After 27 years, Katz Bagels on 16th and Albion streets will close its doors on March 24.
“Goodbye San Francisco,” says a note taped the shop’s window. “While recent times have been challenging, we can only be grateful for all the support we have received through the years.”
That means no more affordable New York-style bacon-egg-and-cheese sandwiches — sometimes on the go, sometimes sitting in the shop, listening to jazz and watching the life of 16th Street through its large windows.
No one signed the note in Katz’s window, but it was all but certainly penned by Michael Katz, the bagel shop’s owner. He thanked his father, Burt, for his “amazing portraits that adorned these walls for so many years” and his mother “for listening to me during these complicated times.”
Katz thanked his loyal employees and the “kind, polite, humane people that made this such a special neighborhood.” He also looked back to the 1990s — “for being such a great place for small business.”
The shop, indeed, was opened in 1993 by Michael’s father, Burt. As Mission Local wrote much later, in 2008, Katz in the ‘90s was a staple destination for the neighborhood’s “construction workers, day laborers, painters and folks heading to the 16th Street BART drop in to grab a cup of coffee or tea and a freshly made bagel.”
Yet as the neighborhood changed — and the price of wheat rose, killing Katz’s wholesale business — Katz had to continually reinvent itself. It experimented with pizza for a time starting in 2008, but eventually went back to making only bagels.
More recently, a bad health inspection hobbled the business, causing it to shut down for several days. And a couple of months ago, the shop’s front door window was shattered. Katz never replaced it — and perhaps now we know why.
Mission Local could not reach the owner for comment. We called every Michael Katz registered to vote in San Francisco County. One of them politely said he was not the owner, but exclaimed that owning a bagel shop sounded like a “dream.”
“Maybe in another life,” he said.
I worked at Katz Bagels 1993 – 1995, and it was a very happy time for me. The comment above about how lovely everyone was is exactly right. Michael was a great boss to work with, and I was sorry it came to an end when I moved to Mexico. I remember Burt very well, and Linda and Fereba and Aram and Sherice and Lisa and Natalie. The line would be out the door and half way down the block, and Fereba would come rushing to our little manager’s cubby-hole and say “Andrew, we’ve run out of quarters!” and I’d say “Practice with me Fereba, say it together with me: ‘Andrew! We’ve *almost* run out of quarters!'” Then I’d run to the bank on the corner of Mission. I’ve often thought of looking Michael up again — I hope he remembers me and María (my wife who also worked behind the counter for a while) as fondly as we remember him. San Francisco has lost a lovely place.
And they were the best, by a long way! Bite into a boiled one!
I wonder what happened to the business. Lovely people! I taught their daughter many years ago and Mr Katz brought bagels to our brunches with the class families. I am very sorry. Many the time craving one of their great raisin bagels I’d wish I was nearby. Best of luck Mr Katz. Please lovely your daughter that I hope she’s well and happy.
So sad to see this part of SF go. Like Pauline’s, Lucca Deli, and Real Food Co. and so many others. Thanks for the great bagels, kind staff, and inspirational photographs that reflected all of us. You will be missed and always remembered.
p.s. Hayes Valley
He was my neighbor. He is selling, so I guess he is moving.
I used to Work in Katz Bagels in 1996. I have such fond memories of the place, I was the job where I couldn’t have been happier, so many lovely work mates and friendly open customers. I am so sorry to here about it close down. Having lived in Ireland since I returned one day last September but unfortunately it was closed on that day.
Thank you Michael Katz, for the fabulous bagels and variety of cream cheeses, and for contributing to such a lovely work culture and living environment in the Mission at that time.
Hi Clara
This is Michael. Very nice to hear from you. You were very memorable to me because of your sweetness and the way you spoke. You were very memorable to me. I think you only worked there for a year but I remember you very well.
Good riddance to some of the worst bagels on the planet.
Haven’t eaten there since the shortly after it opened.
Hi Marcos
I am sorry to hear that. Our first wholesale account was The Fairmont Hotel. Next was the Ritz Carlton. Next was Rainbow Grocery. Next was Moscone convention center. That’s pretty good don’t you think?
The owner used to be the neighbor of my friend I believe he lives in an apartment on Dolores
I went in there on Friday. It was obvious it was over. I got my last #5 with bacon.
Unfortunately too many coffee shops are carrying bunk bagels these days.
That was a good run — lower Haight too. Thanks Katz!