Origen

#1800As the September 2023 La Coccina stand, Origen was here for the month. I finally stopped by and tried some of their offerings on the 23rd of the month. The program at the Ferry farmers' market is La Coccina participants are given the stand for the month. Their stand was busy in the earlier weeks so on this day, there was only one other customers so I decided to try a few things.Given that they would only have one more week here after this, I decided to try a number of items starting with their passion fruit agua fresca (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=i8ayTeV62PPf-A1SmgIWTA&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q); I was blown away by a. the flavors from the passion fruit were dominant yet they didn't oversweeten this and b. it was actually more of a slushy, a smart move given that I bought this before 10 am and they would be there until 2 pm. This was so good that I got another one the following Saturday. I also tried the chicken mole tamale (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=wG6w0QnkRl3dAcWmuNzDTg&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q); I don't recall ever trying mole so I enjoyed the deep rich flavor on this especially paired with their house made salsa. There was no shortage of filling (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Iswy46JSv4qTQYDAdjYF8w&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q). I also tried the vegan tamale (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=drG3Had5QAsA8eGLrcFv3Q&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) a few days later. The variety of ingredients, especially the still crunchy green beans made the filling (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=LMlQOHxRNl7VrQjOXNc7JQ&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) shine. The following week, their final market appearance, I tried the chicken chipotle tamale (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=n72mqQ3kUHlU5kzhzZ91sQ&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q); must have with their provided salsa (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=ueAvlb0f05MvUhTH3LIA8A&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q). The flavors were brighter on this and, again, their salsa added a tanginess and spiciness in contrast to the filling (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Awo-S2UoLXSgLQUwuWieKg&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q). Overall, the above menu items were enjoyable and I would have them again. The gentleman told me that I could order online from their website.

I saw them and really wanted to like them much more than I did. They were the first place we saw, upon entering the Berkeley Book Festival and I knew that I could have a gluten free food. The people who work there were really nice. I ordered a tamal and my husband ordered the chapulines (grasshopper) tlayuda (big ole tortilla). The tortilla was soft, but usually, they are supposed to be hard, like a tostada. But this review isn't based on that. It's based on my experience.Now, I tasted a chipoline and it wasn't crunchy like I expected. It was supposed to be like popcorn or something like that. It tasted like a lemon flavored, olive textured lump. No me gusta! But my tamal was cold, probably because I waited. That's not the same, it's just not as good as I would have expected. And there was only one. The mole (sauce) was tasty, but cold.I'd come back if there was absolutely nothing else to eat. And I'd eat the food quicker than I did on that day. But if someone were to ask me what I thought about it and if I thought they should go, I'd have to say no. Unfortunately.

chicken tlayuda y'all it's like a flattened out taco bowl. but the one i ate tasted fresher. they cook it all at the back of the tent. sit in the fresh air & eat.

I used to work the farmer's market at Fort Mason and let me tell you, they made waking up at dawn so worth it! Señora Rosa is the head chef and owner. You can see her working hard making all the food. Her husband usually plates and her kids are at register. I love that it's a family affair! You can tell that they put a lot of heart into what they do.Now for the food... if you haven't had Oaxacan food, you're missing out! Like I said, I first discovered them when I was working the market so I had a chance to try almost everything, from their mole to the tlayuda to the tamal. Every bite had so much flavor and you can tell that they use fresh ingredients. I can go on and on about the lovely family and the great food, but let me tell you what really stole the show for me: Origen has the BEST HORCHATA my taste buds have ever encountered (and they've encountered a lot). It had the right amount of sweetness, cinnamon, and it was blended so well that the consistency is reminiscent of clouds, silk, and sunshine combined. I'm not even sure what I mean by that but you gotta taste their horchata. Seriously.