John S.
Yelp
Frjtz was so late '90s, and like most late-'90s San Francisco endeavors, it thrived and sparkled and faded and hung on and generally lasted much longer than anyone thought possible. Sadly, it now exists only as a place from which to order delivery through parasitic delivery companies.*
The concept on Valencia Street was big, beautiful, and well done. Even in its last two years there, the food was delicious, and the portion sizes were large. The different sauces really did make the meal, and you could have the same thing over and over again and never get bored, just because of those sauces. I always liked eating here. Strangely, it was a scene that felt OK to exist in in private. The plastic chandelier and furry pillows and weird kitschy wallpaper were fine for other people's Instagram photos. I just liked eating piles of carbs drenched in delicioso sauces.
When they moved to 17th Street, the cracks started to show. The menu was still just as big, but the tiny interior couldn't really handle a full menu. I know that doesn't make sense, but if you took the wonderful opportunity to eat here before it became a delivery-only place, I think you'll understand what I'm getting at. The service on 17th was a little bit too good; it verged on hovering. They were trying to do the best they could, but they saw the writing on the wall. I'm glad their food still exists, but I probably won't be ordering it for reasons explained in the asterisked footnote.
I miss late-'90s San Francisco. Everything seemed possible, and you didn't need ridiculous amounts of money to be able to afford to live or eat out here. It was also comfortable to sit and eat in restaurants. Even a place as intentionally decorated as Frjtz was comfortable. Now it's all hard surfaces, uncomfortable stools, and ridiculous loudness.
*In case you haven't noticed lately, San Francisco restaurants are getting decimated by delivery companies that charge both the restaurant and the customer too much, but on-demand instant gratification is in style these days, especially among the young, even though they supposedly care about sustainability, good jobs, and the environment, which these parasitic companies are all bad for.