State Bliss Blog — tacos

Tacos and pizzas deliciously unite in this restaurant’s lineup that features literally ALL of the meats.

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Tacos are one of the eating vessels of choice when you’re in San Diego. Whether it be unique creations or straight outta a truck, tons of places are cramming their food inside of tortillas.

One of the more innovative ones is coming out of the minds of a local food star, who’s put together barbeque, mac and cheese, and tacos for a whirlwind combination of flavors.

This Smokey Pork & Mac Taco comes from the mind of Sam “The Cooking Guy” Zien. A local and nationally recognized TV and online food show host, he has his own place, Not Not Tacos, where he brings his zany culinary creations to life.

For the taco, Zien brings together creamy mac and cheese, pulled pork, sour cream, Sriracha, and green onions for a zesty, creamy, and tangy bite.

If you’re interested in trying this taco out for yourself, it’s being given away on the Hubert’s Lemon A Go Go Truck on Saturday, November 17th, nearby SDSU. It’ll be paired alongside bottles of Hubert’s Watermelon Lemonade.

For more details on the giveaway, you can head to foodbeast.com/huberts.

Photos by Pete Pham

Created in partnership with Hubert's Lemonade

Everything tastes better in California. Why is that? Other states try to replicate the flavor and creativity that goes into the popular cuisines you’ll find in California, but it simply isn’t the same. We’re going to chalk it up to the pure energy and love that California chefs put into their food. Whatever it is, there are 12 foods that you absolutely MUST try when you’re in California.

In-N-Out

We know, we sound like a broken record. But seriously, if you go to California and don’t eat In-N-Out, you’re truly missing out on a Californian classic. A popular food icon of California, In-N-Out never disappoints. Be sure to order your burgers and fried “animal style”. You can thank us later. * wink*

California Donuts

Taking a traditional baked treat and elevating it to the extraordinary, California Donuts creates artistically inspired delectable donuts topped with really fun and sugary toppings like fruity pebbles, candies, and more.

REAL Mexican Food

Hands-down, California has the most authentic Mexican food around. Situated just north of the Mexican border, California is proud to have a large population of Mexican-Americans and Mexican immigrants who bring with them traditional Mexican recipes and cuisine. It doesn’t get more authentic and delicious than that!

California Rolls

Who doesn’t love some good sushi right? Well, dedicated to the fresh lifestyle of the coastal state, the California roll is a popular choice nationwide – comprised of crab, cucumber, avocado (of course), rolled in nori and sushi rice and topped with sesame seeds.

Fish Tacos

Fish tacos are a delicacy and a total favorite amongst true Californians. You can find mouth-watering variations of this seaside dish for sale in restaurants, food trucks, and at food vendor events all throughout the state.

Pho

Cultural foods are a symbol of Californian cuisine that celebrate the cultural diversity of the great state. A true melting pot, California is known for more than its awesome Mexican food. Great food from every culture can be found locally just about anywhere you visit in California. Vietnamese Pho is amongst the most popular cultural foods consumed by Californians – and for good reason. The dish is a truly delicious comfort food – bringing together people from all backgrounds to enjoy a great meal.

Green Smoothies

Californians are famous for their health food trends. Green smoothies definitely top the lists of health-conscious Californians. Next time you’re visiting or looking for a light lunch or snack, stop by a local smoothie bar like Moon Juice, and enjoy a nutrition packed green smoothie.

Disneyland Churros

Everything is more magical at Disneyland. Maybe that’s why their churros are so darn good. We’re not sure. But if you find yourself at Disneyland California, don’t leave without trying one, or two, of their delicious churros.

Avocado Toast

Obsessed much? Yeah, we are. Avocados are a staple of hungry Californians. Packed with antioxidants, and healthy fats, avocados and all of their creamy goodness are piled high, mixed with spices and that certain California flair atop a crusty freshly baked piece of toasted bread. Yum.

Cioppino

Haven’t heard of cioppino? You’re missing out! Cioppino is a flavorful Italian-inspired fish stew dish that was born right in the heart of San Fransisco, Califonia. The locals rave over it!

Tamales

Tamales fall under Mexican food, but they truly deserve a mention of their own. Every year, Indio hosts the famous tamale festival. Vendors gather to offer the best, most authentic tamales money can buy while guests enjoy their food and partake in the festivities.

Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles

Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles is a well-known and thoroughly enjoyed hot spot for Southern comfort food. If you go, you obviously have to try the chicken and waffles – we recommend the Obama Special. How cool is that? If it’s good enough for Obama, it’s good enough for us!

