It started with Juan’s mom.
She had already run a restaurant, a bar and a supermarket back home in Nicaragua. In 1979 she opened a deli at 2029 Mission Street. Her son, Juan Gutierrez, was 14.
Juan grew up in the Mission and behind this counter, working beside her for years. In 2000, after three years away studying and working, he came home and took over. He’s been here ever since. Today the shop is owned by Juan and Sonia Gutierrez.
The menu grew too, from cold cuts to hot sandwiches made your way: pastrami, chicken milanesa, BBQ beef and a long list of veggie options, all on fresh bread.
“I got to give credit to my mom.”
1979 to today
Our timeline
Juan’s mother opens the deli at 2029 Mission St. Juan is 14.
Juan comes home and takes over the counter.
The San Francisco Bay Guardian names us Best Commuter Crusts.
“Better than the chain stores? By a million miles.”
SF Bay Guardian (opens in a new tab) SFist puts us on its list of the 30 best sandwiches in San Francisco.
“The secret sauce is Gutierrez’s sparkling conversation.”
SFist (opens in a new tab) Mission Local profiles Juan after 41 years in business.
BART’s BARTable recommends us as a sandwich stop at 16th St Mission.
“A dedicated owner who’s become a neighborhood celebrity.”
BARTable (opens in a new tab) Our 50th birthday.Coming up