Rumors Swirl That Iconic Hofbrau Tommy’s Joynt Has Closed for Good | Eater SF

"I've watched this longtime hofbrau on Van Ness — Tommy's Joynt — become the focus of alarming rumors after its iconic sign was defaced, a photo of which circulated on Twitter and provoked widespread outrage. A fixture since 1947 known for its barbecue brisket, meatball sandwiches, oversized turkey legs, and wild exterior and decor (galloping buffalo, neon lights, flags), it also has a reputation as an affordable, beloved late‑night scene adored by locals and visitors including Anthony Bourdain and Metallica. The restaurant changed hands in 2016 and is now owned by Chris Henry, but like other Van Ness businesses it’s been hit by construction and the pandemic, and confusion about whether it will reopen has only grown: phone lines are disconnected, its website and a March 22 Instagram post offer conflicting messages about reopening, Yelp and Google listings and Yelper reports suggest permanent closure, and a Facebook post claiming ‘we are NOT closing’ (later edited to say ‘we are opening back up very soon!’) is contradicted by an unavailable Uber Eats link. Henry has emailed some outlets denying permanent closure but declined to say when the place might reopen, SF officials and critics like Soleil Ho have been unable to get definitive answers, and for now the future of this original San Francisco hof‑brau remains uncertain." - Becky Duffett