Food trucks selling everything from tacos to cupcakes are all the rage in major American cities these days, and San Francisco is no exception. One of the best ways to sample the wares of both established and on-the-rise chefs is to attend one of the Off the Grid street-food markets held weekly in various locations across the City. The largest Off the Grid event takes place every Friday from 5–10 p.m. at Fort Mason Center, featuring up to 30 different gourmet food trucks and tents.

Off the Grid was established in 2010 to create a unique San Francisco experience that would showcase the vibrancy and culture of Asian and Latin street-food markets. It is the creation of Matthew Cohen, who is also the brains behind Tabe Services, a mobile catering consultancy based in the Bay Area focusing on business development, social media, operations, permitting, and Web services for the mobile food and beverage industry. Other San Francisco Off the Grid locations include St. Mary’s Square, U.N. Plaza, the Upper Haight, and Fifth Street at Minna.

Every Friday, trucks and tents gather in a loosely defined circle in the Fort Mason Center parking lot, tented vendors often having to deal with the waterfront’s typical brisk winds threatening to topple them. But the faithful gather – wind, sun or fog – to line up for their favorite vendors, listening to live music and tempering the chill with a glass of wine or a beer from the bar tent (21 and over only) or a cup of steaming hot java from Blue Bottle or Curbside Coffee.

Rotating Asian and Latino vendors include The Taco Guys, El Toyanese, Senor Sisig, El Norteno, Curry Up Now, El Huarache Loco, Chairman Bao, Namu, Seuol on Wheels, and Kung Fu Tacos. Fine examples of global food fusion abound. Try a Filipino burrito, taco or rice plate from Senor Sisig, or sample a paneer tikka masala burrito from Curry Up Now. What about an Asian-inspired taco from Fung Fu Tacos? Or you can stick with the traditional Latin tacos and burritos from trucks that got their start in the Mission District. Or sink your teeth into a fresh pork bun from Chairman Bao or some traditional dim sum from Dim Sum Charlie’s. While the lines can be long, cooks and servers keep things moving, and Off the Grid is a wonderful place to people watch or catch up with pals while waiting for dinner.

Once you’ve got a plateful of food, seating can be anywhere from one of the sparsely placed picnic tables around the complex, a chair within the Off the Grid area, or one of the many sets of concrete steps outside the various Fort Mason buildings. Or you can always eat on your feet while waiting in line for your next course.

For dessert, an all-time favorite is The Crème Brûlée Man, featuring the traditional vanilla bean flavored custard topped by caramelized sugar, and also Mexican chocolate and other flavors. There are cupcakes from Kara’s Cupcakes and CupKates, and natural, handcrafted soft-serve ice cream from Twirl and Dip. Off the Grid is so well organized and such a popular destination that it is being honored at two separate events this month. San Francisco Beautiful will be awarding Off the Grid one of its 2011 Beautification Awards at its annual awards banquet on Friday, Oct. 14 at the Palace Hotel. The Beautification Awards have recognized individuals, organizations, community groups, and businesses that improve the quality of life in San Francisco since the 1970s.

The Chase Sapphire Eater’s Choice Awards, in partnership with Off the Grid, will bring food truck fans top 10 food trucks to a special event at Fort Mason Center on Saturday, Oct. 15. Fans can vote for their favorite mobile eateries at www.EatersChoiceSF.com through Oct. 5. The top pick will be revealed at the awards event, earning that vendor a $5,000 customized makeover.

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Off the Grid: Fort Mason Center parking lot (Marina Boulevard at Buchanan), Fridays 5–10 p.m., www.offthegridsf.com

San Francisco Beautiful: 2011 Annual Beautification Awards Dinner, Palace Hotel, Friday, Oct. 14. To purchase a ticket go to www.sfbeautiful.org or e-mail [email protected] for a formal invitation.

Eater’s Choice Awards Celebration: Fort Mason Center parking lot, Saturday, Oct. 15, 12–4 p.m. (11 a.m. VIP entry for Chase Sapphire card members). Free admission, food for purchase. www.EatersChoiceSF.com

E-mail: [email protected]