realfilf

It was like a fancy bun oasis in the food desert known as Russian Hill. No, I haven’t been hangin’ out with the double rainbow guy again. It was Chairman Bao, a San Francisco food truck which specializes in Asian-style steamed (Taiwanese Gua Bao) and baked buns. Commissioned by, of all places, Crunch, the local gym, for an anniversary event, the Chairman and his buns graced Polk St. with a much needed dose of unique street eats.

I learned first hand that the Chairman rolls large with a menu fit for a dictator. Here’s the  line up:

• Tender pork belly w/pickled daikon
• Red sesame chicken w/scallion & bok choy
• Lions head (Chinese Pork) meatball w/fresh kim chee
• Chinese sausage & egg sandwich w/hoisin
• Crispy garlic tofu w/miso greens
• Chinese spiced duck confit w/fresh mango salad

I’m going to make a confession here.  I’ve read other blog posts where people say things like “I tried the pork bully bun but I heard the sesame chicken was better.” Well, I’m an overenthusiastic glutton and a mug for street food.  I tried ‘em all – all 6 on the menu. Not Surprising, my favorite was the Chinese sausage and egg bun (steamed). I’ve always been a sucker for a good egg sando.  There’s nothing like salty, chopped lap chong (Chinese pork sausage)and scrambled egg glazed with sweet hoisin and wrapped in a doughy, steamed rice bun.  Think egg Mc dim sum – salty, savory, sweet. Bangin’!

I wish the Chairman or any of the other  San Francisco food trucks would pay more attention to the North Side of the city, Russian Hill in particular.  Polk St (btw Broadway and Union), a women’s personal care ghetto, has more nail salons and panties shops than places to eat. I could get a mani/pedi and a back wax easier than finding a respectable sando, taco, crepe, or hand roll. Maybe I should start using the @realfilf twitter account to let the good Chairman and the rest of the hard working mobile gourmets know when I’m craving food. Will they come to me?  If you’re reading this my roaming culinarians…it’s @realfilf and I’m hungry.