How to Celebrate Father’s Day in San Francisco in 2021

Dads got a sweet deal this year, at least in terms of timing — Father’s Day happens to fall the first weekend after the city of San Francisco and state of California fully reopen. This means that with most pandemic restrictions lifting, there are now so many ways to celebrate your old man — or any father figure in your life — this year. Of course, one can’t go wrong with the classic trifecta of barbecue, burgers, and beer, but plenty of San Francisco parents defy stereotypes and might prefer some fresh veggie tacos and sparkling natural wine. Here’s how to celebrate dads and dad figures, and kick off the summer vibes this warm weekend in SF.

Horn BBQ

Smoked Turkey Legs from Horn BBQ

Horn Barbecue in Oakland is partying all weekend. For Juneteenth, there’s a crawfish boil on Saturday, June 19, which of course is already sold out. But for Father’s Day on Sunday, the pitmaster has a new special: smoked turkey legs. It is first-come, first-served, so get in line early if you want to get a leg, along with brisket, ribs, and all the fixin’s.

Burger Brunch at the Vault Garden

After a year of cold takeout fries, there’s really something to be said for sitting down to a freshly flipped burger on a sunny patio. The Vault Garden, which is coming up on one year of oversized outdoor dining, has got a dad’s day brunch with hot takes on burgers, steak and eggs, and biscuits and gravy (three courses for $49).

Presidio Social Club

Pig Roast at Presidio Social Club

On the sun-drenched deck, within our very own Presidio National Park, the social club is going big this year with a whole pig roast. There will be not only crispy crackling pork, but also mai tais, Hawaiian rolls, kewpie mayo potato salad, pineapple upside-down cake, and live music. Dinner reservations are available for Saturday or Sunday, June 19 or 20.

Quik Dog

Mission Dogs from Quik Dog

Dads who prefer hot dogs might want to step up to the Quik Dog takeout window. Trick Dog cocktail bar is still closed, but Quik Dog is still selling hot dogs to the street, including their take on a Mission dog, which is butterflied, griddled, and layered with bacon. And cocktail-obsessed dads might love a big bottle of negroni to take home and sip after bedtime.

Veggie Tacos from Otra

They might not have a dad-dedicated special, but in hot new restaurant openings, Otra in the Lower Haight is rocking dad vibes. The restaurant is from the Son’s Addition family, but this time around chef Nick Cobarruvias is making his own fresh masa for tortillas and tostadas, filled with veggies and beans — the way his family likes to eat them. Oh, and barman Shanti de Luca (also a dad friend) is pouring spicy margaritas and smoky old fashioneds.

Crisp Pilsner from Harmonic Brewing

And in fresh beer, Harmonic Brewing now has not one but two locations. On the one hand, the original location in the Dogpatch has a great food truck rotation, and El Fuego Birria will parking it there this Father’s Day. But then again, baller dads might be excited to check out the new location in Thrive City just outside Chase Center, which has a huge patio, the same crisp pilsners and pale ales, and pizza and pretzels courtesy of star pastry chef Greg Mindel of Neighbor Bakehouse.