No doubt, the Bay Area street food scene is a culinary showcase of fusion. And the taco seems to be the latest target for reinvention – blending its foundation with traditional Chinese, Korean, and Filipino flavors.
On a recent visit to Hapa SF, I had the privilege of tasting this 3-month old food truck’s take on the taco.
It was my first time eating “modern” Filipino cuisine, but from what I tasted, it was pretty darn good.
Hapa SF’s sisig tacos are made of lime and soy-braised pork topped with cabbage, avocado salsa verde, easter egg radishes, and a sprig of cilantro. The pork shoulder is cooked perfectly – enough crunch and flavor on the outside, soft and tender on the inside. The meat breaks apart effortlessly and just melts in your mouth. The radishes and cabbage provide a nice balance of crunch to the softness of the pork and tortilla.
The tacos did come with an added topping. I’m not sure what it was, perhaps pieces of plantain? Either way, I found it to be a little too hard and not necessary.
It’s no surprise that the truck offers some tasty dishes made with fresh, organic ingredients. William Pilz, the man behind the truck, is the former chef of the Hayes Valley favorite, Citizen Cake (now located in Pac Heights).
It seems Pilz’s taken his sophisticated cooking skills, put them on wheels and into the hands of street food-crazed San Franciscans. SA-WEET!
Hapa SF’s entire menu looks scrumptious and I hope to try it all, but I did only have the sisig tacos this time around – seeing how this is a taco-focused blog. Other Filipino dishes include: pork lumpia, banh mi filled with adobo-brined chicken, and vegetarian pancit.
(Pilz mentioned that he will be adding a salad to his menu in the next week or so)
The dishes ring up around $10, the tacos $6 for 2, which is on the pricier side for street food. But the food is fresh and tasty, and you know you are eating a meal made out of solid ingredients.
Overall, I think Pilz and his team have a good thing going for them. I wish them nothing but scrumptious success!
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Pros: innovative, fresh, organic
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Cons: on the pricy side
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Food: 3.5
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What $10 will get you: plate of sisig tacos (2), a drink and money left over
Hapa SF fires up the grill in Brisbane during the week – 8000 Marina Boulevard (@ Sierra Point Parkway). You can also catch Hapa SF at Off the Grid’s street food festival Fridays from 5pm to 9pm @ Fort Mason in the Marina district.
Follow Hapa SF on Facebook or on Twitter for regular updates.
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CONTACT: 8000 Marina Boulevard (@ Sierra Point Parkway) • Brisbane, CA • Facebook • Twitter
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Tags: hapa sf, san francisco, street food, street food festival, taco truck
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