In a city where a single cocktail can run you $18 and a modest plate of tacos will set you back $22, one SoMa establishment is doing something almost radical: offering a good time at a price that won't require a second mortgage.
Underdogs is rolling out Disco Taco Tuesday — complete with $1 margaritas — and honestly, this is the kind of economic signal we love to see.
No government subsidy required. No small business grant application. No bureaucratic task force on "nightlife equity." Just a bar reading the room, recognizing that San Franciscans are tired of being nickel-and-dimed for every outing, and responding with a deal that actually gets people through the door.
This is how it's supposed to work. A business identifies demand, offers something compelling, and trusts that volume and vibes will make the math pencil out. It's Economics 101 wrapped in a tortilla and served under a disco ball.
Let's be real: San Francisco's food and drink scene has been struggling. Between pandemic aftershocks, rising commercial rents, and a downtown that's still finding its footing, SoMa businesses need foot traffic badly. Dollar margaritas are a loss leader, sure — but they're also a vote of confidence. Underdogs is betting that if you come for the cheap margs, you'll stay for the tacos, the atmosphere, and maybe a few rounds at full price.
That bet deserves to pay off.
In a city that loves to throw taxpayer money at "activation strategies" and "placemaking initiatives," it's worth noting that sometimes the best neighborhood revitalization tool is a business owner with a sharp promotion and a willingness to compete.
So if your Tuesday nights have been looking a little bleak, head to Underdogs in SoMa. Bring friends. Tip your bartender generously — they're pouring a lot of margaritas at a dollar a pop.
The free market provides. 🪩🌮