MUNCHERY DELIVERY.....WHEN YOU ARE ONLY HALF LAZY

The abundance of food delivery start-ups continues unabated here in the Bay Area. It seems overtime I log on I see an add for a new service. Having done things like Doughbies, Sprig, Bento, GrubHub, etc., I decided to give Munchery a few tries to check how it compares to others. Much like the others, you can order online or through their app, which I think they prefer. They release a menu early in the day and you can order breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can also order at anytime of the day and set a specific delivery time. There are a few other things but how's the food?

PUMPKIN ICE CREAM AND PUMPKIN PIE....YES I'M STILL IN PUMPKIN MODE

CUESA, of the Ferry Building's farmers market has been test running an off shoot market in the parking lot next to AT&T Park the past few Sundays. Since that is my one day off, it seemed like a good chance for me and the SO to wander over and check things out. Because I was still in all things pumpkin town, I meandered through the vendors looking for anything calling itself by that orange gourd. Sadly, the pickings were a bit slim for my quest, but we did managed to suss out 2 things, that while they may seemingly go together, would have been a real pumpkin overload had we tried them in one big mix. But, like (mostly) responsible eaters, we tried them separately and here's how they went down.

YOUR WEEKLY DIGESTION OF FOOD NEWS TO CONSUME...AND A PUMPKIN PASTRY THINGY

That's right, you know I couldn't go to Trader Joe's and not get the pumpkin "toaster pastries". Yeah they can't call them pop-tarts because Kellogg's has that all copyrighted up. Ms. O said I should try them after featuring the pumpkin pie Kellogg's version, she really likes them. I did almost put them back when I saw the word organic on them. I mean, seriously, does one really need an organic pastry? Let's don't kid ourselves, you are basically eating a dessert and saying organic is just fooling yourself that you are eating something healthy. For this review I'm going to work off a comparison of the K tarts. While these may have that USDA tag on them, they actually have more sugar than the pop-tarts--about 2 grams more--though it doesn't taste sweeter. They are smaller too. The frosting on top is kind of sparse and the pastry part is also a light brown, like there is some wheat flour in it or something. There is also a little less filling in these. The pumpkin flavor is also not as prominent as regular tarts. They do give off a nice smell when toasted. The pastry doesn't have that shortbread type flavor that K pops have, it's more like plain pie crust. Overall, they were okay enough, but even with a slab of butter on them, I still prefer the original as opposed to these. I guess when it comes down to it, I'm just a pop-tart traditionalist, even when they do their wacky flavor combos. Ultimately I'd recommend just taking a pass on these, unless of course you are a Trader Joe's fanatic and want something "organic" to make you feel better about your breakfast choices. For me, I stopped fooling myself ages ago. 

• Danny Bowien came to town and totally revamped Mission Chinese's menu.
• Local chefs offer up their own stuffing recipes because you may be stuck what to do.
• Yeah, another place to get fancy pizza in San Francisco.
• Another one bites the dust blaming rent hikes, cost of San Francisco, etc.
• Here's a list of places to volunteer and donate in the Bay Area to give you the feelies.
• Get to know the restaurants at the recently opened SFO Terminal 3.
• So long Jay's Cheesesteak hello Namu Claypot!
• Haunted? No. Cursed? Possibly, but another restaurant is giving this space a try
• And look, still another new place to get pizza in San Francisco!
• Hmmm....seems Chipotle has a new off menu item that isn't going over so well.
• The high costs of opening a San Francisco restaurant. Way to make it easy for local business' SF!  

MORE TRADER JOE'S PUMPKIN FUN AS PUMPKIN WEEK CONTINUES

Consider us gluttons for pumpkin punishment or maybe it was just over exuberance for all things pumpkins, but me and the SO did seemingly get many a thing of pumpkinness from Trader Joe's. Fortunately our skin has not begun to turn orange from all we've eaten, but that's not to say it won't seep out our pores in the coming days. If nothing else, I will say we definitely got our fill and more to last us through Thanksgiving and beyond. Getting on with things, here's is the latest round-up from our trip to pumpkin town.

