Bay Area Thread

[drgarage1]

Happy to hear what spots are good. I haven't been to Sonoma Taco shop nor Grilly's (I've been living right by it for almost a year and learned of it from the article), however San Jose was my favorite walkable spot when I worked in San Rafael. I think the Taco Shack's Al Pastor (Tuesdays only) is good but generally their tacos are much better than their burritos. The Farolito in San Rafael is just OK IMO. Had a good burrito in downtown Novato once but I forget the name of the place.

I mean, their big mistake is listing anywhere in Marin, honestly. Best choices are all in Sonoma County, with the GOAT being Estella's Market in Windsor.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/estrellas-market-windsor

Though again, their tacos are even better. But seriously, the greatest carnitas in Northern California.

 

[pen15clubmember]

I mean, their big mistake is listing anywhere in Marin, honestly. Best choices are all in Sonoma County, with the GOAT being Estella's Market in Windsor.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/estrellas-market-windsor

Though again, their tacos are even better. But seriously, the greatest carnitas in Northern California.

Nice. A bit too far to go just for burritos but it would pair will with a Russian River trip or something.

 

[theconductor]

I mean, their big mistake is listing anywhere in Marin, honestly. Best choices are all in Sonoma County, with the GOAT being Estella's Market in Windsor.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/estrellas-market-windsor

Though again, their tacos are even better. But seriously, the greatest carnitas in Northern California.

Though just about every taqueria in Sonoma County is great, my go to has always been the Rincon Valley location of Taqueria Santa Rosa. I have yet to find Mexican food that I prefer.

 

[coldstorage]

La Texanita for me when we are talking Santa Rosa. My first and last and always. Make sure to request the home made tortillas for the tacos. Best Pastor in Santa Rosa. Must hit spot for Russian River trips.

Happy to hear what spots are good. I haven't been to Sonoma Taco shop nor Grilly's (I've been living right by it for almost a year and learned of it from the article), however San Jose was my favorite walkable spot when I worked in San Rafael. I think the Taco Shack's Al Pastor (Tuesdays only) is good but generally their tacos are much better than their burritos. The Farolito in San Rafael is just OK IMO. Had a good burrito in downtown Novato once but I forget the name of the place.

Now that I think about it, drgarage makes a good point. Marin is basically a wasteland for this stuff. And also I havent been to san Jose in ten years so I shouldnt say for certain. My recollection was, big quantities to mask the lack of flavors. I'd rank Mi Familia, Picante or Cancun over San Jose. Id take Mi Pueblo or La Hacienda in Novato over San Jose too, although La Hacienda is kinda whitey but I grew up in Novato and that spot is in my blood.

 

[AndresR]

You Fn psychopaths and your ****** taste in tacos, smdh....

Anyway...

Working in Berkeley the next 3 weeks. Near Rare Barrel. Any must hit spots for lunch, etc? Hitting Berkley Bowl W today. Figure I should tick that spot.

 

[MrDave]

You Fn psychopaths and your ****** tasty in tacos, smdh....

Anyway...

Working in Berkeley the next 3 weeks. Near Rare Barrel. Any must hit spots for lunch, etc? Hitting Berkley Bowl W today. Figure I should tick that spot.

Whatever taco truck was in the parking lot Saturday was legit. Not sure if it's local to the neighborhood...

 

[bigstrunso]

Tacos El Rey is usually at TRB when they have a taco truck. Definitely top notch.

 

[CommanderofAwesome]

https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-mission-berkeley

Just listen to HQ L's review:

"

• HQ L.

3/22/2017
The best taco/ceviche places! I have tried so many mexican restaurants in the Bay area and La Mission is the best. The chicken and carnitas tacos are unbeatable, reasonably price, and always fresh. Ceviche is a must.

It is always open. Good for lunch, dinner, and mid-night hunger!

In addition, there is a parking lot in the back yard!"

 

[Gambit1]

Anyone been to Federation Brewing in Jack London yet? Not sure when they opened.

 

[Oaklandtraders]

You Fn psychopaths and your ****** taste in tacos, smdh....

Anyway...

Working in Berkeley the next 3 weeks. Near Rare Barrel. Any must hit spots for lunch, etc? Hitting Berkley Bowl W today. Figure I should tick that spot.

Vik's if you like Indian food.

 

[theconductor]

La Texanita for me when we are talking Santa Rosa. My first and last and always. Make sure to request the home made tortillas for the tacos. Best Pastor in Santa Rosa. Must hit spot for Russian River trips.

We're on to you. Guy Fieri decides where you eat Mexican!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/restaurants/ca/santa-rosa/la-texanita-restaurant

 

[coldstorage]

never saw that but they do have a big ass framed picture of him in the joint so I figured they were on his show or something. When I lived on Moorland Ave my neighbor in the backhouse turned me on to La Tex and that dude grows WEED bro so pretty sure he cancels out king bleaches squaredom

 

[drgarage1]

never saw that but they do have a big ass framed picture of him in the joint so I figured they were on his show or something. When I lived on Moorland Ave my neighbor in the backhouse turned me on to La Tex and that dude grows WEED bro so pretty sure he cancels out king bleaches squaredom

Beyond which, Fieri got his start in Santa Rosa, which I remind everyone I know up there when I get the chance.

