Mission Mission

Things you can buy for $3:

• Jimmy Buffett’s greatest hits
• This zine
• A gallon of gas, and then some, sometime soon, maybe

Enticing options indeed, but none of these things will satisfy your stomach like two quick and dirty street-style tacos from Taqueria Vallarta. The 24th Street shop may be closed for pigeon debugging, but that hasn’t stopped the neighborhood establishment from opening a fresh new squab-free spot on Mission next to the 16th Street BART, and they’re slinging tasty $1.50 taco treats like nobody’s business.

The toppings are simple, straightforward, and to the point — all you get are two tortillas, a heap of meat, and all the cilantro, onions, and salsa you care to pile on top. Shown here are the al pastor and carnitas, but if you’re feeling adventurous go for the cabeza, lengua, or crispy deep fried tripitas — they’re all tasty as hell and worth a try.

It’s a lovely day for a thunder lizard to laze upon the lawn. Get thee to the park!

You might not know it, but Mr. Pickle has a sister restaurant all the way out in Livermore. Things are different there – the fresh air and open blocks of suburbs have emboldened our brined amigo to jump up and start shaking his can in three dimensions like nobody’s business. This rare photo captures the majestic beast at work, working it.

Also, how batshit crazy is their website?

YesYesYes is a ripping new SF arts and culture magazine that is throwing a benefit show tonight at The Knockout at 9pm to raise funds to roll out their latest issue. The set list includes Lilac, Lemon Pretend, Tint, and Dj’s Lariq, and William Keihn, and sliding scale admission starts at $5 with all funds going to benefit the magazine. This is a great chance to check out some cool bands while supporting a new local publisher — they’ve already earned 75% of their Kickstarter goal and the deadline is this Saturday, so check it out if you can!

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They’re pulling them out of the oven now during Sunday Streets! (Sunday Streets is right now!)

Last night the Magic Curry Kart debuted its latest creation, the Thai basil burger – and it may be the best cross-cultural food mash-up since Zante’s Indian pizza. $5 a pop nets you a patty piled high with Thai basil, Sriracha mayo, mushrooms and deep-fried shallots – flavors that fuse to form a taste trifecta that ranges from spicy to sweet and savory.

Sound good? He’s setting up shop at Fabric8 at 22nd and Valencia RIGHT NOW so stop on by!

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Ah, spring – that special time of year when the sun’s axis showers the Mission with scores of light buttons in all shapes and sizes. This year’s crop is already looking brilliant – the past week’s abundance of sun and 80 degree weather has them bursting at the seams across the street from Hog & Rocks.

This week master-class Karaoke MC DJ Purple lit up the stage at the Make-Out Room with a pulse-pounding rendition of ‘Careless Whisper’ that could have sent Sexy Sax Man packing. He’ll be kicking off another edition of Ultimate Karaoke Dance Party tonight at 10pm at Jack’s Club, so if you’ve been perfecting your George Michael croon head on down and he’ll kick it up to 11.

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The answer is: both! See you at the park this weekend!

There’s a reason Elixir calls their weekend bloody mary special a “vodka salad bar”: at your disposal is a rack full of spices, a cabinet’s worth of sauces, and there’s nothing to stop you from shoveling a plate of pickled veggies into your pint. The historic saloon’s extensive spread of ingredients makes it the perfect stop for those looking for a liquid lunch in a glass or complete control over the minutiae of bloody mary mixology.

Suggested listening: Journey – Any Way You Want It

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