Food pop-ups are taking over the Bay Area — but they’re technically illegal

If you’re a foodie, you’ve probably noticed a new phenomenon hitting your neighborhood or Instagram feed. Pop-ups. Are. Everywhere. Fluffy, beautiful Basque cheesecakes. Arepas filled with shredded beef and fried plantains delivered by bicycle. Family-style trays of jerk chicken and coconut rice. Laid off during the pandemic, restaurant workers are left with few options for survival, so they’ve turned to the one thing they know best: cooking, anywhere they can.