New on the Resy Hit List: Dear Inga, Mister Jiu’s, Brenda’s, The Progress, and More

Live fire, fermentation-loving, Eastern European-leaning. However you want to describe Dear Inga, one thing is for certain: it’s delicious. Chef David Golovin is offering vegetable-forward sides, meats from the smoker (brisket, beef ribs, smoked sausages), and pantry items like house sauerkraut, hot sauces, feta ranch, and more. Order here.

Open for takeout. 

Tres has transformed into Merkado, offering an outdoor patio with a menu centered around tacos and margaritas. Choose from al pastor, panko-breaded pollo, carnitas, and rajas versions. There are also carne asada skewers, hamburguesas, and other many other cocktails if that’s more your mood.

Open for takeout/delivery and outdoor dining.

The beloved Brenda’s is back! Get superb fried chicken, buttery biscuits, sweet and savory beignets, shrimp po’ boys and all your other French soul food fare for takeout and delivery. See ordering options here.

Open for takeout and delivery.

One nice thing you can do for yourself is drive up north somewhere and get out of the city for a day. Maybe head towards Sonoma County, where you can taste some wine and maybe you’ll find yourself in Sebastopol. If you do, treat yourself to a delicious bowl of ramen in the Ramen Gaijin patio. Whether you go shoyu or spicy tan tanmen or shiitake miso, noodles in a bowl are sure to comfort.

Open for takeout and outdoor dining.

The Absinthe Group has transformed Arlequin Cafe into Arbor, a casual spot with cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwiches, salads, soft serve, and more. The sleeper hit might be the vegan burger, which is almost like a crispy bean and chickpea falafel with garlic tahini. Also, they also have curly fries, the superlative fry form.

Open for takeout and delivery.

Fans of smashburgers should know about Popsons. Back in the day, the burger spot started out by doing popups in a Mission bar, expanded to a few brick-and-mortar locations … and now are back to popping up inside a Mission bar. But what’s stayed consistent through and through is their thin patties featuring Five Dot Ranch beef smashed into a crispy oblivion topped with cheddar cheese on a soft seeded bun. Find Popsons at Teeth bar, which has a nice back patio and makeshift Mission Street patio as well. See the website for more info.

Open for outdoor dining at Teeth.

There’s something special about dining al fresco on Columbus Avenue in North Beach. There are so many choices, but Da Flora is one of the best ones. From rigatoni with Calabrese sausage to a summer risotto with sweet white corn, roast heirloom tomatoes and fried basil, the menu features trattoria classics, classed up. Can’t go with wrong with a tiramisu and espresso for a sweet finish, either.

Open for outdoor dining and takeout.

Get the famed duck for two (or one hungry person) from The Progress for home via the restaurant’s online store. They also have their wonderful off-menu Prog Dog (featuring kimchi, bonito-rosemary aioli, and shallot crunch) and nectarine-blueberry handpies for dessert. There’s also limited outdoor dining on the weekend.

Open for outdoor dining and takeout.

Everyone has their favorite Tenderloin banh mi shop. Whether you choose the long time classic Saigon Sandwich, the sleeper hit across the street at L&G (the bread is superlative), the super savory and umami-pumped version at Mong Thu, or the perfectly-constructed version at Sing Sing (309 Hyde St.) whose praises have been highly sung. Try them all and find your favorite.

Open for takeout.