Andrea de Francisco created something lovely when she opened Café St Jorge at 3438 Mission Street (near Kingston) in 2013: She created the kind of establishment that became the focal point for a community at the southern end of La Lengua. But now change is afoot, as Andrea tells Bernalwood:

Andrea de Francisco, owner of Café St Jorge, has announced that her beloved Californian/Portuguese café will soon change ownership.

The new owners, the Saleh family, are expected to keep the warm, welcoming café exactly as is. The staff, menu, décor and programing will all remain. Opening in 2013, Café St Jorge quickly became one of the core businesses in Mission/Bernal and San Francisco.

With a fresh menu featuring the best local and organic ingredients in a creative take on California/Portuguese cuisine, alongside traditional Portuguese pastries and dishes, Portuguese wines and Stumptown coffee, people and especially neighbors and the Portuguese community fill Café St. Jorge’s tables from morning to night, each and every day of the week. The happy hours, art shows, music performances and game nights have entertained and delighted people of all ages.

All of which are expected to continue under the new ownership of the Salehs. “We are honored to steward this amazing café that Andrea has built. Café St. Jorge is a warm, inviting, frankly perfect café and we are so excited to continue to work with the amazing staff that makes it the great neighborhood spot that it is. We can’t wait to meet our customers and neighbors.”

“Creating Café St. Jorge was always my dream, and I couldn’t be more proud of the café. I have loved serving our amazing customers that I will truly miss, and being a part of the Mission Bernal community,” said Andrea de Francisco, current owner of Café St. Jorge. “I’m so sad to move on, but delighted the café will be run by an amazing family who truly values it and the special place it holds for our customers. As for me, I will continue to consult and I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family and more time in Portugal, and dreaming up my next adventure.”

The transfer of license is expected to be complete at the end of February.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Café St. Jorge