Mission Chinese Food Adds BBQ, Chick-fil-A San Jose, More!

THE MISSION - A few months ago, we cringed a bit when Danny Bowien said he "might change everything" at Mission Chinese Food. After shipping in a dragon from China, his latest import is a smoker from bbq man-about-town Ryan Ostler. As of today, MCF will offer smoked beef brisket, pulled pork trotters and Xi'an lamb cheeks, all served with smoked cola BBQ sauce, pickles, and white bread. It doesn't sound all bad. Still, feedback here please. [SFoodie]

EXPANSIONWIRE - We have a winner for the Bay Area Chick-fil-A outpost: San Jose. According to an SFist tipster, the spreader of "Jesus chicken" will go into the forthcoming @First "40-acre retail village," which sounds like a lovely place for a picket party. [SFist]

THE MISSION EXTRA - GrubStreet notes Nick Balla's new menu at Bar Tartine is 60% in place. There is goulash, pan fried salt cod and chicken paprikas. So yes, a marked departure from the Chris Kronner days already. Let us know what you think of the new direction. [GrubStreet]

HUNTERS POINT - Food GPS brings the Ritual Coffee experience of Hunters Point to our attention. There's abundant seating in a garage full of plants, sunny back patio and on top of a flat bed truck, which makes the Mission outpost: its "blaring music and consistently long lines leading to generally blasé baristas" sound like a very distant cousin, indeed. [Food GPS]

[Photo: KQED]