Joe’s Cable Car Restaurant Set To Close In March

Sadly, another San Francisco institution is going by the wayside as Joe’s Cable Car Restaurant owner Joe Obegi said he is closing up shop in the middle of March.

As reported by KCBS radio, the restaurant, which opened in 1965 on Mission Street near Silver Avenue, will have its last day of service on March 16.  Obegi said the restaurant started as a tiny, 160 sq. ft. building, constructed to look like a San Francisco Cable Car.  The original intent was to have Joe’s Cable Car serve as a drive-in diner, with walk-up window service.

Eventually, Obegi decided to expand, adding booth and table seating.  The restaurant, grew in popularity, even being featured on Guy Fieri’s Food Network show, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”  But Obegi said he’s closing because he just didn’t have the heart to sell the restaurant and endanger the quality of what it was best known for – its burgers.

Photo Credit: Joe's Cable Car Facebook page

Joe’s Cable Car has long been regarded, by customers and critics alike, as having “one of the best burgers in town.”  Obegi ground his own fresh chuck daily, with the steaks made of 100% U.S.D.A, government inspected, choice beef chuck.  He said it gave him great pleasure to have “smiling customers who enjoyed good food.”      

According to the restaurant’s website, it remains “one of the last privately owned and operated restaurants in the city.”  It’s unfortunate that more of these small businesses just can’t compete in today’s economy.  Joe’s Cable Car is located at 4320 Mission Street in San Francisco.