Napa Valley Vendors Owed Thousands by Failing Dean & DeLuca

Deadbeat Dean & DeLuca leaves vendors and employees in the cold

The St. Helena location of the fancy food store closed in early July, one of many nationwide closures by its parent company PACE Development. Those abrupt closures have left many vendors and employees unpaid, including Sarah Mitchell Hansen of the Model Bakery, who says her business is owed around $30,000. Employees have not received final paychecks, and are considering a class action lawsuit. Meanwhile, a new tenant already has plans to move in this fall: Gary’s Wine & Marketplace, a fine wine and gourmet food emporium from New Jersey.

You hate to see it

Somehow In-N-Out has been “unseated” as America’s favorite fast food chain. Chik-fil-A, which is known for both its chicken and its support of groups that oppose LBGTQ rights, took that spot. It should be noted that California’s beloved, Irvine-based burger chain is regional, while Chik-fil-A’s 2,500 locations are scattered throughout the country, giving it a leg-up in a nation-wide poll; Raising Cane’s, the Lousiana-based chicken chain, took second place.

Popeyes on Divis reopens after closure for cockroach infestation

In other, grosser, fast food news: Popeyes has reopened its doors after a brief closure by the health department. For cockroaches. An infestation of them. According to Hoodline, it’s already slinging chicken and biscuits again, so definitely just go right over there and eat some allegedly cockroach-free fried food.

Besharam takes over Harmonic Brewing for Taco Tuesday

Chef Heena Patel is serving kathi tacos at neighboring Dogpatch restaurant Harmonic Brewing on August 8 from 4 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. The tacos are rotis stuffed with chili chicken or chicken paneer, then topped with topped with roasted peppers, onions, and a garlic chili sauce. There’ll be beer (duh) and live jazz as well. 1050 26th St.