Luis C.'s Profile

Mission Dispatch
Truck schedule: http://twitter.com/Mis...
Hours: M-F 11am-2pm
3 food trucks

Mission Dispatch is the latest independent (non-OTG) food truck stop that debuted this week (other indy SF empty lots are: Truck Stop, The Lunch Box SF. And Soma-StrEat-Food-Park which is still pending approvals). It's using the gated parking space for a row of storage units. This project is managed by the owners of the adjacent building (the arts and contemporary furniture gallery at 1999 Bryant Street).

I love food truck gatherings, so it obvious that I'd give this place 5 stars. Although finding parking is very difficult in this area. It's located just 10 blocks away from the 16th Street BART station.

There's a long communal table and many chairs. In the future the organizers plan to add a takeout coffee shop inside one of the storage units.

The Lunch Box SF
Truck schedule: http://twitter.com/The...
Hours: M-F 11am-2pm
2-3 food trucks (but sometimes it's empty)

This food truck stop debuted in 2011. I'm adding it now, since nobody has bothered to post about it. This vacant lot can hold 3-4 trucks and a few benches. http://s3-media2.ak.ye... Usually the following food trucks park here: Rib Whip, Curry Up Now, 3-SumEats and others.

I gave it only 4 stars because updates have been sporadic, and sometimes the lot is empty. It's not a convenient location unless u live around this area, it's on a one way street and parking is difficult. I usually park on Brannan street and then walk to the lot.

Check twitter for updates.

Last week the third location of local chain Live Sushi opened on Mission street. It's a welcomed addition to the underserved Outer Mission area. Although nearby Sushi Raw (4 blocks away) might not feel the same way after 5 years of being the sole sushi joint in this area. I feel that there's plenty of business for both.

This block doesn't have much foot traffic, so in my opinion this restaurant needs to advertise around that neighborhood to build a regular customer base. Or at least try to develop the takeout and delivery service online to get more business.

For now, chef-owner Jackson Yu runs the sushi bar, making sure that the food quality remains top notch. My favorite item is the Live Scallop ($18.95), it's the dish that made them famous at Live Sushi Bar, in Potrero Hill. He prepares 2 dishes: nigiri sushi on the shell and tempura (comes later) out of one giant scallop. No other restaurant serves anything like that.

The Bistro location (Live Sushi #2) across the street from The Hall of Justice is subpar, so I've never bothered to review it.

Apparently, Yelp doesn't know that Wrap Delight CLOSED in 2011.

After Baguette Express closed in 2010, this small banh mi shop tried AND failed to attract customers with an expanded menu of tacos and burritos (that was a dumb idea), in order to survive. Obviously, that didn't work out.

Although they had more dining space than Saigon Sandwiches, it was always empty. Their biggest problem was not being open during normal hours. On most afternoons when I visited or walked by, they had a "will be back soon" or "will be back at X time" note on the door. But nobody showed, when I came back after the posted time. So I wasn't happy for always wasting my time, and took them out of my lunch rotation for good long ago.

WD was the only banh mi shop I know that had a website. But I suspect that it was created by a customer, because they didn't seem to know about it and it was always outdated.

Many diners have already found that Mochica is one of the hidden gems in SOMA. http://s3-media3.ak.ye... i really wish it were located closer to downtown. Another problem is that Harrison street is a traffic nightmare during the evening rush hour. It's better to park on Folsom and walk to the restaurant. Somehow dinner customers have no trouble finding their way into this remote location.

I said it before, service was excellent every time I visited. I'm also impressed by the food quality that comes from such a small kitchen. http://s3-media2.ak.ye... So I know to expect some delays when the restaurant is full.

Your meal starts with a complimentary serving of fried garbanzo and cancha (Peruvian corn nuts). http://s3-media2.ak.ye... While most people tend to order individual plates, I prefer to order many items to share in a group. Like choritos a la chalaca, stewed mussles with criolla onions and corn salsa http://s3-media3.ak.ye... tirato covered with aji amarillo sauce, http://s3-media3.ak.ye... and a couple of other ceviches I couldn't take a pic, otherwise I wouldn't get to eat anything. The anticucho de corazon http://s3-media2.ak.ye... has improved a lot since my last visit. It was my favorite dish that night.

FYI, Mochica is better than La Mar in SF.

This is the 2nd place in SF that makes Taiwanese snow ice desserts. Snow ice is the main attraction at this tiny shop, but the menu doesn't have as much variety as their competitor, 37 Degrees.

