A Foodie's Fiasco: My Foray into Foodie Land, San Mateo CA
Foodie Land, the name itself is enough to make any self-proclaimed food enthusiast's heart flutter with anticipation. The promise of a gastronomic adventure in San Mateo, California, was too tantalizing to resist. So, with a hopeful heart and an empty stomach, I embarked on my journey to this culinary wonderland.
The first thing that struck me was the parking fee. At a whopping $20, it was more than the $15 I had shelled out for two tickets. I mean, who doesn't love paying more for parking than for the actual event, right? It's like paying for the privilege of paying for food.
I arrived an hour and a half after the gates opened, expecting to be greeted with warm hospitality and the freshest food. After all, it's only logical to assume that the early bird gets the worm, or in this case, the best truffled bone marrow.
Speaking of bone marrow, my first stop was Bone n' Marrow. Their selection was as extensive as their prices, with the truffled bone marrow setting me back $22. It was well-cooked, moist, and had a strong truffle oil flavor that was a bit too overpowering. But hey, who doesn't love having their palate assaulted by truffle oil? Despite this, I found the dish enjoyable and would consider trying it again, if only to see if my taste buds could survive round two.
Next on the menu was a simple fried chicken and fries joint. I mean, it's fried chicken and fries, how can you mess that up? Well, let me tell you, for $20, they found a way. The fries were soggy and tasted like disappointment, and the chicken fingers were as cold as my hopes for a good meal. The best part was the $4.50 bottle of water, which was ice-cold and didn't taste like regret.
There were a couple of pupusa places, and I tried one. For $10, I got a 3-inch pupusa that tasted like a waste of money. But hey, at least it was expensive, right?
The highlight of the day was the Gator bites. At a steep $25 for a bite-sized portion, they were quite tasty. I would have tried them again, but I decided to save my $25 for something else, like a second parking fee.
There was a promising-looking birria taco place, but after overhearing some disgruntled customers, I decided to take my chances elsewhere. After all, why risk it when there are so many other overpriced options?
I ended my culinary journey with a dozen doughnuts for $12. They were hot, fresh, and the only thing that didn't leave a bad taste in my mouth.
In total, I spent $166 on this two-hour escapade of culinary disappointment. The event was hyped up to be a foodie's paradise, but all I got was a foodie's nightmare.
Would I go again? Not unless they start serving gold-plated truffles. For those of you considering a trip to Foodie Land, I'd advise you to bulk up your wallets and maybe pack a snack. You might end up leaving hungrier than when you arrived. I know I did.
Remember, food is subjective, and one man's truffle oil-infused bone marrow is another man's overpriced disappointment. Happy food hunting!