The mom-and-pop owners of Jim’s Restaurant on Mission Street, a community staple for more than three decades, will have their last day of work this Saturday, according to the restaurant.
Jim’s Restaurant announced that its owners will be retiring after Saturday. It’s unclear, however, whether Jim’s will continue operating under new management.
What is clear is it won’t be the same without Mr. and Ms. Kim.
The current owners, Kim Ok Un and Kim Jung Nyun, declined to comment about their retirement or whether Jim’s would continue operating.
An Instagram commenter says, “So so sooo happy for you guys!! So well deserved, but Jim’s will never be the same without you.”
Another says, “Legendary spot just up the street from KPOO. Thanks y’all for the decades of service to the community.”
On Friday around noon, the restaurant at 2420 Mission St. between 20th and 21st streets was nearly full with families. Ms. Kim, who’s been “at the helm of this retro diner spot,” was in her apron as she weaved between the cash register and the tables, while Mr. Kim went about his minutiae in silence and efficiency. This has probably been the scene at Jim’s for decades, likely dating back to its founding in 1993, according to the San Francisco registered business database.
Jim’s has been an unpretentious, vintage coffee shop that stands the test of time, as noted by Eater. Its regulars will miss its eggs benedict, turkey clubs, chicken fried steak and eggs, turkey sausage with eggs, hash browns and toast.
It was the kind of spot where Mission Local Managing Editor and Columnist Joe Eskenazi would regularly meet sources, or take his wife out to lunch.
The space has undergone some changes over the years, including moving up its closing time from 3 p.m. to 2 p.m. It also started serving mimosas and beer around a decade ago, in an effort to stay relevant. Ms. Kim said at the time that she had always been concerned that there could be trouble if she sold alcohol, but she felt the necessity to join in the flow as the neighborhood changed.
“We want to thank the community for the continuous support over the 32 years,” Jim’s Restaurant said on Instagram. For tomorrow, the Kims’ last day at the restaurant, “We would love to see everyone there to celebrate!”
I’m going to miss the Kims. I was just there Friday. I wish I knew. I would have said goodbye. Just to clarify, the restaurant had been there since, at least, the 60’s. I used to go in there for a milkshake before hitting The Grand or Granada for matinee monster flicks when I was a kid and I’ll be 65 next month.
This is old, but maybe that comment about Jim’s being up the street from KPOO could be corrected. I think the commenter is referring to Eddie’s, not the same former owners of Jim’s.
I can’t remember the waitress’s name, Jemela? I would have tagged it.
sad to see it go .. hopefully new owners can be found
we still have j. george’s on 16th & folsom, and mel’s going strong on mission & 4th ..
I like Mission Kitchen. They make the best home fried potatoes.