Great food truck options. that a huge amount of them though. Usually there are about 5-6 of them. I would love to come here more often, but it's quite difficult when I feel unsafe or uncomfortable. There's too many addicts and people yelling at trees. I usually don't sit there at the limited amount of tables located there. I'll take my food and head back downtown to eat. It's safer. read more

Off the Grid: UN Plaza - Food Trucks Near Me - San Francisco, California

I'm so lucky that I work close enough for both Off the Grid Civic Center and UN Plaza! The food trucks rotation do not disappoint. Not to sound mean or ignorant, but I do wish that there weren't as many transients hovering around that area. But the culinary experience isn't hindered by this. http://sexydishes.blogspot.com/2011/07/viva-la-food-truck-revolucion.html read more

Off the Grid: UN Plaza - Food Trucks Near Me - San Francisco, California

OTG: UN Plaza Organizer website: http://offthegridsf.com/ Hours: Tuesdays (new*) and Thursdays, 11am-2pm 5-6 food trucks Today was the first day of location #5 http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/off-the-grid-un-plaza-san-francisco-2?select=zm5Urjzo-BnFu6lx7FXSpg#zm5Urjzo-BnFu6lx7FXSpg for the Off the Grid food truck event at United Nations Plaza. In the same space where the Civic Center's farmers market (on Wed.), and right next to the Arts and Crafts market. Expect to see a rotation of food trucks, and live music. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/off-the-grid-un-plaza-san-francisco-2?userid=8Ces6YdT6j7BYycnZLrSng#6WC-FM-zlG2bZ6pXcDWqbA This time I saw: Senor Sisig, Le Truc, El Tonayense, and Iz It. And I bought a Hawaiian steak taco. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/off-the-grid-un-plaza-san-francisco-2?select=pyGbBo958DCEJX75xmqTaA#pyGbBo958DCEJX75xmqTaA There are plenty of hungry office workers in this area, so I don't believe that it affects attendance of the similar Ferry Plaza street food event. Not crowded when I visited. Yay! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/off-the-grid-un-plaza-san-francisco-2?select=F7tbYt1---zW3QN9S_B7AQ#F7tbYt1---zW3QN9S_B7AQ My 5 star rating is for this weekly venue, my truck reviews are posted separately. Remember to bring cash - only a few trucks accepts credit cards (like Le Truc). http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/off-the-grid-un-plaza-san-francisco-2?select=cuGT7LN4V02E1rwmqtcJFA#cuGT7LN4V02E1rwmqtcJFA * Update: added Tuesdays to schedule on May 10, 2011. read more

See all

OMG, OtG is OG. Don't tell my boss, but it's true... I pretty much show up at the office on Thursdays so I can go to Off the Grid for lunch. For those of you who aren't familiar with OtG, they organize gourmet food trucks together to make delicious mobile food available to the masses at a small handful of public open spaces throughout the city. Thursday lunches at the UN Plaza brings six vendors to tempt your taste buds. The food trucks vary from week to week, but you'll likely be able to get your fix of Asian (Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino, Japanese, fusion), Mexican, Americana, and drinks/dessert. Whatever genre you're craving, you'll probably find it here. Better yet, whatever it is you didn't know you were craving, you'll find it here, too! Quick tip: Check out OtG's Facebook or Twitter for weekly schedules, locations, and food truck participants. As if good food wasn't a good enough excuse to lure you out of your home or office, OtG also brings along live music and portable chairs for your pleasure and convenience. Now, if only the sun was a little less shy in San Francisco... read more

Off the Grid: UN Plaza - Food trucks and people lined up at the UN Plaza on Thursdays for lunch. - Food Trucks Near Me - San Francisco, California

