Continuing San Francisco’s rich tradition of jean-making in a major way, Tony Patella and Pete Searson, the dudes behind Tellason denim, have been making the Bay proud since they shipped their first pair of raw, inky-blue jeans in 2009. Now carried in some of the best menswear shops in the world, the guys—both of whom have strong backgrounds in the denim industry—have built quite the fan-base, both locally and abroad, with a single pair of pared-down, straight-leg White Oak cone denim jeans that have little to no variation season to season. That, and a handful of high-profile collabs. Since the two are considered something of rock stars in the local menswear scene, we wanted to get their take on the best spots to shop, eat, and booze in the city. If their tour-guide skills are as good as their jean-making ones, you can trust they know what they're talking about.
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Read up on Tony and Pete's must-hit S.F. spots below!
1. La Taqueria: "My wife and I agree that the carnitas tacos dorados con todos at La Taqueria would be our last meal request if we were on death row at San Quentin," says Tony. "I've been all over Mexico and never found carnitas as good as what La Taqueria serves. A friend from Puebla, Mexico refused to believe that a restaurant in America could serve the world's best carnitas until I took him there when he visited S.F. He quickly changed his tune."
2889 Mission Street (between 24th and 25th streets); 415-285-7117.
2889 Mission Street (between 24th and 25th streets); 415-285-7117.
2. Rosamunde Sausage Grill and Toronado: "The sausages at Rosamunde in the Haight are a perfect compliment to the beers at Toronado next door," says Tony. "Or is it vice versa? In my opinion, Toronado has the best selection of craft beers of any beer bar in America. Where else can you select from five or six Russian River Brewing Co. beers and Moonlight Brewing Co. beers that aren't even bottled? Plus, the jukebox is stocked with heavy metal."
545 Haight Street (between Fillmore and Steiner streets); 415-437-6851; 547 Haight Street (between Fillmore and Steiner streets); 415-863-2276.
3. Unionmade: "Sometimes you go into a shop and there is nothing going on," says Pete. "Walk into Unionmade and there is plenty going on. It is no accident that the store is always buzzing a bit with customers who look happy to be there. Todd [Unionmade's owner] happens to have the eye that other shop owners would give their eye to have, so to speak."
493 Sanchez Street (at 18th Street); 415-861-3373.
493 Sanchez Street (at 18th Street); 415-861-3373.
4. Four Barrel: "When Four Barrel first opened, they were using Stumptown's Hair Bender blend for espresso and I couldn't have been happier as Stumptown served what I believed to be the finest shot of espresso in the U.S.," says Tony. "Once Four Barrel's roasters arrived, however, I was blown away by their Friendo Blendo espresso. It is consistently delicious, which is no easy feat when you consider that it is a blend of 5 to 7 different bean varietals from around the globe. I also love the fact that they don't have wi-fi. The staff is really nice and coffee-knowledgeable, as well."
375 Valencia St (between 14th and 15th streets); 415-252-0800.
375 Valencia St (between 14th and 15th streets); 415-252-0800.
5. The Common: "Young dudes who are completely locked into the art of making the best shirt possible," is the way Pete describes this Mission boutique. "We are lucky that someone thinks about a men's shirt this way. Just walk in. They will sort it out and you will leave with a shirt that will replace whatever one you used to call your favorite."
383 Valencia Street (between 14th and 15th streets); 415-322-8773.
383 Valencia Street (between 14th and 15th streets); 415-322-8773.
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