Goin' to California

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 9:35 am

Maybe treat you tards to a PET.

10 days, SF, Tahoe and Yosemite Sam Park are on the itinerary.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:43 pm

smackaholic wrote:

Maybe treat you tards to a PET.

10 days, SF, Tahoe and Yosemite Sam Park are on the itinerary.

Where you staying in SF?

Moving Sale · Post by **Moving Sale** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 6:39 pm

Don't come down this way. It REALLY sucks here.

Y2K · Post by **Y2K** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 7:03 pm

Moving Sale wrote:Don't come down this way. It REALLY sucks here.

Yeah it does, I'm gonna hate hitting some wineries, drinking IPA's at Firestone next Wednesday night working my way down the Brewery and hanging out on the patio at Creeky Tiki. Always a shitty time waking up to a new day at Avila. I guess I'll live though, someone has to do it. :grin:

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:20 pm

mikey, staying in not so lovely San Bruno. Right smack in the middle of Industrial park/mall hell and right in the takeoff path from SFO. That being said, it is a very nice joint. The Staybridge Suites. Has a nice little outdoor pool. We have a 1 bedroom suite.

Any recommendations on nearby real messican?

TiVO, no worries. We won't step a foot south of Watsonville. Actually, Yosemite might be south, but, it is safely east of your charming little burg.

Y2K · Post by **Y2K** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:57 pm

If you're looking for a great steak or Prime Rib I would suggest Broadway Prime in Burlingame just a mile or so south of where you're staying Broadway exit off the 101, also a cool little Irish Bar across the street. Traveling from Tahoe to Yosemite? I would suggest jump over from Southshore to Minden NV. then use US 395 down the eastern slope of the Sierra and going into Yosemite via Tioga Pass, not many motels or hotels when you enter the park though so you might end up staying at the southern (Hwy 41) entrance to the park. Bass Lake is nice and there's also some nice places right outside the park in the Fish Camp area or Oakhurst. Enjoy the trip.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 9:14 pm

smackaholic wrote: Any recommendations on nearby real messican?

Nope, but if you're in the city I can point you to an great Eye-talian place in North Beach:

http://etuttoqua.com/

An awesome Vietnamese place at the Fairy Building (we sat outside for lunch with a nice view of Alcatraz and the Bay Bridge):

http://slanteddoor.com/

And a cool hole-in-the wall French bistro just up the hill from Union Square at Bush and Stockton (right on top of the tunnel, and they're open late which, in that neighborhood, is almost unheard of):

http://www.yelp.com/biz/bouche-san-fran ... RyYg5yFPCg

Van · Post by **Van** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 9:40 pm

smackie, the best Mexican food in San Francisco is generally found in the Mission District. I wish I could recall the name of the place, but there's this one taqueria that's simply outstanding, and I highly doubt it's unique for that neighborhood. Just go down there and pick one. It probably doesn't matter which one you choose. Most of the places are incredibly busy hole-in-the-wall joints where the locals grab something quick and go, although you will see the occasional girl reading a book or perhaps a group of friends just hanging out. I even witnessed a spirited chess mini-tournament involving four games going on simultaneously before it erupted into a Russian free-for-all replete with overturned tables, tossed chairs, and more than an mvscal-esque invective or two loudly shouted in the Mother Tongue.

Here's the thing about those places, and I'm not even kidding: Be prepared for some ginormous portions. Some of the burritos they serve there would choke a Walmart shopper from Houston.

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 1:36 am

Went to Celia's on El Camino about 2 miles from our hotel.

Outfukkingstanding!

Had that burrito van mentioned. As good as it was big. Everything ekse was very good. Service was awesome.

Diego in Seattle · Post by **Diego in Seattle** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 5:26 am

I haven't eaten there in around 13 years, but there's a good mexican place just outside the southern gate of Yosemite in a town called Bass Lake. It's just as you enter the town on the left, and it's called El Cid

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 6:17 am

Is this a good place to start a discussion of burritos?

OK, there are big burritos, but if it's stuffed with a bunch of rice and beans you can keep it.

Meat (carne asada, carnitas, adobada, pastor, whatever), guacamole, a little onion, tomato and cilantro. All wrapped in a large flour tortilla. Several types of salsa available is a good thing. Limes on the side.

Personally, I like carnitas.

Rice and beans if you want them, fine, but they should be on the side.

A popular variation in San Diego is called a California burrito. Traditional fillings plus french fries. I think this is a remnant of the surf culture, where they need a lot of carbs to keep going. Not particularly fond of this variation either.

