Hungry Man Seeks to Eat His Way Across La Lengua

The La Lengua Autonomous Zone in the Dominion of Bernalwood is famous for two things: 1) Militant political separatism and 2) A deliciously high density of restaurants and drinking establishments.

To fully experience the latter, new neighbor Dave MP, who moved here recently from Boston, has established an ambitious goal: Over the course of 2012, he wants to eat at every restaurant on Mission Street between Cortland and Cesar Chavez. He calls the project the La Lengua Chronicles, because he also plans to write a review of each one on Chowhound:

I moved to San Francisco a few weeks ago, and I am living very close to the strip of Mission Street known by some as “La Lengua.” Since I like exploring food options in my neighborhood, I’ve decided to embark on a little project – eat at every restaurant on Mission Street between Cortland and Cesar Chavez. I finally got around to making a list of all the places I have to try, and will be reporting on all of them. The aim is to have this completed by December 31st, 2012.

I would love advice about what to get at these restaurants, if you’ve been. Also, if you are interested in joining me for any of these meals, definitely give me a shout! I’ll definitely want company for some of them.

So, here’s the list of where I have to go. There are a few places that I’m not sure about including because they are mostly just bars – I think the rule will be that if there’s a menu (whether food or cocktail), I will try it. Also, there are some places that are very close to that stretch of Mission Street, but not quite on it, that won’t be on the official list, but I might try anyway. So I will list those as well.

Here it goes:

3489 Mission – Zante Pizza (Indian, Pizza)
3486 Mission – Pastores (Mexican)
3472 Mission – La Terraza (Mexican – Michoacan)
3471 Mission – Angkor Borei (Cambodian)
3459 Mission – Nena’s Restaurant (Latin American)
3458 Mission – Universal Bakery (Mexican Bakery)
3452 Mission – Shiso (Chinese and Japanese)
3438 Mission – Nervous Dog Coffee (Café)
3401 Mission – Melody Café (Lebanese)
3385 Mission – Oye Managua (Nicaraguan)
3369 Mission – Ichi Sushi (Japanese)
3346 Mission – La Alteña (Mexican)
3349 Mission – Pizza Hut (Pizza)
3326 Mission – Coronitas Bar and Grill (Mexican, Bar)
3322 Mission – El Paisa (Honduran, Salvadoran, Mexican)
3319 Mission – Nulite Kitchen (Chinese)
3318 Mission – Playa Azul (Mexican, Seafood)
3306 Mission – El Gran Taco Loco (Taqueria)
3303 Mission – Eagle Donuts (Donut Shop)
3299 Mission – Inkas (Peruvian)
3286 Mission – Al’s Café (Diner)
3263 Mission – San Miguel Restaurant (Guatemalan)
3259 Mission – Pad Thai Restaurant (Thai)
3253 Mission – Jasmine Tea House (Chinese)
3235 Mission – Dell’uva (Wine Bar)
3230 Mission – El Zocalo (Salvadoran)
3226 Mission – Mi Lindo Peru (Peruvian)
3221 Mission – SiamSaigon (Vietnamese, Thai)
3218 Mission – Blue Plate (New American)
3216 Mission – Lotus Garden (Vietnamese)
3215 Mission – Locavore (New American)
3211 Mission – Taqueria Cancun (Taqueria)
3206 Mission – Los Panchos (Salvadoran)
3202 Mission – Royal Cuckoo (Bar)
3193 Mission – El Patio Restaurant (Mexican)
3149 Mission – Baby Blues BBQ (BBQ)
3137 Mission – Acapulco SF Grill (Mexican)
3100 Mission – Sweet Chinito (Donuts, Sandwiches)

Okay, simply compiling that list counts as an amazing feat unto itself. But if you read the full post, Dave also adds about a dozen more restaurants that aren’t precisely on Mission Street, but which he may try as well.

Ambitious? For sure. Yet he’s already off to a good start, with write-ups penned and posted about San Miguel Restaurant, The (New) Jasmine Tea House, and Al’s Cafe.

Go Dave MP, Go!

PHOTO: Telstar Logistics