Adobo Hobo
Categories: Restaurants Food Stands Restaurants Filipino Food Stands, Filipino [Edit]
San Francisco, CA 94110
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
73 reviews for Adobo Hobo
Review Highlights
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"...good, I wish I can make fall off the bone chicken at home." In 3 reviews -
"I've also had their Sisig Tacos, it was good as well." In 8 reviews -
"...adobo over rice at the Eat Real Fest 2010 and boy was it..." In 3 reviews
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73 reviews in English
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Review from Dianne G.
San Ramon, CA
1/4/2011
I went to Off The Grid at Fort Mason and had the chance to taste their sisig tacos and it was love at first bite. I couldn't stop craving them after that and I wanted it as an appetizer, main course & dessert after that!
*Sisig tacos are AMAZING. They're better than the other sisig tacos I've had because they sprinkle chicharron over it to give it more texture & taste. I can't say enough good things about it.
Worth following on twitter to find their cart just to try it! If you go to Off The Grid, they run out of their stuff early! -
Review from Ninja H.
4/15/2012
I'm with my fellow Yelper, Angel S., on this one...only I'm not giving the extra star. Adobo Hobo just didn't meet my chicken adobo craving while at the 2010 Eat Real Festival. And I kind of want there to be more quantity if I'm gonna get less quality. Not that it was bad, but it wasn't great either.
As the two stars states: Meh, I've experienced better. -
Review from Mona W.
11/8/2011
Their Chicken Adobo does have the fall of the bone texture. The taste though, is just alright. The gravy could be more flavorful. I like it but i don't love it. I like the mobile food vendor concept and the convenience of getting food on the go but you can easily find something better at a sit down restaurant.
Listed in: My Favorite Food Trucks and…
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Review from Angel S.
Long Island, NY
9/10/2010
Adobo Hobo reminds me of a Weekend Update sketch called "Really? With Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler." So here goes...Really? Four and a half stars...Really? Who the heck is driving this bandwagon, a hobo?
Adobo is a dish I probably eat once every two weeks. We playfully refer to it as "default," as it's very easy to make and quite satisfying on a bed of steaming white rice. So when I stood in line to buy one, my wife glared at me and said, "Really? Are you serious?" Well, I wanted to know what the fuss was about (and because of an hour-long wait at Chairman Bao's).
I didn't find anything special. In fact, the adobo was below average. I love adobo so much that I even order it at a restaurant even though I eat it at home as often as I do, so yes, I've had my share. Three stars is extremely generous. I originally had my rating at two, but the chicken was actually quite tender and the meat fell off the bone...albeit it only takes a $25 slow cooker to make chicken meat fall off a drumstick.
The calamansi juice was even worse, like it was made from cheap powdered lemonade. The worst part was the server was smug. I'm happy they're doing well and I wish them all the best, but if I have to stand alone on this one, I'd have no problem with that...really. -
Review from Christine C.
San Francisco, CA
8/8/2010 1 photo
I was bombarded and perplexed the entire time I stood waiting for our sisig and adobo tacos.
Three men stood next to the cook that was preparing food behind the portable heater and nonstick frying pan, cracking wise jokes, systematically inserting side comments, and adding a laughing soundtrack to the cook's "dry humor." What is this, you need your buddies to make you feel good while you reheat food?
Another lady stood ahead of us waiting for her food, awkwardly uncomfortable, while the four wise men crack jokes about the Filipino heritage.
We then stood a good five minutes in front of the cook apparently named "J" while he ignored us. There didn't seem to be a lot of food left so we weren't sure if he was selling out. He didn't acknowledge us or say anything; he was busy cracking jokes with his entourage. Finally Eric asked if he had enough left for another order. With his nose in the air and an unwarranted self importance attitude, he finally said that maybe he will get us an order. Um, ok.
If the tacos weren't rich in flavors and textures, this could have been easily a disastrous two star review.Listed in: Where are the food…
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Review from Victor G.
