AMERICAN CUPCAKE, the new place that opened in the former Joji’s House of Teriyaki, is now a chic, modern soda fountain, complete with go-go-boot white patent-leather tufted banquettes and bar seating, and 150 LED “gumball lights,” which cast an ever-changing day-glo aura on the restaurant’s all-white interior.
The name may say Cupcake, but there’s actually an all-day menu from chef Carina Lampkin (previously of Bar Crudo and Absinthe), featuring retro-Americana cuisine, like pulled-pork sliders with Jack ‘n’ Coke BBQ sauce, Riverdog Farm organic asparagus soup, an albacore tuna melt, tangy mac ‘n’ cheese with Indonesian long pepper, and a backyard BBQ “skinny dip” salad. More snacky items include truffle-Parmesan popcorn, tater tots with curried ketchup and wasabi aioli, and caramel and candy apples. For your sweet tooth, there are Whoopie pies, banana Nilla pudding, house-made cotton candy, and giant “cupcake splits” (featuring house-made caramel, chocolate, and strawberry sauces). There’s also beer, wine, champagne, and other concoctions. Hours are Tue-Wed 10:30am-8pm, Thu-Sat 10:30am-12am, Sun 10:30am-5pm. 1919 Union St. at Laguna, 415-896-4217.
Photo from American Cupcake.
