out of the sea on a fishing line. You will not find a higher quality seafood product on the plate than you will here. He masterfully serves it in such a way to really let the seafood speak for itself. The staff is professional and friendly. If you find the portions small… order more items! I wish I lived in that neighborhood so I could go more often even though he and his staff of hacks are messing it up. ;) Wahhh.

My aunt really wanted to have dinner here, so she made reservations for 4 (3 adults, one toddler) on a Wednesday evening. Of course I saw all the postings about the discrimination against minorities, so I wasn’t sure what to expect since my aunt and I are Filipino and her husband is Egyptian/​Brazilian.
I wouldn’t say that our waiter was rude or mean, but he wasn’t… Engaging? Kind of monotone. My 3 year old cousin kept dropping utensils and doing what toddlers do, so maybe the waiter might have been slightly peeved. Like I said, he wasn’t rude, but wasn’t exceptional.
With that aside, the food is really good! However for the price, the portions are tinyyy. We came during happy hour, so we took advantage of the $ 1 oysters and ordered 2 dozen. The kitchen and the restaurant itself is small, so the waiter suggested we share each plate because they do not arrive at the same time.
I had the chili spaghetti with clams and pork– not your typical spaghetti. More like spaghetti noodles cooked in a chili-​inspired sauce. The thin strips of pork was delicious! My aunt ordered the collar salmon and it was my favorite dish that we tried. Her husband had the king salmon, and he said although the cut was small, it was cooked really well.

The concept seems so perfect that I was excited about just about everything on the menu. But many of the items disappointed me and none of them impressed me. I’m tired even thinking about recounting each of the many dishes individually. I’ll just say that overall the flavors rarely melded, the portions were tiny and expensive (even by San Francisco standards), and the best thing we had were the raw oysters.
The first time I tried a plate and said «huh; that’s odd, and I’m not sure what I think of it,» it was rather refreshing. By the fourth time, it became a sign that we had made a bad call. We went and got a snack elsewhere.

There are a few places in the restaurant scene that are just very special– having the right combination of atmosphere, good food and professional service. This is one of the best I have ever experienced.
The food is fantastic, and our table of 4 tried many of the thing off the menu.
The chef is Tim Malloy, and he should have his own cooking show on The Food Network. Great passion for cooking, unique offerings and a level of character and flair that add so much to it. He not only rocks the food, but also knows how to make customers feel special.
The food is high end, but the atmosphere isn’t, so it feels like they put the effort into the right thing. Not stuffy, as it is in other places that serve this quality of presentation.
Go!

Apparently, I’ve been living under a rock. It wasn’t until yesterday that I learned of all the hate Local’s Corner has been receiving because of alleged discrimination; specifically refusing to seat a party of eight minorities during brunch.
Based on the articles I’ve read, the details surroundings the allegations were very vague but has caused an uproar in the community with several incidents of vandalism and grafitting of the Local’s Corner storefront with really hateful words. I’m not a fan of the Local «brand» (Local Mission Market, Local Mission Eatery, Local’s Corner, and Local Cellar) because everything they sell is ridiculously overpriced. I can understand why the community is upset with the gentrification of the area by the Local «brand» and the alleged discrimination but this really shows the lack of maturity of some people.
It’s been months since my visit at Local’s Corner and writing a review fell by the waste side because I have over 80 reviews in queue. However, in light of the most recent incident of boycotting and violent graffiting of Local’s Corner, I thought I share my dining experience there.
I did read the negative reviews before dining at Local’s Corner and was apprehensive about going because we aren’t hipsters (not that I can ever fit into skinny jeans anyways), we aren’t rich techies, and we certainly aren’t white. For gawd’s sakes, I have a Portuguese last name (which our reservations were under) and have been mistaken for almost everything under the sun; from Chinese to Filipina to Latina to Japanese to Russian. Yes, Russian! Don’t know what dude was smoking to think I was Russian doe.
We had reservations for Sunday dinner where Michael Black (formerly Sebo) was a guest chef and had a special izakaya menu. It’s such a tiny restaurant (8 tables and 5 counter seats) so I don’t see how they could possibly fit a party of eight without reservations during brunch. Anyhow, just my observation but the staff was the only reason this review is not lower than 3 stars.
The hostess, waitress, and chefs were all very friendly and did chat with us throughout or dinner when we sat at the counter. Yes, we were the only minorities there but we weren’t treated any differently and had we been, you know I would have gone ape sh*t on this review.
As for the food, it was really unremarkable AND expensive. The izakaya dishes we had were hardly «izakaya» and merely just appetizers with some Asian elements. I mean a wedge of raw cabbage served with miso paste? C’mon now! It’s not worth getting into the details of the other things we had because it was a special menu that night and I highly doubt I would return. My money can be better spent elsewhere… like at Knead’s Patisserie (inside Local Mission Eatery).
A dozen of thunder thighs and triple muffin top inducing Pomme d’Amores please!

