Let me preface this post by saying I spent three long shivery cold years in San Francisco, and five warm sunny funny years in Los Angeles before that. Let me also offer that I am a Mexican food fanatic. Nothing makes me happier than a crispy meat filled taco (carne asada, carnitas, ground beef or shredded chicken, give me them all) smothered in aged white cheddar and the hottest freshest salsa you can find, a sauce slathered tamale stuffed with slow cooked shredded pork, a tangy spicy dripping enchilada and salted glass of refreshing tart lime juiced margarita.
During those three cold lonely taco craving years in the beautiful strange chilly city of San Francisco, I attempted to find my long lost flavors of the Southland in each taqueria I passed. All I found were burrito hashing holes in the wall with less flavor than a McDonald's snack wrap. Sure meat was plentiful as was copious helpings of rice and beans however, it seems the concept of spice and marinated slow cooked citrus were left behind somewhere on the trek north. Who knows maybe flavor ends in Fresno?
Whatever the cause, the blander pallets of S.F. Mission hipsters and yuppy city dwelling breeders or a break in hispanic culture between Mexico and points North, no satisfaction could be found for a young girl who's soul yearned for those familiar flavors. What I still cannot understand is why. Your run of the mill grilled carne asada taco can be found on any corner in Los Angeles, cheap to make and simple to prepare. Why couldn't the foodie fad mecca of San Francisco figure it out?
Perhaps those with lists of foodie credits and claimed gourmet expertise can enlighten me. I'm all ears dear readers. Until then, all you snobby pretentious norcal yelpers keep right on complaining about your Michael Minna prix fix and personal affront of being served French cheese instead of local. Just don't come any further South than San Jose. K, thanx, bai.
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You forgot an important city when it comes to the Taco wars... San Diego. Or more specifically Chula Vista.
ReplyDeleteThere's something magical that happens to tacos when you're a stone's throw from the border... that makes even the LA places pale in comparison.
That same flavor drought can be found west of the 405 and north of Santa Monica Blvd on the westside.
ReplyDeleteAs a transplant from SF to LA, I miss the Mission Burrito. That big, warm beans & rice-laden foggy night comfort.
ReplyDeleteBut unequivocally the tacos are so much better in LA. I've never had more flavorful meats and tastier tortillas than the street corner taco stands here. But I also haven't had a burrito that really satisfied except for maybe Burrito King (which I know is criticized by some LA Mex purists for being too "San Francisco").
And maybe that's it? Burritos in SF and tacos in LA.
Of course we enjoy food as much or more for the places and emotions the flavors evoke than just the flavors themselves.