Jet Martinez painted a food truck last week. I found that truck at the Soma Street Food Park on 11th Street at Division. It serves up beer and wine and stays at that location.

Food trucks have been around for years in San Francisco dishing out ordinary forgettable fast food from plain white vehicles with a few taco trucks thrown into the mix. Frequently the trucks were found around under served construction sites. For years I passed one parked by California Street in the heart of the Financial District where you could pick up food like packaged pastries, Farmer Brothers coffee, fruit and pre-made sandwiches. Typically you could walk right up to the window and get immediate assistance.

Unless you just fell off the turnip truck you are aware of the food truck craze that has spread across the country. The trucks serve up just about any ethic cuisine you can imagine with the bar constantly being raised. The trucks can be spotted around town with scores of people lined up waiting to be served.

What is interesting about this development is that the decor of the trucks and type of vehicle has also taken a creative turn, along with the dishes and menus. Eye catching art and logos are boldly painted on the trucks so they can be easily spotted from a distance. Old school buses have been completely retooled inside and out.

Now the street food craze has gone one step farther. Where you might have just found one truck in one location you will now find several with outdoor seating and music, making fast food pick up a multi-sensory event. It almost makes you feel like we have gone back in time when the covered wagons were going cross country and stopped at night to make circles where the adventures could sit around the fire, share tales and food and make music.

If you want to experience this form of street art and food, listen to some music and enjoy our fine weather check out these sites for more times and places and special events. Several of these venues have facebook pages.

Soma Street Food Park has a beer garden atmosphere with food trucks that rotate every seating, everyday.
Soma Street Food Park

Off the Grid is a mobile food site that list times and trucks that will be in various venue locations around San Francisco and the Bay Area. Some locations have live music. The musicans and dates are shown on calendars.
Off The Grid SF

If you are in the Mission District checking out street art and want quick food from a more traditional food truck check out El Tonayense food trucks that have served Mexican food in the Mission District for 15 years. Their food trucks can be found along Harrison Street between 14th and 19th Streets.
El Tonayense

For specific cuisine or to learn where your favorite food truck will be on a given day, check out this site.
Roaming Hunger