5 Things Midtown Needs From San Francisco
Double Double w/ Cheese (and grilled onions)
I was in the Bay Area over the weekend, and was able to partake in five things that Midtown Lunch desperately needs! #1 is the most obvious… and has been mentioned a million times before: In N Out Burger! Because everything is sourced fresh from the west coast, it’s unlikely that this will happen anytime soon- but there is no reason we shouldn’t be able to get the other four things!
#2. A burrito that is 2/3 the size of a 3 month old baby.
Oh, and it should be able to stand up on its own. None of this fork and knife bullshit. This carnitas burrito came from (what I thought was) a nothing place in Mountain View, California (but apparently is well known), called Taqueria Los Charros. And it was 1000 times better than anything I’ve ever had in New York City.
#3. Enormous tacos. Sure we have Tehuitzingo (on 10th Ave. btw. 47+48th) and the El Rey Del Sabor Cart (on 60th and 3rd) has finally brought some delicious Mexican food to Midtown… but these were on a-whole-nother level. The carnitas (on the right) was awesome, but the cabeza (on the left) was ridiculous. And I’ve never seen tacos with this much meat in them. Delicious salsa verde on every table sealed the deal. (From La Taqueria in the Mission… thanks to the Foodbuzz crew for the recommendation!)
#4. Good Vietnamese Food. We finally got an out of control Banh Mi place (even though it is out of bounds), and you can now get generic deli versions of bun and pho from Boi Sandwich on 3rd Ave. (btw. 44+45th) But this city has a real problem with decent Vietnamese food. Once again, I went to some hole in the wall place in Mountain View, that isn’t even considered that good- and had a better bun (with pork and spring rolls) than anything you get in NYC. Is this stuff really that hard to make!?!
#5. This crazy version of a cheap Chinese food buffet. As a lover of cheap Chinese food of all kinds (I’m seriously addicted to the stuff) I was amazed by this buffet at one of the 99 Ranch Supermarkets. I’ve had all you can eat cheap Chinese food. I’ve had pay by the pound cheap Chinese food. And of course, I’ve had the choose 2 items with rice or noodle Chinese food. But this blew me away… a $6.95, stuff all food you can into a Styrofoam container, cheap Chinese food buffet (in a grocery store! Awesome.) They did have two rules: only rice and noodles in half the container, and you have to be able to close the lid. Done and done. The check out person offered the guy in front of me extra fried calamari (free of charge) but didn’t do the same for me. I guess he thought I had take enough:
So great. And to top it off, they had a lot of more authentic Chinese foodstuffs, like salt and pepper shrimp, and pork chops. Oh… and (!?!) around the corner from this buffet they had a separate dim sum buffet. They should just rename this place “Zach’s Heaven”. None of it is what you would call “great”, but I had so much fun the lack of quality didn’t really bother me.
Well, I guess as long as we’re talking cheap chinese food, I have to add a #6.
Panda Express!!! (Eaten on I-5 from S.F. to L.A., where I am today.) Their noodles and orange chicken are cheap Chinese food nirvana.
If we could just get a few of these things in Midtown, I would never have to go to the west coast again… well, except for the weather. I hear it’s pretty crappy in NYC today. Sorry, I feel your pain. (If it makes you feel better, it’s raining in L.A. today.)
Posted: 12:30 pm, March 2nd, 2009 under San Francisco.
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60 Comments
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“Cabeza” means “Head”..So although there’s lots of meat in that taco, what SORT of meat is it?! :-\
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The pic of Harry rules (I think that’s his name right?) He is freaking smiling with that burrito on him! You gotta love a kid who likes to eat and smiles when food that is half the size of him rests on his tummy! To some people, that may be uncomfortable, but to people like Harry and me, that is pure bliss…!
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Zach, he is so adorable. Don’t you think he’s looking at you thinking “Dad, this one’s mine, get your own, I don’t want to share?”
