Scott James

Ike's popularity swells

A decision on the fate of popular San Francisco sandwich shop Ike’s Place could come as early as this week – much sooner than anyone expected, especially those who run the eatery.

“Apparently, some underhanded stuff is going on,” said restaurant owner Ike Shehadeh.

Shehadeh said a court ruling that could close the restaurant has suddenly been set for this Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

For weeks the future of Ike’s has been in limbo after the building’s landlord, Dennis Drobisch, began eviction proceedings because four upstairs neighbors complained about the huge crowds the shop attracts.

Two weeks ago came word that the landlord might try to evict Daimaru Sushi at the same location on 16th Street in the Castro. Ike’s occupies a subleased back room of the sushi restaurant, so if Daimaru is evicted, the sandwich shop would go too. Daimaru has had a long-term lease on the property, and both restaurants pay substantially below market rates for their rents.

“Daimaru's lease has been legally voided” in an unexpected “default judgment,” said Shehadeh. He said that on Tuesday the court is scheduled to hear a motion for a summary judgment against Ike’s. If the motion is granted, the eatery would close without ever getting the chance to mount a defense against the eviction.

Just last week Ike’s started a campaign to gather community support for its upcoming legal challenges. Within the first day, Shehadeh said, he’d received 400 emails.

The upstairs neighbors have complained that the foodie fans who flock to the sandwich shop have been disruptive, but Shehadeh was prepared to show in court that the drama has been exaggerated. At one point two of the neighbors sought $800,000 in compensation to settle the matter.

“If this motion is granted, Ike's Place would not get a chance to defend itself in court,” said Shehadeh, and “would most likely have to close within two weeks.” He said there is no other appropriate location nearby that he could immediately move into.

Ike’s employs 53 people in San Francisco, and most are expected to lose their jobs if it closes.

In the meantime, other communities in the Bay Area are welcoming Ike’s and its preternatural success. A second Ike’s is thriving in Redwood Shores, and another is scheduled to open soon on the Stanford University campus.