Dumplings or ToGo in the Sunset? [SF}

Shameless plug: the art I worked on, Entwined https://sanfranciscoparksalliance.org/entwined/ , is up for another month in golden gate park!

Since I’ve been visiting, and it’s best seen at night, I’ve found I like to bring a picknick and enjoy the vibe over some food. Bring some chairs, watch the kids, soak it up.

Since I’m coming from the peninsula, the easiest route with strong to-go food options seems down 19th Ave, which means the Sunset. I don’t really want to spend more than 5 minutes picking up food. The lead artist, Charlie, likes a pizza place in the height, which is nice — I end up getting dumplings. Dumplings are ultimate finger food.

The two places I’ve gotten to-go from are Kingdom of Dumpling, and Dumpling Specialist.

Kingdom of Dumpling is thicker northern skins, and lots of different options. Fun meat-bun thing (kinda rao jia mo), lots of other stuff. And reasonable prices: the dumplings come by the 12.

Dumpling Specialist, OTOH, has good XLB. Thin skins, in little cups, lots of soup. But 6 to the order, and less variety.

Anywhere else you’d send me along the 19th ave axis that has easy pickup and take over to the park for enjoying the lights?

Maybe check out Yuanbao Jiaozi, (2110 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122). I had delivery from there awhile back (pork and napa cabbage dumplings, beef noodle soup), and both were very good:

Also, I haven’t been in a long time but I remember the XLB from Dumpling Kitchen on Taraval being good.

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Dinosaurs has good Banh Mi and spring rolls, its just 1-2 blocks East of 19th on Ocean Ave and easy parking in front.
House of Pancakes is on Taraval a block West of 19th, and their beef roll pancake, dumplings and skewers are all hand food friendly.

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If Ocean Ave is en route for you, +1 for Dinosaurs— I had them on Saturday and both me and my wife remarked about how they were particularly on their game with the combo and the tofu banh mi, respectively.

If you can get parking, Queens’ banchan, kimbop, etc. is my goto takeout for the park. Depending on the hour, Palm City Wines is another en route option.

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Thanks for all the tips!

Interesting about Queens. Parking isn’t really how I think about it, but I could maybe imagine parking near the edge of the park and walking.

Dinosaurs closes at 7, limiting possibilities. We usually leave home between 6:30 and 7 so it would be tight. Will put it on the radar though.

a bit further up in Irving, but san tung on 11th (for their dry fried chicken) or lime tree (roti prata, murtabak, corn fritters, chicken satay) are pretty good options for finger food that might not be too messy

if yummy yummy has their banh xeo crepe, thats another worthy dish, but more messier. and there is always Arizmendi pizza

Unfortunately TC Pastry is closed at that time, but there is a Vietnamese sandwich place on 23rd that is quite good

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Unfortunately Arizmendi will be closed. Both it and Lime Tree are certainly more than a 5 min stop from 19th Ave.

I would recommend China North Dumpling on Noriega.

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The lead artist’s wife has a birthday this week, so fancy dress dinner in the park friday. Byo everything ( tables to top hats) so will try juanbao jaiozi for a change. Thanks for the rec’s!

Cool, maybe I’ll see you there if we make it, Charlie and Pouneh are friends.
Now what to eat!