San Francisco's food scene is about to lose a treasured spot. After six flavorful years, Al Pastor Papi, celebrated for its Mexico City-style al pastor tacos, has announced the closure of its food truck operations. The announcement came via an Instagram post by Al Pastor Papi, where owner Miguel Escobedo expressed his gratitude to the community and declared the truck's last day of service this coming Saturday.
Escobedo's food truck has nurtured a loyal following since its debut in late 2018, thanks partly to its niche offering: pork expertly marinated and roasted on a trompo, an authentic cooking technique he felt was underrepresented in the Bay Area. His dedication to this culinary craft earned him popularity among local foodies and led to notable media appearances, including a feature on Vice’s Munchies YouTube channel. Yet as Escobedo prepares to close up shop, he has emphasized the need "to rest, take care of my mental and physical health, be with the kids, and create time and space to plan the next move," a sentiment captured in an SF Chronicle article.
Elevation by the media wasn't the only highlight of Al Pastor Papi's run. On July 13, 2021, San Francisco honored the business's contribution to the city's cultural and gastronomical landscape by officially declaring the date "Al Pastor Papi Day," as reported by SFGATE. Vibrant and engaging social media efforts further bolstered the food truck's status, drawing in thousands of followers to Escobedo's creative integration of his fare with iconic sports imagery.