I love a good food truck. And when there's a bunch of them parked together, waiting for me to come buy their delicious wares, I like it even better. The options were slightly limited, but I can't complain about a world in which I can get Kung Fu Tacos (Asian Asada is what's good), my girl can rock the Rib Whip's huge, messy pulled pork sandwich, I can steal some lumpia off an unsuspecting friend and we can eat it all in the sunshine as suits and students and everyone in between rocks out to barefoot hippie guitarists' acoustic harmonies. That was a long sentence. read more

Off the Gird: Un plaza gets a variety of new, upcoming food trucks showing up here. maybe thursday schedules are more flexible. . sampling: -3 dim sum: versatile gastromaster. deviled egg and mushroom sammie delish. -an the go : pricey garlic noodles, shrimp interesting. -el tonyonses : pricey, tasty mex eats. -curbside cofffee : premium coffee plus baked goods i haven't tried yet. -rib whip: bbq: probably choose wrong item. brisket so-so. -little green cyclo : didn't get to this one yet. -brass knuckle : snoop dog was pretty good. notorious p.i.g. is next -southern sandwich: southern hospitablity with near perfect southern comfort food -a continuing eat-a-thon foodnotes: -OTG civic center always has the same trucks. un plaza changes. -seems to be busier at lunch here than at civic center '-more trucks here.than at civic center -metered parking, 3.00/hr. read more

There were some good food options. I'd try the Peruvian spot next time, with a sandwich and fries. I tried the Three Slider Sampler from (their words, not mine) "Me So Hungry" for $11. I'm glad I had the foresight to grab napkins. It was definitely substantial and "dripping" with flavor. The big down-grade in rating was the environment. It was simply not relaxing or comfortable on a work day. And, let's devote a few more dollars to picking up trash in the Civic Center. I am a fan of shade, and there was none. There were some interesting conversations to overhear - and, I'll give a few points because there were quite a few hard-working 25-40'ers out to try to find something awesome for lunch - which really is the highlight of a lot of days, sometimes. read more

A little on the pricey side but we are in SF! I tried the Koritto (Korean buritto) from the Korean BBQ truck & it was so yummy! I am sure all of you have had a buritto experience that required you to pull out the magnifying glass to find the meat, right? Well, my carnivores, I have good news for you...this Koritto is PACKED with meat. And by packed, i mean it basically consists of meat (with a dash of rice and kimchi) wrapped in a tortilla. Very filling & worth the 7$. I am excited to try the other options in the future. read more

Sunlight beams down from the sky. Stomachs all over the city begin to growl. Coworkers collaborate, conspire, and corroborate. Fleeting feet march to a quickening cadence on their merry way to satisfy the body's hunger. Left. Right. Left. Right. Two blocks. Now one more. A happy harmony fills the air with the sounds of music. It's a man--no two--singing in bearded guitar-glee under a tent. Happy vendors provide their backup orchestra. The tinkle of chimes and jewelry and a few coins in their pockets. A symphony for the senses. Colorful goods displayed, and vibrant, rich aromas of barbecue, tacos, filipino fare, organic foods, and other tempting treats each, as if orchestrated by a mighty conductor, play their parts in each of their sanctioned sections. For a few hours it comes together in a beautiful San Francisco song. Meals are shared and once-rabid coworkers take their content bellies back to work or play with renewed energy. read more

A lot of people are mixing up the reviews between OtG: UN Plaza and OtG: Civic Center Plaza. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME FOOLS! UN Plaza Tuesdays have very limited seating and add it all the rowdy homeless people and you get a very annoying and unpleasant environment. Just stay enclosed in the OtG section and you'll be fine, except when Calvin the African-American guy with the newspapers starts soliciting OtG patrons mid-bite like myself. Luckily the 2-3 OtG staff in the red T-shirts were here to save the day many times, salute to you guys. There were 5 trucks today and one had it's oven out of service and only served soup sadly, no empanadas there. Every time I go to an OtG, I'm wonderstruck on what to order, there are so many options. I went with An the Go today and it was very good garlic noodles for $7.50. The sun was amazingly out today and at full blast too so a few friends and I had to scout out some good places to sit. At first we went toward the crazy homeless people but that was a bust. When we returned to the OtG seating area, seats were open under the tent. I can't wait to go to the other OtGs to complete my summer. read more