The Ultimate California Diet

Food is everywhere – and everywhere you go has its own culture, flavor, and inspiration. Every geographical location is known for its unique foods that the locals love. When you think of Texas, you think of mouth-watering giant portions and spicy, robust, tex-mex. When you think of New England, you think of the freshest lobster, crab, and shrimp. California is full of cultural diversity and all of the foods and flavors that follow. From Mexican to Indian, whatever your palette craves is bound to be obtainable. Now here are our picks for what we think comprises the stereotypical “Ultimate California Diet”.

Avocados

Avocados. Fresh, creamy, delicious avocados. Doesn’t just thinking about them make you want to go whip up a bowl of fresh guacamole and dig in with an authentic freshly made tortilla chip that has been ever so lightly salted? Avocado consumption has been steadily rising over the years. In fact, Americans have doubled their consumption of avocado over the course of the last ten. Where did this surge in avocado consumption come from? That’s right. Californians. For years before it became a trend, Californians were slicing up this delicious health food for salads, making the freshest, most drool-worthy guacamole and slathering it on their eggs. Californians are such trend setters and we all reaped the benefit with this one.

Mexican Cuisine

Next up, AUTHENTIC Mexican cuisine. You will never find Mexican food anywhere else in the United States as legit as you will in California – especially southern California cities like San Diego, L.A., and Indio. You have never had carne asada, pollo asado, chorizo burritos or horchata until you’ve had it in SoCal; and don’t even get us started on the tamales. Californians can be total foodies. They have the multi-cultural flavors of the world at their fingertips, and they agree, there is no better Mexican grub than right in their back yards. Locals flock to tamale festivals and Mexican themed food venues often to get a taste of this delish dish. There is one down-side to eating the best Mexican food the U.S. has to offer – if you’re not local, you’re definitely going to be mourning the food when you leave.

Vino

California and wine go together like chips and salsa. You can’t have one without the other. For as long as time, California has been known for its sprawling vineyards and gorgeous wineries. People flock to the stunning mountain valley views, where rows of lush green grape crops ripen in the California sun. Beautiful Napa Valley welcomed 3.3 million visitors in 2014 alone. Wine is one of the biggest food industry symbols of the state, clearly, and understandably so. Who doesn’t love a glass of wine and beautiful scenery?

In-n-Out

We simply cannot write this post without including fast food. California is full of diverse dining options, but a few of the fast food chains are extremely popular and well-known; so well-known in fact that we have decided that our favorite belongs in this post as part of the “Ultimate California Diet”. Ready for it? In-n-out. Such simple ideology, but the most amazing burgers you will EVER eat. Fresh, made-to-order, and melt in your mouth…sorry. Totally daydreaming. Don’t forget to ask for the secret menu items (which are now posted on their website menu – not so secret anymore). Ask for “animal style” burgers and fries. A gooey cheese avalanche with caramelized onions and other special secret ingredients is piled on top of your burger and fries and will send you into the most glorious food coma of your life. Yeah, you can thank us later for that tip.

Superfoods

Last but not least, the health food craze. It is no surprise that our whole country has seemed to jump on the health food trend bandwagon. From chia seeds to taking daily shots of apple cider vinegar, people are on board to better their health and be more conscious of what they put into their bodies. California is pretty trendy, and a lot of these trends came from the sunny state. Californians are very health conscious, fashion forward, and earth-friendly – thank goodness for the rest of us, they are all about spreading the love and have graciously let us participate in their super-cool, super-trendy food craze.

Once you’ve lived in Southern California it’s pretty hard to live anywhere else. There is no other place with better food, weather, scenery & entertainment

1. Nothing beats the gorgeous views...

photo: jimgrantinsandiego

2. We have the most beautiful sunsets

photo: rebeccaharknessphoto

3. We have the coolest beaches

4. You can wear flip flops all year long (pretty much)

5. It's perfectly normal to be proud to live here

Buy 1 get 1 free Necklace from CaLimited

6. Even out deserts are gorgeous

7. We grow the best damn avocados ever...

8. You won't find good street tacos ANYWHERE else

9. And you wont find good CARNE ASADA FRIES anywhere else!

10. It's home to the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH

11. You wont find a better fish taco in America

 

12. California Dreamin isn't just a song, it's a lifestyle

Hoodie from CaLimited ... pic by Lovegrace_imagery

13. We are home to the original & best burger joint in history