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chick-fil-a
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i’m not even sure there are any there, but we still need one
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If I had that burrito on me, I’d be smiling just like that. and that chinese food is sooo beatiful to look at!
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Careful Zach … baby w/ burrito = Dingo Bait
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I could really go for a sandwich from Specialties Cafe. Their bread is soooo good.
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some could argue that showing us all these delicious pictures from the other coast is akin to torture. stop doing this to us, zach!
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1. Los Charros isn’t a nothing place but rather a known mecca. One of the top 3-5 burritos in the Bay Area. E.g. http://www.burritophile.com/editorial_review.php?rid=30&pid=10&uid=3 I will agree with you however that it’s tremendo.
2. La Ta is only ok, IMO. Burrito al pastor from Farolito my fave in SF proper.
3. I have to say I’ve never had truly good Vietnamese in SF. Not better than even the basic places in Manhattan C’town. I’m sure there are hidden treasures but in general I’ll take NYC. (sue me!)
4. Ditto on Chinese. I think you’ll be hard pressed to top Szechuan Gourmet in mainline Bay Area. I’m sure there are off the beaten-track treasures but SG in our own backyard — and field trips to Little Pepper and spicy/tasty — nothing to sneeze at.
p.s IMO Tulcingo beats the stuffing out of Tehuitzingo.
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I’m disappointed there is no Indian. Dude, SF is all about good Indian Food!!!!
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Anyone have any recs for tacos or burritos in the OC??? Going to Disney!
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I love In & Out a whole lot too but if I was on the west coast I’d be eating them and thinking about a double Shack burger – great too, and probably more consistent, and the custard shakes are better.
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@ Jack Barber – I agree that La Taqueria’s burrito was not that great, but the tacos were probably the best I’ve ever had.
And you’re on crack about the Vietnamese food. Sorry! Everyone is entitled to their opinion… but the Vietnamese restaurants in NYC are mostly run by Chinese people! You can occasionally find a decent meal in New York, but in SF there are good, cheap Vietnamese places everywhere! I think it’s universally accepted that there is very little good Vietnamese food in NYC.
@Wayne – and only twice the price & twice the wait! :-)
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I want to make sweet love to that burger. Then never call it back.
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@Zach:
I’m more of a meth guy, to be honest.
You should definitely expand your taco horizons if La Ta are best you ever had.
re. Viet, all I’m saying is that I’ve been taken over the years to a half-dozen supposedly great and authentic Vietnamese places in the Bay Area — Valley, SF proper, and E Bay — and none were all that.
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I am printing out the In and Out photo and wallpapering my apartment with it.
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In & Out Burgers are the best!! I have to agree with Zach that there are no good Burrito places in NYC and Tacos are way to small here. The closest decent East Coast burrito resides in Boston (Anna’s).
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Speaking of the sad shape of Vietnamese food here, I was in Boston and went to a couple of literal hole-in-the-wall places for banh mi. For under $3 each I got excellent sandwiches that put anything I’ve had in NYC to shame. Even at twice the price. Baoguette–eat my shorts!
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Zach’s in LA today? If you want a food escort to take you where the Mexicans go for Mexican food, shoot me an email. Also, if you want a cheap Chinese sit-down meal at a place where the Chinese go for Chinese food, I’ve got that department covered too.
PS – Ask for your In-N-Out Double-Doubles “Animal Style”. You wont be disappointed!
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OMG, Zach, that is my exact food itinerary whenever I’m in SF, where I grew up. Except for the cheap Chinese, I don’t share your affinity for it as much, but def In N Out and a big veggie burrito (that is my go to flight back meal). Just tried the roach coach, El Tonayese (?), in the Mission on the last trip and that is the best…esp the tacos.
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You can do that to me too Anastasia. I can handle it.
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Wayne, you’re no man of mine. How dare you!