See all

Great OTG that is a bit of a trek from my workplace but worth the planning and effort it takes to get here. Get here early or the line will get big quickly. Check their FB page for what trucks will be here and I hear they have a twitter feed as well. The last couple of times they've had live music and there is usually a few art/jewelery stalls that tag along. If it's a nice day sit by the water sculpture and enjoy the day for awhile until you get pulled back to work. read more

Off the Grid: UN Plaza - Food Trucks Near Me - San Francisco, California

This little mini off the grid is a fun one for Thursday lunches. I had just gone to the Haight one so it felt a bit smaller and apparently the Civic Center location also boasts a few more trucks. This was a momentous day where we enjoyed lunch away from our desks near a fountain. We went late in the afternoon and it wasn't too crowded. Things I enjoyed: 3 Sum Eats: amazing smoked mozzarella sticks and housemade twinkies Curbside Coffee: flavorful ice coffee on a warm day Kung-Fu Tacos: Duck and Chicken always a favorite Also present that I did got get to try. Senior Sisig, Rib Whip BBQ, and Seoul on Wheels read more

Fun, sun, and hipness -- expect to pay between 10 and 15 but it's a great way to break the routine and show off SF food truck culture. I have a couple of favorites that I haven't seen here (koja, senor sissig, etc) but I still always walk away happier than I arrived read more

Off the Grid: UN Plaza - Sushi taco - Food Trucks Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

My third Off the Grid at the UN Plaza. Now this was a little more crowded than my first two OtG experience, maybe the nice weather was the reason, but my favorite so far. First off it was a little harder to find parking at this OtG especially with all the constructions going around, but like any of the OtGs I've been to, it worth all the troubles to get here. Like usual there were five Food Trucks serving and all of them were pretty busy. Here were the following trucks that were present: Kung Fu Tacos - Asian Asada Taco ($2) and Nun Chuk Chicken Taco ($2). Great starters. Little Green Cyclo - Vermicelli with Lemongrass Grilled Pork ($7). It was fantastic. 3 Sum Eats - Grilled Chicken Club ($8) and Homemade Twinkies ($3). Nice and juicy, the Chicken not the Twinkies. Hapa SF - Really wanted to try again, but I had to save room in my stomach. Rib Wip - First time I've heard or seen this truck, must be new. Didn't get to try. I like this OtG spot because there were plenty of spots to hang out. My daughter and I had our picnic on the stairs next to the fountain. There were also plenty of little kiosk stations, I'm not sure why but maybe a farmers market was going on (sorry I was too focused on the food). If you want to follow OtG and find out the whats and wheres, go to www.offthegridsf.com and get on their email list. They will send you a weekly email on what food trucks will be in which OtG and where. Have fun! read more

I've been coming since day one (I have gone more than twice, believe me. I don't always bother with the check in feature), but I go AWOL for long periods of time. Why? The lineup gets SO stale to me. Please switch it up more often!!!!! Also, there's only so much harassment one can stand in the UN Plaza. But not much can be done with that. read more

In theory I love the idea of a lunch at Off the Grid, mainly because I've been a big fan of Off the Grid at Fort Mason Center for a long while now so on a recent trip to the area for work I suggested it for lunch. We struck gold with the weather - one of those rare completely sunny and beautifully warm days welcomed us into the fold of food trucks and goods on display. But I have to say I was a little disappointed with how many trucks were there (four) compared to how many booths were set up to sell non-food items. And if you get there any time after 1 pm or so you should expect that many items from each truck will have sold out. This is both good and bad in mind - hooray for the trucks for doing well! Sad for me for having an even more limited menu. They do put out the folding chairs so you have a place to sit and eat which is wonderful and there is quite a lot of entertainment going on, including plain old people watching in the area. All in all, if you are looking to experience a wide variety of food trucks in one gathering I'd recommend the Friday night version at Fort Mason, but if you don't have the time or inclination or just want a quick bite for lunch then this will definitely do you right. read more

