Our group of 14 apparently famished participants met Lauren, our guide, in front of the Pirate Supply Store there on Valencia. I had been inside the shop before and had no idea of what it was about. Lauren began by sharing its history as a tutoring project turned into store/school due to its zoning.
Lauren was a reminder to use more of my vocabulary - she was a gifted speaker and concise and diverse in her word choice. Plus, her content was interesting - the history of the Mission District from pre-Columbian times thru the Spanish and Mexican eras and into the gold rush and modern times.
Now for the food: We started out at Craftsman & Wolves with one-half of a "Rebel Within" - an amazing muffin containing cheese and sausage bits with a soft cooked boiled egg in the middle. Wow! - how do they do that?
That was followed by a wonderful taco down on Mission Street, followed by a scrumptious pupusa at the Salvadoran restaurant across the street. Then a Margarita pizza slice from Delfinos and buckwheat cookie from Tartine. I was stuffed.
Plus, of course, we learned tidbits about the neighborhood around each restaurant and some of the restaurant history. A great way to spend a Sunday. Thanks, Lauren!