In and Out is 110 times better than shake crap. Sheesh. -
Zach, thank you for those photos of your SF vacation, it certainly cheered up my nor’easter plagued lunch hour!
Also, as to point four, can anyone recommend a vietnamese place they like in the city for things other than just bhan mi? I’ve had to trek out to Joisey to enjoy the rice noodle dish (bun thit nuong)? Zach had pictured.
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wayne, get me an in and out burger and we’ll talk. Don’t bother with the fries. Mama would just hit me and take them from me anyway.
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Now who is rubbing it in Mamacita! Now who!!!!
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Is this a secret thread hijack from http://www.thisiswhyyourefat.com ?
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I would put the Shack Burger up against an In-n-Out any day. They are both top-notch ‘regular’ burgers (as opposed to huge behemoth patties) and neither is really better/worse than the other. Of course, InO is generally faster. But I live by the Shack and can pop over any time when there’s no line, so the wait is not an issue for me.
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This is a major food porn photo. Drooooling at the computer!
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do you want me to hate you now, or later? because i hate you now.
btw, if you pick up a double-double right before getting on the plane back, I’ll pick you guys up and drive you home. I’m serious.
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I think I gained 2 stone on my trip to LA. I was literally at In & Out within 15 minutes of landing at LAX.
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I used to go to Los Charros everyday in high school, that place is incredible
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Should Zach be pointed towards Tommy’s for a double chili cheese burger? That would be the chili that literally turns your fingers yellow/orange after eating one of those gut bombs. Oh, so, yummy.
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Zach, take some time in LA to grab chicken and waffles, preferably at one of the Roscoe’s locations, you won’t be disappointed.
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Seriously, you can get better versions of the “chinese” food and vietnamese food listed above in Chinatown or Flushing, both one train ride away from midtown. Also, go to Blue 9 (near NYU) for burgers. It’s not In-N-Out but it’s close enough.
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Blue 9 is NOT anywhere close to In-n-Out. Even their ‘medieval style’ burgers. Nowhere near as juicy, tasty, cheesy. If you like In-n-Out, you will be DISAPPOINTED or PO’d by Blue 9. Better to grab a shackburger.
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what?! it is universally known that viet food in nyc sucks?? i always thought viet food in new york was good! the restaurants i frequent, the entire staff are vietnamese (even though some understand/speak chinese, it is only something they picked up after moving to nyc). i’ll have to ask my viet friends about this and let you know.
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@buns – i should probably have clarified that I meant Manhattan (specifically Chinatown). I’ve heard that there are good places in the outer boroughs… but nowhere near what they have on the west coast.
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I have to say that the photo of your baby used as a scale for measuring a burrito has to be one of the best images I’ve ever seen. We always joke about getting burritos the size of an infant, but you’ve actually gone and proven it.
BTW, next time you’re in SF, check out the blog Burrito Eater for the up to date reviews.
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Woowee! I thought that double double was the pic of the day until I scrolled down and saw your burrito scale. Never seen a cuter or sweeter-natured one! I’m going to go hug my architectural scale now.
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Adam in LA, you are the man. Do you know Tommy’s now does breakfast??!? I tried their chili breakfast burger and the burrito last time. Not that great, but hell, you know, had to try it.
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Mamacita, what is this you speak of? Tommy’s and breakfast, together in the same sentence? Clearly I need to don the ML West Coast Correspondent hat….. I mean, bib….. and get myself to a Tommy’s, stat! I can feel the sweet sweet tummy ache as I type…
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For SF Viet nonpareil, you must Tu Lan: http://notfortourists.com/ListingDetails.aspx?city=SF&listingID=839725
Total honorary west coast Midtown Lunch material.
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That is one seriously adorable kid! He looks ready to scarf down that burrito.
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The In-N-Out photo was awesome enough, but then you had to go and add Harry and the burrito! Best (and cutest) food measurement device ever!
