After 39 years serving sushi rolls and nigiri in San Francisco's Mission District, We Be Sushi has closed following owner Andy Tonozuka's retirement at age 76. The restaurant, which operated five locations at its peak, gained notoriety when its name emerged from a contest covered by famed Chronicle columnist Herb Caen. The closure marks another loss for the neighborhood's dining scene.

Several other Bay Area restaurants shuttered in February 2026, reflecting ongoing challenges in the restaurant industry. Bettola, an Italian restaurant opened in 2024 by Gianluca Legrottaglie, closed on Valentine's Day but will reopen as Clementina, a gluten-free trattoria. Legrottaglie also closed his Marina District Montesacro Pinseria, though two other locations remain open. Korean-Thai restaurant Kothai Republic shut down after struggling with inconsistent business since opening in 2023.

Additional closures include Hi-Way Burger's North Beach location, Flour & Branch bakery in SoMa, and Seoul Mama in Newark due to low sales. Coffee shop Emerald Lounge and Oakland cocktail bar the Barbary also closed, while Water Street Bistro in Petaluma and Il Fuoco in Sonoma County ended decades-long runs. These closures underscore the continuing difficulties faced by restaurants in the post-pandemic recovery, with rising costs and shifting consumer patterns forcing many establishments to close despite their popularity and history.