Page 33 - Allison's Magazine Issue #97

me with a platter of flat, circular cookies.
in the same location since its inception “ THIS SHOEBOX-SIZED FACTORY
This shoebox-sized factory has existed
in 1962. The original owner, Franklin HAS EXISTED IN THE SAME
Yee, passed away in 2015, and it’s now LOCATION SINCE ITS INCEPTION
owned by Nancy Chan. Her son, Kevin, IN 1962. THE ORIGINAL OWNER,
came on board to help transform it from FRANKLIN YEE, PASSED AWAY IN
a cookie factory to a retail shop, tourist
attraction, and historic landmark. 2015, AND IT’S NOW OWNED BY
NANCY CHAN.
Two of the three cookie-making
machines are antiques from the 1950s
with just one speed, which means the
three employees have four seconds to
fold the cookie before it hardens and
ends up in the free customer samples
bin. The golden batter, made of sesame
seeds, butter, eggs, flour, and sugar,
is pumped onto little griddles, which
reappear four and a half minutes later, it’s evident both Nancy and Kevin have
hot and soft, ready to be folded around poured their love into this doughy legacy.
a tiny paper fortune by deft fingers
that have the motion down in muscle It seemed logical to continue my pursuit
memory. Kevin urged me to write my of sweet things, so I reserved a time
own fortunes for a friend, and I asked slot for my friend and me to tour the
what his favorite is. “Be who you are,” Museum of Ice Cream, a quasi-art
he answered me. It’s not an easy business installation and elaborate ice cream
and the hours are long, but Kevin feels tasting that I sensed was primarily
rewarded by the knowledge he is helping for selfies and Instagram. When the
the city and his community. I wanted to tour guide, whose job title seemed to
know if he will stay in the business, and be “hype master,” jokingly chided us
he pointed to a quote painted on the for not responding enthusiastically
wall: “Happiness is serving.” enough, I wanted to yell back, “Where
is the tour for 37-year-olds who do
I felt a part of something special as I not like audience participation?” But I apt metaphor for this city, in that people Opposite Page:
sat at the small desk tucked against persevered and dutifully waited in line can find whatever experience they seek, Owner Nancy Chan and son, Kevin, fold
fortune cookies at the Golden Gate Fortune
a wall, watching a process that’s long to swim in the sprinkle pool, which I whether it be a three-hour hike with an Cookie Company.
been automated in other factories. will admit was a very pleasing sensory affable former Dubliner, a glimpse into Above:
Colorful displays and fun times abound at the
I’m grateful to Kevin and Nancy for experience. There were ice cream tastings the history and soul of an iconic cookie Museum of Ice Cream.
preserving this bit of San Francisco along the way, as well as mochi and shop, or indulging your inner teenager
history and sharing it with others. His paletas—I chose pineapple! Sure, at by posing with giant gummy bears and
generosity was touching as he loaded $38, it was a bit pricey, but I now have a naming yourself after ice cream flavors.
up a cloth bag with the personalized hilarious photo of my friend hugging a On that note, this is Rainbow Sherbet
fortune cookies plus another container pink wall full of whipped cream cans. Shelley signing off from the Golden
of chocolate-dipped cookies. I think City, California.
of what I wrote in one of them, “Love San Francisco’s changing climate does For more info, visit museumoficecream.com,
folded up into a crispy cookie,” and not only refer to the weather—it’s an littlegem.restaurant, hiddengardensteps.org, and
16thavenuetiledsteps.com

30 | AMERICAN LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE americanlifestylemag.com | 31