Foxsister Will Bring Korean Drinking Food to the Mission this Fall

Chef Brandon Kirksey has snapped up a Mission District space for Korean restaurant and bar Foxsister. The location at 3161 24th Street between Shotwell and South Van Ness is currently Montella Pizzeria, and Kirksey hopes to open his project there this fall, focusing on on anju: Salty, spicy Korean food meant to be eaten while drinking.

Most recently chef de cuisine at the Slanted Door, Kirksey has bounced back and forth between Seattle and the Bay Area. He was plucked from Flour + Water to helm Girin in Seattle, a James Beard Award-nominated Korean steakhouse. Kirksey left Girin to return to San Francisco and the Slanted Door, and most recently he’s been cooking Korean food at a pop-up series run through Feastly.

via Google street view

As far as the neighborhood, Foxsister’s location puts it on quite the culinary map. It’s right across the street from Wise Sons Deli, within stumbling distance of drinking establishments like the Blind Cat and Phone Booth, and surrounded by taquerias in every direction.

“I really want Foxsister to be a rambunctious neighborhood bar and restaurant offering great food, drinks and music,” Kirksey says. The chef will put together a menu of handmade dumplings, ribs, savory pancakes, and bulgogi to be served family style. Meanwhile, he and fiancé Kristina Farino will build out the concept. David Steele, who founded Flour + Water and serves as a partner at Thomas McNaughton’s Ne Timeas Restaurant Group, is consulting on Foxsister.

“We’ll have a large and sometimes obscure [drinks] list — from pitchers and local craft beers to a slew of esoteric Asian beers,” says Kirksey. Foxsister will also have a “thoughtfully chosen” wine list and a changing selection of soju slushes — hence the “rambunctious” part. Stay tuned for more information on the menu and opening timeline.