Thursday night, the Warriors kick off the 2019-20 season at the Chase Center — their brand-new Mission Bay arena.
If you’re heading down for a game — or to see upcoming acts like Chance the Rapper, Dead & Company and, uh, Oprah — you have your choice of spots: both iconic local concessions inside the arena, and the best of nearby Dogpatch and Potrero Hill.
Below, we’ve compiled and footnoted the best of both.
In the center:
1. Bakesale Betty
If the theme of the Chase Center is “no need to go to Oakland anymore,” that might be doubly true for this Telegraph Avenue favorite, where lines typically extend down the block. Hopefully the wait will be shorter here, given that there will be three separate concessions.
2. La Cocina
The Bay’s favorite restaurant incubator for women, immigrants and people of color will host a rotating series of chefs — beginning with tamales from Sinoloa-born Alicia Villanueva.
3. Big Nate’s BBQ
Hall of Famer Nate (the Great) Thurmond’s Folsom Street spot closed in 2011, and the legend himself passed in 2016 — but not before giving his blessing to a throwback barbecue joint, serving some of the legend’s favorites.
4. Tacolicious
This ever-expanding chain of upscale-ish tacos finds another home in Mission Bay — here’s hoping they include the pastrami tacos on the Chase menu.
5. Hot Dog Bill’s
Here’s your chance at getting an original Burgerdog — without spending the afternoon at either the Olympic Club or the Silverado Golf Course in Napa.
Outside the center:
6. Little Creatures Brewery
This massive taproom is essentially a 6300-square-foot welcome center courtesy of the titular Aussie brand — expect a rotating selection of their hoppy beers, plus a “game day” menu with your choice of fish tacos, brisket burgers, lamb ribs, and more.
7. STEM Kitchen & Garden
Possibly the closest farm-to-table restaurant to the Chase Center, STEM will offer a special “bar and garden” menu on game nights, including a charcuterie board and cheese plates — ask for the special “Warrior’s Way” cocktail, made with jasmine liqueur, shiso syrup, and apple brandy.
8. Chez Maman East
Potrero Hill is a touch farther than Dogpatch, but Chez Maman earns an inclusion for its superior French classics, like moules et frites and a highly credible onion soup.
9. Piccino
Another farm-to-table option, this one in the heart of Dogpatch, Piccino has killer pasta dishes, like the gnocchi with pork sugo, basil, and heirloom tomatoes.
This article was featured in the InsideHook SF newsletter. Sign up now for more from the Bay Area.
