Kathleen from San Francisco

About me Born on an American Army base in Germany, I came to the states when I was six months old and my parents were stationed back home at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington, where I spent my entire childhood. Little did I know that the military lifestyle was going to become what inspired me to become an artist. I have been a photographer for most of my life. Whether I knew it o...

Aug 10, 2025

Tommy's Joynt San Francisco

An encounter

""Tommy's Joynt" was one of the first places I went to in San Francisco back in '73. It's an inexpensive and fun restaurant---try the heavenly carrot cake!"

Arriving in San Francisco in 1973 was surreal, to be sure. Being from a small town in Washington State, seeing street cars, gay couples, real diversity, and basically the big city for the first time, was mind-blowing.

I’d never been away from home, a sheltered military brat, I was oooh-ing and ah-ing seemingly every two seconds. I was hungry and my then boyfriend wanted me to experience his favorite place to eat in the city. That place was Tommy’s Joynt on Van Ness.

Fast forward to the present day. I walked into Tommy’s Joynt once again for a bit of nostalgia and the best Tequila Sunrise I’ve ever had after a long day of doing portraits at the Palace of Fine Arts. I was not disappointed. I filled my plate with a pastrami sandwich like no other, grabbed a pickle because who wouldn’t, and then added a slice of carrot cake to top it off. And let’s not forget the Tequila Sunrise. The carrot cake had to accompany me on the ride home, but the next day it was just as heavenly with a nice cup of coffee.

Now, I’m not saying Tommy’s Joynt is the nicest place in town, but it sure is one of the least expensive, the most fun, and it is definitely the place to go if you want to fill your belly and have your mind blown. Go. It’s so worth it.

Restaurants

About this spot

1101 Geary Blvd

From:

US$

Website

4157754216

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