I love the off the grid events, especially during lunch! OTG UN Plaza helps get me out of the office to enjoy yummy food, fresh air and delightful music. read more

I'm so happy I finally made it to one of these Off the Gird things ... As an east coaster I have never experienced anything like this ... Carts of goodness lined up to serve you cheap great good ... I love it!!! Its great to stand in a line order get your food and then eat the greatness as you wait in your next line ... Its definitely a fun experience for any food lover ... and when the sun is up and the day is warm it just adds even more to the whole ... What a great time .. I cannot wait to try the Fort Mason one .. but the Civic Center was a fantastic intro to me ... Carts I had : Charmain Boa -- One of my favorites it was great ! Steamed and baked buns * drool * Southern Sandwitch Co -- Brisket w/ hush puppies and Sweet Tea Korean BBq -- Korean Tacos = Bliss Cupkates --- Double vanilla, red velvet, tiramisu , and couple other very very good ... Ahh food !!! NOM NOM NOM read more

It's kind of a short OTG menu with only 6 trucks (2 are coffee or cake trucks), but it's an easy spot to access and the trucks are always rotating. read more

I like this food truck option for an area that doesn't have a lot of quick choices on Market Street. There might have been 8-10 trucks, with a decent variety. All of the food trucks had lines, but some only 3-4 people and a few with ten or so. We chose an Indian truck that listed several addresses in SF and Berkeley where they have full restaurants. We both had the butter chicken burrito and it was good. What I liked best were all the options to choose from in this area, and on a sunny day it was such a treat to eat outside. read more

Went back for my second trip to Off the Grid at UN Plaza today. Enjoyed the Hawaiian slider place ... sorry, forgot the name. I had the original and kalua pork plus a side of tots. The original was okay - what can you really say about a burger. The kalua pork on the other hand - SOOO good! It had some wacky spicy green sauce that was really good! On to the location .... While this plaza is a little sketchy, the people at OTG bring plenty of chairs and make you feel "safe". Today, there was an interpretive dance thing going on - just added to the charm of the plaza. It's a great place on a beautiful, sunny day! read more

I live in Seattle and it's hard to find food trucks congregated together. It's great the Off the Grid organizes locations for the food trucks. Not only that they provide tents, chairs etc... While I was there I believe there were 5-6 trucks. Nom Nom Truck, Fins on the Hoof, Saguchon a burger truck and one other that was already closed. I can't wait to go back to San Francisco and eat at more of the food truck pods that Off the Grid sets up! read more

Quick Tip: Went for littlegreencyclo for five spice chicken rice plate and iced chrysanthemum tea Off the Grid: UN Plaza - 3 out of 5 LittleGreenCyclo - 5 out of 5 I prefer the OTG: Civic Center over this one because it has more food trucks and variety in who comes weekly. Even though, UN is just 10 steps away from my building, it seems to always have the same trucks: Senior Sisig, Seoul on Wheels, El Toyanese, etc. And it doesn't help that more crack heads hang out in this area than the Civic Center one. LittleGreenCyclo! Amazing. Although design wise the truck is overcluttered, I love the pics of Vietnam and the history of their company, their food, the regions and Vietnam and their food influences. Nice thing to look at and read while you're waiting in line. I got the 5-spice chicken rice plate. I love that they used "crushed" rice or in my old place we called it "baby" rice. Second, the chicken was cooked well! Well as in soft, tender and not salty or overpowering sauce. Of course, love love love (as always in Vietnamese dishes) the side of carrots, cucumber and diakon (?) to dip in my fish sauce, which they say they make homemade. read more

