We first heard about it from Tender reader Ike on June 1st, and from a couple of other people since, but today we actually managed to confirm it with the owner, Kurt: yes, Dottie’s True Blue Cafe, “Home of the Infinite Line”, will indeed be moving. Bummer. As it is sadly the case with good neighborhood businesses, it appears it’s due to a rent dispute with the owner (ie rent increase).
Kurt didn’t mention it, but we got (unconfirmed) word from Tender reader Ryan that the owners of a certain fancy bar on a nearby corner are looking to take over the space. This doesn’t make much sense as a) getting a new liquor license on a space is painful (as we assume that the Dottie’s space doesn’t have one) and b) that space is way too small to house any kind of bar. We tried to contact those affiliated with the bar, but until now we haven’t gotten a reply, so take this all with one big fat grain of salt for the moment. Update: And it turns out that the salt was well-taken
As for the future of Dottie’s, Kurt said that they are indeed trying to stay in the neighborhood. This is proving difficult, though, as getting building owners of vacant spaces to call him back isn’t happening. We’ve encountered this ourselves and are pretty much convinced that, especially in this area, there are countless owners who are dishonestly speculating with their space. They leave them vacant for years (while they become magnets for all sorts of “street activity”), waiting around in this asinine belief that huge rents are just around the corner. Mr. Mayor, Board of Supervisors, can we get a blight tax please?
Some of the other unconfirmed rumors we had heard said that Dottie’s was planning to move way up to the “OMG! Like, ya know” neighborhood, also known as Union Street. Again, this appears to just be a rumor given that Kurt is still looking for a new space. We’ll see how time plays out, but needless to say, we ain’t thrilled about the prospects of losing a beloved business from the neighborhood. Even though we’ve never been huge fans of their huge lines, we do love their solid breakfast offerings and friendly service regardless of how busy they are.
(Dottie’s True Blue Cafe by em ma, from The Tender Flickr pool)
14 Comments until now
it’s a sad sad day when a lease in the marina becomes a less expensive option than a lease in the tenderloin.
When’s the move happening? I need to get my Dottie’s fix before it’s too late!!
does the bar rhyme with “-ourbonandbranch”?
@Lauren, it’s unknown as we mentioned that the owner is still looking for a space.
@mark Can’t say, as we try to confirm rumors (I know, why bother when no one else does) and haven’t been able to confirm this yet, which is why we left it vague.
Wonder what nearby corner bar is interested? Something tells me it has the word bouron in it. Do we really need another bar in this area? We have 3 within 20 feet of one another. I’m so sad about Dottie’s having to move. This is an icon of a breakfast place in my hood. Best of luck, Dottie’s! Maybe you guys can get a bigger place. Your die hard patrons will follow and you guys need shorter lines, that’s for sure.
The best thing about Dottie’s? Take out. Bypass the huge line and eat at home.
At least it’s Union Street and not the Marina.
I never have understood landlords that kick out good, long-term tenants for possibly temporary short term gains. These guys are clowns and obviously either a) haven’t been doing it very long or b) aren’t good at what they do. People that pay on time and don’t cause a stink are the people you want. Not high turnover (there will be turnover at that location if it’s a bar — too many in the area as it is).
I hear you man. I think it’s part of the problem in that we have these massive property companies controlling rent in the city who only give a damn about the amount of money that comes in.
If our illustrious city government really wanted to make any number of things better in the city, they pass a law to break up these groups who, like my building owner, own 1,000 rental units. A studio in my building is now $1,250. A friend of mine is moving in to a new place that overlooks a garden, on an alley at the top of Nob Hill and is only going to pay $1,000. Why? Single building owner who cares about having quality, longterm tenants.
To quote you at your most scurvyness: rabble, rabble…
I live nearby, and tried to hit up Dottie’s one time, fairly early on a Saturday. Like 9:15 or so. They gave us a three hour wait estimate. Three hours? What a joke. I went to farm:table right nearby had an awesome meal, and even got a table within 5 minutes.
Hope they stick around in the hood though, at least to keep people away from the other restaurants that locals actually go to
I hope they stay in the neighborhood! Ideally somewhere on Geary between Jones and Polk, where there seems to be alot of empty storefronts.
The property management companies that rent the majority of both commercial and residential have absolutely no interest in developing genuine community. I bet most of the owners don’t even live in SF, especially the areas this blog covers. High turnover is basic to property management company’s basic business plan because it insures continued or increased market rate rent.
I was under the impression that Dottie’s does have a liquor license, since soju Bloody Marys are on the menu.
^ In CA, a liquor license isn’t required to serve soju.
[...] breakfast spot, Dottie’s True Blue Cafe, “home of the infinite line,” will likely have to move. According to The Tender, cafe owner Kurt Abney. is in the midst of a rent dispute with the [...]
Just called Dottie’s wondering if they moved yet. They haven’t, and said that they will still be at the Jones location for at least a month. They also said that they still didn’t know where they moving.
Boo.