This year so far has been a roller coaster of emotions, events, and opportunities. Also since we're at the end of the month and L.A. Cookie Con is around the corner it also a time where I feel an epiphany might happen. That epiphany is how much I want to dedicate my life to food and how it impacts society and how it represents an area. I never had so much passion about something until it came to reviewing places and experiencing the deliciousness through innovators and inventors of food crazes and what not. I'm grounding my journey towards a career with food and I hope along the way I meet great people and given opportunities to showcase my appreciation of food.
For those who have read the last two parts (Part 1 & Part 2) thank you for taking time to read about my adventure in Mission District. There was so much to discover and eat and even though I tried to pace myself as much as possible it was a little bit difficult due to having only one stomach. As stated there was so many places to try and Renee was more than ecstatic to recommend places as we continued to venture deeper into 24th street.
Before our final taco destination I saw Phil'z Coffee; Renee pointed out this was the original location. Oh man!! I had to check out the place. I would review this place thoroughly, however I will be making a separate entry on my appreciation of this NorCal-coffee chain. After getting some coffee We walked to our final taco joint, Taqueria Vallerta.
As you walk in the door, in your immediate right was a taco stand, hashing out tacos ready to go. It was great to see all the taco toppings light right in front. Behind the cook was a hand-written sign which stated "2.50 tacos" . . . more or less. There was so much to choose from and for me I stick to what I know, or in this case what has been delicious. I bought two carne asada and two pollo tacos. I added the toppings myself and I have to say I think I've gone a little bit overboard with the cilantro.
Vallerta was spacious, a little bit dated, but who would care about a place being up-to date when their sole focus is tacos? Exactly! Renee and I took a seat and there I was pigging out on the last tacos of the evening. I have to say it wasn't as spectacular as La Taqueria. Both of the meats were dry and a little overcooked. The green salsa I added didn't make a spectacular difference. It was a little hard to tell whether it was genuinely satisfying because I was already stuffed. Not saying they were bad, in a way for $2.50 tacos in the mission, it was its worth. Overall, I would have to give this place another try and until then my score will be. . .
For those who have read the last two parts (Part 1 & Part 2) thank you for taking time to read about my adventure in Mission District. There was so much to discover and eat and even though I tried to pace myself as much as possible it was a little bit difficult due to having only one stomach. As stated there was so many places to try and Renee was more than ecstatic to recommend places as we continued to venture deeper into 24th street.
Before our final taco destination I saw Phil'z Coffee; Renee pointed out this was the original location. Oh man!! I had to check out the place. I would review this place thoroughly, however I will be making a separate entry on my appreciation of this NorCal-coffee chain. After getting some coffee We walked to our final taco joint, Taqueria Vallerta.
Taqueria Vallerta
Vallerta was spacious, a little bit dated, but who would care about a place being up-to date when their sole focus is tacos? Exactly! Renee and I took a seat and there I was pigging out on the last tacos of the evening. I have to say it wasn't as spectacular as La Taqueria. Both of the meats were dry and a little overcooked. The green salsa I added didn't make a spectacular difference. It was a little hard to tell whether it was genuinely satisfying because I was already stuffed. Not saying they were bad, in a way for $2.50 tacos in the mission, it was its worth. Overall, I would have to give this place another try and until then my score will be. . .
OVERALL: 3/5
So I mentioned how stuffed I was, however no matter how stuffed I may be there is always room for ice cream. I say that because when you really think about it the ice cream one eats melts and since the ice cream turns into liquid that liquid fills up the empty crevices in your stomach. Without missing a beat, Renee spotted Humphry Slocombe and had to show me one of the best ice creams joints in town.
SECRET BREAKFAST, all you need to know. H.S. is a small shop scooping out unique flavors. Renee recommended Secret Breakfast (a vanilla base ice cream with bourbon and corn flake cookies). Not much of a fan of bourban in general, was hesitant. Renee was confident I would like Secret Breakfast. Gave in, even though there were so many other tempting flavors. For a little $4 I got Secret Breakfast in a cone. Secret Breakfast is basically code word for Best-Way-To-Have-Bourbon-In-Ice-Cream form. The bourbon added a depth of flavor which really complimented the vanilla base and the corn flakes, which were chewy, was a nice texture come across after some of the ice cream melts in your mouth.
It was rainy and cold so ice cream on a rainy day could be a huge miss. It was cold, temperature wise and ice cream wise, yet the ice cream was warming. Humphry Slocombe on a rainy day? Heck yeah!!
OVERALL: 5/5
This was more than I was expecting, especially the spontaneous ice cream stop. I was able to experience Mission during the day and some of its nightlife. Mission during the night was very intriguing because it was a different quiet kind of lively. "Quiet" conversations on stoops of churches. Restaurants closing up shop. It was as if the activity of the day was slowed down by 25%. Also as someone who isn't familiar with the area, who was semi-nervous, it felt like an area that shouldn't be feared but as a neighborhood like in Hey Arnold! A more intimacy community during the night. For a world where there is always a form of segregation happening, the Mission and SF was showing me there is a tinge of hope.
There is one more place I would like to cover and to wrap up my whole experience with World Inside Out. Until then happy eatings!! ^___^
Photos © 2016 Jazzmin Baruela
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