With lime-ginger sauce and soy glaze, rice and mango salsa. $5
Hula’s Island Grill, Santa Cruz CA
This tasted ok, but the squid steak had a super squishy texture which I didn’t like. I liked the sauces they used and the addition of rice and mango salsa though. It was also nicely fried so it wasn’t greasy.
Orange-yellow hibiscus flower (Malvaceae), The Mystery Spot.
Fresh wild flounder, avocado mayo, jicama slaw, chile de arbol salsa. $15
Liberty Cafe, San Francisco CA
I really wasn’t in the mood for proper brunch food when I was here so I opted for these fish tacos. OMG, what a mistake! As you can see, the plate looks like a messy pile of crap and the random thimble-sized side of bland black beans they threw in was just ridiculous. There was not even a hint of cilantro flavor in the greasy fish. And don’t even try to eat these like proper tacos because the single tortillas underneath become way too soggy from the sloppy mound of wet ingredients on top.
Unknown immature sea animals emerging from the sand, Fort Funston. These probably would’ve tasted better than the crap tacos above!
Cilantro chimichurri, tomato tomatillo salsa served on soft corn tortillas with pickled cabbage. $4
Velvet Cantina, San Francisco CA
For a small bite, this street taco definitely packed a punch. It had lots of flavor and the chunks of carnitas were tender and delicious, noms!
Colorful cactus mural, Potrero Hill.
“The Real” Korean taco with chicken, kimchee salsa, kimchee remoulade, seasoned rice, toasted seaweed, and nori. Happy hour $3.50
Namu Gaji, San Francisco CA
March 9, 2014.
Chicken, seasoned rice, daikon kimchee salsa, kimchee remoulade, toasted kim, nori, $3.50
I love the Korean tacos at Namu Gaji and at the Namu food stand previously. They’re packed with flavor and are a great departure from the typical Mission tacos. I will say that the nori was really hard to chew through this time around.
Approaching the Golden Gate Bridge, southbound on the 101.
100% Agave Dos Manos, triple sec, fresh citrus juices. Pitcher $27
Velvet Cantina, San Francisco CA
I’ve been to Velvet Cantina several times now and I haven’t been all that impressed with their margaritas. They’re decent, but nothing special. They’re not cheap so I would expect more “wow”!
Chips and salsa. Complimentary
I do love their chips and salsa though. The chips are extra salty and their salsa is a bit different from most restaurants.
Agave “Blue Glow” plant (Asparagaceae), West Field Road.
Basket of chips and salsa fresca. $3.99
El Chupacabra, Seattle WA
Unlike other food I had at El Chupacabra, they make decent salsa fresca and guacamole. Maybe next time I’ll just come and relax with a beer and snack on these.
Spansih lavendar (Lavendula stoechas, Lamiaceae) on Elliott Bay, Ballard.
Beer battered cod, cabbage, white sauce and pico. 3 on soft white corn tortillas served with tortilla chips and limes. $6.99
El Chupacabra, Seattle WA
These tacos were a little sad, so that’s why I’m glad they were only $6.99. The fried fish didn’t taste so fresh and the corn tortillas were cold and limp. The white sauce wasn’t even white! As elusive as a chupacabra, so was the pressence of a decent fish taco!
Different salsas at the table (you’ll need them!).
Paper lanterns above the bar.
Ground beef, pinto beans, red chile, lettuce, pico de gallo, cheese and crema served in a Frito bag! $8
Chile Pies, San Francisco CA
This is an upscale version of the delicious white-trash staple, but I think it missed the mark. There was so much lettuce and pico de gallo on top that you couldn’t really get into the “meat” of the dish which is the Fritos, beef and beans. Perhaps some things are better left unaltered…
Red and yellow columbine flowers (Aquilegia sp., Ranunculaceae), West Field Road.
Flour tortilla, salsa verde, manchego, potato, scrambled eggs. $15
Purple Palm Restaurant, Palm Springs CA
This was not worth fifteen bucks! The scrambled egg filling with chorizo tasted fine, but it took SO long to get this to our table that it was cold and unappetizing when it arrived. The salsa verde sauce on the bottom of the plate was gross and congealed and would attach in chunks to the bottom of the breakfast burrito. Ew!
Popcorn shrimp with cabbage slaw and salsa. $3
Escena Lounge & Grill, Palm Springs CA
These tacos were pretty tasty and at $3 a pop they made the perfect afternoon snack! I know it’s kinda ghetto for me to admit it, but the popcorn shrimp was probably my favorite. I don’t eat a lot of fried seafood so perhaps I just had a craving for it that day, hehe.
Chicken tinga with guacamole and salsa. $3
Carne asada with guacamole and salsa. $3
Mt. San Jacinto hike, looking back down into Coachella Valley.
Chicken, refried beans, pepper jack/cheddar shred and scallions on tri-colored tortilla chips with pico de gallo, sour cream and guacamole. $9.95
Bongo Johnny’s, Palm Springs CA
This was a huge plate of nachos, but they weren’t anything special. I guess the multi-colored chips were supposed to elevate it but that didn’t really happen. It was pretty standard nachos, and dare I say a little on the bland side.
Mountainside, Palm Spring Aerial Tramway.
Served on a soft flour tortilla with cheese, red cabbage, salsa fresca and white sauce. $3.50
South Beach Bar & Grille, San Diego CA
This fish taco was ok, but verging on being on the dry side. The toppings were great though and it was a great value.
Ocean Beach with wispy clouds.
Vittle Monster 