This weekend was quite lovely. The sun was shining, the wind was blowing and the joys of a Saturday in San Francisco were just revealing themselves. The day started with me, famished, trying to figure out what I was craving. I opened the fridge to a host of condiments and nothing to put them on. That meant, I’m eating out! Previously, I had been dying to try these Salvadoran delights called pupusas, which I now refer to as “pillows of love.” A pupusa, is a thick corn tortilla filled with anything from meats to cheeses to refried beans and vegetables. I actually did try them, but I got takeout and they were pretty good though not great. Suspecting they had potential, I had to go back and try them in house.
Balompie’s, is a Salvadoran restaurant located in San Francisco’s Mission district. The restaurant is small, but welcoming. There is a bar (beer & wine) with about six seats and approximately 15 tables inside and two tables outside, not huge. I sat down by the window, ordered a cappuccino and took a long look at all the kinds of pupusas they served. I say all, because I swear there were about 20.
I only ordered two, but damn they were good. My pupusas were made from corn flour, but they also make them with rice flour which is GREAT for people who have corn allergies.
My first pupusa was filled with Salvadoran veggies and cheese and it was very cheesy. My second papusa, and the one I adored, was filled with Chorizo and cheese. It was great! Pupusas are served with a side of vinegar slaw, very crunchy and seasoned with Oregano, and a side of salsa. It is imperative that these be eaten with the pupusa or you’re missing part of the experience.
At the end of the meal I was full, so full in fact, that all I could do was to waddle to the car and drive to a store where I could buy more food for later!
After my pupusa breaky I drove over to Sun Fat Seafood Company, a glorious fish monger, and picked up what I would inevitably scarf down later. I bought a dozen oysters, 1lb red snapper and 1lb salmon all for under $20. This place always has the freshest fish, a fantastic selection and some fish and oysters that are sustainable or local. It never smells fishy in this fish monger, only like the ocean. The service is quick and friendly and the prices are great.
Now that the fish monger was taken care of it was over to Rainbow. One must have fresh horseradish for the oysters and I do believe I was out of cheese again.
Saturday’s weather was stellar, the food was tasty (and a new cuisine for me) and did I mention that the husband does the oyster shucking? Well, he does, and that made for a most perfect Saturday. Sorry, but no pictures of the oysters. I was too busy slurping to be shooting.
Balompie’ Cafe
3349 18th St
(between Van Ness Ave & Capp St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 648-9199
Sun Fat Seafood Company
2687 Mission Street
San Francisco, Ca 94110
Phone: 415-282-9339
Fax: 415-970-9087
Monday – Saturday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday or Holiday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
