Did you die a little inside when Hot Dog on a Stick filed for bankruptcy and closed a bunch of locations? Well, the owners of Jang Su Jang’s newest endeavor, JSJ Kitchen, have just the thing to fill the void: Korean-style sweet rice or potato dogs.

Admittedly, the name doesn’t quite roll off the tongue like “corn dog,” but just one taste of these savory treats and you’ll never look at stick food the same. Located in the Cupertino Village—directly across N. Wolfe Road from the Apple campus—JSJ will serve all the Korean street food staples to go along with their stick dogs. Hits include oden (fish cakes); ddukbokki (spicy rice cakes); hotteok (sweet pancakes); and bungeo-ppang, a fish-shaped pastry filled with either a red bean paste, cheese, Oreos or Nutella. There will be more offerings to come, like kimchi fried rice and meat skewers, but those are still a few weeks out. JSJ wrapped their soft opening last week and are ready for business, so bring your curiosity and your appetite.

Hawaiian food is a rare commodity in the South Bay food world, but now that just got a little bit easier with the recent opening of J & J Hawaiian BBQ on Stevens Creek Blvd in Cupertino. All the usual Hawaiian favorites are here, like chicken katsu, grilled short ribs and shrimp served up in so many ways that even Bubba would approve. There’s even a loco moco for those who like breakfast for lunch.
Early reviews show massive portions for very little money, so let’s hope that continues.

After the recent closing of Harry’s Hofbrau—due to the impending construction at the old Garden City center at Saratoga and Kiely—the owners of Stone Stew saw the writing on the wall and have quietly opened a second location downtown. The new restaurant formerly housed Mariscos San Juan #3—infamously for spawning a 2015 shigella outbreak. The new Stone Stew is almost as beautiful as the original, which mimics dining out at a Middle Eastern bizarre. The food is pretty generic Iranian cuisine (kebabs, falafel, etc.). The real draw are their namesake stews, which require diner participation to complete, are earthy, hearty and bubbling over with flavor.

San Francisco’s Super Duper Burger continues its expansion with the opening of a third South Bay location—this time on San Jose’s West Side on Prospect Road. Try their housemade pickle spears, which are placed out in the open so diners can load up on delicious dill.

After nearly 40 years in the community, Sunnyvale’s Black Angus closed its doors. Their public relations company reports that the restaurant’s lease was up and “they felt it was time to move on from that location.” The Los Altos-launched steakhouse chain has been operating since 1964, and is known for their reasonably priced dry-aged steaks. The two remaining South Bay locations—in South San Jose on Blossom Hill and at McCarthy Ranch in Milpitas remain open for now.

I tried to swing-by Naan & Curry on Saratoga Ave for lunch the other day, and was greeted by a faded sign saying the restaurant would be closed for an “uncertain period.” There was also a phone number attached but texts and phone calls went unreturned, and their corporate email spit back that infernal “Mailer-Daemon” message. It would be a shame if they are truly closed. They served some terrific Indian food and had a philanthropic streak. Earlier this year, they gave away free food to furloughed federal employees.

Two downtown coffee shops, Social Policy (aka SoPo) and The Proper Cup, closed down. SoPo was more than just a coffee shop. They served brunch, lunch and baked many of the pastries served at Bellano and B2. SoPo also served as a gallery for local artists and offered a rotating selection of craft beers. Their toasted Acme bread avocado toast will be sorely missed.

A source familiar with the broader Bellano Coffee mini-chain—which once comprised Bellano Coffee in Santa Clara, as well as SoPo and B2 Coffee at San Pedro Square Market—says that B2 will also be closing this month. However, there will still be a java shop in the same location. Voyager Coffee, which took over Bellano’s location on Stevens Creek Boulevard will also take the reins of B2’s space at the market.