TRADER JOE'S GOES PUMPKIN CRAZY! PUMPKIN WEEK CONTINUES

The weather has finally turned chilly and fall is in the air! As is the eminent arrival of Thanksgiving next week. With that comes a parade of pumpkin related food things and the winning purveyor of many a pumpkin thing goes to Trader Joe's. On a recent visit, me and the SO were overwhelmed with the options, and like any good bandwagon jumpers, we piled our basket up with all things pumpkin! Were they any good? Well, I'm glad you asked. While we didn't get everything pumpkiny they had (I counted at least 30?) We did manage to snag enough to keep us in pumpkin town through Thanksgiving. Thus it is gonna take me at least 3 posts to get through it all for you. Because that's the kind of person I am.

YOUR WEEKLY DIGESTION OF FOOD NEWS TO CONSUME....AND THE START OF PUMPKIN WEEK!

I'm kicking off a week of pumpkin things since Thanksgiving is next week and because it seems everywhere I turn these days, there it is in nearly every food product configuration you can think of. And what better way to start than with the trashiest of places that seems to jump on every food bandwagon--McDonalds! They've been doing these little fried pie things for decades and this year they have brought out a pumpkin one. It's been ages since I've been to a McD's but one semi late night I was craving some french fries (because that is when it happens) so I wandered into my local one to get some. It was then I spotted this little (literally) handful on the menu and decided it would make a nice accompaniment with my fries. (Yeah, whateves!) Lest you think this is just any pumpkin pie, it is not. It's pumpkin filling down one side and, voila, cream cheese down the other (see below photo). Sort of like a deconstructed pumpkin cheese cake thing. Who knew McD's could be so culinarily experimental. It's odd though, because when I went to their website, the pumpkin pie they had showing didn't have this additional filling, just pumpkin. Looking at the ingredients, if you dare, it does at least say there is pumpkin in there and not just flavoring-shocking, I know. Does it taste like pumpkin, eh, sort of. Mostly what I get is brown sugar, cinnamon and more sugar. Not so much an overload, but still a noticeable bit. The cream cheese side is more pudding like than anything and not as sweet as the pumpkin side, so at least there is that offset, but only slightly. The crust is their standard pie one and isn't so much pie as, well, I'm not really sure. I was surprised this wasn't coated in the cinnamon sugar thing they do those apple pies in. Maybe it would have been better to do that instead of putting it all in the pumpkin filling. There wasn't much texture going on here either, it was all a bit soft. Might have been better if the crust was a little crustier. Is it terrible? It's mass produced, previously frozen, deep fried fast food, it is what it is. Could have been a little less some things and a little more others. Would I get it again, no. Should you try it? No, unless your drunk and feel the craving for something really sweet to go with your fries. Ultimately, if you are hitting up McD's, you are there for convenience and price, not a culinary experience, at least not one to write about. That's what I'm here for. 

• As we gear up for that Thanksgiving thing, for those who don't like brussels sprouts, this will definitely change your mind. 
• And since it's never too early to make reservations, here are some places you can go out for Thanksgiving. 
• Something called Tacos Cala is now open in Hayes Valley and Tablehopper is excited about it. 
• And why not where to buy your Thanksgiving turkey in SF.
• Chino's, they open, they close, they close again, they reconcept, and now they close again. At least until they reopen as something else. 
• Off The Grid goes high tech and strikes a deal with Google.
• Since crab season has been delayed due to some crab disease, Half Moon Bay is renaming Crab Fest. 
• The former Bubble Lounge has now softly reopened as Barbarossa, a Barbary Coast inspired bar. 
• It's a Baked Bear sighting in North Beach! Or at least, that's what they think.
• And there is still more Thanksgiving! It is only a week and a half away people!
• If your birthday is this month and you'd rather celebrate that than Thanksgiving, then hit up these spots. 

WE THE MINIS IN OAKLAND...THEY'VE BROUGHT THE RETURN OF....THE CRONUT!!

I'm meandering the aisles at the Treasure Island Flea Market, taking in the wares and minding my own business, when what to my wandering eye should appear but A CRONUT! Wow, I hadn't really thought about these things since the craze swept through town then out over a year ago. During that maddening time, I bought and ate more than my fair share of these mostly flaky, sugary glaze encrusted treats. At the time, I felt sure I'd had my fill of 'em and had moved on to other more tantalizing pastries of the moment. But like a moth to a flame, I found myself being drawn to We The Minis booth and their promise of 3 desserts for $9 to see if I needed to rekindle my affair with to this once popular concoction.

FOOD TRUCK QUICK BITE: NO NO BURGER....THEY AREN'T KIDDING ABOUT THAT NAME!

