Ricky Rodriguez

2 weeks ago | theinfatuation.com | Patrick Wong |Julia Chen |Ricky Rodriguez

Skip the crowds praying for no fog at Pier 39 this Fourth and go to MadLab to stare at something colorful and pretty. The delicious kakigori here come leopard-printed in gold leaf, smothered with an excessive amount of salted yuzu whipped cream, or topped with a giant poof of cotton candy. It’s far more exciting—and frankly less annoying—than fighting for personal space at the Wharf. Whether you’re feeling out someone new or mounting a reprisal of your 400th date night, rely on Verjus.

1 month ago | theinfatuation.com | Julia Chen |Patrick Wong |Ricky Rodriguez

Follow the scent of sizzling carnitas to Don Chuy’s, a Mexican corner store in the Excelsior that serves one of SF’s best burritos. Tucked behind the aisles of pan dulce and tortillas, you’ll find a counter where you can order the super burrito with a hefty scoop of guacamole, and pickled carrots and jalapeños. Getting it with the carnitas—some of the crispiest within a seven-mile radius—is mandatory.

1 month ago | theinfatuation.com | Julia Chen |Lani Conway |Ricky Rodriguez |Patrick Wong

Any time someone new comes to town, they want a Mission burrito. You should absolutely take them to get one, even if they didn’t ask (but you already knew that). La Taqueria’s rice-less behemoth is certainly the most famous—and worth braving the line. They’re a glorious ratio of pinto beans to perfectly charred, perfectly fatty carne asada, and melty cheese inside a 13-inch tortilla.

1 month ago | theinfatuation.com | Julia Chen |Patrick Wong |Ricky Rodriguez |Will Kamensky

The portions of fried chicken from The Front Porch are generous, the meat is moist, and you could smell the seasoning coming off of each piece even during peak allergy season with no Claritin. But what we love most about it is the cornmeal crust. It’s delicate and thin—just enough to add some crunch but not cast a shadow on the meat. It’s our ideal ratio. It’s comforting to know that during drought season in California, we always have Chicken G’s fried chicken on reserve.

1 month ago | theinfatuation.com | Patrick Wong |Julia Chen |Lani Conway |Ricky Rodriguez

Every component of the Devil’s Teeth breakfast sandwich is in peak performance mode. Buttermilk biscuits are soft and buttery, scrambled eggs cook just until they border custard, and strips of bacon add a much-needed crunch. Always go for The Special, which includes avocado and a generous coating of their lemon-garlic aioli. The Outer Sunset bakery is packed on weekends, but their FiDi and Richmond locations have way shorter lines.