Paper Son Is a Singular San Francisco Coffee Experience | Eater SF

"More than a TikTok typhoon for 20-somethings, this two-outpost coffee project opened at the end of 2023 as an homage to Alex Pong’s family history emigrating from China, and it stands out in San Francisco for quality and a clear point of view. Highlighting Asian American and Pacific Islander roasters, it’s common to find the Peninsula’s Moonwake Coffee Roasters alongside Berkeley’s Hydrangea Coffee Roasters, and the pour overs are excellent when it’s not too busy. Pong developed a few signature drinks worth ordering—try the creamy, thick Thai Tea Cloud with an einspänner-ish texture, or the scintillating matcha passionfruit soda. Tano, the ultra-popular bakery with a permanent residence inside the downtown location, supplies Korean salted bread, mochi cookies, and legions of cream puffs filled with flavors including lemongrass and passionfruit. Each outpost has a distinct vibe: the Dogpatch location is still a residence inside Neighbor Bakehouse, effectively a window with outdoor seats, while downtown shows more of Pong’s personality with Gundam figurines, Yu-Gi-Oh! cards taped to the La Marzoco, and lots of young people eating and drinking seemingly all the time. Insider tip: head to the Dogpatch outpost on a weekday for a top-tier pastry and a Paper Son coffee without a line; for the full line-inducing experience, hit the downtown spot Wednesday through Friday when Tano is on-site, and don’t bother on weekends—the downtown location is closed." - Paolo Bicchieri