Summer Kick Off

Welcome to the first installment of my biggest passion, along with music, food.  As most of those who know me, I am a hungry guy.  I tend to eat out a lot but I am also down for cooking at home.  This past week I've been visiting my brother, Erik in the East Bay area along with my sister in-law Jessica and my favorite niece, Sophia.

Now let's get to the food I've been cramming down my belly.  The first place I went to hours after my arrival into the Golden State was Kung Fu Taco (http://www.kungfutacos.com/).  This place combines everything you and I love about S. Korea food and double decker soft tacos.  Now, I know what you're thinking,  South Korean food and Mexican?! Get out of town Dave!  Well I am, and let me tell you after having three tacos, one duck and two carne asadas I was hooked.  I called up my bro and we each decided to hit this place a second time and get two more tacos.  Kung Fu Tacos deserves an A+.

Second stop was Gordo's.  This place I have come to love after my previous visits to see my brother.  Gordo's is located in Albany, Berkeley and S.F.  Jessica tells me that 19th is the most superior in that their salsa and spices are the most flavorful.  Regardless, the one I frequently stop at on College Ave. does well by me.  This visit I ordered a super burrito with black beans, guacamole, cheese and a big favorite, Carnitas, along with a Coke.  Attention blog readers, this author thinks Pepsi is whack.

Next up, True Burger (http://www.trueburgeroakland.com/).  This place has it figured out.  Luckily my brother had been on a burger kick so we proceeded with Sophia in tow to their 146 Grand Ave. location.  Upon first my impression walking into True Burger, I felt like this place finally got me.  Instead of KFC's Double Downer vibe I was greeted with a double up.  I like positivity and moving ahead featured into my culinary experience.  My friend John Basile even treated me to the Double Up, so things were aligning in place.  The beef of True Burger is perfect, cooked somewhere between medium rare and medium with my upmost confidence that I wasn't going to experience a double up rebound later in the day.  I give True Burger a solid A.  Look out In n' Out.

My last dining out experience on my trip was Vik's (http://www.vikschaatcorner.com/menu.htm).  This place offered some great deals.  I ordered the lamb Baida Roti and the Cholle Bhature and with a mango lassi.  The food was excellent which wasn't surprising.  My only complaint was the size of this apparently new location is far too big.  Trying to hear your name while in the seating area makes their microphone speaker setup sound like a crappy jack in the box drive thru speaker.  I couldn't understand a word.  That's a pretty small complaint,  I admit.  Also I needed some naan for my after hours snacking and they had a five dollar minimum charge.  Needless to say I bought double the naan I needed, but a place this big shouldn't have a minimum for card charges.  Still Vik's gets an A-....-.

Here's a question: How about a buffet, Vik's?  It would certainly validate having a warehouse sized restaurant.