Monday, January 24, 2011

San Francisco Soul Food

Welcome to Off The Grid!
It's been a while since I've had a day like this. "Fun," without a doubt, is far too much of a understatement to even be close to the truth. Lately, the golden sun has come out of hiding, and the San Francisco Bay Area has been lucky enough to experience some of its beautiful rays. I was thrilled when I had Friday off and was able to take advantage of the sunshine, with my very good friend from college, Alex N. We started the day at Off The Grid in San Francisco's Civic Center. As soon as I got off the BART train and felt the soothing sun seep into my skin, I knew it was going to be a sublime day. It was my first time at Off The Grid and I wanted to try everything -- literally. But, Alex, my voice of reason for the day, reasoned that I should pace myself and start off slow. So, in the end, I tried the Hapa SF food truck and their "modern organic Filipino cuisine" and CupKates, the cupcake dessert truck.



Hapa SF
Even at lunch, I am always on the lookout for dressy diners. I didn't want to bother this stunningly dressed San Franciscan, so I hope my creepy, long distance shot will do her justice. Aren't her heels adorable?
My delicious Sisig Tacos from Hapa SF
The food trucks parked in front of San Francisco's City Hall
Spiced Carrot Cake Cupcake from CupKates
Alex's Lumpia from Hapa SF
Off The Grid wasn't just a treat for the tum tums; our ears were treated to the soothing sounds of these jazz players
Lemon Raspberry Cupcake from CupKates
Doug's tasty Chicken Tikka Masala Burrito from Curry Up Now
Photos by: Chandamheer

So What - Miles Davis

At first, I felt slightly unadventurous choosing familiar Filipino food for lunch, but as soon as I sat down and tried the Sisig Tacos I ordered, my mouth was in heaven. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Filipino food, Sisig is a term associated with a style of cooking meat, usually pork.  Covered in guacamole, cilantro, and the most mouth-watering and juicy meat I have ever had the pleasure of tasting from a food truck, my tacos with a twist, were worth every penny of the minuscule $6.00 I paid. Alex enjoyed Hapa's Lumpia (think egg-rolls, but way better), which featured a spicy chili dipping sauce and a citrus-infused one. Not ones to skip out on the sweets, we made sure to stop by the CupKates truck for dessert. I enjoyed a rather moist Spiced Carrot Cake cupcake, while Alex tried the tart lemon cupcake topped with raspberry butter-cream frosting.

Feeling full and very satisfied with my food truck experience, it wasn't until my friend, Doug, stopped by  and sat down with his Chicken Tikka Masala Burrito from Curry Up Now that I felt like I was missing out on the full food truck experience. Luckily, Doug was kind enough to offer a bite of his flavorful burrito, and all I have to say is, Curry Up Now, I'm coming for you next! With amazingly delicious food, soulful jazz players playing in the background, the sun smiling down on the stunning San Francisco scenery, and the company of all-around awesome friends, all in all, I felt so incredibly lucky to be able to enjoy such a marvelous day in such a marvelous city. Really, it doesn't get much better than that. In fact, as soon as I got home, all I could think was, "Wow, San Francisco, I am so in love with you." Do visit my beautiful hometown, if you ever get a chance.

If you have a food truck you think I should try next, please share your recommendations. I am always looking for yummy places to add to my growing list entitled, "Foods That Must Make it Into My Body," haha! Also, stay tuned for my next post, which will feature the rest of my beautiful day off in the city. I hope you all had a very relaxing weekend and are ready to start off the new week. Happy Monday, my loves!
Share:

51 comments

  1. OMG everything looks delish! You make my stomach growl at 1AM, sad. Can't wait to try out curry up now! looks freaking amazing, i mean burrito+curry=WINWINWIN!

    xxAnisa

    ReplyDelete
  2. aw, my first cameo in your blog! you're very welcome for sampling my burrito, but I must say I'm disappointed that you didn't devour the rest of it ;) I look forward to reading part deux of this blogpost (as I wasn't present for that part of the day)! Until then, keep eating!

    ReplyDelete
  3. DELICIOUS! Great post.

    xoxo
    Stacey Kay
    “Runway Inspiration, Vintage Decoration”
    www.GoodwillHuntingg.com
    Women’s Fashion Examiner-Cleveland

    ReplyDelete
  4. Okay, seriously? This looks SOOOO delish. San Francisco, sunshine, good (filipino) food, cupcakes = all my favorite things. Thanks for sharing but I'm jealous! What a great post.

    xo
    Jeanelle
    www.glocalgirl.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh my goodness...I LOVE lumpia! Especially the dipping sauces...so yummy. Looks like you had a blast....I'm still hoping to get to SF one day, looks like so much fun.
    Happy Monday.

    http://2anchor.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Now I'm hungry! :) That cupcake looks delish!!


    xoxo,
    melrod

    ReplyDelete
  7. looks like you ate everything as usual ... I'm planning to go to OTG this Thursday at UN Plaza if you want me to shoot ya kk? ^.^

    ReplyDelete
  8. I too love the food trucks! One of my favorite things to check out, I love trying them all!
    Amber's Notebook

    ReplyDelete
  9. omg, everything looks scrumptious!

    www.benchesandchandeliers.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Yum, that Masala Burrito looks fantastic! I'm such a food truck groupie, and love that you shared this. Looking forward to more food truck reviews!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh man, I wish I lived in SF just to try the food trucks! Those cupcakes look scrumptious!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. makes me crave the sun

    www.pinstripeprince.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. i LOOVE this post! def need to check out the Hapa and Curry Now food trucks!! they're def on my food-destination list. lol. keep making more Bay Area food reviews, so helpful esp because i loove food :). hope you're having a good week so far girl! :)

    <3, Kathleen.

