In-N-Out Shuts Down Indoor Dining at Five Contra Costa Locations, Rather Than Enforce Vaccine Mandate

In the latest in the vaccine mandate showdown between In-N-Out and Bay Area health officials, the burger chain may be showing signs of caving — sort of. After Contra Costa County shut down the Pleasant Hill In-N-Out location earlier this week, In-N-Out has informed the county it will cease indoor dining at all five Contra Costa County restaurants (San Ramon, Brentwood, Pittsburg, Pinole, and Pleasant Hill) rather than comply with a policy requiring customers show proof of vaccination for indoor dining, reports SFGATE.

The Pleasant Hill In-N-Out was the second Bay Area restaurant to lose its food permit due to repeated violations and unpaid fines — San Francisco’s In-N-Out in Fisherman’s Wharf was the first, and SFDPH has since launched an investigation into reports of ongoing violations. Pleasant Hill reopened for drive-thru and takeout Wednesday night, apparently, and the other four Contra Costa In-N-Out’s will remain open for drive-thru and takeout only. The company has yet to pay any fines to the county, according to SFGATE. [SFGATE]

Tsar Nicoulai caviar is back in the Ferry Building

Pinkies up, SF diners — nearly twelve years after Tsar Nicoulai Caviar shuttered in the Ferry Building, the famed producer has made a grand return to the building, with the debut of Tsar Nicoulai Caviar Cafe on Wednesday, October 27. The caviar bar, which is meant to be “fun,” not stuffy, takes over the McEvoy Ranch space across from Acme Bread, and for now at least, takes walk-ins only.

Bay Area rapper E-40 is now selling sausage and rosé

Vallejo-born rap mogul E-40 just launched his own sausage company, in addition to lumpia, of course. And the name of this new sausage game is about as good as you’d expect from a successful lyricist: Goon With the Spoon. Broke Ass Stuart has the details — Forty partnered with a company out of San Pablo, Kinder Meats, to produce the premium beef and chicken links, which come in flavors like hot beef, Philly cheesesteak, and teriyaki pineapple chicken (eight packages sell for $99). If gourmet hot dogs aren’t your thing, you can also try his new rosé, Earl Stevens Selections Prosecco Rose, currently available at a number of online bottle shops. [Broke Ass Stuart]

Get ready for a big weekend in SF

It’s both Halloween and Outside Lands this weekend, so it’s important to prepare accordingly — and by prepare, we mean figure out what to eat and drink. If you’re headed to Golden Gate park for the return of Outside Lands, check out Eater’s guide to navigating the long list of participating local restaurants to get the most out of your food and drink selections (and don’t forget to check out OSL’s health and safety information page before you go). For Eater’s Halloween-friendly, not-so-basic guide to all things fall, see here.