9/4/2010
Adobo Hobo was at eat fest 2010 and also at 2009. both times they offered the same item :adobo chicken on rice(4). it was one chicken wing on top of a cup of seasoned rice. not surprisingly, i wasn't impressed.
thanx to an in from adodo hobo. they have informed me they never have had a truck. why do i assume all "truck" vendors have trucks. my bad. (edit)
adobo hobo had a tent both times, i assumed the food was premade and stored in coleman containers. maybe it was reheated at the festival. i didn't notice them prepping the food. they assured me they brought raw ingredients there and made the chicken adobo there.
3 stars is very generous. hopefully, i can get to their "food stand" sometime to taste their food and give them the 5 stars they deserve.
(original review edited ...) -
Review from Genevieve Y.
San Francisco, CA
8/1/2009 3 photos
Date & Time: Saturday August 1, 2009 @ 8:45pm
Location: Dolores Park Movie Night
Crowd: Hipsters in Hats & Scarves
Vibe: Chill
Decor: Shiny New Adobo Cart
Service: Friendly
Devour: Two Piece Chicken Adobo w/ Rice $5
Total: $10Listed in: UnderGround Street Food Scene
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Review from Ben H.
Oakland, CA
1/21/2010
Sorry, Olivia! Sorry, Jojo! Sorry, Rose! You know i love each of you like family, but i gotta speak the truth:
This is the best Adobo i've ever eaten.
Now, to unsuccessfully attempt to impress some of the Filipinas on yelp with a little white-boy Tagalog:
Salamat po!
Mas masarap!
Maganda!
Mahalo kida!
Ladies, get at me. -
Review from Anna D.
8/8/2009 1 photo
Oh these two guys are too cute.
I heard complaints about the rice being a little undercooked, but I didn't even notice the difference, what kind of Asian am I?! Take my chopsticks away!
$5 for rice and 2 chicken legs.
I don't know how to use chopsticks anyways.Listed in: San Francisco Street Food
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Review from simon l.
San Francisco, CA
3/25/2011
Off the Grid and off the HOOK!
"I dont remember how it taste because i INHALED it"
Off the Grid at Haight street Thursday nights..
Go early cause they sell out quick. Went for the adobo with the soft moist bread and they were sold out. All they had left was the adobo burrito with Fries and sour cream. I dont remember how it taste because i INHALED it. So it must of been off the hook.. Will update next time we visit them, hopefull its soon. -
Review from crutonic l.
San Francisco, CA
10/16/2010
Put it this way:
If there's a food cart event and I have trouble choosing where to go, I usually just get this twice.
Skinless chicken in a lo sodium sauce over rice. Adobo healthy style. -
Review from Mike L.
5/19/2010
I'll admit from the start, I'm not a Chicken Adobo veteran, so I'm not sure what's considered "good" and "bad" Chicken Adobo. Well, other than being able to tell if something just tastes good in general (I would hope/think I'm pretty decent at that...).
For $6, I got a paper french fries type of tray with about two scoops of rice and a couple of drum sticks. Being infused with a few drinks, it looked and smelled quite delicious. Most of the reviews are pretty spot on in the quality of how the meat is cooked - it's so tender that it easily falls right off the bone, and it's not all dried out like it's been overcooked. And the same goes for the rice too. Now, I'm sure that seems odd since it's just rice and it's not the point of the order, but it's such a relief to get soft, warm rice - especially considering the simple setup he had.
On the flip side...I thought that the broth/sauce was on the salty side (side note: one of the pictures shows their board using low sodium soy. maybe they just used too much of it?). It took away from the rest of the flavors and really made me wish I had either more rice or (better yet) another beer in my hand. Although it was a little disappointing after the first bite, it grew on me after a few bites more. A solid alternative for the late night munchies, and it's always kind of fun to support these types of businesses. Definitely my favorite hobo too. -
Review from Kayan W.
Manhattan, NY
10/22/2009
Food coma alert!
Went to South Park on a gorgeous sunny day for lunch with friends. Adobo Hobo was one of 6 or so vendors setting up shop.
Still $5 for 2 scoops of rice + 2 chicken drumsticks
The chicken was tender and deeeeelicious.
But I got food coma from finishing all of the rice covered with sauce. So try not to eat this right before an important meeting! I imagine this would be great late-night after-party food. -
Review from Valerie P.
