By Ellen Eason

Enlivening the Neighborhood

Appreciated for its many tree-lined streets, the Inner Sunset is becoming even leafier thanks to our neighbor, the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

Over the past two years, UCSF has funded the planting of 42 trees along Irving, Judah and Hugo streets and Ninth Avenue. In February 2024, Friends of the Urban Forest led a planting day that drew a strong turnout of local volunteers to get the trees in the ground. Friends of the Urban Forest continues to handle ongoing maintenance.

Colorful murals, plantings and parklets are also enhancing the streetscapes. At Ninth and Irving, Grégoire added bistro tables and a mural that evoke the ambiance of a French café. The Sunset Mercantile Emporium at Eighth Avenue and Irving Street features colorful paintings of koi fish by artist Jeremy Novy on the sidewalk, while a pretty floral mural enhances the storefront at Petite Regalia Fine Jewelers at 1010 Irving St.

Through a generous private donation, the Inner Sunset Park Neighbors (ISPN) offered grants of up to $500 to support exterior storefront improvements that contribute to the neighborhood’s vitality and charm. Eligible projects included painting, signage, cleanliness, lighting, greenery and more. Last spring, 12 small businesses applied and five received grants for replacing vandalized planters, installing anti-graffiti window film and parklet maintenance.

Clean streets are a top priority for both neighbors and merchants. Dedicated volunteer Annie Tahtinen leads a cleanup from 10 a.m. to noon on the fourth Saturday of every month. More than two dozen volunteers turn out each month, including seniors, families with young children and teens earning community service hours. Refreshments such as coffee, juice, donuts and seasonal treats are purchased or donated by local businesses. The cleanup is a collaboration of the Inner Sunset Merchants Association, Inner Sunset Park Neighbors and Sunset Mercantile Emporium with support from the San Francisco Department of Public Works, Refuse Refuse San Francisco and a grant from the Sunset Heights Association of Responsible People (SHARP).

Underdogs Tres

Looking for superb Mexican fare in a festive atmosphere? Head to Underdogs Tres at 1224 Ninth Ave. The casual Inner Sunset restaurant is a perfect spot to enjoy Mexican food, relax with friends or catch a game.

“We like to describe it as a fusion experience that combines a modern taqueria with a lively sports atmosphere,” owner Doug Marschke said.

Choose a table in the cozy interior, on the shaded back patio or in the parklet out front. The friendly team of servers and bartenders are eager to welcome guests and recommend food and beverage selections while the kitchen staff turns out the tasty food that customers love.

The restaurant offers events and promotions throughout the week. Taco Tuesday is a favorite, and on weekends Underdogs Tres offers breakfast with bottomless mimosas.

“We’ve also introduced a few fun specials,” added Marschke. “On Fridays we do a $1 margarita happy half hour from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Every Thursday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. we host trivia night on the back patio, where people can test their knowledge, compete with friends and win prizes.

“We’re especially proud of our commitment to sustainability,” Marschke said. “Underdogs Tres is Surfrider Foundation Ocean Friendly certified, which means we prioritize environmentally responsible practices such as sustainable packaging, eliminating unnecessary plastics and being thoughtful about how we source our ingredients.”

Be sure to try some of the seafood tacos – Baja-style beer-battered mahi mahi or grilled shrimp, salmon or mahi mahi.

Underdogs Tres is a popular spot for small parties and gatherings. The back patio may be reserved for private groups, and the restaurant provides catering for events and celebrations.

Marschke said he appreciates the Inner Sunset’s strong sense of community.

“There’s something really special about being part of a neighborhood where people support local businesses and genuinely care about the places they visit,” he said. “Seeing familiar faces and the smiles when people walk in the door is what makes it all worthwhile. Our goal is to be a place where neighbors feel comfortable dropping in, whether it’s for tacos after the park, a casual dinner with family or watching a big game with friends.”

New Businesses Enliven the Neighborhood

Welcome to Therapy Stores, a colorful shop brimming with home accessories, jewelry, leather goods, totes and bags, games and California-themed goods. Choose from a creative selection of children’s clothing and toys, including the popular Jellycat plushies. The family-owned and operated business started in 1994 in the Mission and has expanded to other city neighborhoods and beyond. The store is located at 724 Irving St. in the former Progress Hardware site.

Three eateries on Ninth Avenue recently celebrated grand openings. Timur serves imaginative Nepalese and Indian cuisine at 1386 Ninth Ave. Grégoire focuses on casual French-inspired fare at the corner of Ninth and Irving. Just down the block, Tadaima attracts crowds eager to sample Japanese-style sandwiches at its location at 1238 Ninth Ave.

Rethinking your workout routine? Fitness studio CORE40 opened at 827 Irving St. Check it out for “low-impact, high-intensity” classes.

Construction is underway at 1309 Ninth Ave. for Pang, a new Chinese restaurant.

You See Sushi at 94 Judah St. closed its doors after more than 20 years. Stay tuned for news about a new restaurant in the location.

The Inner Sunset Merchants’ Association is the voice of our neighborhood’s business community. We are an all-volunteer, nonprofit association committed to supporting, promoting and advocating for the needs of our local business community. We welcome new merchants into our neighborhood and work hard to drive new business to our growing community. Learn more at innersunsetmerchants.org.

Ellen Eason is a writer and Inner Sunset resident.