JUNK FOOD JUNKIE: PECAN PIE AND YOUR WEEKLY DIGESTION OF FOOD NEWS TO CONSUME

Sometimes you run across the most unexpected things in random places. Such was the case recently when I was in tiny sandwich shop grabbing a bite and came across the little nugget above. Being from the South I am an ardent fan of pecan pie, even though the best of them can be sugar bombs of the utmost sweetness. Still, I'm usually undaunted by that and decided to give this pre-packaged version a shot to see if it even comes close to the original. As you can see in the below picture they come close to replicating the filling in both color and texture. (It's an interesting mix of brown sugar, corn syrup, eggs, butter and vanilla, for the most part) They also got a cooked crust type topping that should have been a mix of pecans and sugar (see lots of sugar). For the most part, it sort of tasted like a pecan pie. Though comparatively, the crust wasn't quite buttery enough and it lacked actual whole pecans on top to give it some needed crunch and texture. I'm pretty sure there were small bits of crushed pecans on top, but they were few and far between. Oddly enough, this is one of my favorite nuts and I just happened to have some of them around the house so I added my own to this version and sure enough, it brought the flavor level up a notch and the sugar level (at least taste wise) down a notch. So overall, not terrible, moderately edible, a very sweet treat and in a pinch, a decent $1 dessert substitute for those of us who can stand a sugar bomb or two. I do think if they up the actual pecan quotient it could be even better than most, though, considering the cost of nuts these days, probably not gonna happen. 

• Sadly, Schulzies Bread Pudding in Hayes Valley is closing April 14th. Go now to get your comfort food carb on. 
• Something called Lark Food & Wine Co. is opening in the Castro. It's Greek/American/Mediterranean or something. Prices don't look too bad. Will wait to see what portion sizes look like to make a final call. 
• The Chairman, you know that bun truck with panda, now has its own brick and more space. Will they continue to charge food truck prices too?
• Blue Fog Market got one of those "JuiceBot juice vending machine thingys" as InsideScoop is calling it. It's the rise of the machines I tell ya'!
• Dough & Co. making dreams come true for all closet cookie dough eaters in the world. 
• A new Berkeley spot brings you farm to table tandoori and curry--and the high prices that accompany it. 
• 7x7's 5 new places to try this month. Wonder why they don't do 7 new places?
• Montesacro is now open serving ancient pinsa the way Roman's had it. Oh, and they have pizza also.
• That Blue Bottle founder dude lines up a few of his "perfect for..." places. Un-shockingly, one of them is Blue Bottle, though I'm sure he gets to skip the lines.
• All the best in bacon San Francisco has to offer. Bacon wrapped tater tots people--need I say more.
• Seriously, this is opening on Divisadero. Does Panda Express know they stole their mascot?
• It's a new bakery! It's a new bakery! It's a new bakery! Ugh, all the way out in Richmond sigh.