Goober McTuber · Post by **Goober McTuber** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 1:06 pm

I like a thin layer of refried beans smeared on the tortilla, and I'd probably also add some shredded lettuce, but plenty of meat, onions and guac.

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 1:18 pm

Goober McTuber wrote:I like a thin layer of refried beans smeared on the tortilla, and I'd probably also add some shredded lettuce, but plenty of meat, onions and guac.

You like pork swords, too, so who's surprised?

R-Jack · Post by **R-Jack** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 2:02 pm

And you wouldn't know a good burrito joint if the owner was dropping his huevos in your mouth.

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 2:45 pm

The burrito was the one that had pretty much a little bit of everything from the kitchen on it. Just the way I like it. What's up with the taco wagons pertty much every 1/4 mile along ECR? Are any of them good? I will have to give them a shot.

As for going out for a good steak, nahhh. I can get that at home. I 'spose if I was in KC, I'd get a steak. Here on the left coast i like to stick with messican/zipperhead cuisine. Prolly will do 1 good dago meal in North Beach though. The last time we were here we went to Mona Lisa's. I think that was the name. It was very good, kinda pricey, for Italian. May check out mikey's recommendation.

Moving Sale · Post by **Moving Sale** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 2:56 pm

Anything you can get in n beach you can get close to home
Try the Peruvian place in west portal or
House of Nanking with a drink at vesuvio (SP) which is up the street (hit city lights bookstore if you learn to read in the next day or so)
Or chachacha's in height/ash

For sight seeing try filofi down by your hotel and Sausalito on the other side of gg bridge
Might also want to eat at le cheval in the east bay

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 3:11 pm

Moving Sale wrote:Anything you can get in n beach you can get close to home
Try the Peruvian place in west portal or
House of Nanking with a drink at vesuvio (SP) which is up the street (hit city lights bookstore if you learn to read in the next day or so)
Or chachacha's in height/ash

For sight seeing try filofi down by your hotel and Sausalito on the other side of gg bridge
Might also want to eat at le cheval in the east bay

You are right about Italian. The northeast is chock full of good Italian, but, the OL wants to try some, and i will never pass up an opportunity to have good dago food.

WTF is filofi?

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 3:22 pm

smackaholic wrote:The burrito was the one that had pretty much a little bit of everything from the kitchen on it. Just the way I like it. What's up with the taco wagons pertty much every 1/4 mile along ECR? Are any of them good? I will have to give them a shot.

As for going out for a good steak, nahhh. I can get that at home. I 'spose if I was in KC, I'd get a steak. Here on the left coast i like to stick with messican/zipperhead cuisine. Prolly will do 1 good dago meal in North Beach though. The last time we were here we went to Mona Lisa's. I think that was the name. It was very good, kinda pricey, for Italian. May check out mikey's recommendation.

E Tutto Qua (apparently it means "everythign is here") is on the corner of Broadway and Columbus. The building it's in was supposedly the original Bank of America location when it was the Bank if Italy. Been there four or five times in the past couple of years and never been disappointed. I little pricey but very reasonable in comparison to other SF choices. They have great food and the service is very friendly. They are all Italian and they know their stuff.

It's in an interesting location. It's at the intersection of two main streets that cross sort of diagonally. Across Broadway is Big Al's, one of the original "gentlemens' clubs" in North Beach. Directly across Columbus is City LIghts Bookstore and publishers, which was basically the birthplace of the Beat movement in SF in the 50s (Ferlinghetti, Ginsberg, etc.). Jack Kerouac lane is an alley behind it. Go through Kerouac Lane half a block to Grant Ave. and you're at the northeast corner of Chinatown. One block down the hill and you'll think you're in Hong Kong.

First time I went there I was by myself on a business trip. It was a warm (by SF standards) summer evening and I was walking around looking for a place to eat. The restaurant has tables outside along the Broadway side so I sat there and listened to a jazz performance at the Beat Museum across the street while I ate my dinner and drank a few glasses if chianti. A very enjoyable experience.

The point is, I guess (and I'm prolly stating the obvious), San Francisco is a very friendly city for walking. Park somewhere close by go for a walk and then eat. Walk through Chinatown down Grant Ave. or Stockton, and Union Square is only 15 minutes. Go the other way and it's a short (but steep) walk to Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill. Fisherman's Warf is about a mile if you want to go there. I pretty much skip it anymore.

Goober McTuber · Post by **Goober McTuber** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 3:22 pm

smackaholic wrote:WTF is filofi?