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Bistro Burger and Clown Alley. City View for Dim Sum and San Jose Tacqueria in San Rafael under the overpass off 3rd street is the best burrito joint. Mi Casita and the Guerneville Taco Truck in Sonoma County on the Russian River are the only places to eat.
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Didn’t mean to be anonymous above…
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@ Rax and @Zach:
Tu Lan, for example, which Rax mentions above — is absolutely not good foodwise.
Character I’ll grant.
However the food is nowhere near as good as the (god forbid CHINESE) Nha Trangs of the NYC Chinatown world.
Tell me where all these great Viet places in the Bay Area are and I’ll happily try them next trip. I’ve eaten at Tu Lan five times however, and it’s not great.
p.s. For the avoidance of doubt, I’m talking SF, not LA. LA has many many Asian places that put anything in NYC (except maybe Flushing szechuan) to shame.
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There was only one in and out Burger in San Fran that I saw online so i didn’t make it out there. I think they are more prevalent in LA. I did go to Joe’s Cable Car (it was Ok).
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I have eaten at Tu Lan dozens of times, taken Viet family there, and we all agree, it is the business.
Obviously a matter of opinion. It is greasier than some(certainly more gut busting than Nha Trang or Thai Son), but so fulfilling and flavorful, and definitely in the spirit of the places Zach covers here.Pho Tan Hoa also fits.
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All this West Coast talk and craptastic weather is making me wish I never left LA for this NYC hell…
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I think it’s very strange that a true, good, SF-style burrito place doesn’t open in Manhattan.
Even Boca Grande in Boston was always a zillion times better than anything I’ve had here. I’m not saying they serve real Mission burritos there, just that they do a better job on burritos than any place I’ve been to here in NYC.
I find it hard to believe that some burrito chef who knows how to do it hasn’t migrated to NYC from SF and given it a shot. Lord knows the lack of Mission-style burritos in NYC has been bitched about on food blogs as long as there have been food blogs.
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Corretion, Not Mi Casit but rather Taqueria LA Tapatia is the place in Guerneville BEST EVER.
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There are plenty of tasty Vietnamese places in NYC. We do a far better job of importing authentic tasting Viet. than we do most other Asian cuisines.
However, although the addition of Banh Mi joints is welcome, they rarely measure up to the street eats one can enjoy in Vietnam.
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Grace:
For good mexican food in OC, go to Taco Mesa. The closest one to Disneyland is in Costa Mesa. The food is a little more upscale than your average tacqueria, but it is exceptionally scrumptious.
http://www.tacomesa.net/ -
@MAB – Shit… I probably should have also clarified that I didn’t mean Banh Mi. There is amazing Banh Mi in NYC… but for traditional Vietnamese food, I have not been able to find anything in Manhattan better than “just decent” (i.e. pho and bun)
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First- omgs omgs omgs Harry is so. damn. cute. That little half smirk just stole my heart. Oh.my.gosh!!!
Ok, baby gushing aside, I was fine with you saying that there’s none of these things in MIDTOWN… but I actually feel kind of offended that you said there’s no good Vietnamese in ALL OF NYC. My fave place (in Elmhurst, Queens) beats out any place I’ve ever been to (Toronto & SF – I stopped trying to find a better place) – and it’s got the nitty gritty dirty feel to it too. Well, it IS dirty. But it’s damn delicious. -
Oh, sorry, I just skimmed the comments (I went straight to comment cuz I was so riled up) and I see that you’ve clarified a bit. I take it back. I’ll take you to my “secret” place sometime and you can tell me why it isn’t as good as the places in SF. And perhaps on my next trip to SF (this August) I’ll check out some Vietnamese places there :)
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[...] took a little bit of heat for saying there was no good Vietnamese food in Manhattan (banh mi excluded, obviously), but that doesn’t mean I don’t keep trying to prove [...]
i would give my left arm for a carnitas taco from la taqueria right now. instead i have leftovers and 6 inches of snow. damn you!