Author Archives: Freddie Obregón

Top 5 Austin Food Trucks

When it comes to the cuisine in Austin, Texas, many travel advertisements for this great metropolis proudly tout the abundance and high quality of Tex-Mex and Barbecue (BBQ). The recent hardships many are suffering due to our compromised economy have led chefs to create food trailers in order to keep their businesses afloat; thus, it is not uncommon to see many promos for BBQ and Tex-Mex food trucks in Austin.

While I have family and friends from out-of-town who “hyperfocus” on these genres of food during their stay here, I am of a different variety—I flock to this cosmopolitan to venture into more “exotic” fare. Yes, as a native Texan, I will always have a place in my heart for Tex-Mex and BBQ (they’re my soul foods), but there is also room for tastes from Spain, England, and Germany, to name a few. That being said, here is a list of food carts you must try while in Austin. And, yes, I would be criminally insane if I didn’t throw in a taco trailer or two…

LATASCA
415 Jessie Street
(512) 426-5841

Wow. Just, wow! I am a proud American of Spanish descent (three cheers for Spaniards!), and we need more eateries of our culture in the USA, especially ones serving lip-smackingly good food.  Enter Latasca, a dark, sexy, Spanish tapas truck inspired by eco-friendly Texas ingredients. Tapas can be ordered temperature hot or cold; I strongly prefer the former. For a whirlwind of tastes across the Spanish peninsula, combine albóndigas (organic grass-fed beef meatballs, olives, and red wine sauce) with champiñones al ajillo (vegan, garlic mushrooms) and patatas bravas (griddled potatoes with caramelized onions in a spiced tomato sauce). Everything is served with warm pan de horno real (oven-baked Spanish bread).  BYOB, and cash only.

IZZOZ TACOS
1503 S. 1st Street
(512) 916-4996

First of all, for all you non-Spanish speakers out there, this business is pronounced “E-zoes,” but don’t fret too much about the pronunciation; fret about whether or not you will have a big enough appetite to down the delicious offerings. Health-conscious advocates will enjoy the Del Mar Taco (blackened tilapia, slaw, pickled red onion, and chipotle aioli), but the best-tasting tacos are—of course—unhealthier: the Padre Taco (braised carnitas, avocado, pineapple, and tomatillo salsa) and the Slowrider Taco (braised machaca beef, caramelized onion, cotija cheese, and cilantro).  No trip to a taco cart would be complete without washing everything down with Topo Chico (Mexican mineral water) or Jarritos (Mexican soda).  BYOB.

BITS & DRUTHERS
1001 E. 6th Street
(361) 850-0645

God shouldn’t just bless the Queen, God should also bless the creator of fish & chips. Who would have thought that slathering haddock fillets in a beer batter, deep frying them to a crisp, and serving them with French fries would result in groans of culinary appreciation? The British, that’s who!  If you are blessed with a superhuman stomach as I am, then the Fish Supper is for you (said fish, said fries, tartar sauce, cole slaw, and a cornichon pickle).  Cheers! Cash only.

ONETACO
6th Street & Nueces
(512) 539-7561

No, you’re not alone. I’ve been there. Usually a trip to 6th Street means bar/club hopping until 3a followed by a haphazard excursion to a crowded 24-hour fast food joint somewhere else. I’m here to assure you that those days are over (well, at least those Saturday nights)! OneTaco is the satellite taco trailer that forms a symbiotic relationship with the bar Little Woodrow’s. Although they are two independent businesses, you can order from OneTaco, take your number to Little Woodrow’s, and the servers will bring your food to you.  The Al Pastor taco (spicy marinated pork with onions, pineapple, and cilantro within flour or corn tortillas) pairs perfectly with a side order of their guacamole and Austin’s own Citrus Green Sweet Leaf Tea.

TREY’S CUISINE
600 S. Lamar Boulevard
(512) 234-2103

Compared to the majority of the food trailers on this list, this truck is not flashy at all—by all means, no. Fortunately, it’s not the décor that brings people here; it’s the food—by all means, yes! World dishes are Trey’s specialty, with kabobs (skewers of meat and/or veggies), croquettes (small fried rolls with various fillings), and pierogi (unleavened dough dumplings). Don’t overlook the chef-recommended daily specials! On one visit, the lamb Salisbury Steak (with spinach, mushroom, spätzle, and grilled bread) proved exemplary.

Know of any other food trucks in Austin that Freddie should try?  Let us know in the comments sections or hit him up at freddie_obregon_iii@yahoo.com. Don’t forget to add us on Facebook and Twitter, too!

Spotlight: Adorna Bella

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Be Jeweled in North Beach

Sitting pretty on Columbus Avenue in the beautiful North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco is a girls one stop shop for adornment. Adorna Bella is a charming jewelry boutique that is a combination of femininity mixed with touches of Victorian class. The gleaming items lining the walls of the shop dazzle the visual senses. Once you start adorning yourself with the precious jewels in this treasure chest you won’t be able to help but prance back and forth in front of the mirrors, playing a game of adult dress up.

