West Portal is a semi widely known part of San Francisco with a small town feel. West Portal’s origin is tied to the opening of the Twin Peaks tunnel in the early 1900s with rapid growth in popularity through the 1920s. West Portal has always been loved by its residents due to its friendly atmosphere and many small businesses.
“I grew up going to West Portal and I have always loved how great the community is,” said Savannah O’Boyle ’25.
Though the West Portal community has always been a strong one, due to Covid and other factors, West Portal went through a rough patch from 2019-2020 with the closing of the beloved movie theater, gold buyer, and other missed businesses.
However, since the hard times, West Portal has been on a rapid upward trajectory. In the past year there have been multiple new businesses opened. George’s Donuts & Merriment has been the talk of the town since its opening,
“I have been desperate to try the new donut shop but whenever I went the line was out the door,” said Adam Zakrzewski ’25.
The Empire Theater closed in 2021 after nearly 100 years in business.
Elena’s Mexican restaurant opened this past year as well, and has been thriving since its opening.
“Elena’s has become my family and is my new go to spot,” said Caroline O’ Connell ’25.
A few years back, the neighborhood was heartbroken to hear that beloved Shaws Candy that opened in 1931 was closing. However, it was reopened and remodeled by Diana Zogaric in January of 2021 and is known as one of the main spots on West Portal.
“I love the West Portal community and I am so happy to see it thriving,” said Zogaric.
Other closures include Papenhausen Hardware, which closed in December 2024 after 88 years, and Lemonade Restaurant.
In September, a fire damaged five businesses, including the now opened George’s Donuts & Merriment, which was then under construction.
In April of 2022, another fire damaged six businesses, including Fuji Japanese restaurant, West Portal Cleaners and a U.S. Post Office. Lion West Portal, a sushi restaurant, opened earlier this year, replacing Fuji.
Elena’s restaurant opened on Feb. 5, 2024 and has been a popular spot for locals and visitors.
There have been multiple posts on social media platforms in regards to West Portal having become a new “foodie” hot spot. West Portal’s new popularity has had mixed responses, while businesses are thriving and happy about the new clientele, many local residents are irritated by the busyness these new visitors and tourists bring. This past month a Proposition Chicken opened in West Portal that many people are thrilled to try
“I am so excited to try the new West Portal chicken place. I heard it’s even better than Chick-Fil-A,” said Bella Miraglia ’26.
West Portal is seemingly gaining more popularity by the second and many are eager to see what the future holds.
