Student Recommendations to SF’s Cultural Hotspot
according to the SF Standard. Photo by Samantha Avila Griffin/SF Foghorn.
At the end of a winding ride on the 33 Muni line, passing San Francisco’s hills and a spectacular view of the city all the way through Mission Dolores Park, is the vibrant community of the Mission District. Restaurants, corner stores and markets, catering to any hungry student, line Valencia and Mission Street. From countless taquerias to Middle Eastern eats tucked in every corner, the possibilities are endless for any open minded and curious foodie.
Nestled on the corner of Valencia and 22nd Street, Boogaloos is one of many iconic spots in the Mission. It prides itself on “stuffing vegetarians and vegans silly and curing hang-overs,” as stated on the menu’s front page. The menu also details their history: “Two decades and many awards later, we are still rocking out breakfast and lunch at high speeds, still brewing the same famous cups of mind bending coffee.”
Caroline Blair, the owner of Boogaloos, has enjoyed the presence of young diners, including local college students, since the restaurant opened in 1994. “The people who were young when we started [Boogaloos] are now older, but they still come.” Blair always wants people to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere that Boogaloos has to offer: “[I] hope that it is uplifting and that [people] come and can have a good time.”
I recommend the Desayuno Tipico plate, complete with corn tortillas with the usual fixings of black beans, salsa and eggs of your choice, as well as the tart grilled plantain cake that is topped with tamarind sour cream. If you need a place that combines a hometown diner and a study spot, complete with a variety of groovy music, Boogaloos is most definitely for you.
Around the corner and a few streets down stands Samiramis Imports, which hosts a collection of fresh produce including dates and persimmons, a wide collection of spices including palestinian za’atar and beef shawarma rub, as well as sweet treats to snack on as you explore. Kathryn Clarke-Garcia, a junior art history and fine arts major, said she has a deep love for exploring the Mission, and recommends Samiramis’ pistachio maamoul, a cookie that Clarke-Garcia describes as one of the best desserts she has had in years. Clarke-Garcia paired her snack with a powerful conversation with the store owner, “We were really able to connect – to have [an] interfaith connection, seeing each other in [our] joint struggle for freedom.”
Born in Nicaragua, Clarke-Garcia finds familiarity in the Mission when seeking out the comforts of food from home. Beyond her top recommendation of Rinconcito Nicaraguense, Clarke-Garcia finds pieces of home in the people behind some of these restaurants. “The people are so kind – I feel this sense of community, this sense of love.”
“The best memories I’ve made in the past four years have been in the Mission,” said recent USF grad Mikayla Brown
Right down the street from Samiramis Imports is Tacos El Patron, which offers incredibly rich flavors. Highlights include the wonderfully salty and smoked carnitas, the spicy sauces to smother your tacos or burritos in, the powerfully sweet horchata with notes of cinnamon perfect for the incoming autumn, and their refreshing mango agua fresca.
Mikayla Brown, a recent USF alumna, has a long standing familiarity with the Mission District as it was the first neighborhood they lived in in the city, “It’s started to become the place I [know] as home in San Francisco, my home away from home…whenever I go over there it’s like a breath of fresh air.”
Brown recommends grabbing a bite at Panchitas #2 Pupuseria, which pairs pupusas with a tangy and smoky salsa, and for those of legal drinking age, Brown says “the best places to go out are in the Mission…if you want that real experience, [go to] the Valencia Room, Mothership and El Rio.”
Growing up in Denver, Colorado surrounded by Hispanic culture, visiting the Mission makes Brown sentimental. “[I am] wafted with those memories, the food and the music, and the people.” Brown encourages establishing consistency and familiarity with the Mission and its residents and restaurants. “It’s an exchange […] becoming a regular is one of the best things […] you know their name and they know yours, there’s just that connection, that’s what makes it feel like a community. The best memories I’ve made in the past four years have been in the Mission.”
Alex Resendiz, a senior english major, recommends Taqueria La Cumbre’s super nachos, where classic nacho toppings compliment a plate of french fries. She reminisces on enjoying this order with her family, especially with her younger family members. As a Mexican student from Southern California, Resendiz has had a craving for food that reminds her of familiar cuisine. “It makes me feel a little nostalgic […] it just brings a piece of home,” she said.
The Mission’s perceived high crime rate can drive students away; however, safety and exploration can coexist. Clarke-Garcia’s advice for anyone, especially young women, is to continue taking precautions but never stop adventuring. “Be cautious but don’t let people tell you that you don’t deserve to take up space in this city… Part of what we’re paying for by being here [is] this access to this city, and it’s a wonderful, beautiful city, and you shouldn’t be afraid of it.”
Editor-in-Chief: Jordan Premmer, Chief Copy Editor: Sophia McCrackin, Managing Editor: Jordan DelFiugo, Opinion Editor: Dakota Duran, Scene Editor: Elina Graham