It's just another vegan Sunday in SOMA StrEat Food land! Honestly, me and the SO don't necessarily mean to come here when it's all vegan, it just happens that way since Sundays are our one crossover off day. Nevertheless, it's become my goal to find something vegan that is both tasty and, well, tasty about sums it up. This time around we are snacking it up with No No Burger since I hadn't been down the faux burger route, I thought it would be interesting to at least try.

YOUR WEEKLY DIGESTION OF FOOD NEWS TO CONSUME....CINNAMON ROLL EDITION

Cinnamon rolls, yes, they are a favorite of mine, and while I normally prefer some kind of cream cheese icing on them, I was still drawn to this particular one from Acme Bread to give it a try. The thing about Acme is they make batches a few times a day on some items, others get made in the morning and sit in the case until bought. Things like this always pose a problem for me as you never really know just how long something has been sitting there, thus when you get it, I kind of have to base my opinions on what I'm tasting in the moment. For the size and at just over $3, it is a relative bargain for something in the Ferry Building. And in the grand scheme of cinnamon rolls, it's decent enough that I didn't hate it. But, I also wasn't wowed by it either. The bread here is in the flaky vein of a croissant, though having probably sat out for awhile, parts were on the hard side of things. While you can taste the cinnamon, it probably could have benefited from a bit more to ramp up flavor. Of course, for me, this is also where some sort of cream cheese topping could have come in to help cover up any short comings in the roll as a whole. I'm sure when it's warm and fresh out of the oven, it would be soft and cinnamon croissant like. Plus the smell of a fresh baked roll would only enhance the taste senses. While I wouldn't personally get one of these again, I won't say don't try it. This falls into the category of baked morning buns that are best served with coffee as a compliment as opposed to something you get to fulfill a sweet dessert craving you may have. But I'm not dismayed as I will continue my quest to try as many cinnamon rolls as I can to find the best ones, because that's the kind of person I am. I eat the sweets so you don't have to. Your welcome. 

• Michael Mina is expanding in SOMA...but it's a secret...sshhh.
• It's Ethiopian food! Though looks like you'll need to cross the bridge for it.
• It's 12 Nights of Chocolate, you know, if you are into that kind of thing.
• It's olive festival time? Who knew!
• The ever changing face of Dogpatch and Bayview--the sort of new foodie start-up hoods
• From one sushi place to another--how much of a difference is there?
• Sneaky BBQ's chef gets a new home at Southpaw, and he's melding his dishes with theirs
• Time to carbo-load in the Marina. Will those yoga panted folks go for that?
• SFWeekly checks in on Cowgirl Creamery and the state of fancy cheese in SF.  
• Sous vide for the masses! It's like crockpotting with boiling water!
• Did everyone catch these new restaurant openings in October?
• Because it is hard to pick just the right bar in the Mission, The Infatuation runs them down for you!

FOOD TRUCK QUICK BITE: SAM'S CHOWDER MOBILE....IT'S MORE LOBSTER WEEK!!

Yes, I'm on a weird lobster binge, though merely coincidence (wink, wink), It was a bright sunny Sunday when I headed over to check out the Treasure Island Flea Market. I grew up haunting flea markets and such with the Mom, and while I don't buy things anymore, I still enjoy wandering the aisles seeing what personal possessions people are passing off as "collectibles." One thing the TIFM has going for it is the number of food vendors and trucks that partake in the action. Outside of Off The Grid or SOMA StrEat Food Park, it's one of the places you can peruse multiple trucks at once. This day was no exception and lucky for me, there a handful I'd not tried yet. After walking down the procession I zeroed in on Sam's Chowder Mobile to see if they could do lobster better than other folks.

LOBSTER ME AT THE WESTFIELD? I'D RATHER NOT

Mall food, it's not the same as I remember as a child, at least not at malls in the city. These days, they've tried to upgrade their food courts from the standard quick bite to go fare of yesterday. Or so it is at the Westfield in San Francisco where they've made the effort to look beyond your McD's and Panda Express'. I hit up that movie theater there on a fair number of occasions and, just because it's there, me and the SO also hit up the food stalls. Like any place, some spots have managed to do well and others have come and gone in the blink of eye. On a recent visit, a new place had popped up called Lobster ME, the "ME" sort of being a double meaning of both "me" and the postal abbreviation for Maine.