Hey Everyone!!
You read the title correctly, 'Part 1' of
a new series of my new food adventure. My first and latest series (626 Night Market) was such a great
turnout, and because it was such a great turnout I decide to transform my blog
into a series of these food events and adventures. Due to this I will not be
blogging as much of the restaurants I've tried. For those who prefer the
restaurant reviews do not fret because I will still be doing reviews on Google.
More specifically when you google a place and on the right-hand side there's
reviews or when you look up a place on maps there are stars which leads to
reviews. I mean you guys are smart cookies, you totally knew what I mean when I
started this tangent.
Going back to today's entry, this year has
been blessing me with opportunities to really expand my knowledge as well as
finding my niche in this world. One of these opportunities is experiencing
World Inside Out.
A little tidbit about World Inside Out, it
is a [paid] service where people new to San Francisco is matched up with a
so-called Local Guru, or someone who knows the in's and out's of the City to
help the person in transition get accustomed.
Since it's barely launching off I was more
than happy to try this service out to give a little feedback as well as meet
new people which is where I want to venture to, meeting new people in general.
I signed-up and it started with a questionnaire which broke it down into
several different categories which I totally forgot except the category 'Food'.
They asked a little about myself and I mentioned I'm a food blogger. They then
take the information given and matched me with someone who is also a foodie.
Low and behold I got a match, Renee.
Before Renee and I met for our outing we
had a pre-hangout talk on the phone. I really appreciated this because with
e-mails and texts it really takes out the intimacy in getting to know someone.
Renee asked me a bunch of questions about myself, what I want to do, what foods
I like, what would be my perfect birthday. After answering her questions she
immediately calculated the best thing to do with me and it was taco grazing in
the Mission (a part of the City). TACO GRAZING!!! I have never heard those words
and when I did I was immediately sold on how awesome this adventure was going
to be.
SATURDAY:
So here I am anxiously sitting in the BART
train going to a part of the City I have never ventured before. As I stepped
out on 16th St I was amazed and ashamed on how I have missed out on this part
for so long. Renee was waiting for me in Puerto Alegre
PUERTO ALEGRE
My heart was beating loudly as I walked through the doors of Puerto Alegre and there was Renee with a friend who I found out was someone she barely met named Jose. He too is a local was giving me a little of the history of the Mission which in short; Irish lived there then moved out after the Earthquake in the 1900's which then as years came Hispanic/Latino moved right on in. So the area is filled with those culture's food. Renee picked Puerto because their margaritas are on point, which they were, as well as their crispy tacos.
The margaritas were perfectly blended, and what I mean is
the ratio of tequila and juice and what not were perfect. As for the tacos, we
shared a couple; one was carnitas, the other was chicken. Real tortillas were
used as the crispy tortillas which you know the place is authentic when they
do, however the chips they have to use as their appetizer was average tortilla
chips.
The tacos were rich in flavor, the taco shell crumbly and flaky and it really enhanced and soaked up the meats' flavors. Since it was a combo we also received refried beans, rice, and a side salad. The rice was stood out to me because it was clumped and kept its structure, non mushy at all; the flavor tasted like home. Oh, what's my ethnicity you ask? I'm 100% Pinay, Filipino, my mom would make enchiladas with Mexican rice growing up and my mom had it down, so to taste this was a hit to the heart. As for the refried beans I could tell it was made from scratch; really it doesn't take much to make refried beans, it takes some patience.
The total of this I have to say probably came around to $60 due to four margarita drinks (two for me and two for Renee) and the entree itself.
During the whole time or drinking and eating there was much
discussion about how the people at Puerto are always the same friendly face and
it's a great place to hear musicians come through and entertain the diners.
Renee and Jose gave me the low down in all the festivities I should attend in
the City, some to definitely try and some where I should avoid. . . those to
avoid has peaked my curiosity. It was great to know there is so much to do in
the city and how this city is filled with the concept of community. They also
shared spots to visit to really understand the City a little more.
Puerto Alegre, I also learned, served posole is served only on
weekends. I guess it was another reminder how much SoCal spoils me with posole
all the time!!
OVERALL: 4/5
On a much more semi-serious note, this was a great welcome to my
taco adventure in the Mission. Next stop pupusas then more tacos. Watch out for
my next entry coming out soon, like hopefully by the weekend. Happy eatings
everyone!!! ^___^
© 2016 Jazz Baruela
Comments
Post a Comment