Just Pictures: Birthday with a Foodie Adventure - The Mission

I turned 30 this past week.  I was dreading this event about a year ago when I turned 29 and couldn't help but feel like it was just down hill from here.  When my birthday arrived this year, I was at home sick and battling a horrible cough.  The good thing about this year was that I actually did not "freak out" about turning another year older.  Maybe this is what growing up feels like.

To celebrate going over the (small) hill, my dear hubby and friends planned a Saturday of activities for me.  The entire day was a surprise and they kept their mouths shut until the very last minute.  My instructions were to get ready to go by 9 AM, dress comfortably, and bring a "night outfit" to change into.  Interesting.  I did just that and we were off!

We got off San Jose Ave. in San Francisco and I knew we were in the Mission District.  What could we possibly do here so early in the morning (it was only 9:45 AM at this point...)??  They told me we were early, so we found a McDonalds at 24th and Mission St., right in the heart of the Mission, and sat down with a couple of hot drinks.  When it was close to 11 AM, we headed towards the opposite corner of the intersection and stood there, right in front of a place called "Chinese Food & Donuts".  Interesting combination.  We went in to check it out and they literally had chinese food in one corner (smelled so good!) and donuts in the other.  Gotta love diversity in San Francisco!

At this point, I still had NO IDEA what was going on!  After about 5 minutes, I started seeing other people stopping and standing in our corner, looking like people who were also waiting for something.  This one particular girl was holding a piece of paper and so I deviously looked really hard and caught two important words on her printout: Foodie Adventure.  Oh my gosh, how great!  I've always wanted to do something like that!  This event was Chris Milano's Foodie Adventures of the Mission District.  Chris was a wonderful tour guide: enthusiastic, friendly, and really love the culture and the food offered by the people of The Mission.  As he grew up in SF and near The Mission, you can sense a great appreciation and love that he has for this neighborhood.  He started the day by explaining what today's tour will consist of and named all the places and things we were going to eat.  My god.  My mouth was watering so desperately!

I hope that the pictures I took did justice for this tour.  If you love Mexican food and love learning new things, you gotta check it out!

Kings Panaderia (Bakery Cafe)

Believe it or not, this is a Chinese bakery in The Mission!  

Their coconut buns were voted as one of the 100 items to try before you die on 7x7SF for 2011.  Just 60 cents for these bad boys.  We also sampled their fresh baguette rolls (only 30 cents, what?!) and brownies.  I also had my eyes on the cream rolls (bread roll with whipped cream inside... one of my faves), but figured I should pace myself since this was the first place we hit.

Belmar - La Gallinita Meat Market

If you've ever eaten or bought flap meat, this was the place that flap meat was born.  Sal, the owner and knowledgeable butcher, was the guy that found this tender and fatty meat that most were throwing away at the time.  There is a whole story about it, but I will save it for any fellow foodies that would like to experience the tour.

On Saturdays, the taco shop (in a small corner within the butcher shop) sells sesos (cow brain) tacos (first pictured), sesos and other things stuffed in a corn taco shell and deep fried.  The cecina (beef flap meat) taco was my favorite out of everything we ate (second pictured).  The meat was ten...der!

Tortas Los Picudos

This place is known for their giant torta sandwiches, a huge selection of different types of tortas to choose from.  Maybe because of its massiveness, we didn't get to try the torta sandwiches but instead another amazing item on their menu.

We sampled the enchiladas caseras verdes (house special enchiladas, filled with tender chicken and topped with green salsa, queso fresco (fresh cheese), and various veggies) and washed it down with a freshly blended fruit and veggie smoothie (I didn't catch the name), containing beets, carrots, celery, pineapple, watermelon, and a couple more!

La Palma Mexica-Tessan

Known for it's masa (cornmeal dough), this place brings out super fresh tortillas by only making them when you order it.  The dough form goes through a tortilla presser and than on to the hot top grill to cook before it is used to make a giant burrito.  Seriously fresh.

Huaraches (also the word for "shoe" in Spanish), an oblong fried masa and bean-filled dish, with tomatillo salsa, queso fresco, cabbage, onions, and hot sauce.  I've never had this before and it was a delightful discovery.  We bought a pack to go.

La Espiga de Oro

This place is just about 500 feet away and is La Palma's masa rival.  

Pupusas, thick masa dough filled with cheese and chicharron (ground deep fried pork), topped with pickled Mexican cole slaw and salsa.  We also sampled masa tamale (super sweet corn paste, it was dessert-like) and a drink called atole, a masa-based warm drink with sugar and cinnamon.  Many will consume this for breakfast because of the heartiness of the masa in the drink.  I have to say I've never had any of these 3 items and enjoyed them quite much.

El Farolito

Our last stop was at the famous El Farolito, a chain taqueria that was born in the heart of The Mission.  Chris told us a story that the last time Lady Gaga was in town for a concert, she wanted to experience the true Mission District and therefore stopped by El Farolito for a burrito.  He stated, quite jokingly, "If it's good for Gaga, it's good for us!"

Taco al pastor (slow-cooked pork) and a surprising horchata (never had one that was so concentrated!).  We can't wait to come back to get some more of these meaty goodness!  My second favorite place!

Sweet souvenirs from the tour, courtesy of Chris.  From left to right, clockwise: Pelon push pop - tamarind and chili gooey goodness.  It's sweet, sour, and spicy all at the same time! I'm addicted to these now.  De la Rosa's Mazapan - peanut-based chewy sweet confection.  Aldama's Cajeta - goat milk caramel.  Lightly sweet, soft and chewy.  I also got a bottle of habanero hot sauce because it was my birthday.  I'm quite scared to try it.

The day ended with a delicious Italian dinner at Osteria Coppa in San Mateo.  I blew out these huge "30" candles on a chocolate truffle cake from Victoria Bakery.  Although not on this exact day, I also received a jaw-dropping present (yes, my jaw literally dropped and I screamed "holy crap!") from the hubby - a MacBook Pro!  I seriously love this thing!  It was truly a wonderful and splendid 30th birthday.  Thank you to my hubby who planned this amazing day.  And to my dear friends and little sister that brainstormed and reassured the hubby's decisions (as I was told).  My birthdays are normally mellow and uneventful, since it happens soon after everyone is partied out from Christmas and New Years, so this one tops as one of the best birthdays, hands down!