Zero stars. Negative stars, in fact.
Look, let’s forget the fact that the food is overpriced, and simply just not that great for what this is. Other reviews have called this place out on all that. But none of the reviewers have criticized them for that big 800-​pound gorilla in the room the owners (and lots of other newly-​arrived Mission folk) are hoping will just go away with time.
The Local’s Corner has been one of the most glaring symbols of ham-​fisted, clueless gentrification in a neighborhood whose culture and flavor has been all but gutted in recent years by this process. Looking at the exterior and the clientele — namely, how it all screams «stereotype of upscale suburban whiteness» — it’s hard to imagine the incident where the Latino family was turned away from the establishment as being anything other than what was described in the complaint: racially-​motivated fear.
I know it’s too late to throw the brake switch on what’s happening in the Mission. But like… if you have even a tiny smidgeon of Leftiness in you, then I urge you to boycott this, and all other businesses in the Mission like it. That includes Pig & Pie, Wise Sons (sorry dudes, you’re alright, but your Folsom spot was not really a great fit, methinks), that place across from Atlas that looks like a way more expensive Atlas, Flour & Water, that stupid new cocktail bar between Treat and Folsom on 24^th, etc. Don’t shop at Whole Foods or BiRite (and obviously not the Local’s Market.) In fact, whenever you spend money, consider how your choice impacts your community, who wins and who loses, etc.
If you want upscale service and overpriced food, go to a posh upscale neighborhood. If you want to serve posh, upscale food, then open your location up in some posh, upscale neighborhood. There are lots of those around the city. The Mission did not need this treatment, especially not in the guise of this ponce-​hole.

It was very fun to sit at the counter and watch. We are just amazed how they prepared everything in a small kitchen with an electronic stove top.
Restaurant is small and cozy. We had reservation but got seated at the kitchen counter. I am glad we did because it was enjoyable seeing chef preparing food. Staff are very friendly, we even get to take a photo with the entire kitchen team and chef. Attentive service.
We enjoy the raw bar, oysters and uni. The raw abalone was interesting but nothing that you must have. My uncle and aunt also visit the restaurant after we did, they too enjoy the experience, and the food as well.
Overall, food was fresh and well prepared. A good addition to the Mission food scene. Not yet comparable to Commonwealth but it is still solid good.

So cute and quaint. Food is clean and not over seasoned. Love coming here for a charming, cozy brunch. Gotta get here early unless you want to wait. Staff and chefs are top notch.
I really appreciate that everything is house prepped and made. Once you are seated they bring you lovely house bread, butter and luscious jams. Everything on the menu is relatively healthy. Love the brunch! A three course menu of small plates. Haven’t eaten any bad meals here.
And the restrooms are beautiful and very, very clean.

3.5 stars. rounding up.
Okay so I agree with the other reviews here for dinner — the food is good, but it’s a bit pricey for the portions that you get.
That squid ink pasta with uni and crab, at $ 20, is still worth the price tag. Perfectly cooked al dente, with that savory uni flavor.
The roasted sardine, asparagus salad, and pork butter toast were all pretty decent. Again, a bit pricey though.
Service is good, and food was good. I would come back just for that squid ink and uni pasta.

I love this place — the service is friendly and prompt, the food is delicious and fresh, and the décor is cute but not overdone.
In short, this is one of SF’s hidden gems for breakfast during the week or brunch on weekends!

Music is much better!!! Food is awesome! Loved it so much, came back for pre-​dinner oysters and stout after brunch today and after a run on Bernal Hts!

Whether it be their wide selection of oysters, chef selections while seated up at the counter, or even their Valdeguie, this cozy place offers up some fresh seafood servings.
Certain wine pairings were just okay, but the detailed descriptions that went into choosing each wine, recounted by friendly waiters, made the experience all the more intriguing.
You can request they not prepare your food with certain ingredients. I simply cannot have grapefruit, which would contradict the strength of my medication. Not a problem here!
Also good to know what «hen of the woods» are. I’m not a mushroom fan, but some folks might be???
Nice to be in walking distance. :-)

