S.F. Street Food Festival opens Friday

Fresh corn on the cob being grilled at the San Francisco Street Festival in the Mission District in 2010. Fresh corn on the cob being grilled at the San Francisco Street Festival in the Mission District in 2010. Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle 2010 Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle 2010 Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close S.F. Street Food Festival opens Friday 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

The fourth annual San Francisco Street Food Festival takes over Folsom Street from 20th to 26th streets, and some of the surrounding area, on Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

The popular extravaganza features a wide variety of restaurants and food vendors, all in a benefit for La Cocina, the Mission District non-profit incubator kitchen that provides assistance to low-income entrepreneurs launching food businesses.

On tap will be food and drink from places such as El Huarache Loco, Mission Local Eatery, Three Twins Ice Cream, Kasa Indian Eatery, Boxing Room, Slanted Door, State Bird Provisions, Hawker Fare, Nojo, Bi-Rite Creamery, Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen and many others. Admission is free; all items are $8 or less.

The festival will be preceded this year by La Cocina's first Night Market, Friday, 6-9 p.m., at Alemany Farmers' Market, 100 Alemany Blvd.

The Night Market will spotlight 27 chefs and vendors, including Javier Plascencia from Mision 19 in Tijuana; barbecue master Rodney Scott from South Carolina; and Bay Area restaurants such as Locanda, Fifth Floor, Jardiniere and LaCiccia. Admission is $25, with food and drink $10 or less.

Events wrap up with a two-day conference on Aug. 19 and 20, with panels and workshops on women food entrepreneurs, trends in ethnic food, opportunities in foodservice and food technology, and more.

For complete information and to purchase tickets, go to sfstreetfoodfest.com.