    ReplyDelete
  14. those cupcakes look AMAZING!

    i love food trucks in nashville - we have a gourmet grilled cheese truck and it is one of my favorite places to eat in the city!

    ReplyDelete
  15. This sounds like such a perfect day, I am incredibly jealous of your sunshine. It seems like it's been grey forever over here.
    The food looks delicious, I would definitely like one of those cupcakes!
    Sorry I have been distant from commenting, thanks so much for all your lovely messages.
    xxx

    theothersideofthepondmydear

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi I'm a first-time visitor and just wanted to say I love your blog, I'm following!

    Great photography ^_^

    www.blahblahbecky.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  17. those tacos look delish! i love SF. xo

    ReplyDelete
  18. modern organic filipino cuisine???? wow, i need to try that!!!! my mom would flip! it'd be combining her cooking and mine! haha!

    looks like such a lovely day!

    the litas really are amazingly comfortable for their height. i waited forever to buy them cuz i don't buy things for myself through the holidays... but after i had some money i got as gifts and i am sooo glad i bought them. love them so much that i want them in black pony fur.. but they are sold out everywhere :(

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  19. hmmmm... lots of delicious foods, omg!!!
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  20. great blog, is really something.
    check mine, and if you like it follow me and i will follow you :)
    xxxxxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  21. oh man- is it lunch time yet??! ok, one, I love lumpia, so much!! I used to have it on the regular growing up in Daly City- all my besties would always share..haha!
    two- curry up now is the bomb-for real! I had that same buritto at vintners market last year. I don't know which was better, the unlimited wine, or that delicious curry buritto!!!
    happy tuesday ;)
    Carlina
    AllergicToVanilla.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. i can't mention enough how much i miss sf. the food looks soo yummy, i'm hungry now! it looks like you guys have already cozy weather - enjoy it!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm thinking about moving to San Francisco after I graduate and it sounds like there are some amazing eats! :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. those tacos look soo good,
    and those cupcakes are adorable!

    yummy post,

    zahira-sirena.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. soooooo yummy. i've never eaten at a food truck? who am i? def have to give it a try.

    i hope we continue to have all this fab weather...

    ReplyDelete
  26. That carrot cupcake looks amazinggggg..
    Love your style, and congrats on your feature in Glamour Fashion! What an honor!!

    Hope you visit me sometime!

    <3K

    ReplyDelete
  27. oh wow the food looks so yummy, and a spiced carrot cupcake. Never head of such a thing until now. Really love your blog!

    http://www.iheartstonefox.com/

    ReplyDelete
  28. All of that food sounds amazing...especially that lemon cupcake...mmmm. I never thought I'd hear of eating good food from a food truck, though!

    amelie-fleurjaune.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love food trucks! Everything looks SO good in your pics! I don't have anything to add to your list, but when you are in LA, do yourself a favor and rundown Cool Haus-- Best.Ice Cream. Sandwiches. Ever.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am salivating right now...I want that taco and cupcake in that order! I've been trying to plan a trip to San Fran for a looong time now, we even had a flight and everything but had to cancel because of work. When I eventually get there I will still want that taco and cupcake...in that order!

    That's my piece, leanlegsandham.com xo

    ReplyDelete
  31. oh my goodness that looks really darn yummy. I'm craving for a late night snack..

    ReplyDelete
  32. Looks SOOOO good! Honestly, I love indian food and I can't believe I never had it in a burrito!

    xx THE CHEAP

    ReplyDelete
  33. everything looks so yummy

    XOXO,

    http://outfitidentifier.com/

    ReplyDelete
  34. I just graduated too! Great blog and great outfits. I love that area outside the Asian Art Museum, but now I'm back in the OC...I'm going to miss that bay area food for a while...

    ReplyDelete
  35. This looks really yummy! Some street cartfood doesnt always look too appealing but this looks mouthwatering! great pictures

    ReplyDelete
  36. I've been itching to take a trip down to San Francisco as of late. These photos just put it in full gear again. Love your food posts. Makes me hungry, but looks so yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Wow, I am incredibly hungry now. and I love that girl's shoes they are so cute!

    Emma
    TheSidewalkIsMyRunway

    ReplyDelete
  38. YUM this post makes me so hungry! These pics are fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  39. OMG!! you got me hungry now :)

    Everything lokos delish.

    xx
    Sahi
    www.barelyvogue.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I hate reading your blog before class. I get so hungry, but all I have to look forward to is a poorly made turkey sandwich.

    I love that you always size up how relatively expensive/inexpensive some of your food places are. It's always nice to know that kind of info, especially for college kids.

    xo Sherrie

    ReplyDelete
  41. Lovely pictures and the foods look so yummy!

    xoxo
    Stella
    http://www.jadore-fashion.com/

    ReplyDelete
  42. looks so fun I love it there!

    www.sceneofchangery.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Oh my goodness, I'm totally drooling for everything! Those cupcakes look DIVINE!

    ReplyDelete
  44. omg this loos so yummy!! fantastic pictures :) xo

    http://dressedupallligators.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  45. that sounds amazing! now I waaayy want to visit san fran <3

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  46. OMG Cupkates!!! Love! This is such a yummy post!
    velvet cupcakes

    ReplyDelete
  47. Your photos are just insanely beautiful! Love food trucks! They are just as big in L.A.! Speaking of which, if you ever visit L.A., make sure to let me know so we can meet up! :)

    xx, becs

    ReplyDelete
  48. Just finished dinner and I want a spiced carrot cupcake with creamcheese icing.
    YUM!

    ReplyDelete

i love it when you whisper sweet nothings to me.

© pancakestacker: a san francisco bay area lifestyle blog by chandamheer stacker | All rights reserved.
Blogger Template Developed by pipdig