Our city is chock-full of interesting people and wild personalities. Overwhelmed by the coolness? Every week we'll pick one standout local we'd love to be friends with to answer seven essential questions about their life in San Francisco.
If you'd told us Ike's Place would become a Bay Area sandwich empire back when it was just a pop-up in Lime, or when it fought a nasty legal battle from a shop the size of a walk-in closet, we would've believed you. Even back then, the masses staunchly stood behind their beloved Ike's "Dirty Secret Sauce," even if you had to wait an hour (or more!) to get it.
Now things are a bit different. You can order online, and Ike's has ten locations to get you your fix. There's even a rumored LA store in the works.
But the man behind it all has remained the same; Ike Shehadeh. Sandwich king, creative name-er, and all around charming guy, he's gotten the likes of Matt Cain and Harrison Barnes to create their own menu items, and goes by the simple motto we really dig, "Love & Sandwiches." Big thanks to Ike for all those carmel apple pops and for answering our We Wanna Be Friends With Q&A!
1. What neighborhood do you currently call home? Would you ever move or are you happy in your 'hood?
The Castro. I've been living there for almost 4 years. Before that I lived in the Mission for 16 years...I'm pretty happy where I am.
2. What's your hands-down, absolute favorite thing to eat in SF?
You mean What's your hands-down, absolute favorite thing to eat in SF that's not an Ike's sandwich? My current crush is Kitchen Story.
3. What's your perfect night on the town?
AT&T Park -> Umami Burger -> Matrix -> Twin Peaks.
4. When you need a low-key afternoon, where do you go for down time?
The Zoo!
5. What's your favorite place to go on a day trip from the city?
Vichy Springs in Ukiah. That or the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
6. Quick-fire round:
Burrito or Burger?
Burger.
Presidio or Golden Gate Park?
Golden Gate Park.
BiRite or Mitchell's?
Well, I was given a skip the line pass to Mitchell's. Love their coconut.
Fort Mason or Dolores Park?
I don't want to upset my constituents: Dolores Park. (I've only been there once in my life though).
The Independent or the Fillmore?
I once fell asleep at a Nora Jones concert on the floor at The Fillmore.
Baker Beach or Ocean Beach?
Ocean Beach!! I grew up on 33rd Ave.
7. Three words that describe your life in SF?
Unbelievably, Magically, Blessed.
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