I like the idea of a 3-​course prix-​fixe brunch menu. Come with friends so you can order everything and share — they have such a good variety that you get an amazing brunch that covers a wide spectrum of flavors & textures! Plus we walked in at 1pm on a Saturday to no wait.
$ 36 per person for brunch and oysters split between three of us. Pricey, but worth it.
Like the low key, laid back feel of this place. I was sorely disappointed that right as we were about to order (circa 1:30pm on a Saturday), they told us they were out of the frittata (which looked delicious. everyone around us was eating it). Then after ordering, they told us they were out of the Belgian waffle! I pleaded with one of the servers, telling him how that was the whole reason I came to the restaurant, and if there was even enough batter to make like a quarter of a waffle, could I please PLEASE try some? We didn’t hear any word back and assumed my pleas didn’t do any good, but when our 3^rd course came out, our server said «I have a surprise for you!» and lo and behold, there was the Belgian Waffle! That really made my day. (read below for my objective review of the dish itself though)
* Toast, butter, seasonal (peach) preserves for the table — 4 stars
pic:
This toast was great. The bread was chock full of grains and I love chewing into all that texture. It wasn’t toasted but was tough as if it were slightly, yet the bread was still soft (& easy to wipe up something like the leftover sauce on your entrée.). The peach preserves were fantastic.
* Hot Grains and seeds — 4 stars
pic:
(persimmon, walnut, brown sugar)
As a soggy-​carb lover, I approve strongly. Once again, chock full of grains. Like oatmeal but with a million other tasty wonderful surprises. And it came with chunks of sweet potato, plus the walnuts. pretty dang amazing.
* Farmstead cheese plate — 4 stars
pic:
(Almond butter, pomegranate, preserves)
I called the restaurant a couple days later to ask what kind of cheeses they’d served because they were both so strong and amazing — it was Point Reyes blue cheese and pepato. As small as the plate seems, it was actually quite filling and delicious.
* Oysters — 3.5 stars
pic:
Solid! I found them to be a little soft & watery, but they were still fresh and we enjoyed this.
* Belgian waffle — 3.5 stars
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(chicory syrup, apple, whipped cream)
Like stated above, they were able to make this for us after they said they were out and I pleaded like crazy. This was a super nice surprise. However, the waffles were pretty disappointing — dry, overly crisped. I will give them the benefit of the doubt and assume we got some sort of secondary ingredients or recipe since they may have had to scrape this together with what little they had left in the kitchen. The whipped cream, apples, and syrup were beyond amazing though.
* Smoked sturgeon — 3.5 stars
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(braised cabbage, beets, crème fraîche, dill)
Not my favorite dish, but was both my friends’. I personally am not the biggest fan of dill/​sour/​pickled flavors, but will have to admit they made it work pretty well here. The sturgeon came in slices to my surprise, so wasn’t as filling as I’d imagined, but it had a good bite to the texture.
* Chicken hash — 4.5 stars
pic:
egg cross-​section:
(egg, potato, squash, beet greens, cheddar)
My favorite dish of the day! This was fantastic, was a burst of flavor and surprises, and a great filling savory brunch dish. The egg had a semi-​solid yolk (ask them how they make it — there’s an interesting machine in the kitchen just for these eggs!), there was mashed sweet potato, and everything just worked wonderfully together.
The last 3 dishes were the 3 entrees offered — just wanted to emphasize how well they complement each other! A cold/​pickled dish, a sweet dish, and a warm savory one.
Full menu:

Unassuming little spot situated close to the Mission District. If you want options for breakfast/​bunch Local’s corner might not be your spot. They have a very limited brunch menu when we were there. There were three sections with, I believe, 3 choices in each part. While the selections were varied it definitely was constrained.
Execution of the food was great and the flavors married well. Service was hit and miss but overall your standard run of the mill.
Polenta was delicious. Just the right touch of creaminess and savory goodness. I also had the pleasure of trying their beligian waffle. The batter was light and airy and cooked just right but I wish they used pearl sugar to give it that extra sweet sugary crisp that I simple adore. I didn’t care for their granola and would suggest you skip that.
They also had a really good robust cheese platter that I wished I had more of. Last but not least there was a great pastry called Pomme d’Amour. It was over indulgent but sinfully good.
Side note, I hear this spot is known for its seafood so maybe next time I will come back for dinner
Overall Thoughts
Despite the limited menu, it does mean you are getting quality goods that are fresh and delicious

Local’s Corner brew their house coffee — as in, available bottomless at brunch — by 8 cup French Press.
If you look at the coffee station, you’ll see containers of pre-​measured ground coffee (Sightglass), french presses and the hot water dispenser. There is also a timer on the station to ensure the coffee gets the 4 min brew treatment.
Pretty inefficient, yes, but if this is a reflection of the little things they do to produce/​serve quality food — then more power to them (and hooray for us diners).
I’m not going to wax lyrical about the brunch. It is pretty darn good, as others have attested. I especially liked the house jam (plum & tarragon). Fruity and not too sweet.
I was a little sad that there wasn’t soy milk available for my coffee. Minor thing and I’ll live.