Popular Mission District sandwich shop to close after 30 years

Jay's Cheesesteak will shut down at the end of March due to landlord not renewing lease and declining business.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 9:49pm by Ben Kaplan

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Jay's Cheesesteak, a beloved sandwich shop in San Francisco's Mission District that has been in business since 1995, will be closing its doors at the end of March. The owner, Jay Nazzal, cited the landlord's decision not to renew the lease as well as a general decline in business and rising operating costs as the reasons for the closure.

Why it matters

The closure of Jay's Cheesesteak is another blow to the Mission District, which has seen the departure of other long-standing neighborhood businesses in recent years. The area has struggled with lower foot traffic in the aftermath of the pandemic, raising concerns about the future of small, independent businesses in the community.

The details

Jay's Cheesesteak was known for its Philly-style cheesesteaks, as well as other sandwiches, hot dogs, and burgers. The shop has been a fixture on 21st Street for the past 30 years. Owner Jay Nazzal said the decision to close was due to the landlord's refusal to renew the lease, as well as a general decline in business and rising costs for labor and ingredients.

  • Jay's Cheesesteak has been in business since 1995.
  • The restaurant will close at the end of March 2026.

The players

Jay's Cheesesteak

A popular sandwich shop in San Francisco's Mission District that has been in business since 1995.

Jay Nazzal

The owner of Jay's Cheesesteak, who cited the landlord's decision not to renew the lease and declining business as reasons for the closure.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It is a blow to the community for sure. I'm sad that he did not see enough numbers to justify him staying.”

— Ryen Motzek, President of the Mission Merchants Association

What’s next

The closure of Jay's Cheesesteak is another sign of the challenges facing small businesses in the Mission District, as the neighborhood continues to grapple with the aftermath of the pandemic and concerns about public safety.

The takeaway

The impending closure of Jay's Cheesesteak, a beloved local institution, underscores the fragility of small, independent businesses in San Francisco's rapidly changing neighborhoods. This loss highlights the need for greater support and protection for community-serving establishments that are the fabric of the city's diverse neighborhoods.