Adorna Bella carries an array of items to accessorize for any occasion. This charming shop won the Best of Citysearch 2007 Audience Choice Award for the Best Place to Shop for Jewelry and Accessories.  Whether on the hunt for unique pieces, or just wanting something fabulous to spruce up an outfit, your needs to embellish will be met here. Continue reading →

Thoughts on SF

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In the third installment of her photo diary, Ayeon talks about some things she likes about SF and American culture…and some things that puzzle her. Read on…

It’s been almost one year since I came to San Francisco. I’m glad to have the chance to look back on my life in SF through this blog. Below are some things that I find interesting about San Francisco and American culture in general:

Walgreens

Have you ever heard the following announcement at Walgreens? “Customer service is needed at the counter.” On my first day in San Francisco, I went to Walgreens to buy some groceries. I noticed there was shampoo on a locked shelf. I always wonder why those shelves are locked, especially here in the USA. Are those items really a target of stealing? I asked a bunch of people, but it’s still unclear to me. Crystal, Chris, Adam – I’m still waiting for a good reason…

Old and New Technology

I know there are plastic Clipper cards for the Muni bus and train, but I was surprised to see paper Muni tickets too. It’s strange to me that the best country in the world still uses paper for some transportation tickets. What if the paper blew away, or I tore it? After I got used to it though, I now feel like it’s more convenient, reasonable and environmentally-friendly. In Korea, most credit cards can be used as transportation cards. Another thing I find interesting is America’s obsession with Apple. One day while I was at a cafe, I realized I was the only person with a Samsung laptop. Everyone else was using Macs. It was the first moment that I really felt like foreigner. The power of Apple is beyond my imagination.

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Top 5 Valentine’s Day Restaurants in SF

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Yes, yes, there’s no question that Valentine’s Day is a much maligned holiday, with adjectives like “consumerist” and “cheesy” thrown around left and right. I understand that, and if you’re of that mindset, this list is not for you. But, if you are one of the people who likes – or even, loves – this day, and likes the idea that there’s nothing wrong with celebrating love and the closest people in your life, please read on. These are my picks for restaurants to spend Valentine’s Day…

FIREFLY
Located on the quiet side of 24th Street in Noe Valley, Firefly has a rustic chic vibe, with a billowing, fabric roof, Mason jar candle holders, and reserved elegance. For Valentine’s Day, they’re going to be serving their regular a la carte menu, but with some special items from both their chef and pastry chef. Also, since Valentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday this year, my guess is they’ll be serving up their incredible fried chicken (only served on Tuesdays) – which magically manages to be light while being , you know, fried chicken.

FIFTH FLOOR
For those who want all the bells and whistles, Fifth Floor – aptly named for being on the fifth floor of Hotel Palomar – is offering some major decadence. Starting last week, the restaurant is serving a seven-course menu, which includes dishes like Foie Gras Torchon, Celery Root Agnolotti and Poached Maine Lobster. For the special day itself, Fifth Floor is bumping up their menu to a nine-course tasting menu, giving you and your honey plenty of time to spoil yourselves.

L’ARDOISE
If you’re looking for something more understated, try L’Ardoise (the French word for chalkboard). Sitting quaintly on Noe and Henry, this beautiful and intimate restaurant combines neighborhood charm with heightened ambiance, packaging these traits together with authentic French food. For Valentine’s Day, they are serving a special three-course menu, which includes such options as Tiger Prawn Raviole, Braised Venison Shoulder, Caramelized Tarte Tatin… I’m going to stop because it’s making my mouth water!

FRASCATI
The charm of Frascati begins at its location. Perched on the leafy corner of Hyde and Green, where cable cars rumble past, this restaurant feels like quintessential San Francisco. And since San Francisco is the most romantic city in the world (it is), this is a great beginning to a dining experience. Add to that, delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes, an extensive wine list (hello, champagne!) and a menu that says, “Cell phones in use will be confiscated and made into soup,” and you are guaranteed a romantic dining experience.

BI-RITE MARKET
Okay, no, this is not a restaurant. But, for those who believe that nothing is more romantic than a home-cooked meal, Bi-Rite Market is a perfect place to buy the goods. With its high-quality meat, cheese, fish, ice cream and prepared foods (if you want to cheat), Bi-Rite Market will start you on your path to creating a special meal for the evening. Don’t forget to buy a pretty bouquet of flowers on your way out.

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While the above are my picks for romantic meals, here are a couple of runner-ups for other kinds of Valentine’s Days…

VELVET CANTINA
This is my pick if you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with girlfriends – or, as Leslie Knope calls it, “Gal-entine’s Day.” With pitchers of delicious margaritas, a fun atmosphere, and tasty Mexican food, you’re guaranteed an excellent night out with your friends, who, of course, are your other loved ones. (Men, you are also free to take this suggestion!)

PIZZERIA DELFINA
My choice if you have children in tow. Pizzeria Delfina delivers the best of all worlds: delicious pizza, a good selection of wine, and a casual, yet graceful, atmosphere. And since it has two locations (one in the Mission and one in Pacific Heights), you have two shots at celebrating your family with style and fresh mozzarella. (A bit cheesy? Sorry. I can’t stop…)

15 ROMOLO
No, you’re right. This is mainly a bar. But, it’s a very good bar, which is why it’s my pick for the place to go if you’ve recently gone through a break-up. You won’t care about cute couples when you’re sipping on 15 Romolo’s Pimm’s Cups. Also, they do have a small but excellent bar menu in case you need to eat something.

I hope that one of the above restaurants suits your Valentine’s Day needs. And if they are already booked up (as these wonderful restaurants are sure to be in demand), they’ll serve wonderfully any other day of the week!

What do you think of Alexa’s recommendations? Let us know in the comments sections or via our Facebook and Twitter accounts!

Photos courtesy of Firefly and L’Ardoise.