My first visit was during the grand opening last year. http://s3-media1.ak.ye... Sometimes I visit a place several times before I write anything. But I've been busy lately, so I'm late in posting many of my reviews.

I got a green tea snow ice with bananas and mango. http://s3-media2.ak.ye... The banana slices were fresh, but the mango cubes were still partially frozen. So it wasn't as good as it could be. Also the ice ribbons seem to be a bit more compacted, which prevents the snow ice from melting too fast - compared to their competitor's version. However that also takes away some of the "fluffy" texture u normally expect in Taiwanese snow ice. I tend to notice those type of little details. I was told that their snow ice supplier is Canadian, that's why the short list of ice flavors is a bit different than the competition.

The owners try to keep things interesting, with occasional snack specials on the counter. The menu also features savory snacks. It's just microwaved food. I've tried a few things, including a tofu and chicken skewers. http://s3-media2.ak.ye... I wish I could give it a higher rating. So far, it's just okay. At least they open earlier than any other typical Asian dessert shop.

Cash only.

The last time I came here, was for a corporate party on the 2nd floor. That was a nice private event, it deserves 4 stars. But I can only give 3 stars to the restaurant downstairs, too expensive for what u get. For example, $15 for tacos is crazy, the food is no better than CPK or any other restaurant chain. I'd rather spend that kind of money on fine dining at Waterbar across the street.

According to their Facebook page (text below), GB is CLOSING. Last day will be Saturday.

"We are very sad to announce that Gordon Biersch in San Francisco will be closing our doors on April 29th because we lost our lease. Please stay tuned for further details and upcoming events. We play on hosting some great events to go out with a bang! We will be open for regular service until April 28th. We will certainly miss being at this location."

This popular shabu shop is now CLOSED. According to the signs posted on the windows, it will be replaced by a new place named Cajun House Louisiana Crawfish. It's the same owner as Crawfish Station on 9th Ave.

Tonight was the debut of Tapeo SF, a brand new pop up vendor serving Spanish tapas. One of several vendors now taking turns at the temporary takeout spot The Window. http://s3-media4.ak.ye...

Perhaps u may have already sampled food prepared by chef-owner Greg Leon. He was previously the chef at Poesia in the Castro, Horatius in Potrero Hill, Mirtille near Civic Center, and Hibiscus in Oakland.

I got the special combo 3 for $15, http://s3-media2.ak.ye... which included: pinchos de puerco (2 pork belly skewers), patatas bravas, and portable paella (2 fried rice balls, similar to arangini). http://s3-media4.ak.ye... Remember that these are small plates, so the portions might not seem adequate, if u r very hungry. The 3 item combo was enough to be a satisfying light meal. And the food quality was pretty good. So the moderately priced combo seemed reasonable for me. The individual price of $6 per item might be a bit high, since currently this is not a full service restaurant. Looking forward to new menu additions.

Tapeo = "barhopping for tapas". No relation to previous restaurants using that same word.

Cash only.

So far, find Tapeo at The Window on Monday nights and some Thursdays.
Check Twitter or Facebook for menu updates.
http://twitter.com/Tap...
http://www.facebook.co...

**Update:
Tapeo SF's has left The Window, their last pop up was on 4/30/12. Tapeo's Twitter and Facebook accounts have been CLOSED, and chef Leon is now travelling around the country. So as far as I know this pop up has been discontinued.
https://twitter.com/#!...

Lafitte has CLOSED. Sad that it's gone. I liked the casual yet elegant environment of this restaurant. http://s3-media2.ak.ye... Only been here a couple times, never experienced bad service, and had very nice meals. But the menu changes often, so your experience might vary. Also not the best choice for DAT, that menu was just average.

One of many draft reviews I forgot to finish.

My last visit was a pre-Xmas dinner in December of last year. Our table had many dishes with fries, like the moules frites ($16), http://s3-media3.ak.ye... and a NY steak frites ($34). http://s3-media1.ak.ye... Yes, there's a big steak under all those frites.

I ordered the roasted pheasant ($24), http://s3-media3.ak.ye... and a mini alaska ($7) http://s3-media4.ak.ye... for dessert. Simple and delicious!

For me, it had everything you'd expect at a good restaurant, well executed food, attentive and proper service. http://s3-media2.ak.ye... The restrooms are located pass the order expediter area, around the corner on the left. Don't know why there was a bottle of champagne inside a locked glass display, inside the restroom.

The one novelty was seeing the drinks and dessert menus presented on a leather wrapped iPad.