San Francisco locals and neighborhood residents, Lea and Andrew Dudum, in partnership with celebrated Executive Pastry Chef Janina O’Leary, announced the opening of George’s Donuts and Merriment on January 10, 2025. An elevated and whimsical donut café nestled in the heart of San Francisco’s West Portal neighborhood, George’s embodies the city’s character and charm along with European style and sensibilities. It aims to be a neighborhood hub where all are welcome to enjoy life’s simple pleasures together, including classic and inventive handmade donuts, all day dining and drinks, and joyful design.
An homage to donuts and their simple yet magical ability to bring people closer, George’s is inspired by Andrew’s grandfather, George Cawog, who dubbed himself ‘The Shirt King’ in his early days as a successful Bay Area launderette owner and maintains the royal role today at 93-years young, complete with the same king’s robe and bejeweled crown. The café honors his larger-than-life persona, his history, and his decades-long tradition of daily donuts with his kids and grandkids. Combined with Lea’s European roots and Chef O’Leary’s award-winning pastry expertise, George’s offers an authentic, elevated experience that’s lively and full of character.
“The opening of George’s is a special milestone for us—one that represents strong familial ties and celebrates the vibrant spirit and endless joy my grandfather created for me and my family. We look forward to welcoming guests to share in that same sentiment at the café, which was built on the foundation of my grandfather’s traditions and bon vivant persona,” commented Co-Owner Andrew Dudum in a statement. “George’s has been a labor of love and with Chef Janina O’Leary’s magical menu of donuts and more, we hope that it will serve as a neighborhood destination for a genuine, upscale experience.”
Co-Owner Lea Dudum said, “George’s was built by and for the neighborhood with the hope that it serves as an after-school spot for local kids, a family staple after weekend sporting events, and as a go-to hub for generations to come together to make everlasting memories one donut at a time.”
The ever-changing menu at George’s features an array of distinctive, handmade donuts in various savory and sweet flavors, traditional European-style café fare, fresh roasted coffees from Four Barrel Coffee, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic specialty beverages. Executive Pastry Chef Janina O’Leary’s fine dining expertise and thoughtful creativity crafts tasty and nostalgic moments for kids and grown-ups alike – in the form of handmade raised and brioche donuts, crullers, cake donuts, indulgent filled donuts, in addition to gluten-free and vegan options. A few menu highlights include the Donut Hole Flight with fried-to-order brioche and chocolate cake donuts, served with Valrhona chocolate fudge dipping sauce; playful selections such as a riff on Bacon and Eggs, Strawberry Champagne Brioche with organic local strawberries and Dom Perignon; and Apple Fritter with organic local honey crisp apples and Saigon cinnamon. It will also serve inventive seasonal selections inspired by Chef O’Leary’s Mexican upbringing and Andrew’s Palestinian heritage, such as a Churro Dusted Cruller and a Tahini Rose Cake Donut respectively.
As an all-day dining and drinks destination, George’s also offers a selection of sandwiches and salads, like the Heirloom Tomato & Mozzarella Sandwich featuring green goddess spread and basil on house-made focaccia; the Turkey & Bacon Sandwich with Niman Ranch bacon, heirloom tomato, seasonal greens, and Swiss cheese on Noe Valley Bakery seeded bread; the Harvest Chicken Salad with thick-cut bacon, farm-fresh egg, avocado, and honey Dijon dressing; as well as the Kale & Pancetta Salad with Dino kale, pancetta, parmesan, radicchio, balsamic vinaigrette and the option to add harvest chicken or organic King Salmon. Beverages will include drip coffees and lattes, cocoa, aperitifs, wine, and more.
At George’s, Chef O’Leary strongly believes in the art of a hand-crafted donut, which combined with her culinary credentials, results in a seamless and elevated experience for guests. Prior to George’s, O’Leary spent the past six years as Corporate Pastry Chef for San Francisco’s Bacchus Restaurant Group, overseeing the one Michelin-starred Village Pub, Spruce, Selby’s, and Village Bakery while creating a reputation for her famed pastries and beignets. Her culinary passion originally stemmed from cooking alongside her mom and aunt in her native Texas but was then developed in some of the finest kitchens across the United States. A graduate of The French Culinary Institute with a Grand Diploma in Pastry Arts, Chef O’Leary honed her skills at renowned restaurants like three-Michelin starred Per Se, Daniel, and Del Posto. She then moved back to Texas to become Executive Pastry Chef for lauded fine dining spots, LaV and Trace, where she was awarded Pastry Chef of the Year and named a James Beard Award semi-finalist for Rising Star Chef.
“At George’s, we wanted to create a playful essence and lack of pretense within a beautiful and welcoming setting,” said Co-Founder and Executive Pastry Chef Janina O’Leary. “Our creative and refined sweets and savory dishes are intended to spark joy and we hope the charming West Portal community and beyond loves it as much as we do.”
With exquisite design by ROY Hospitality in collaboration with construction craftsman Mone Construction, George’s evokes a sophisticated and joyful vibe, perfectly contrasting the extravagance of its namesake with a timeless, modern approach to create a lasting neighborhood destination. Located within a classic 1930s Art Deco building, George’s sleek interiors present an urban escape and community gathering place on bustling West Portal Avenue. Once inside George’s, guests are greeted with 30-foot ceilings, an oversized skylight, and a royal welcome by commissioned portraits of the original George (The King) and his wife, Frieda Cawog (The Queen) that flank the walls. Executed in a neutral color palette with jewel tone accents, magic moments take center stage such as the showstopping glass donut case at the entrance that highlights the beauty of the pastry’s bright colors, sprinkles, and whimsical features, and the ‘donut window’ along the rear wall, where the kitchen is partially open, allowing guests of all ages to catch a glimpse of donuts being glazed, finished, and plated.
George’s offers a café experience with intimate and open seating areas for up to 50, including spacious banquettes, modern versions of classic French bistro seating, bar seating, and a flexible communal table so that guests can dine, imbibe, and socialize. Additionally, guests can drink and dine al fresco in the café’s high design parklet with seating for 20 people.
George’s Donuts & Merriment, located at 163 West Portal Ave in San Francisco, is open 9 AM to 3 PM, Tuesday through Sunday, and closed on Mondays (with plans to extend the hours in the future). In addition to hosting walk-ins at the café and bar, it will soon offer delivery via DoorDash as well as customized catering orders.