 

[theconductor]

never saw that but they do have a big ass framed picture of him in the joint so I figured they were on his show or something. When I lived on Moorland Ave my neighbor in the backhouse turned me on to La Tex and that dude grows WEED bro so pretty sure he cancels out king bleaches squaredom

I made the mistake of going to his Johnny Garlic's restaurant in Roseville a few years ago. There is a shrine to him one the wall by the bar. Merchandise, accolades, and tv playing a non-stop loop of DDD episodes. I wanted to puke. And that was before I ate. . .

 

[BrandoSF]

 

[drgarage1]

Trigger warning, dude!

 

[CommanderofAwesome]

 

[Gambit1]

Anyone been to Federation Brewing in Jack London yet? Not sure when they opened.

Question buried by burrito talk - anyone tried Federation Brewing?

 

[CommanderofAwesome]

Question buried by burrito talk - anyone tried Federation Brewing?

I have not, but based on their website I hope they take their beer more seriously than their marketing. Reviews on their beer seem solid, but man do we need another Pale Ale/IPA/Blonde Ale producer? We already have enough breadth of boring ho hum brewers.

 

[coldstorage]

Im not talking about burritos man.

 

[matedog]

I have not, but based on their website I hope they take their beer more seriously than their marketing. Reviews on their beer seem solid, but man do we need another Pale Ale/IPA/Blonde Ale producer? We already have enough breadth of boring ho hum brewers.

I went there once because a friend wanted to go. Very forgettable beer. The space was interesting at least.

 

[stupac2]

Question buried by burrito talk - anyone tried Federation Brewing?

The two beers of theirs I had at the east bay beerfest during beer week were mediocre.

 

[jtmartino1]

I mean, their big mistake is listing anywhere in Marin, honestly. Best choices are all in Sonoma County, with the GOAT being Estella's Market in Windsor.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/estrellas-market-windsor

Though again, their tacos are even better. But seriously, the greatest carnitas in Northern California.

I'll enter my hat into this ring.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/mercado-and-taqueria-de-amigos-pescadero

Swung by on Sunday. Ridiculously good carnitas and worth a stop if you're driving the coast, along with some of the best salsa and pickled carrots/jalapenos around. Also a good stop for passing-through cyclists.

Gonna start going to Sante via Hwy 1 a lot more now (not to mention the death trap that is Hwy 17).

 

[AndresR]

I'll enter my hat into this ring.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/mercado-and-taqueria-de-amigos-pescadero

Swung by on Sunday. Ridiculously good carnitas and worth a stop if you're driving the coast, along with some of the best salsa and pickled carrots/jalapenos around. Also a good stop for passing-through cyclists.

Gonna start going to Sante via Hwy 1 a lot more now (not to mention the death trap that is Hwy 17).

The goat farm down get street from there also has some bomb ass goat cheese. You know, if you're into goat cheese.

 

[Xul1]

The goat farm down get street from there also has some bomb ass goat cheese. You know, if you're into goat cheese.

Can you enjoy the goats or just their cheese?

 

[AndresR]

Can you enjoy the goats or just their cheese?

There is a petting pen to enjoy, but not like a private area to enjoy the goats Louis CK style.

 

[Xul1]

There is a petting pen to enjoy, but not like a private area to enjoy the goats Louis CK style.

I don't need privacy, there's nothing to be ashamed of.

 

[theLostWizard]

I don't need privacy, there's nothing to be ashamed of.

Are you currently writing legislation?

 

[zieglemt]

Heading your way Friday morning. Staying with some friends in the Mission Fri/Sat, maybe Sonoma or Napa Sunday, and then Oakland or Berkeley Mon/Tues (Radiohead at the Greek).

In SF I'm thinking Cellarmaker (Giants game Sat), Almanac, and maybe Barebottle; and then Fieldworks and Drake's (?) on the east side as 'must' hits, brewery-wise.

Anything I'm missing? Or, am I wrong? Looks like Rare Barrel is closed Mon/Tues and I don't see us going over there over the weekend if we will be staying there Mon/Tues. Also, obviously the focus of going north is wine, and we've been to RR/Bear Republic/Lagunitas, anything newer up there?

Oh, and where should I get a burrito?

 

[rrryanc]

Heading your way Friday morning. Staying with some friends in the Mission Fri/Sat, maybe Sonoma or Napa Sunday, and then Oakland or Berkeley Mon/Tues (Radiohead at the Greek).

In SF I'm thinking Cellarmaker (Giants game Sat), Almanac, and maybe Barebottle; and then Fieldworks and Drake's (?) on the east side as 'must' hits, brewery-wise.

Anything I'm missing? Or, am I wrong? Looks like Rare Barrel is closed Mon/Tues and I don't see us going over there over the weekend if we will be staying there Mon/Tues. Also, obviously the focus of going north is wine, and we've been to RR/Bear Republic/Lagunitas, anything newer up there?

Oh, and where should I get a burrito?

Down the street (literally a block away) from Cellarmaker is City Beer Store, which can be worth a trip (they usually have a good, if pricy, draft list). Public House for the Giants game as well - they have their own entrance to the stadium and you can bring two beers in with you, plus go back and get more till the seventh.

In the east bay, Faction has an awesome location if not the most exciting beers. Napa has a Fieldwork as well, if you end up there on Sunday.