I hate to give this review, but it was BAD! On the bright side, the vendor was very pleasant and they gave me excellent service taking my order, so that is why they are not getting one star. I give one stars to restaurants that may have made me sick from food poisoning. I ordered the Prawns and Roses tacos and my friend ordered the Fryin Maiden sandwich from the Brass Knuckle food truck. My tacos were seasoned nicely, but after two bites I noticed that the prawns were raw. I'm guessing that they may have flash fried a frozen prawn, regardless I think I'm feeling sick thinking about it. Then my friend asked me to taste her chicken sandwich, because she thought that her tastebuds might be off. The chicken sandwich was fried, so I bravely chomped down. It tasted like a chicken hodge-podge of white and dark meat, but the kicker was that it also tasted like they threw in some gizzards too. Yuck! read more

Being from a different state where food trucks are not as plentiful, I was very excited to try this. I made my travel companions walk almost a mile to get there and I was worried that it was not going to be worth it. It was worth it, and I would probably walk farther if need be. First of all, this was perfect for our group because there were different types of food to choose from. I opted for Brass Knuckles, and it seemed that many of the other diners did as well. There was a large group of people standing around, and I thought they were waiting to order. I soon found out they had already ordered and were waiting for their food. The young lady taking orders was bubbly and pleasant. I ordered the garlic fries and lamb halen. I ate the fries first and they were garlicy heaven. I thought they were going to be the stars of the show, but I was wrong. The lamb halen was even better. If I ever have the opportunity to enjoy Off the Grid again I know I will. The atmosphere is great and the people are nice. read more

It was our first time to Civic Center. The place is very nice. There were a few trucks named 'The chairman', 'mama cass', 'Smokin' Warehouse Barbecue Mobile', 'NOM NOM' and so on. We chose to eat the 'Tender Pork Belly'bun from 'The Chairman'. There are 2 different sizes; steamed and baked. Their price is $3.75 and $6.75 each. The only negative thing for us was the size. Steamed was too small and baked was too big. It would have been better if they had had a medium size. The taste of 'Tender Pork Belly' was sweet, a little bit salty and very delicious! The food was uncommon to us but it helped to open our mind to the things that we never tried. It's a nice place to eat, because we can sit outside, and enjoy the nice weather. It was the great time to learn about culture of America because there are not many food trucks in our country. + Food trucks are open from 11am to 2pm. read more

Such variety love the music trucks on Thursday! My apartment management @ Trinity place around corner sent residents email of this Thursday event. read more

spending your lunch hour on a thursday afternoon at off the grid: UN plaza in the heart of san francisco... eating some amazing senor sisig fries with city hall looming in the background... watching that motorcycle cop (who i SWEAR is there every day) constantly pull people over on market street... what more of an awesome experience could we ask for here in our beautiful san francisco? read more

Off the Grid: UN Plaza - sisig fries! - Food Trucks Near Me - San Francisco, California

All the food we tried was good but the lines were kind of long...actually not that long, just slow moving. People can be so darn picky! The Sissig Filipino one was my favorites. Overall the food from each truck that our group shared was very good. I'd give the experience five stars if the area wasn't so populated by vagrants and open air IV drug users. I'm not heartless and I feel really bad for these broken people who so desperately need help of some sort. However, I just can't see myself ever going through that experience again. UN Plaza feels like an area that needs UN peacekeepers on patrol in order for it to be safe. I don't know how much drugs cost but there is no way that any of those addicts have jobs. Therefore, the question is where do they get the money to buy drugs? It won't be from my purse after a robbery because I'm not going back there. Obviously the truck owners have no control over the city's unwillingness to enforce the law at UN Plaza but because food trucks operate as they do, the area is a big part of the experience so I don't think my rating is unfair. Same trucks in the Presidio and I would give 5 stars. read more

Love the selection at Off the Grid at UN Plaza. Having worked in the area for 5 years now, I'm so happy that I can get some great food on Tuesdays and Thursdays and never get tired of the selection. Yes the prices are a little on the high side, but they're pretty comparable with other eateries in the Tenderloin that have good food. read more