Probably a transvestite hooker.

Moving Sale · Post by **Moving Sale** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 4:53 pm

It's a big ole house and gardens off the 280 south of SF.

And you can then drive over 92 to Half Moon bay (Go to maverick's even thought the waves are not huge in summer) for a killer seafood taco at the little place on the corner of 92 and 1 or hit the Hawaiian place a few miles up 1 and then finish driving 1 north to hook back up near your place.

Moving Sale · Post by **Moving Sale** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 4:57 pm

Mikey wrote: Directly across Columbus is City LIghts Bookstore and publishers, which was basically the birthplace of the Beat movement in SF in the 50s (Ferlinghetti, Ginsberg, etc.). Jack Kerouac lane is an alley behind it. Go through Kerouac Lane half a block to Grant Ave. and you're at the northeast corner of Chinatown. One block down the hill and you'll think you're in Hong Kong.

Nonsense. Go ACROSS JK 'Blvd.' hit Vesuvio and then DOWN the St to House of Nanking, if you want to hit Chinatown it's still just a block or two up the hill.

Fucking Armatures. :doh:

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 5:11 pm

House of Nanking is good for Chinese Food, especially if you enjoy sitting with strangers and getting cussed out by the waitstaff. Great food, though. I hit that place up on the same trip that I "discovered" E Tutto Qua. It was basically across the street from my hotel.

For Chinatown, Grant is more touristy but Stockton is more interesting of the two main thoroughfares. It's where you'll see piles of produce on the sidewalks and dead animals hanging in market windows.

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 5:14 am

Did alcatraz today. Pretty cool.

Then attempted to hop a cable car.

Yeah, right. They were fahking mobbed.

Walked through north beach to china town.

Ate at the New Moon restaurant. The OL said "I don't like the looks of it" That as a ringing endorsement. learned on my first trip to Chinatown to skip places that look nice. Look for locals, scores of hanging dead animals and apparent health code violations. This place had all three. Portions were ridiculously large. Flavoring of everything was good. CB's Sesame chicken was excellent. Lil miss smack's beef broccoli was more like german shepard broccorrl, but, the flavoring as good. My seafood combo was uhh, different. Ol's sweet and sour pork was almost good enough to make me like S&S. If I go back, i will stick with poultry dishes.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 5:27 am

Swear to god, why do women at Chinese restaurants always order either beef with broccoli or orange chicken? Those two dishes for women are like the Chinese food equivalents of Canadian bacon and pineapple pizza.

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 12:42 pm

There was one thing about the place that was a bit annoying. There cook apparently can only cook one thing at a time. Probably has ADD worse than I. Beef and broccorri came out first. Each dish followed maybe 5 minutes later than the previous one.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Sat Jul 28, 2012 1:40 pm

Do we really need a blow by blow account of everybody's Griswold Family vacation?

-Just left ________ tourist trap
-Just ate a burrito
-Just checked in at Days Inn

Jesus, you're supposed to be on vacation. Stay the hell away from this shithole unless you've got some hot chicks to post or something actually...interesting.

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:26 pm

Feel free to scroll on by, mblow.

I will agree that if you find me here wasting time in the middle of the day on vacation, I officially suck. I will however pop in in the morning or evening during downtime for ~~smacking~~ helpful advice from the bay area faggo... residents.

Moving Sale · Post by **Moving Sale** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 3:08 pm

But you didn't listen to any of it. Van said get Mex in the mission, you didn't listen. I told you HoN and you picked New Moon when HoN is 2 blocks away and then you didn't even get the duck which is the only good thing at NM. Mikey and I both said City Lights and you skipped that too even though it is one block from NM.

Why are we wasting our time trying to help your dumbass?

Goober McTuber · Post by **Goober McTuber** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 4:42 pm

Moving Sale wrote:But you didn't listen to any of it. Van said get Mex in the mission, you didn't listen. I told you HoN and you picked New Moon when HoN is 2 blocks away and then you didn't even get the duck which is the only good thing at NM. Mikey and I both said City Lights and you skipped that too even though it is one block from NM.

Why are we wasting our time trying to help your dumbass?

smackaholic wrote:There cook apparently can only cook one thing at a time. Probably has ADD worse than I.

Any more questions, pocket rocket?

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 5:39 pm

MgoBlue-LightSpecial wrote:Do we really need a blow by blow account of everybody's Griswold Family vacation?

...

