Rye Project Is the Latest SoMa Shutter

SoMa restaurants are not faring well lately, with Merigan Sub Shop, Volta, Citizen’s Band, Pinkie’s Bakery, and more all shuttering in quick succession in recent weeks. Now add Jewish deli Rye Project to the list, which has closed its doors for the last time. Owner Adam Mesnick tells Eater SF that he decided not to renew the lease.

“We have enjoyed an amazing run and have chosen to end on a high note,” he wrote in an email, citing space challenges like a limited amount of storage, no hood, and “a tremendous amount of mishigas [Yiddish for ‘craziness’] from the neighborhood.”

Deli Board was Rye Project’s predecessor, and many of the Rye Project dishes will now be integrated into the Deli Board menu, along with extended location hours. While Mesnick is sad to close the location, especially as part of the “fading quickly” Jewish deli, he also sees it as an opportunity “to cook and be creative, as opposed to policing the space.”

Rye Project has already closed, and Deli Board (which is a new Eater 38 addition) will now be open on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., starting October 23, to fill the gap, as well as offering private parties, more catering, and pop-ups.

• Rye Project, 1058 Hoagie's Jewish Deli Reinvention [ESF]