S3E44, Part 2: Libby Truesdell and Brenda Buenviaje

Photography by Michelle Kilfeather

In this podcast, Brenda and Libby pick up right where they left off in Part 1, with the story of their meeting. It involves Delessio Market and Martuni's, two San Francisco spots we love.

The bulk of this episode is the story of opening a restaurant in San Francisco that was an almost-immediate smashing success. Brenda's French Soul Food (2007) begat Brenda's Meat and Three (2014) begat Brenda's Oakland (2019).

The couple discuss how they have pivoted all three of their restaurants during COVID-19. And we end the podcast with a mental-health check-up.

(As a sign of how quickly things took a downturn COVID-wise, there's talk in this episode of the then-recent shutting down of all indoor dining in The City, but outdoor was still allowed. Of course, at the time of publication, we're back to take-out and delivery only.)

• Brenda's French Soul Food, open for pickup or delivery every day 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Brenda's Meat and Three, open for pickup or delivery every day, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Brenda's Oakland, open for pickup or delivery every day, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

We recorded this podcast at Brenda's Meat and Three on Divisadero in November 2020.