Mission Mission

So says our buddy Kiya from Self Edge, currently abroad. Here are some pics to prove it:

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Yum!

(Thanks, Jefe!)

Boy do I love this guy. You can catch him operating out of a truck on 22nd and Bartlett by Revolution Cafe. The only distinguishing markings on his truck are “Lucero Produce, Daly City”. I don’t know if this is Mr. Lucero himself, but let’s just call him Señor Coco:

Order a coconut for 3 bucks, and he expertly opens it for you with 2 carefully placed chops of the cleaver. He doesn’t seem to mind high-velocity coconut debris flying out in every direction, so I suppose you shouldn’t either. He sticks a straw in and there you go, the freshest and best-tasting coconut juice around. This is quite a contrast to the pleasant young folks at Bi-Rite who will do the same, but based on the time it takes they are probably scratching their heads in the back room for a while looking up “how to open a coconut” Youtube videos on their smartphones.

Here’s the real edge: when you’re done drinking the juice, bring it back. He’ll crack it open, scrape out the pulp, and serve it mixed with chili powder, lemon juice, and salt in a ziplock bag. If you’re in a hurry and want to take everything to go, he’ll dump the juice in another ziplock bag and chop it up for you in one session. His regulars seem hip to this, since the wait can get long.

The first time I visited Señor Coco, he spoke to me completely in Spanish, but not in a “I’m not gonna speak English for you, yuppie scum” kind of way. It was more like a “you seem like a pretty smart guy who might know some Spanish” kind of way. It’s sorta true. I studied Spanish for 4 years in high-school.  This means I just suck at Spanish as opposed to not knowing Spanish at all. I cobbled together some phrase that demonstrated I knew the subjunctive tense and he laughed. This dude is always in an awesome mood.

I asked if he’s here every Saturday and Sunday and he says “yes, señor, I’ll be here waiting for you!” Couldn’t tell if he’s just bullshitting with me about his availability, but I’ll definitely be checking again next weekend.

Reader Melanie delivers the good news in the comments section of a previous post about pierogi parties:

Pierogies can now be found in the mission!!! Giordano Bros (16th and mission) has three varieties: cheese onin, swweet potato and serrano and jack cheese. yummy yummy in my tummy. check it out!

Yay!

Hidden Paradise Cafe has been operating from within Mission Market for at least several months now, but I’m pretty sure this “BAR & GRILL” business is brand new. Can’t wait to see what’s inside!

(Thanks to reader Chris T. for the pic.)

All this talk about the best burrito in the city seems to have whet the appetite of more than a few folks, including our pal Emily who had some friends visiting and used the opportunity to engage in a blind burrito taste test to systematically decide on the best vegetarian burrito in the Mission (because we all know the best vegetarian burrito in the city has already been crowned).  Sounds like a rad way to spend a sunny day in the park!  Check out the results (including a winner with which we’re quite comfortable) and astute methodology here.

And if you ever happen to get tired of the Mission (I know, blasphemy), Emily’s blog, Butter Date, offers another nice look into hanging out in Oakland should you ever feel the need to traverse across the bay.  Go forth and conquer!

Got in touch with our pal Rob behind the bar:

me: 1. Is Blind Cat open Monday?

Rob: Yes and yes.

And YESSSSSS!!!!

Here’s what we had to say about this gem in our original review:

That’s right — it’s green, baby. Tomatillos, chiles, jalapenos, garlic and a touch of habanero. I think there’s a splash of Torpedo Ale in there. Marinated radish garnish. And hot. Real hot.

Monday afternoons only, some time after 1:00. Blind Cat (formerly Dirty Thieves AKA Treat Street). Free barbecue too. Might want to call ahead for a more exact time if you’re on a tight lunch schedule.

Damn! Now’s your once-in-a-lifetime chance, office drones and folks in town just for the weekend for a wedding or whatever!

Oh, and I guess it’s possible there’s still some Old Style left too? And of course one of the best early bird specials in town will be in effect all afternoon too.

Or maybe they’re all gone already. But it’s probably worth heading over quick. At the very least, you can take advantage of the Early Bird Special:

(Thanks, Rob!)

We ran into our buddies Jen Gann and Andi Mudd at Bender’s last night and we were like, “Why aren’t you eating tater tots!?” And they were all, “Because we just ate at PALACE STEAK HOUSE, doy!” Then we said, “How was it? Wait, no, tell us about it later — in an email.” Here’s the email:

After work, we headed over to the newly reopened Palace Steak House. Due to the idiosyncratic dining-room design, we were denied immediate seating. The wait at the bar, however, yielded fruit. Perhaps because our party of three took up four stools (the fourth stool claimed by an overwhelming balloon bouquet), our waiter inquired about the occasion.  We admitted to a birthday in our midst, and almost instantaneously received two slices of cake. We nibbled these delicacies while sipping self-obtained cans of Budweiser. Both were encouraged.

Once seated, our party ordered without hesitation: three T-Bones, baked potatoes, and garlic bread. Everything was exactly as expected. Highly recommended.

And here’s a related IM conversation:

Jen: Andi and I just sent you an email.
me: Reading now.
So excited!
Wait, BYOB?
Jen: Totally!
me: Whoa.
Jen: They just whisper to you, “If the beautiful princess wants to drink…”
me: Whoa!
I love this place.
Jen: Yeah, it makes that unfriendly corner friendly.

What a review! Thanks, Jen and Andi!

[via Sleepner]