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Chock full of cultural foods, the Mission District is home to a smorgasbord of individual food owners. The Tamale Lady is a classic example, but about six months ago, the hype machine pushed out the Magic Curry Kart, the Muffin Man, the Sexy Soup Cart and Soul Cocina.
Some of these cooks have taken refuge in the young gourmet food cart industry, probably due to the recent economic downturns and people falling under financial pressure for the extra dollar, but as the majority of the public has declared, food carts are in.
Whether it’s a la carte or dessert, you can fill your heart’s desire by visiting these carts.
Magic Curry Kart
Though there has been a huge wave of food carts in the last few months, the Magic Curry Kart is one of the innovative originators of gourmet food carts in San Francisco.
After taking cooking classes in Thailand about five years ago, Brian Kimball thought it would be a great idea to cook curry for some extra money. “I started cooking for family and friends,” Kimball said. “Then around December, I decided to cook in the streets.” Kimball believes that he inspired some of the newer food cart owners to put their ideas into action. “People saw carts as a new and different thing, unlike a regular job,” he said.
About six months ago, the Magic Curry Kart was officially launched. He makes about fifty dishes a day—red and green Thai curries—that sell for five dollars each. “The cart is getting close to the pay of a regular job,” Kimball said. “I’m thinking about switching my full-time job to part-time.”
The Magic Curry Kart normally rolls around the small park at the corner of 19th Street and Linda Street in the Mission district in the late afternoon on various days, depending on his twitter posts. (twitter.com/magiccurrykart)
Tamale Lady
A wise man told me, “If you see someone who looks like a homeless woman walking around the Mission District dragging a blue cooler, stop her.”
Not everyone with baggage is homeless – on the contrary, one is an entrepreneur, the beloved Tamale Lady who has satisfied San Francisco hunger pangs since 1993. For only four dollars, you can get scrumptious, spicy tamales to accompany your beverage.
Born Virginia Ramos, the Tamale Lady embarked on a journey of providing soft-shelled Mexican dishes to the masses. With a day job as a cleaner, her cooking was initially intended as a second job. “I sold tamales to support my two daughters that were going to college at the time,” Ramos said. Now Ramos’ part-time tamale business is anything but small.
Cooking up over 150 tamales a day, Ramos makes a majority of her revenue from the drinkers at Zeitgeist, who know that alcohol and tamales make the perfect combination Not only is Ramos’ popularity due to her tasty tamales, but also her friendly and focused attitude towards customers. “I don’t drink or smoke, so I don’t get distracted when I run my business,” Ramos said. Because of her huge success, Ramos anticipates opening her own storefront, but not in the near future due to the recent economic downturns.
Fueled by the compliments and support of her many fans, the Tamale Lady plans to keep running her tamale business for many years to come.
Catch the Tamale Lady in the evening starting at about 6 p.m. around Mission Street by Zeitgeist Bar on Duboce Avenue.
Muffin Man
Looking for a bargain on delectable Mediterranean bites and a piping hot beverage to satisfy your morning cravings?
Behind the cart, you’ll find the “Amuse Bouche man” himself, Murat Celebi-Ariner, offering you a variety of Turkish Pogaca pastries and banana nutella muffins, in addition to the popular cupcake-Chai combo. With a supply of tasty breakfast pastries, Celebi-Ariner knew he had to start the Amuse Bouche cart, which actually translates to “mouth-amusing” cart.
About ten years ago, the Muffin Man visited India and learned how to make Chai tea. “Making Chai is really simple,” he said. “And people liked how I made it.” His wife also happens to have a popular muffin recipe. “She’s been making lemon poppy seed muffins since she came to the United States,” Celebi-Ariner said.
For almost six months Celebi-Ariner’s mobile muffin business has been thriving. The pastry cart business was a step up from his old gig. “Compared to my old job juggling and playing music by the BART station, the cart makes more money and is more fun,” he said.
Due to the Muffin Man’s increased popularity, he plans to open a storefront in a marketplace in Bernal Heights.
Have a bite of the Mediterranean delicacies from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Monday through Friday at the top of the stairs of the Mission and 24th Street BART station. Follow him at twitter.com/AmuseBoucheSF.
Soul Cocina
Fresh tomatoes, bell peppers and grilled chicken were chopped right before my very eyes, poured over a soft-shelled taco that had just been fried, then glazed with sautéed red onions and the spiciest Habanero salsa.
The cooking genius behind the spice is Roger Feely, a chef and a pedagogue of the culinary arts. Feely has a lot on his resume and is able to fuse creativity and delicious, fresh ingredients into his cooking. “For about five years, I’ve been teaching Soul Cocina cooking classes, working with catering companies and creating menus,” he said.
Feely also studied cuisine in Spain, Morocco, and India, able to incorporate the best of all worlds into his food. About four to five months ago, the Soul Cocina cart started searing its way through the streets, luring customers with its aromatic and sizzling platters. “Aside from teaching how to cook, I really wanted to bring my food into the streets,” Feely said. And no doubt, Soul Cocina stands out with its freshly made food. “Most of the other carts serve food that is already prepared or in a pot,” Feely added. “I make my food on site, sautéing, frying, and chopping things so I can serve it just prepared and fresh.”
You know you’re craving something fresh off the pan at the Soul Cocina cart, so head on down to the Mission and satisfy your soul’s desire. (twitter.com/soulcocina)
Sexy Soup Cart
Only one cart can live up to risqué reputation of tasty and healthy foods – the Sexy Soup Cart.
Kristen Hoppe, a chef and a nutritionist, wanted more than anything to connect with the community through food. “I wanted to try and meet new people,” Hoppe said. “The cart has made it possible to get to know the community better.” The Sexy Soup Cart has made its customers feel, well… sexy.
Made entirely out of locally grown organic foods, the Sexy Soups attract one’s nose and eyes with its aromas and colorful ingredients. “All of my soups are based on what is in season at the Farmer’s Market,” Hoppe said.
If you’ve got a few dollars and want something full of flavor, healthy ingredients and love, visit the Sexy Soup Cart in the Hayes Valley and SOMA districts at various days and times, depending on her twitter updates at twitter.com/SexySoupCart.
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