Jesus, you're supposed to be on vacation. Stay the hell away from this shithole unless you've got some hot chicks to post or something actually...interesting.

Bwaha.

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 6:06 pm

The only redeeming part of this thread and yet another Zep tune that is better than Stairway,

Derron · Post by **Derron** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 7:33 pm

Each to his own for vacation I guess...

I will take this:

Over this any day:

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Sun Jul 29, 2012 5:11 am

No plans on meeting a board personality. Nothing against doing it though. I'd like to hang out with Van and listen to good live music and discuss bikes and why g0d never intended sports cars to have automatic trannies.

Speaking of trannies, hopped off the muni in Castro this morning for a walk around. We were a little early for the matinee. Too bad, I'll bet the double feature, "Silence of the trans" and "Bear City II" was quite spectacular.

Then we took the streetcar down to Embarcadero and walked along the piers. Somewhere around pier 13 or so, I realized we definitely weren't in Kansas anymore when we came upon a dude on a bike wearing nothing more than a smile. Lil miss smack got some good posterior shots, but chicken out on the money shot. CB just stared with a nervous laugh. OL told me to call 911.

Was kinda hoping the SFPD would show up and tazor the fukk outta him. Maybe twenty minutes later we passed a group in full on Quaker/Mennonite gear. I think they were quakers, you know, old dudes with straw hats, beard, no stache. Women in ankle length skirts and funny hats. I thought to myself how awesome it would have been to get them and nake bike dude in the same shot.

Tried to get in E tutto Qua for dinner, but it was res. only, so we walked up the street to the stinkin' Rose. I ate there the first time I was in SF back in nearly twenty years ago. It was excellent and I will smell like ass for at least 3 days.

R-Jack · Post by **R-Jack** » Sun Jul 29, 2012 3:09 pm

smackaholic wrote:No plans on meeting a board personality.

Good. I'm busy.

If I don't do some yardwork today, visiting me would be a cure for homesickness.

Y2K · Post by **Y2K** » Sun Jul 29, 2012 7:13 pm

Smackman, I'll be in the city all day with the wife and kid for the Giants vs Mets game tommorow, stop by Gordon Biersch Embarcadero (under the bay bridge) around 4 and I'll buy you and the wife drinks if you're still in town. Heading from there to the 21st Amendment Brewery for IPA's around 5:30 then off to the game. Give me a shout out at thesmackbat@yahoo.com if you're so inclined and I'll fire my cell number at ya. Hope you're having a great time out here on the left coast.

R-Jack · Post by **R-Jack** » Sun Jul 29, 2012 7:34 pm

Actually, if I knew I could get outta work early. I'd crash the party.

You two wouldn't be too hard to find as most folks out there to care about their personal appearance.

poptart · Post by **poptart** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 4:20 am

Mgo wrote:Do we really need a blow by blow account of everybody's Griswold Family vacation?

-Just left ________ tourist trap
-Just ate a burrito
-Just checked in at Days Inn

Jesus, you're supposed to be on vacation. Stay the hell away from this shithole unless you've got some hot chicks to post or something actually...interesting.

RACK!

Keep your Fakebook posts out of here.

I get enough of that tedius tripe when I have to log on there and interact with human beings I'm supposed to give a shit about.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:25 am

poptart wrote:
I get enough of that tedius tripe

The irony is thick here.

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Sun Aug 05, 2012 4:37 am

Greetings from the SFO USO. Any of you fukksticks miss me?

It's been a fun 10 days. The last 7 days have been spent in Tahoe and Yosemite. Mostly out of reach of the interwebs. Yes, I know you folks think that is a good thing, and it was. Tahoe was just like I remembered it. Absolutely perfect weather. I think clouds are banned there from june to september. Did a few hikes and jumped into fallen leaf lake for a swim. What a gorgeous place. After 3 days of that, we went to Yosemite and camped at Tuolemne Meadow. This just may be the best place in the universe to camp for a few days. Did a few hikes and took multiple swims in various pools on the Tuolemne just upstream from the campground. Rack dick cheney and whomever else is responsible for global warming as it has made the water there tolerably warm for more than a few minutes. Could have spent the whole day there. My kids have informed me that I may as well tear down our pool as they are spoiled when it comes to swimming hole locations.

BTW, I should be able to throw together a PET within the next weeks. I am certain you wytches out there will give it your depraved best.

Y2K · Post by **Y2K** » Sun Aug 05, 2012 5:58 pm

Nice!
Best place to camp in the whole park.
Yosemite is awe inspiring, glad you had a great time.