Mandalay opened on Feb. 4, 1984, and people still line up for its punchy tea leaf salad, comforting noodle soups and flaky paratha. The restaurant has been credited with laying the foundation for the Bay Area’s now-rich Burmese food scene. 

“We’re very excited,” owner Kevin Chen said Wednesday morning, shortly after learning the restaurant had won the award. Chen took over Mandalay from his uncle in 2003. He said despite the restaurant’s press coverage over the years, the award came as a surprise. It feels particularly meaningful, he said, on Mandalay’s 40th anniversary year.

Since 1998, over 100 restaurants have received the James Beard Foundation’s classics award. Four San Francisco restaurants have previously won: seafood institution Swan Oyster Depot, dim sum favorite Yank Sing, burrito standby La Taqueria and the 175-year-old Tadich Grill.

Winners of the James Beard restaurant and chef awards will be announced at a June 10 ceremony in Chicago.

Elena Kadvany, San Francisco Chronicle

Feb 28, 2024