Image via Complex Original
Patrick Judabong - photographer, DJ, and founder of the Fat Bastard Crew, known to the world as Buddhabong. He has traveled the world in search of stunning images, great beats, and the best eats. Currently, you can catch him getting fat in and around New York City.
Like the Giants and the 49ers, the Bay Area has many champions as far as great eating goes. On a recent 36-hour trip to San Francisco, I was fortunate enough to try some delicious eateries in and around the city, from the Mission District to Oakland, to Fremont and beyond.
Three words for you San Francisco: I'll be back!
Fat Bastard Approved!
RELATED: First We Feast - The Best Under-the-Radar Eating Experiences in San Francisco
by Patrick Judabong (@buddhabong)
El Farolito
Address: 2779 Mission St.
Website: elfarolitoinc.com
The epitome of the term "hole-in-the-wall," El Farolito serves up that Mexican goodness.
I ordered the super burrito and tacos. The super burrito consisted of their succulent al pastor (marinated pork cooked rotisserie style with pineapple), in a flour tortilla with rice, bean, fresh tomatoes, cilantro, salsa, cheese, sour cream, and avocado.
One taco order comes with two tacos served on flour tortillas with meat, onions, tomatoes and medium spiced salsa. I ordered carnitas and carne asada. Both meats were juicy and tender, but I preferred the pork carnitas over the beef carne because of the less gamey taste.
This joint is best known as a “late-night” spot: the perfect type of food to prevent a hangover, guaranteed to knock your ass to sleep, bulging stomach and all.
Bi-Rite Creamery
Address: 3692 18th St.
Website: biritecreamery.com
Bi-Rite Creamery is an ice cream store that produces premium-quality products. They have a long list of creative flavors that is sure to please traditional and daring taste-buds.
I ordered Earl Grey, roasted banana, salted caramel, and chocolate coconut.
Like its namesake, the Earl Grey was deliciously creamy, with a perfectly subtle sweetness. The roasted banana had a nutty but not over powering banana taste. The two flavors worked well together, better than I'd expected.
At first bite, the salted caramel conjured a saltine cracker taste but after three or four more bites the flavor grew on me. If you love chocolate, the chocolate coconut is the one to get, being as rich as it is.
For the roasted banana/Earl Grey combination, I'd be back in a heartbeat.
The Country Way
Address: 5325 Mowry Ave., Fremont, Calif.
Website: n/a
What is portion control?
The Country Way serves up breakfast with absolutely no regard for proper proportions.
The famous French toast is the local favorite. It’s served with three large slabs of crispy edged sourdough toast, topped with powdered sugar. I drenched the toast with maple syrup to ensure it was sweet enough.
Eating at the Country Way guarantees you'll leave with plenty of leftovers for the next day, along with a considerable contribution to your rising glucose levels.
Fentons Creamery
Address: 4226 Piedmont Ave. Oakland, Calif.
Website: fentonscreamery.com
Established in 1894, Fentons in Oakland has had plenty time to get their recipes right.
The most popular signature item is the the Black and Tan sundae. It consists of toasted almond and creamy vanilla ice cream layered with handmade caramel and chocolate fudge, topped with toasted almonds, whipped cream, and cherry.
This dessert is the type of dessert that makes you sit in silence after just one bite, enjoying the blissfully zen moment of deep satisfaction.
Papalote Mexican Grill
Address: 3409 24th St.
Website: papalote-sf.com
Featured on Throwdown with Bobby Flay, Papalote brings Mexican cuisine to the next level by incorporating the distinctive qualities of Filipino cuisine.
I started with the chips and salsa. The chips were lightly salted, fried, but not too greasy. The chipotle salsa was a red-orange color and semi-thick. The sweet-tomato tang first bite turned zesty and spicy with each subsequent bite.
The chicken adobo burrito, or the "Mexipino," was the main course of my night. Wrapped in a flour tortilla and loaded with garlic rice, flavorful chicken adobo, scrambled eggs, and tomatoes, the Mexipino is bountiful, savory, and delicious.
Added bonus: At Papalote you might even see Dan the Automator stroll in and order food, like I did.
Val’s Burgers
Address: 2115 Kelly St. Hayward, Calif.
Website: n/a
Val's offers the ultimate old-school diner feel: neon lights, small booths, and a constant stream of loyal customers lining up for Val's respectable burgers, onion rings, and shakes.
With three burger sizes—papa, mama, and baby—to choose from, you can eat there whether you're beefing up or trying to shed some pounds. I chose the mama, a 1/2 lb. burger, and ordered it medium rare. Adding an order of the crunchy onion rings topped off the fresh and juicy burger. The only downside is you have pay for some of the sides: cheese (0.35 cents), tomato (0.25 cents) or bacon (0.75 cents). Other than that, Val's serves up a solid burger.
Val's: a hidden gem in Hayward.
Tartine Bakery & Cafe
Address: 600 Guerrero St.
Website: tartinebakery.com
Long lines spilling past the doorway indicate that early arrival is a must at Tartine. Unfortunately, I found out that arriving after 11 a.m. guarantees you'll miss out on the coveted Morning Bun, but I was lucky enough to get the grandiose croissant. Soft centered and super buttery, with an almost unmanageably flaky crust, this croissant goes down as one of the best I've ever eaten. Trust.