Foster City, CA
7/6/2010
SISIG TACOS!?? Why didn't I think of that??
I tried Adobo Hobo for the first time at Moxsie Street Eat Fridays, I caught the end of it and were closing up shop but the 2 guys running the stand were nice enough to fire their grill again to make us some sisig tacos. I took those tacos to town, the meat was not too salty, and it was not made of "sisig" parts. I also ordered the chicken adobo with rice, that was good as well, but the real winner was the sisig tacos! -
Review from Tina L.
San Francisco, CA
8/30/2010 3 photos
Adobo Hobo is the reason why I have an interest in filipino food.
I had always been against eating any chicken wing/drumsticks because of the stupid bone. I know the bone gives flavor, blah blah blah, but I don't like to get my hands dirty. It took me awhile, but I finally tried AdoboHobo's Adobo, and it was freaking delicious! Not only that, the meat seriously just fell right off the chicken! I could easily use my spoon and I didn't need to touch the chicken! Perfect!
I've also had their Sisig Tacos, it was good as well.
I've also had their Adobaos, cute name, and they were delicious as well, the meat was a little salty, but the sweet bun balanced out the flavor.
All in all, I'd eat their adobo all day if I could. -
Review from eliza w.
Oakland, CA
11/5/2009
YAY!
It's hard to get me to leave my desk--I've often bemoaned the lack of good cheep food in my work hood. (Plus, it's hard not to just keep walkin once I leave the office...one of these days, I'm walking into the sunset and not turning around. well, till I hit the beach and hafta get back home to da beast).
Ok, so. My boss and an ex-pizzawhirlder and I went to south park to follow the food cart people. I didn't expect much, and thought I'd just keep on goin to HRD for some cheap grub. Wooohoo! Was I wrong.
Adobo Hobo kicked my butt with some good cheap fall off the bone perfect kinda chicken adobo. Not too vinegary, a little salty like I like it, and the chicken was tender flavorful and perfect over the rice. I'm pretty picky about my adobo, and this was pretty dang good.
Again, I say: YAY!Listed in: foodz
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Review from Christine W.
San Leandro, CA
8/30/2009 4 photos
Honestly speaking, I'd have to say that this was probably one of THEE BEST adobo that I've ever had. (And I know my adobo dammit, I'm Filipino. My grandfather's adobo is probably the only other adobo that ranks up high on my list)
I finally had a chance to see what the fuss is about with this adobo when I attended the Eat Real Fest over in The Town this weekend. And this adobo definitely did not disappoint. Even got two bowls full because it was just *that good*.
Looking forward to seeing what his vegetarian adobo is gonna be like. Very friendly and laid back group of people with friendly service. GO TEAM ADOBO HOBO!
(my photos from the Adobo Hobo stand at the Eat Real Fest to be posted in a day or so...) -
Review from Rho T.
8/30/2010 1 photo
This review is solely for the chicken adobo over rice that was served at the Eat Real Fest.
Unfortunately, it didn't win us over. The sauce had a tad bit more vinegar, giving the adobo a sharper taste. I didn't get a hint of much soy sauce and the garlic was barely there. The rice separated too easily, and didn't have that right amount of stickyness or puffyness to it. The chicken though, was cooked very well and was nice and tender. I will say this - maybe we weren't craving adobo at the time we bought it. We just jumped at the chance at trying whatever Adobo Hobo was selling since we've never gotten to try their cart before.
All is not lost though- if ever I come across Adobo Hobo again and they're offering something different, I'm sure I'll give them another try. -
Review from Joshua C.
1/22/2010
To me, Adobo Hobo is one of those things I've heard about, but thought that I would never get to experience. When I read the confirmation e-mail for the Yelp Elite Event at The New Parish, I saw that Adobo Hobo would be providing noms.
Let's just say that I'm sort of an adobo snob. Not that I eat it very often or that I make it better myself, but I grew up on this stuff. My grandma (RIP) was the best filipino cook I knew and will ever know. Her adobo was a staple in our house. I barely eat it any where else because I know it will never match up.
