It’s 2026! And we’re trying something a little different this year. Instead of me constantly reminding Josh to post and often missing the opportunity, I’m going to step in. Yes, this is on the longer side. In a world that moves fast, we hope you’ll slow down and spend a few moments here with me.

Josh has been wanting to sit down to reflect on the year at Camino Alto – to thank you all for your trust and support. But in reality, sitting down is hard when you own a restaurant. Within the first week of this year alone, our walk-in fridge and freezer went down on the same day. There’s always something.

As the owner, manager, chef, line cook, and sometimes a server, Josh does his best to keep the restaurant running as smoothly as possible. That is his top priority. So, as much as I resisted joining the madness, here I am – to explain the why.

As we have learned, this business is hard. Really fucking hard.

There are days when I need to step into Camino Alto just to remind myself why I let my husband follow this dream. Weekends and evenings have never been the same. He’s missed more basketball games than my daughter will ever forgive him for, and my “honey-do” list is three pages long. And yet, 2025 was the year it all started to pay off.

On the days I stopped by, I could see and feel the community Josh dreamed of building. I watched our staff show up with accountability, effort, and pride, committed to making the Camino Alto experience special.

I heard firsthand from guests who were genuinely grateful that someone in the restaurant industry was looking out for the greater good of its guests and the planet — something none of us can take for granted these days.

With the growing visibility of America’s broken systems, shaped by oligarchies, convenience, profit, and the pursuit of power, it’s hard to know whom we can trust these days. Everything feels politicized. News is often reduced to bite-sized captions on social media, and people are quick to dismiss someone’s thoughts or opinions because they don’t take the time to understand their why – to dig deeper and consider context, different perspectives, and intent.

At Camino Alto, we want to build a community rooted in transparency, constructive dialogue, and trust.

The truth is, our family didn’t make these sacrifices to build an empire. We put our trust in Josh’s vision to take the high road. Camino Alto was born from the desire to do things differently. To push back against a broken food system and to return to the foundations of what nourishment actually means. That starts with working directly with farmers who grow in healthy soil, and buying from purveyors who prioritize the well-being of animals, our planet, and the people who consume their food. Full stop.

And if you’ve met my husband, you know he walks the talk.

Camino Alto was born out of necessity. We couldn’t find any restaurants in San Francisco that don’t use industrialized oils, and we know why. Cooking exclusively with 100% extra-virgin olive oil costs seven to ten times more. But sometimes you do something not because it’s easy or profitable, but because you believe it’s the right thing to do.

This is where you come in.

By choosing to dine with us, you’re investing in a meal that’s ethically sourced, thoughtfully prepared, and grounded in science, alongside the guidance of functional doctors and farmers. You’re placing your trust in Camino Alto’s mission to bring people together through good food, good music, village-style hospitality, and sustainability that isn’t just a buzzword.

Thank you for showing up. Some of you, multiple times a week. Thank you for supporting, cheering, and helping build what we call the Camino Alto way. As much as Josh hates clichés, it’s true: it takes a village. Without you, we couldn’t make this happen.

On behalf of our whole family, with deep gratitude,

Jessie

P.S. If you know a podcaster who aligns with the Camino Alto way, we’d love to connect. Please get in touch with us at hello@caminoaltosf.com

Images courtesy of Krescent Carasso

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