Brass Knuckle isn’t your average mobile food truck. Seasoned chef Shellie Kitchen hit the streets in January serving-up sandos, tacos and hot dogs with a stylish, modern twist.
Shellie’s innovative take on the classics is just as clever as the menu item names (such as: Parm for Pyros, Eggy Pop) and the eye-catching truck to offer a total experience that is crazy-delicious.
We’ve all noticed the explosion of taco trucks and eager chefs hitting the street. But there’s another — quieter — movement gaining traction in San Francisco…the “upscale” taqueria.
It seems like every few months, a new “upscale” taqueria is opening its doors in hopes of proving taco-crazed San Franciscans with its gourmet twist on the taqueria experience. The Marina has Tacolicious and Mamacitas, NoPa has Nopalito, the Lower Haight has The Little Chihuahua…and as of last April, the Pacific Heights district has Tacobar.
This week, I ventured off-the-beaten-path…to see what Carnitas Salvador was all about (a lesser known but acclaimed – at least on the ‘taco-street’ – take-out/deli/taqueria located in the Bernal Heights district of San Francisco). Sadly, Carnitas Salvador closed its doors. In its place stood La Cascada Taqueria.
Could La Cascada Taqueria be a ‘diamond in the rough’?
Los Compadres — which translates to “the godfathers” — is a little gem of a taco truck located on the corner of Spear Street and Folsom Street in the SoMa district of San Francisco. A location that marks Los Compadres as a stellar lunch spot for those who work at nearby Gap corporate or Google.
Their menu — while small and simple — includes tacos, quesadillas, and burritos filled with pollo asada (grilled chicken), al pastor (pork), carnitas (fried pork), carne asada (grilled beef) or lengua (tongue).
So let’s talk taco…
In Korean, namu means “tree”. It also means “dedicated to fusion”, and that’s what this Inner Richmond hotspot is all about — mixing the California Bistro concept with the flavors of Korea and Japan.
In 2009, Namu introduced the “real Korean ‘taco’” — which they claim to be a “culinary touche’” to the iconic Kogi taco truck in Los Angeles — to taco-hungry San Franciscan at the Ferry Building’s farmers market. It was an instant success.
I stopped by the other week to see if the taco lives up to the hype…
The Taco Guys hit the streets about a year ago on a mission to push the envelope and reinvent the taco. Their approach is one that blends socially progressive business practices with “ridiculously tasty” tacos made from local and sustainable ingredients.
They are passionate about food and it shows, dishing up tacos “fit for foodies.”
The Taco Guys are Jason Hoffman and Justin Close — two culinary artists with decades of experience working in some of the Bay Area’s most recognized restaurants, including: Azie, La Folie and Scott Howard.
One could say that El Tonayense is the street food “daddy” of San Francisco. The taco truck’s been serving up authentic Mexican street food for almost 2o years. In street food talk that is a long time!
The Santana family has successful built a taco truck empire – if that is possible. The success from their first truck led the family to add another; and then a handful more, a taqueria and a catering service. These days, El Tonayense taco trucks dot the city.
The El Gallo Giro taco truck parks on a quiet corner in front of a renovated city park. El Gallo Giro — which translates to “the twirling rooster” — may not be the most well-known taco truck in the Mission district of San Francisco, but it is one of the tastiest. And with taco prices ranging from $1.25 – $1.50, it is definitely one of most reasonably priced taco trucks around.
On a recent visit, I ordered a carne asada taco, a pollo taco and a carnitas taco. Each taco came with meat pilled on two wonderfully grilled corn tortillas topped with diced white onions, cilantro, and salsa. I prefer my tacos with a little kick, so I ordered mine with hot sauce. The plate of tacos came with a few lime wedges, slices of radishes and a pickled jalapeño. Fantastic!
Located in the Lower Haight district of San Francisco, The Little Chihuahua is an upscale, yet laid-back taqueria with a mission to make Mexican-inspired food using sustainable farming ingredients.
Their menu is extensive yet predicable: tacos, burritos, enchiladas, tostadas, pozole, tortilla soup, nachos and more. They also offer a kick-ass Mexican brunch menu which is available on the weekends until 3pm.
Hola El Huarache Loco!
This farmers market stand is a gem that brings the authentic flavors of Mexico City to San Francisco by way of delicious food….and quite possibly some of the best Mexican-style street food this city has to offer.
Their tacos are small and simple but packed with flavor. Menu offerings include:
Brass Knuckle isn’t your average mobile food truck. Seasoned chef Shellie Kitchen hit the streets in January serving-up sandos, tacos and hot dogs with a stylish, modern twist. Shellie’s innovative take on the classics is just as clever as the menu item names (such as: Parm for Pyros, Eggy Pop) and the eye-catching truck to offer a [...]
The Taco Guys hit the streets about a year ago on a mission to push the envelope and reinvent the taco. Their approach is one that blends socially progressive business practices with “ridiculously tasty” tacos made from local and sustainable ingredients. They are passionate about food and it shows, dishing up tacos “fit for foodies.” [...]
The El Gallo Giro taco truck parks on a quiet corner in front of a renovated city park. El Gallo Giro — which translates to “the twirling rooster” — may not be the most well-known taco truck in the Mission district of San Francisco, but it is one of the tastiest. And with taco prices [...]
Kung Fu Tacos is not your run-of-the-mill taco truck. Jonathan Ward and his partner Tan Truong put a new and modern twist on the traditional street-style taco to offer a pure fusion experience. “We take traditional Chinese dishes and give them a south of the border flair,” says Ward.
