Forget the pandemic work-from-home blues – San Francisco’s lunch scene is staging a delicious comeback, and it’s all about those fancy salads.

Sweetgreen just opened its fourth location in Mission Bay, signaling a potential renaissance for urban dining. With tech giants like OpenAI, Visa, and Uber populating nearby offices, the salad chain is betting big on the return of in-person work culture.

The Lunch Rush Returns

Local businesses are feeling the buzz. Mixt, a homegrown salad company, is experiencing its highest downtown sales since COVID-19 turned our world upside down. CEO Leslie Silverglide notes the “exponential change in foot traffic,” though she’s quick to remind us we’re still climbing out of a pretty deep hole.

Coffee and Chaos

It’s not just salads making a comeback. Saint Frank Coffee is seeing lines stretching out the door, with caffeine-craving workers creating midday mayhem. Woodlands Market in the East Cut is also reporting increased foot traffic, proving that the allure of a perfectly crafted deli sandwich remains strong.

The New Work Week

But let’s be real – the return to office isn’t a full-blown comeback. Companies are settling into hybrid models, with most workers showing up two to three days a week. Mondays, once the busiest day for lunch spots, have been replaced by mid-week rushes.

Mayor Daniel Lurie is doing his part, mandating office presence for city workers and focusing on cleaner streets. The hope? Breathing life back into San Francisco’s urban ecosystem, one overpriced salad at a time.

So grab your kale Caesar and rejoice – lunch is back, baby, and it’s bringing attitude.