Hitting the Streets for the “SF Street Food Festival”

This past Saturday, I joined thousands of Food Goers and Foodies at the 2^nd Annual San Francisco Street Food Festival hosted by La Cocina.

I was lucky enough to score a snazzy media pass from Foodbuzz (THANK YOU!) that allowed me early access to the event along with an insightful tour of the grounds. Our expedition allowed us the great opportunity to meet and greet with several of the vendors, sample delish foods and beverages, (YUM!) and learn in depth information about the amazing Incubator Program coordinated by La Cocina.

From La Cocina:

“By providing affordable, shared, commercial kitchen space, an array of industry-specific technical assistance and services, and access to market opportunities, La Cocina works with entrepreneurs as they launch, grow, and formalize successful food businesses. We focus primarily on women from culturally diverse communities and immigrant communities. Our vision is that our program participants will become economically self-sufficient and contribute to a vibrant and diverse economy doing what they love to do.”

Their three-step model (pre-incubation, incubation, and graduation) truly provides support and encouragement for many low-income entrepreneurs—giving them a real foundation for success as they start up their businesses. After speaking to many of the vendors from the program, it greatly reaffirmed the vital work that La Cocina carries out.

And now…..THE FOOD.

Five city blocks cradled over 40 vendors of delicious goodness. I was absolutely drunk from the mouth-watering aromas. Simply Intoxicating. Noodles, tacos, sandwiches, bacon wrapped hot dogs, cupcakes, ice cream, corn, and on…and on…and on!

“Festival Seating” pulled together with these really cute painted wood planks and milk crates

This is Azalina Eusope–a 5th generation street food vendor and head of “Azalina’s Malaysian”.  Incidentally, she started off as a Pastry Chef 🙂

“Air Bandung” (Coconut-Rose Milk)–Azalina said it’s perfect to accompany many of the fried foods from Malaysia

Chef David Bazirgan of “Chez Papa”

Melon Agua Fresca from “Chez Papa”

Stuff Figs and Sausage Sandwich from “Chez Papa)

Torta de Mole Verde and Tostada de Tinga from “El Buen Comer”–t

Veron­ica Salazar of “El Huarache Loco” whose family also has a restaurant in La Raza, Mex­ico City.

Tacos de Alhambre from “El Huarache Loco”

Vegetarian Banh Bao from “The Slanted Door”

Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee from “The Creme Brulee Cart”

Chef Thomas Odermatt of “Roli Roti“. Chef Odermatt grew up in his family’s butcher shop and was particularly cheerful and friendly to those stopping by his booth. Their booth was clearly the most visited that day. 🙂

Porchetta from “Roli Roti“

Porchetta from “Roli Roti“…..Aaaah-Maaay-Ziiing.

Neal Gottlieb of “Three Twinis Ice Cream”. He insisted we taste the ice cream with the antique silver spoons to increase the experience. And he was right!

Dee-lish Frozen Treats from “Three Twinis Ice Cream”

Soba Noodles from “Hapa Ramen”

Mini-cuppies from “La Luna Cupcakes”

Sisig Tacos from “Hapa SF”

SO good, I had to throw in a close up 🙂

Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs…OH MY!

Chicken Adobo from “The Adobo Hobo”. We also had their Calamansi-Thai Basil Cooler….VERY refreshing.

Meat goodness…

And MORE meat goodness!

Piroshkies from “Anda Piroshki“

There was SO many different foods to choose from. Even with the media tour/food sampling and an additional 1.5 hours at the festival with the family–we barely made a dent. What were my favorites of the day? Easily the Porchetta Sandwich from Roli Roti –though the Sisig Taco from Hapa SF is quite high up on the list, too. The Porchetta Sandwich was just utter perfection. Unctuously, savory pork with delectably crispy skin in a roll. The pork loin is cooked slowly on the rotisserie which allows the fat and juices to drip down to a bed of fingerling potatoes that are just waiting to soak it all up. Excuse me, my mouth is watering uncontrollably. Chef Odermatt–you are brilliant!!!

An awesome day in SF filled with passionate chefs, an organization with a wonderful mission, endless amazing foods, and quality time with loved ones. I only wish I had a spare tummy to try all of the goodies. But then, maybe I’ll just leave the massive eating to this guy………

Joey Chestnut–World Champion in Competitive Eating. Yup, he was there, too. 🙂

So until next time friends–hit the streets for some good eats! 🙂