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Naked Lunch will close its doors on June 15, leaving a fried chicken sandwich-shaped hole in the dining scene of North Beach.
The restaurant from Ian Begg and Ryan Maxey first made its mark as a semi-permanent sandwich pop-up, serving inventive offerings in the unused corner of legendary Enrico’s Sidewalk Cafe on Broadway. Eventually, the chefs took over Enrico’s large dining room and patio, opening Txoko in spring of 2011. The restaurant, serving Basque cuisine, was short-lived and closd after only 18 months in business; eventually, it was Naked Lunch that succeeded in the space, serving soups, salads, sandwiches and pizza at lunch and dinner.
The fried chicken sandwich became a cornerstone for fans of the restaurant’s laid-back vibe, where diners could eat beneath large-scale works by artist Jeremy Fish. Eater has reached out for more on the closure, though that stretch of Broadway is known more for its strip clubs than its dining (COI excluded). Head over soon for a last lunch, and stay tuned for what may take over the notable Broadway space.