Adobo Hobo made me miss my grandma. The adobo was almost perfect. Although I only had a small bowl, the flavors were all there. Garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, peppercorn & bay leaves, Oh My!!
Thank you Adobo Hobo for bringing me back to my childhood for a few minutes. Now that I know you passed my adobo taste test, I will be looking for you on the streets of SF. -
Review from Maria S.
9/5/2009
Got my adobo from these guys at fabric8 yesterday. Tasty, but I must have gotten some rice that dried out a little because part of rice in my bowl had some hard spots. But it's forgivable. Can't beat two big scoops of rice and two skinless drumsticks for $5. I'd probably bring the kids next time and ask for a bowl of just rice and sauce for them since that's their favorite.
I wonder if they will consider making pork adobo.Listed in: Asian Inspiration, Moving Cuisine
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Review from Oleg H.
1/23/2010
Is there something wrong with me? Am i normal?
How will i know what to do? Is it going to be embarrassing?
Jeez what if it will be gross? What if i dont like it?
Is what every 31 year old virgin must be thinking.
As a 31 year old Adobo virigin (if you dont count that one time back in college, at a pan asian pot luck...) i was thinking all that and "damn why is this line so long? this is like the world record attempt at adobo gang bang".
..... record scratch.... crickets.
Uhmm - this review is still about food? Yes.
Thankfully the line wasnt too annoying as Renee N and Kristina A were in it with me, and Kristina A was regaling everyone with some details about adobo, hobos, Adobo Hobo, and other things that end in obo.
Finally it happened, i got my tiny bowl of rice with a bit of chicken and sauce and - im not sorry to say i Enhaled it. I wrecked that little bowl. I guess 31 years of not eating adobo will do that.
Yes it was pretty awesome and i could have done it 5 more times, but im not a fan of lines so that was it.
Afterward, we compared notes with Kristina A (so this adobo tasted kinda savory, salty, and a bit of sour, Kristina said that it could be more vinegary and i think less sweet(?)) which only made me look forward to the next time even more.
*** Adobo Hobo, i'll always remember you because you were my frist ADOBO.
*** Probably not - my memory is not that great, thats why i have to take notes and review things right away.
**** Also this didnt happen where most people have their Adobo Hobo, outside of a truck in Mission, this was at the Yelp Goes Gaga @ New Parish . -
Review from Helen L.
San Francisco, CA
9/26/2010
Presidio Green Grand Opening - Adobo Hobo
Adobo Hobo's chicken & rice dish was pretty good. The chicken was tender and flavorful. The flavorful broth the guy poured over the chicken and rice was good but he poured in way too much broth...it was more like a soup. I did not particularly like that but it was ok otherwise. -
Review from Mark B.
Daly City, CA
9/9/2009
Flawless chicken adobo accompanied by perfectly done rice.
I don't know what else to add. The guy has the balance down perfectly. Urm, okay, I like a wee more vinegar in my adobo... but that's just me. Bonus points (can I go over five stars?) for having Sriracha available. Hell, I'd go to seven stars if they had some Jufran banana sauce as well.
If I was presented with a choice of last meals, I'm pretty sure my pick would be chicken adobo and rice... and I'd be happy to be served the Adobo Hobo's take on it.
If you want to hunt them down to sample their grub:
http://twitter.com/Ado... -
Review from Sherman B.
Daly City, CA
8/12/2009
One of the new guys in the ever-growing trend of gourmet street food carts popping up in the Mission. I came upon them last Friday night when a bunch of the carts converged on the Mission Pool at 19th and Valencia. The two guys serving were very cordial and offered up a serving of rice and two adobo chicken legs for the reasonable price of $5.00.
The adobo was tender and very well seasoned. The rice was perfectly cooked and served as a nice complement to the chicken. The sauce was a little soupier than I prefer but it was still flavorful. -
Review from mark i.
San Francisco, CA
8/30/2009
He's one of the newest additions to the street food scene. Serving a healthier version of adobo using low sodium soy sauce and skinless chicken drums.
For $5 the serving comes with two scoops of rice and two drumsticks.
theres even sriracha if you want to spice things up.
The adobo was good, well seasoned, chicken and rice cooked perfectly.
follow him on twitter -
Review from Angeline P.
