Guacamole gets weird at San Francisco's annual Guac-Off
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The Farmhouse Mansion is truly one of a kind. Photo: Nadia Lopez/Axios
What's just as quintessentially San Francisco as savoring a Mission burrito at Dolores Park, following the musings of Broke-Ass Stuart or biking The Wiggle?
None other than the annual Guac-Off.
State of play: The rowdy, anything-goes guacamole competition — now in its 14th year — celebrates San Francisco's quirks through the power of the avocado.
- This year's event, held Saturday in Bernal Heights, was attended by hundreds of people and featured 67 guacamoles.
Yes, but: Mexicans, beware. Our abuela's traditional recipe won't be found here.
- In the land of Dr. Rick — the mysterious mansion owner and host best known for his outrageous Halloween bash — guacamole is a loose term that could encompass everything from a brownie or 7-layer dip to an Original Beef sandwich from "The Bear."
Zoom in: This IYKYK party is where you will meet San Francisco's stewards of flavor and avocadophiles.
- It's also where you'll spot local royalty: Emperor Norton made an appearance this year, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence indulged and Casper the Cockatoo strutted in on a leash.
How it works: Contestants use at least eight avocados, the crowd tastes and votes and a panel of local celebrity judges weighs in before crowning the winners and awarding prizes from local businesses.
- Categories this year included Best Guacamole, Most Avocados, Spiciest Guac and Heaviest Bowl.
Driving the news: The team behind "Guac-y Road," a deliciously strange avocado ice cream dipped in spicy mole, with a Bugles chip as the cone, took home Best Guacamole and received this year's Guacamole Glory Trophy.
- Other notable awardees included The Guacfather, a take with bleu cheese, Guacamole Jelly Time, a PB&J with avocado, and Revenge of the Guac-a-Masala, which featured a curry base.
What they're saying: "Having gone from producing the 'Most Anarchic Guac' last year to now winning the Guac Off, I'm enlivened by the spirit of San Francisco, where you can phoenix rise out of any bust to achieve your boom," Silas Valentino, one of the three people behind Guac-y Road, told Axios via text.
Catch up quick: The Guac-Off began at a bar in 2011 as a lighthearted way for three friends to bring neighbors together — and it still thrives on community spirit.
- Local businesses, including Nopalito and Emmy's Spaghetti Shack, now pitch in to sponsor what's become one of Bernal Heights' most beloved annual events.
My thought bubble: Are some of these recipes insane? Yes. Is this the city's culture at its finest? Also yes. Hands down, it's some of the most fun that you'll have all year.
