The World Series: San Francisco vs Detroit, Dungeness Crab vs Coney Island Hot Dogs

The 2012 World Series is under way (1-0 Giants on a Pablo “Kung Fu Panda” Sandoval home run!) in San Francisco between the Detroit Tigers and the San Francisco Giants. As mayors of the cities participating in such important postseason series usually do, the mayors of San Francisco and Detroit have a friendly wager for this World Series.

Except there is a catch with this wager. Most of the time the wager involves the iconic foods of the participating cities, which was the case as we reported last week in the National League Championship Series between San Francisco and St. Louis (we’re enjoying the toasted ravioli, Budweiser, and St. Louis bbq here in the Bay Area now…).

San Francisco’s Ed Lee and Detroit’s Dave Bing instead will perform a day of community service in the victorious city. Lee would visit Detroit and talk to young people, along with tour a Chevy Volt factory (something Lee would probably be fascinated by knowing his love of new, environmentally friendly technologies). Bing would come to San Francisco to talk to youth in the Junior Giants program, along with tour some of the city’s many high-tech companies (perhaps Tesla in Palo Alto?).

With the help of a Detroit born and Bay Area based colleague, we’ll take matters into our own hands for the imaginary food-side of this World Series wager. Dungeness crab or Coney Island hot dogs?As was the official case in the NLCS, San Francisco would send Detroit dim sum (preferably from Yank Sing). We’ll also add to that the cult favorite warm custard tarts (called “dan tat”) from Chinatown’s Golden Gate Bakery, and in a nod to 2012 San Francisco, some thrice baked bacon from Mission Chinese Food.

Yes, I know Dungeness crab season doesn’t begin for six more weeks, but crab is obligatory in this exchange. Swan Oyster Depot’s cracked crab and crab louie must be involved. Some Hog Island and Tomales Bay oysters must be added too for additional seafood. Let’s also just add a big bowl of cioppino too, though I wish I knew who crafts the best version of this San Francisco invented seafood soup.

Then, some of the city’s other iconic dishes: Rice-a-Roni (I’ve lived in the Bay Area most of my life and never had the “San Francisco Treat”), Tartine Bakery’s much imitated sourdough country loaf, Zuni Cafe’s roasted chicken with warm bread salad, and the epic pasta tasting at Flour + Water. Some thin crust California pizza must be added too. My vote would be the gas fired pies from Gialina in the Glen Park neighborhood, preferably topped with wild nettles.

Of course, a Mission style burrito, two meals in one must be added. La Taqueria’s carnitas is the best version you’ll find, sans filling rice and beans, but the ultimate example of the gut-buster would be a super carnitas or carne asada burrito from El Farolito, a seemingly ten pound guacamole-sour cream-rice-bean-salsa filled behemoth.

Dessert? A scoop of salted caramel from Bi-Rite Creamery and a scoop of “Secret Breakfast” (corn flakes and bourbon) from Humphry Slocombe for the city’s current iconic flavors. Some “It’s It” ice cream sandwiches must be thrown in to the cooler heading to Michigan too.

To drink– Anchor Steam is the symbol of San Francisco brewing, but the city’s best beer is the Nautilus Hibiscus Saison from nano-brewers Pacific Brewing Labs. Some Napa Cabernet Sauvignon should certainly be part of the deal, though not from the city necessarily. Then, finish with an Irish Coffee from the Buena Vista Cafe and an espresso from Four Barrel Coffee.

From Detroit:

Certainly for starters, the chili, mustard, and raw onion topped miniature hot dogs known as “Coney Island hot dogs.” I’m told the premier version is from Lafayette Coney Island. I’m told by my colleague that a local favorite Coney Island variation should be added, with loose ground meat served in a hot dog bun, a spin on a Sloppy Joe.

A pulled pork sandwich and assorted bbq from the ever popular Slows BBQ must be included. Detroit style pizza as well, cut in squares, perhaps from Buddy’s? Then again, some Little Caesar’s Pizza needs to be thrown in since Tigers owner Mike Ilitch is the company’s owner and founder.

With its enormous Greektown, Detroit adds some spanakopita, dolmas, and gyros. Nearby Dearborn boasts one of the country’s largest Lebanese populations, meaning plenty of kebabs, assorted mezzes, and baklava are added to the smorgasbord.

To drink? A “Boston Cooler” with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and the local soda “pop” maker Vernor’s Ginger Ale. For some brews, perhaps an assortment from Dragonmead and Woodward Avenue Brewing.

We’ll stretch the city limits to also include some cherry pie from The Cherry Hut in Beulah  and from Ann Arbor, some pastrami on rye and whitefish salad from Zingerman’s Deli (or anything from the outstanding Zingerman’s) and a Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger.

Of course the lists could go on and and we’d love to hear from you, whether or not from Detroit or San Francisco, what both sides would offer in this dining World Series!

For now, Go Giants!