Breakfast Sandos at Devil's Teeth Baking Company

Luckily, after many cold July days, we got a nice dose of of sunshine, making for a breezy Sunday Funday! The girls met up at Devil's Teeth Baking Company, located in the Outer Sunset, just a about a block or two away from Ocean Beach.

The line for this place was out the door, but like any foodie's favorite location in San Francisco, if there's a wait... it's usually worth it. Stephanie and Nisa got there early and were kind enough to wait in line for both Abbie and myself.

The Good Eats

bacon, beer, cheddar, onion muffin

When we finally made our way to the counter, there was a list of things that made it hard to choose! My first pick was their breakfast sandwich ($5.50). I also picked up 2 beignets ($1 each, how could you not) along with an iced coffee (~$4). 

bacon breakfast sandwich

The breakfast sandwich was about another 20 minute wait, but we didn't mind waiting outside on their sidewalk patio. To get something in my stomache quickly, at the last second, I grabbed one of their bacon, beer, cheddar onion muffins (~$2.50). Great idea.

We got our sandwiches and it was definitely worth the wait. Crunchy bacon, melted cheese, fluffy scrambled eggs all in the middle of a flaky biscuit. I may need to make this a regular trip.

Great to note for my fellow pawrents: this place is fur pal friendly! Devil's Tooth Bakery had a dog treat jar, and it may be a similar delicious treat to the human's cheddar biscuit we happened to buy. Nisa's dog, Xena, loved them.

$1 beignets up close and personal 

Sidewalk Fun

The sidewalk is a busy, fun, and social place for a Sunday morning. Alongside families, and locals riding in on bikes, everyone seemed to be enjoying their time on the front patio area. We were even approached by the friendliest little girl playing with flowers, and hung out around us to pet Xena.

Chalk it up

Devil's Teeth Baking Company leaves out sidewalk chalk to draw as you please. Steph took the reigns as our artist for the day.

Before heading home, we walked a block away to the beach. While Xena got to run around, and the others relaxed, I walked the beach back and forth looking for some water Pokemon. That was the cherry on top of this well spent Sunday.

Summer Date at the County Fair

Tigran and I made a trip out to Pleasanton during 4th of July weekend for a Saturdate of carnival foods and games. After all these foggy days in the city, I finally was able to throw on some summer clothes before we headed out to the hotter side of the Bay Area.

Growing up, it was normal for me to visit the Contra Costa County Fair each summer, held in my hometown of Antioch. It was fun, but didn't consider it too large in size. Of all the county fairs in the Bay Area, the Alameda County Fair has always been one I've heard is worth attending, and I got to experience this one for my first time with Tigran.

carnival food 

By the time we got there, we were starving holding out for carnival food. The food is half the reason worth going! We were too quick to the bite to get many foodie pictures. As usual, Tigran's craving lead him to order a bacon cheeseburger with a giant side of curly fries. Literally, the fries were almost the size of my face. The burger could have easily been the side.

For me, I went with favorite, good ol' American barbecue. They had one barn-looking booth named "Big Bubba's Barbeque". You could see their oversized smoker cooking from a distance, and from that came a pulled pork sandwich that was beyond words. Give. me. more. 

Thirst Quenchers

Throughout the fair, there were a few breweries or booths with beers on tap. Coincidentally, on the day we attended, it was the 'Red, White and Brew' fest. It was really hot in the Dublin area, so they sure cooled him off.

Seriously, my heat tolerance is so low after getting used to San Francisco weather!

For me, I'm a whiskey girl. Luckily, I found a booth that served spiked slushie cocktails. I went with the Jack Daniel's honey punch and it was the best thing I had that day. 

Attractions and entertainment

We wandered around the fairgrounds without a plan in mind, and found ourselves inside the animal area, and found this little fella in the chicken hatchery. We didn't bring it home, nor any other animals, but they were adorable to look at!

Right next to the carnival area, there was a demolition derby happening and we were able to catch a bit of the show. 

I got a kick out of all the feet massage chairs that were placed around the fairgrounds. I ended up sitting in one just for the sake of waiting for Tigran when he made a quick stop.

I couldn't help but laugh seeing them around. Vibrating feet chairs looked a little like those weight-loss gimmicks in the malls. My curiosity got the best of me... I stuck a quarter in it, and my feet actually felt revived. If you see these at a fair this summer, they are worth the twenty five cents spent.

Step right up!

The Alameda County Fair rides were impressive. They were large in size and there were so many of them, and this was separate from the large kid carnival area they had. The bright carnival colors, large stuffed prizes and carnival game melody rang in every direction. For a San Francitizen, for once it really felt like Summer.

I promise he's happier than he looks! :)

Family Gathering Friendly

Something we noticed at the Alameda County Fair was how many families used the annual event as a larger family reunion gathering. Large groups came equipped with wagons full of food, easy-up tents, and chairs, and took turns looking over the spot throughout the day, while others ventured to attractions. I never thought about setting up a picnic in the middle of the fairgrounds, but it's actually a popular idea. Next year, we'll keep that mind and make a day-long thing!

After a fun date and tired feet, the sun began to go down, and we called it a day. This Saturdate was a success to say the least, and one thing checked off the summer bucket list.

The Must-Have Happy Hour at Picaro Restaurant

Reaching my mid-twenties, I've become so appreciative of both a good meal, and genuine friendships I've maintained over the years. With a majority of my friends well into their careers, making time for one another to share a good meal together after a long day at work is something I cherish a lot. 

Earlier this week, not only did I get to reunite with Anjuli for a belated-birthday dinner and catch-up, but she also introduced me to Picaro, right on 16th and Valencia. Someone please tell me, why haven't I been to this place sooner?

It's good to note: I was so caught up in enjoying conversation, and I didn't really capture the whole food experience in it's essence. *insert whiny face emoji here*  I did still capture some photos that I'm sure will make you crave this place for your next happy hour.

The Thirst

First off, we need to mention why this place is perfect for an after-work dinner with anyone. Daily Happy Hour from noon-7:00pm. Carafes of Sangria go for $10, and for one glass it's only $2. On Fridays and Saturdays this deal is also offered from 10:00pm to closing. That should already be enough to convince you.

TAPAS

Every table receives complimentary bread paired with their salsa brava sauce. Try not to fill yourself up on the bread before the meal! It's hard to resist.

We picked three plates: Esparragos a la Plancha (Grilled asparagus), Tortilla de Patata (Potato and onion omelet) and Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp). By we, I mean Anjuli picking her favorites since she is a Picaro veteran and has impeccable taste in good food.

Just a few of our delicious picks on the table, featuring the grilled asparagus and salsa brava that didn't make it into pictures of their own.

Tortilla de Patata (Potato and onion omelet). This is one the most popular plates and I can taste why!

Nostalgic note: when I was young, my grandma used to make me potato omelets and this dish reminded me so much of that. 

Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp) the shrimp, and the buttery sauce it's smothered in really speaks for itself.

Paella for Two, Please!

The paella plates are meant for at least two people, and being plenty for two people, it included leftovers for the both of us! They are $30, and take about a half hour to be prepared... worth the wait though.

We chose to get the lobster paella, and my mouth is watering thinking about how good it was. We squeezed the lemon wedges all over the plate, and that pretty much did it for me. I was a done deal, and I've been craving it since we went on Tuesday!

Paella de Longosta (Lobster paella) up close and personal... in all it's glory.

Between the easy accessible location, the affordable sangria, the taste of the tapas, and the paella portions, this place is an easy suggestion you can be confident when suggesting where you should eat in the Mission.