On Enrico's Cafe

A lot of dreams were realized over the years at Enrico's Cafe on Broadway. Now another legendary character of international renown has closed it's doors due to lease problems and a steady economic decline. Buoyed by North Beach's Beat generation, Enrico's Cafe became a hallmark location for jazz and cocktails after opening in 1958. Tax problems plagued founder Enrico Balducci and Enrico's ultimately went out of business. Revived in the late 1990's by a group of investors, Enrico's and North Beach locations in general, have seen a steady decline in people coming there to dine, listen to music, and hang out. I remember my first time to North Beach and Enrico's back in the 1970's. At that time, Carol Doda's image still towered over the corner of Columbus and Broadway atop The Condor's sign, although the Purple Onion no longer hosted great acts like the Smothers Brothers, I remember walking by the Purple Onion, it may have been called by another name. Thankfully, Tosca's and Specks Bar both remain.