Mission District Argentinian Restaurant Venga Empanadas to Open New Location at Salesforce Tower | Eater SF

"I learned that Venga Empanadas began when Manuel Godino founded the shop (noted as founded in 2008) and opened on Valencia Street before launching another location in Redwood City; Godino later sold his share to co-owners Pablo Romano and Paula Capovilla, both of whom moved from Argentina and wanted to introduce San Francisco to the Argentine empanada tradition. They worked with city staff to secure a retail spot at the Transbay Center and are opening a third location in Salesforce Tower on May 27, debuting at 4 p.m. and then open daily 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. The small Argentinian café emphasizes teaching people about Argentinian food and serving the Mission’s Latinx community; empanadas cost $4.60 each, soups and salads run about $8, and although empanadas are fast food the owners welcome customers who linger. For the first time under the Transbay Center liquor license they will serve hard liquor and cocktails — including Fernet and Coke, a mezcal hibiscus drink, an Aperol spritz, and a gin and tonic crafted with help from a longtime employee — and the launch party will pour Catena Zapata wines and feature Calito Franco and the Latin Jazz Trio. Catering remains a major revenue source, but the owners prefer to serve customers in their own space." - Paolo Bicchieri