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The aroma hits you first: smoky, rich, unmistakably Texan. But this isn’t Houston. You’re in San Francisco’s Sunset District, where Daniel Ramirez and his wife, Lareina, have built something special at Smoking D’s BBQ.

Daniel, a Houston native, missed the Texas barbecue of his hometown, so he made it himself and his own. What began as casual taste tests for homesick friends turned into a farmers market hustle, and eventually, a brick-and-mortar hit on Irving Street that now sells out almost every weekend. But it wasn’t just the brisket that turned heads — it was the bao.

Inspired by a trip to a night market in China, Daniel had the idea to merge his 18-hour smoked brisket with the pillowy softness of a Chinese pork bun. After several experiments (and a few delicious mistakes), the brisket bao was born — a cross-cultural creation that honors his Mexican roots and Lareina’s Chinese heritage. It’s now their breakout hit.

🎙️ In this episode, we talk about:

• What makes Texas brisket so legendary — and so hard to master
• How Daniel and Lareina blend Mexican, Chinese, and Texan traditions in every bite
• Why doing barbecue in San Francisco comes with unique challenges
• What it takes to grow from backyard cookouts to a full-time restaurant
• And how a bao changed everything

📍 Smoking D’s BBQ is located at 2181 Irving Street in San Francisco. They’re open Wednesday–Sunday, 11am–6pm — but go early. When it’s gone, it’s gone.

🎧 Like the episode? Share it, hit follow, and leave a quick review. It helps more neighbors find the show.

💬 Got a guest idea or feedback? Reach out on social media or email me at jessica.jasmine.ho@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you.

Stay Connected

📌 Listen on Buzzsprout
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▶️ Watch on YouTube
✉️ Email: jessica.jasmine.ho@gmail.com

Subscribe, share, and leave a review — it helps more neighbors find the show!

The Sunset Connection — exploring the stories and histories that connect us.

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What does it mean to grow up Chinese American? And how do the stories of Chinese families in the Sunset District resonate with communities everywhere?

In this episode, Jessica sits down with Lily Wong, Director of Community Engagement at Wah Mei School and Director of the Sunset Chinese Cultural District, to explore the stories that don’t always make the headlines.

Together, they dive into:

• How Wah Mei became a pioneering bilingual, bicultural preschool in the Sunset District
• How the Sunset Chinese Cultural District was born during a moment of crisis. Website: https://sfsccd.org/en/
• What it means to find belonging across cultures, generations, and neighborhoods
• How murals, street festivals, and everyday victories are weaving new roots for the future

Along the way, Lily shares personal memories of growing up in the Mission District, witnessing neighborhood change, and reconnecting with her heritage in powerful new ways.

🌟 Plus: Stick around for a fun round of Sunset District trivia! (Spoiler: Lily wins… kind of.)

Whether you grew up in San Francisco, are part of an immigrant family, or simply love stories about neighborhoods and community pride, this episode is for you.

Come for the ideas and perspectives, and stay for the heart, history, and hope.

Stay Connected

📌 Listen on Buzzsprout
📷 Follow on Instagram
📘 Like us on Facebook
▶️ Watch on YouTube
✉️ Email: jessica.jasmine.ho@gmail.com

Subscribe, share, and leave a review — it helps more neighbors find the show!

The Sunset Connection — exploring the stories and histories that connect us.

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Hi Folks! This week’s episode has a different format, released in response to recent national changes that could reshape healthcare access for millions of Americans. With funding cuts, layoffs, and political uncertainty at the federal level, I wanted to share a timely conversation that explores what else might be possible.

My guest is Barry Hermanson, a longtime Sunset District resident, Green Party advocate, and former small business owner who has spent decades organizing around healthcare access and policy reform. Together, we unpack the real-world consequences of a profit-driven system and explore the promise — and obstacles — of single-payer healthcare in California.

💬 Why this matters to me:
Before I got into real estate and podcasting, I spent years working in healthcare policy and advocacy—including as Director of Government & Community Affairs at a local community health center. I’ve seen up close how hard it is for people to get care, even when they’re “covered.” This conversation is my attempt to unpack those experiences and ask better questions about how we move forward.

⚠️ Disclaimer:
The guest’s appearance does not constitute an endorsement of any political party or candidate. Views expressed are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

🏡 Local Updates from the Sunset District

🌳 Sunset Dunes is now officially open — a new park celebrating the neighborhood’s natural history
🏘️ Big zoning changes are coming to San Francisco. Learn more at sfplanning.org
🧺 Outer Sunset Farmers Market: Sundays, 9 AM–3 PM | 37th Ave between Ortega & Quintara
🧠 Trivia Night at Harrington’s Bar & Grille — hosted monthly by Jessica. Email for upcoming dates!

📬 Connect with Me

📸 Instagram: @jessicaj.ho
🌐 Facebook: The Sunset Connection
✉️ Email: jessica.jasmine.ho@gmail.com
🎧 Subscribe & listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts

If you enjoyed the episode, please consider leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review, sharing it with a friend, and tagging me on social media. It really helps more people discover the show.

🎶 Music Credits

“Spring Cleaning (Instrumental)” by Lunareh
“Something Else (Instrumental)” by Nu Alkemi
All tracks licensed via Soundstripe

Stay Connected

📌 Listen on Buzzsprout
📷 Follow on Instagram
📘 Like us on Facebook
▶️ Watch on YouTube
✉️ Email: jessica.jasmine.ho@gmail.com

Subscribe, share, and leave a review — it helps more neighbors find the show!

The Sunset Connection — exploring the stories and histories that connect us.