Manhattan, NY
9/18/2009
I'm such a hater. I can't help it. My mom has spoiled me from birth, and now that I'm away from home, I can't find anything on Earth that lives up to her cooking (save for the food I get served whenever I visit relatives in her hometown). I've been trying to find something that even compares a little to my mom's cooking, and I've come up short each time.
So I'm sorry, Adobo Hobo, but I'm just not that impressed. The vinegar/soy sauce combination got the job done, but there wasn't really much else there. There was no flavor complexity. I understand it's street food, but for $5 for two drumsticks and two scoops of rice, it's a little expensive for something I could easily make at home. -
Review from Jamie N.
Alameda, CA
2/25/2010
This is just to review SISIG Tacos and not the actual Adobo that is the namesake of this cart.
The two guys running the cart were very nice and accomodating. They work hard & have shared a great treat with us all. However, I must speak truth, not to show off or prove im some afficionado, but to help improve such an ingenious idea. I dunno. judge me if you want i could give a rat's...anywhoo...
They were good! Good grill flavor, right amount of peppers, slightly sour from the citrus they marinated with. All around good, bordering on average. I felt the chicarron was a nice touch--but the flavor of the rinds sort of took over after a while. I wanted to taste the Sisig, the star of this taco, but they were filling them up so frugally that i felt $5 for 2 tacos was, hmmm...bougie? But All the business folks that came by in suits and the well dressed hipsters were like: "oh wow, what a bargain! This is all so shiny and brand new".
I guess they've never been to a taco truck...
I guess Im just USED to taco trucks and the amount of meat and layers of flavor of those meats that make $1-$1.75 per taco seem like highway robbery. When I go to a restaurant, it's around $2-$2.50 per taco, but they give you a substantial amount, & flavors worthy of your money.
But i wont compare apples to kumquats. I understand that they do not have a truck that can house a stock of meat to feed the hungry en masse, or perhaps the difficulty to get pig face to make sisig. I know not of the daily struggle to cater a specialty food for a gang of folks and fans. Alls im saying is that it could've been better with a tiny bit more meat in contrast to the amount of chicharron. Also perhaps, with the sour cream and a squeeze of calamansi on the side. ANd dangit, if it's street food, let's make it accessible to folks just passing by.
Haven't had their adobo yet, but plan to soon. i hear, from other reviews, that its pretty good. I hope so, because Ive tasted all and every variation possible for adobo, esp my mom's and uncle's which pretty much trump the world's attempts, haha. -
Review from alex d.
Emeryville, CA
8/21/2010
I have no idea what the big deal is about their adobo... it's mediocre at best. Actually had some at the sf street food festival, it was bland and the actual portions were not worth the number of food tickets. The lumpia was "just okay."... filipino translation (not good!). I'll give them two stars for their food, and and extra one for getting filipino food recognized on the sf street food scene. They seemed like nice, hardworking folks in the booth though.
Hope they get better. -
Review from Arlene M.
9/12/2010
Got to try Adobo Hobo at the Eat Real festival. As much as I love the concept and want filipino street food to do well, I just don't think their adobo was that good. I can make a much better version at home for a lot cheaper (my secret is loads of garlic and browning the chicken after it's boiled).
It was also a bit overpriced at $4, considering how cheap the ingredients are (rice, chicken, soy sauce, vinegar, spices). Hopefully they can improve their product and better represent filipino cuisine. -
Review from zell c.
San Francisco, CA
11/7/2009
The girl who cut me in line got the last serving of rice, but I was offered an alternative: chicken over a bed of veggies. I was a bit disappointed as I've been waiting in line for so long with these girls in front of me flirting endlessly with the Hobo, but after going through all that, I was not about to leave just because he ran out of rice. Hmm, less carbs. "Yeah, sure."
I didn't expect much, but it was actually pretty good. Having veggies, it didn't even need rice. Very flavorful. Better than some I've tried at Filipino restaurants. Elsewhere, the vinegar is either too overpowering or non-existent, but the Hobo got the balance of both vinegar and soy sauce just right. There was a bunch of other food carts around the area but I'd have to say that his $5 menu was more reasonable than what others had to offer.Listed in: Filipino Food
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Review from Daryl S.
