Last Sunday morning, I headed to the 49ers Fit for my usual workout. As I was entering the gym, I noticed a huge cluster of tents on the other side of the parking lot. Curiosity got the best of me; after lifting weights and finishing dance cardio, I decided to check it out.
As I got closer, I saw signs promoting the West Side Feast Fest, a two-day outdoor food & maker festival. I arrived just before noon and had to wait a few minutes for it to open, but the enticing smells from the food stalls and the friendly small talk with other to-be customers made it worth the wait.
Once inside, I began to wander around, browsing the various stalls. I tried to get my parents to join me — telling Mom it was like the Saturday flea market at De Anza and Dad that it was similar to the outdoor food court we enjoyed in Portland — but both declined so I indulged on my own.
My first stop was Street Stix, where I grabbed 8 Filipino pork lumpia spring rolls for $11. They were crispy and full of flavor, though not exactly filling. They also easily irritated my sensitive left gums, perhaps due to the hot meat or the spicy sauce.
My next stop was Gim Belly, where I ordered the Filipino BBQ chicken combo for $20. (I wanted the BBQ ribs, but a 30-minute wait made me change my mind.) The combo came with Java rice, garlic noodles, and a pickled cucumber salad. I found a nice shaded lunch bench spot and took my time, savoring each bite while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere.
To wash it all down, I grabbed a refreshing $6 wintermelon lemon tea from 408 Fourzeroate (aka Cupertino Liang’s Village). The drink was the perfect balance of sweet and tart, a great complement to the chicken & rice. Before long, it was 3 p.m. and I had spent nearly half my day at Westgate. What started as a simple gym visit turned into a culinary adventure, filled with lavish spending and junk food.
PS: to my surprise, the Cupertino Liang’s Village stall was super popular and had crazy lines the entire time I was there. (My last bowl of beef noodles at Cupertino location was disappointing.)
