7 Mile House Celebrates their 164th Anniversary
Photo taken January 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT:
Visadora Villacarlos
7 Mile House
Historic Family & Dog-Friendly Restaurant and Sports Bar, 7 Mile House,
Celebrates Its Most Heartfelt Anniversary in Its 164th Year,
Focusing on the Community That Helped Them Survive The Pandemic
7 Mile House Will Thank The Community Giving Away
Free Adobo and Rice Bowls and Anniversary T-Shirts
Brisbane, CA, December 17, 2021 - 7 Mile House, one of the oldest restaurants and bars in the San Francisco Bay Area, and the only “mile house” left standing in its original location, will celebrate 164 years of business since it opened its doors in 1858 on Saturday, February 5, 2022. The venue’s transformation from stagecoach stop, pony express route, brothel, biker and trucker hangout, infamous sports gambling den, to now a lively sports bar and dog-friendly restaurant, demonstrates 7 Mile House's resilience through the decades.
On February 5, starting at 11:30 am, 7 Mile House will give away free adobo and rice bowls for take out and anniversary t-shirts (details below). Vanessa Garcia, 18-year owner of 7 Mile House, will be presenting a talk about the their 164 years of history, highlighting struggles by its owners from past to present.
“The meaning of this anniversary goes deeper than just adding another year to our belt. It's more than just 'managing' to stay open or 'business as usual.' This year we are not celebrating 7 Mile House. Instead, we celebrate our community that has helped us thrive through the worst of the pandemic and brought out the best in humanity.”
— Vanessa Garcia, owner of 7 Mile House and co-author of ‘See You at the 7’
Thriving in the pandemic
Keeping the doors open while maintaining its staff, closing three times for a total of almost 4 months, staying open through the fires and rains, surviving a COVID-19 outbreak, managing supply chain issues and increasing costs — these were some of the challenges 7 Mile House has faced for almost 2 years now.
But the most heartbreaking part of this pandemic was losing their coworker and dear friend, Karrine Yee. At only 30 years old, Karrine joined 7 Mile House when she turned 21 and had been working there for 9 years. When she passed, the restaurant built “Karrine’s Happy Place,” named after what she fondly called 7 Mile House. Karrine had always dreamt of a “beer garden” next door. The pandemic brought the opportunity and Karrine was the inspiration to build it .
Since opening the extended outdoor areas, 7 Mile House has increased its capacity and has grown its business, accommodating safer and more comfortable dining outside. Karrine’s Happy Place features a fire pit, a space to host private parties of up to 50 people, and more seating for human and dog customers.
Where The Locals Go
Recent events have shown that the community is in strong support of 7 Mile House and through the almost 2 years of the pandemic, it still overcomes every adversity life has thrown its way. Much of its success stems from its strong connection with its neighborhood.
7 Mile House continues to be a reflection of what the community wants and needs, hosting many successful events like fundraisers for local non-profits and promoting home-based businesses. They recently held the annual Adobo Cookoff and Ube Bake-off during Filipino American History Month, and partnered with local organizations by donating to their fundraisers.
“I really appreciate that 7 Mile House is always ready and willing to support local non-profit organizations. 7 Mile House's support for grassroots organizations like the Filipino American Arts Exposition gives us the vote of confidence that we're on the right track, which in turn motivates and uplifts us to keep doing our work to make a positive impact in the community.”
— Al Perez, President of Pistahan Parade and Festival, Commissioner of the San Francisco Entertainment Commission,
and Board Member of Grand National Rodeo, Filipino Food Movement, and SF Hep B Free
See You at the 7
Date: Saturday, February 5, 2022
Location: 7 Mile House, 2800 Bayshore Boulevard, Brisbane, CA 94005
Program:
11:30 am - Free adobo and rice bowls for first 200 guests (one per person, take out only)
12 pm - 7 Mile House history talk by Vanessa Garcia
2 pm - First 100 customers to dine in or order take out will get a free anniversary t-shirt when they present our anniversary announcement on their phone
###
About 7 Mile House
Established in 1858, 7 Mile House is an historic, family and dog-friendly restaurant serving up a unique mix of homestyle American and Filipino food with lots of outdoor seating and strict safety protocols during this pandemic. 7 Mile House is the only Bay Area mile house left standing in its original location. From our colorful history as a stagecoach stop in the 1800s and an infamous sports gambling joint in the 80s, to becoming an award-winning establishment, 7 Mile House boasts great food, drinks, unique history and a strong partnership with the community it serves.
About Vanessa Garcia
Vanessa Garcia, originally from the Philippines, was a drummer, singer and founder of the Philippine-based all female pop-rock group 'Prettier Than Pink'. After graduating from the University of the Philippines in 1996, she moved to the US, and graduated from Golden Gate University with a Masters in Science degree in Public Relations (1999). Vanessa worked as a PR consultant for technology companies such as Sun Microsystems and Sybase. Using only her music and PR background, Vanessa took over 7 Mile House in 2004 and turned it into an award-winning family and dog-friendly restaurant, sports bar and live music venue. She is also a pioneer of the Filipino food movement in the Bay Area, introducing dishes like adobo and sisig to a mostly American and Italian menu. Garcia recently wrote and self-published the book 'See You at the 7 - Stories From the Bay Area's Last Original Mile House', positioning herself as an historian and guardian of 7 Mile House history.
Free Adobo Rice Bowl for takeout to be given to the first 200 guests on 7 Mile House’s 164th Anniversary Feb. 5, 2022
MAKE A TABLE RESERVATION FOR THE ANNIVERSARY!
7 Mile House’s “Karrine’s Happy Place”, outdoor patio area
7 Mile House in April 2021, just opening for take-out business only