By Beth Bodner
Hamburger Haven is the place to be on a blustery Richmond morning, and it has been for 56 years. The longtime establishment perched on the corner of Ninth Avenue and Clement Street boasts a wider history beyond just its hamburgers.
A lazy breakfast at Hamburger Haven will be accompanied by views of the calm but fast-paced open kitchen, '60s-era wood paneling and the comfort of an original green vinyl booth or bar stool. It is evident upon entering that the restaurant embodies the American diner tradition, not only in its ambiance but also in the warmth exuded by its staff.
The current owner, Roozbeh "Rooz" Falahati, shared that the diner has seen many phases of Clement Street. He took over the business from his father in 2020 with whom he still enjoys playing tennis three times a week. Falahati grew up around the corner, at 11th Avenue and Geary Boulevard – his family's Richmond ties go back to the 1960s.
An Inner Richmond fixture, Hamburger Haven sits on the corner of Ninth Avenue and Clement Street and has been serving customers since 1968. Photos by Beth Bodner.
Falahati's father, Majid, had just moved to San Francisco from Iran and his plan was to study math at USF, then eventually return home to find a job. Legend has it that one of the partners of Mel's Drive-In first opened Hamburger Haven in 1968 and sold it to a man named Andy. Majid became acquainted with Andy and began working at Hamburger Haven in 1972. He became manager in 1974 and took over operations in 1976.
"There was a lot more going on in the Richmond in the '70s and '80s," Falahati said.
Hamburger Haven saw more nightlife, served lunch and dinner, and was open until the wee hours of the night. Diners at Hamburger Haven could smoke inside. Holy City Zoo, the comedy club where Robin Williams got his start, was once located in what is now Scarlet Lounge a few blocks down. After a comedy show, some of the performers would mosey down the street for a late-night meal.
Today's Inner Richmond is a hot spot for tasty eateries, which tend to close on the earlier side.
Not much has changed over time at Hamburger Haven.
"Our prices have changed, but the menu has not," Falahati said.
During and after the pandemic, the Falahati family was uncertain as to whether the diner would stay in its long-term location. After years of navigating tiresome lease negotiations with no interest in shifting business to meet COVID-19 dining restrictions, the future of the restaurant was looking doubtful.
The Chinatown Community Development Center (CCDC) played a big part in Hamburger Haven's return. The CCDC purchased the building at 800 Clement St. with funding from the city's Small Sites Program in 2018. The organization particularly wanted to protect the rent-controlled residential units behind the diner. Falahati was able to negotiate with the landlord to suspend paying rent during the pandemic and later began discussing sublease options.
Hamburger Haven offers a nostalgic throwback ambience that harkens back to the 1960s.
Late one night in 2022, Falahati found himself on the internet buying kitchen equipment to replace Hamburger Haven's appliances, which dated back to 1969.
"We didn't have a new lease yet," he divulged. It was then he knew that his heart was into keeping the legacy going.
Hamburger Haven reopened on July 11, 2022, and many of the employees from before the pandemic came back to serve breakfast to regular customers.
"People missed it," Falahati said with a smile. "Business has been great since the diner's return."
As for the name, Falahati mentioned that "haven" was a commonplace diner moniker and quipped, "I would rather eat at a hamburger haven than a spinach haven."
Comedians who performed at the Holy City Zoo, a bar that is now called Scarlet Lounge, would often walk five blocks west to eat at Hamburger Haven. The most famous of the comedians who got their start at the Holy City Zoo was Robin Williams (center) who went on to a legendary career as a beloved comedian and Academy Award-winning actor. Courtesy photo.
Whether it's the Haven Veggie Burger or the Irish Breakfast, a stop at Hamburger Haven is sure to leave you feeling satiated and nostalgic.
Hamburger Haven, located at 800 Clement St., features a unique corner entrance with a red awning. The business received legacy status in December 2017. Visit sf.gov/legacy-business-program to learn more about the Legacy Business Program.
No comments:
Post a Comment