I was never really into the idea of food from trucks but this by far has changed my mind. I had food from SenorSisig and Tomkat something... (sorry I forgot the truck name, but you'll know it when you see it!). The portions are big, and my stomach is happy! The only thing is when I was browsing through the menu selections (of all the trucks...4 at the time), was that it was a bit pricey. But it's still doable! For some reason, this particular day, there was only 4 trucks and little scattered seating. I think there was suppose to be 6 trucks to choose from and perhaps would have been a large venue? Normally this wouldn't throw me off, but if it's advertised as a certain way, I would like to see the results. Overall, pretty good. Try it out for some fun and unique way of dining out! read more

I have become a huge fan of the food truck movement, and Off the Grid at UN Plaza is just too convenient. Fiveten was beyond good.

I think it's great that there's one location where people can go to have a decent selection of food trucks. Unfortunately, I didn't really find anything at the UN Plaza OTG that struck me as a "must-try". I'm willing to give it a second try though because An the Go didn't do it for me and I think it's lame that I ended up paying more for lunch at a food truck than I would at a restaurant with a lunch special. read more

I go to the heart of the city farmer's market most weeks and occasionally come through here for some other event, but I guess this was the first time I came where there wasn't something big set up. It's a lot funkier than I expected. On the one hand, I was really impressed that the otg employees kept everything in line (there was a guy looking at menus while smoking a really nasty-smelling cigar, and they told him not to smoke in that area, which I appreciated), but on the other hand, you're sitting there eating your fancy foodie lunch from compostable containers while a church is handing out free lunches in plastic bags to homeless people. So, I guess it's sort of like everything else in sf. read more

Today was my first day going to OTG: UN Plaza. I went kind of late, some of the trucks that were present were pretty much out of some food items which is a good thing. I just have to remember to go early so I can more options to decide from. I visited the El Tonayense truck, they served Mexican food. I had two mild chicken tacos that were good. The server asked if I want spicy, but I said no and asked for mild. Two chicken tacos was $4, not bad. I have want to try the other OTG locations as well. read more

It's smaller and not as fun as the Minna Street incarnation, but still great and a positive presence in an otherwise disenfranchised crook of the city. read more

they are fantastic crew. great people . i love the food... little too expensive. read more

See all

I went to Off the Grid near UN plaza this week and was hoping to find my favorite, Senor Sisig. Unfortunately those fine filipino pork tacos were not present on this day...but, I had the chance to enjoy the Cambodian ratatouille from the Tomkatsf truck. Very tasty, very fresh, and the price is definitely fair. $8 for the special. 24 ouncer from Travelers on 7th street, and you're all set :) read more

Love all of them, depending where I am. Always different trucks to choose from, just keeps getting better and better. Hired them for my team party and had a blast! Had three trucks and our own bar and music. We're making it an annual event. My girlfriend's friend just hired them to cater their wedding in July! Totally cool selection - and they'll serve! WOW! Best bet in town. Getting the bar set up through them as well. Great company, really cool people. read more

I tried the "Nom Nom Truck" and ordered a Bánh Mì of Lemongrass Chicken. It was about a foot long and tasted good to me, not exceptional, however. For extra taste they put on Jalapenos, which I didn't find too spicy, although I am no fan of spicy food. The price was appropriate ($7.25 with taxes) and the service was nice and served quickly as well. Other choices of the Nom Nom Truck would have been Tacos, seemingly having the same ingredients as the Bánh Mì, but a lot less and cheaper of course. They offer chips as side and some domestic drinks. Seating on the UN Playa was okay at 1pm, most people found a place to sit, but we may have just been lucky. Especially on a sunny day the panorama is quite nice (for an urban area), and the nearby fountain and flora, as well as the view towards Civic Center divert attention from the nearby Market Street. The pigeons around were no nuisance, they rather cleaned up whatever dropped to the ground. read more