Orphan Andy’s, One of SF’s Last 24-Hour Diners, is for Sale
Owners Bill Pung (left) and Dennis Ziebell
Back in 2003 I worked as a bar back at Badlands in the Castro. Considering how late I’d get off, I had many 3am nights at Orphan Andy’s where I’d eat my late night breakfast and meet everyone from line cooks to club kids to tourists to burnt out tweakers.
Before the 2010s tech boom, San Francisco used to be far more of a late night city. There were more bars, more people who stayed out past 2am every night, and more late night places that fed all those people. The Castro had a bevy of 24-Hour spots like Sparky’s, Baghdad Cafe, and of course, Orphan Andy’s. But after a decade where most of the City’s 20-30 somethings had to be up early for their tech jobs, and then a pandemic, many of the 24-hour eateries are gone. Not Orphan Andy’s though, and hopefully that never changes.
I got word earlier this week that longtime business and life partners Dennis Ziebell and Bill Pung are hanging up their aprons and retiring. According to this article in the San Francisco Business Times:
“In 1977 Ziebell acquired Five Corners Cafe and renamed it Orphan Andy’s in homage to another 24/7 institution, Andy’s Donuts, frequented by Harvey Milk and other famous Castro figures of the time — and which Ziebell himself owned from 1972 to 1975. He met his future life and business partner Pung across the bar at another of his businesses, Boot Camp Bar.”
The’ve listed the restaurant for $250,000.
The flyer listing the restaurant for sale.
When I reached out to Ziebell he told me
“Hopefully the history of The Castro will continue to inspire each new generation and give them hope and confidence in leading their lives. My partner and I will miss our wonderful employees who are just amazing along with all of our customers who are the heart and soul of Orphan Andy’s.”
I really hope whoever buys the place doesn’t change a thing. Orphan Andy’s is a legend. It’s an icon. It’s a place that’s always been there for us no matter what kind of strange and insane night or day we have. And they have a really incredible chicken fried steak with gravy. That shit will solve nearly any problem you have, at least for a little while.
You can read more about the story of Orphan Andy’s in this great article from the San Francisco Bay Times.
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