Davis, CA
10/18/2009
We followed the adobo hobo on twitter on a Saturday night. By the time we got to where he supposedly was, he already left. But then he posted that he was at the grand opening of soex. We told him that we missed him at the last location and he hooked us up with hella food. It won't ever be good as mom's but it was a close second.
My girlfriend described it as tender, juicy and bottom-of-the-pot delicious. -
Review from Andrew L.
San Leandro, CA
5/25/2010
The pork tacos are amazing. Burst in your mouth flavors, and just the right combination of textures and flavors.
Great stuff! -
Review from Steph L.
San Francisco, CA
9/19/2010 1 photo
The chicken wings were amazing! The yummy adobo sauce penetrated the wings thoroughly and the fall-off-the-bone meat was tender and so juicy. Even the skin was plump and moist! I normally don't eat chicken skin but I made an exception for this. They reminded me of the soy sauce chicken wings I used to eat and love as a kid in HK.
At the Eat Real Festival I paid $4 for two wings over rice (http://www.yelp.com/bi...), which was reasonable enough. I can't give it five stars though because the rice was horrific. It was hard and not cooked well at all, which was really too bad cause it detracted from the scrumptiousness of the chicken wings. -
Review from Scott A.
Santa Monica, CA
7/23/2010
Tried this place in the Ashbury Market in SF. They set up in their kitchen.
I have to admit, I'm not really a fan of Adobo in general, but they did a good job making the chicken, fall off the bone moist. The cilantro and carrots with some sauce over rice made for a slightly sweet dish.
To me the highlight was the chicken adobo tacos. I think it was the pickled carrots (which they sell in a jar) that made it what it is. It was salty, but that's what I like.
I would have liked to see a truck because I'm used to that in L.A., but maybe that's how they roll up north?! -
Review from Jorge H.
8/30/2010
After months of following them on Twitter, I finally was able to try their chicken adobo over rice at the Eat Real Fest 2010 and boy was it worth the wait. I've never been a fan of adobo but the way these guys combine their ingedients and cook their food, it really hit the taste buds real good. Best of all, it was very flavorful and not greasy like other Adobo plates I've had in the past. These guys are talented and I wish them more success in the future.
If you get a chance, definitely try them out soon. -
Review from F. P.
San Francisco, CA
7/17/2010
On my current quest through the land of SF food carts/trucks, my next stop brought me to 22nd & Valencia to try out the much-touted Adobo Hobo.
Not being all that familiar with adobo (or filipino cuisine in general), I was dismayed at first to see that $5 got me basically some scoops of white rice in a bowl with a couple of chicken legs with some au jus-looking broth poured over everything.
But that first bite belied my initial consternation. The thin adobo broth is full of flavor (I understand it's a combo of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, peppercorn and bay leaf) and the slow-cooked chicken ended up juicy and tender, with a slight browning on the outside for a nice touch. Perfect meal for another chilly SF night. -
Review from Rochelle D.
Brisbane, CA
Updated - 9/11/2010
Had Adobo Hobo @ OtG again this past Friday. Its just as good as the first time! But I was sad to see that I missed out on all the new items on his menu...bistek...tacos...damn!
If the Adobo is good...the bistek must be excellent!!!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/6/2010
I finally had a chance to try AdoboHobo at Off The Grid, this past Friday. Yo for $4 bucks you get… Read more »
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Review from Christopher L.
San Francisco, CA
3/15/2010
SOOOOO GOOOOD
the chicken is delish and the sauce is perfection -
Review from Albert B.
CA
5/14/2010
I thought Adobo Hobo was a homeless person but thank god I was wrong!
4 stars because in a way, I was kinda disappointed! -
Review from Jarred D.
Lodi, CA
4/9/2011
I've only ordered chicken adobo from the adobo hobo. There's a great explanation for this. The adobo hobo makes the best chicken adobo this side of Uranus, and I'm not talking anatomy. The chicken is tender, the rice is cooked perfectly and the sauce rich.
Listed in: Favorite Mobile Food Vendors
