As I alluded to in my Mission Chinese Food post, I recently was in San Francisco to attend the Chowzter North America’s Seven Tastiest Feast Awards.
Chowzter Fast Feasts is an app and a website designed to help people quickly find fast feasts in various cities around the world. Chowzter has recruited food bloggers from each city to give recommendations for fast feast items like burgers, burritos, pizza, sandwiches, brunch, etc.
Throughout the year, they hold award ceremonies in various parts of the world. After working with them to generate a list of fast feasts for San Diego, I was invited to attend the North America Awards held in San Francisco.
During the award ceremony, which took place at SOMA StEAT Food Park (a great gathering of food trucks), the Chowzter committee counted down the 50 top dishes in North America. I’m happy to report that 4 of the top 50 included ones from San Diego. Coop’s BBQ’s brisket, Cafe21’s cast iron omelet, and Bronx Pizza’s white stone pizza all made the list.
For the top seven, awards were handed out and videos were shown. Coming in at #3 was the California Burrito from Super Sergio’s in San Diego. The Chowzter committee seemed to really like the concept and display of fusion border food. When I think of a dish that is quintessential San Diego, it has to be the California burrito. A lot of people would say the fish taco, but unlike the fish taco, most people have no idea what a California burrito is outside of San Diego, and it’s nearly impossible to find beyond Southern California. Almost every Mexican fast food place in San Diego offers some form of the California burrito, but I’ve always been impressed with the consistency and ingredients at Super Sergio’s: tender perfectly marinated meat, crispy thin-cut fries, zesty salsa and melted cheese.
Number One went to the pastrami sandwich at Langer’s Deli in Los Angeles. I have yet to try it, but it’s now definitely on my to-do list. You can view a short video profile of the top seven winners here.
It was a really fun event. We got to spend the weekend exploring some great eats in San Francisco as well as meeting food bloggers from all over North America. And now that it’s 2014, I’m definitely on the hunt to update my SD list with some new contenders.
It took me a couple of months but I finally found a fairly decent place here in NorCal that serves a California burrito! It was my first one since leaving San Diego and I still miss Vallarta’s version. XD
Oooh, I didn’t even know there were any in Norcal! glad you found one!
So very true about the California Burrito being unknown outside of SD. When we are travelling, that’s almost always the first thing we eat when we get home! I’ve never tried Super Sergio’s version though.
It’s always one of the things I like to take friends to when they are visiting SD!