On the Record: Spinning Around the City with Sergio Iglesias

DJs are natural curators. They go into the dusty stacks (or plow through the billions of MP3s online) to pull out only the choice music cuts for their sets. But we wanted to know how they rate as guides for more than just your ears and hips. In our newest All Shook Down column, On the Record, we take DJs out for a spin around the city, gleaning their favorite spots to eat, shop, or just hang out.

Up first: Sergio Iglesias

What types of music do you love to play? Surf, girl groups, late '50s, early '60s, Latin, rockabilly, doo wop, French '60s.

Where's the party at?  Teenage Dance Craze (last Friday of the month at the Knockout); Ooh La La (second Saturday of the month at the Paradise Lounge); Girl Group night (third Tuesday of the month at Casanova); Lucha Va Voom (every third month at the Fillmore); various parties around the city.

We tagged along with Sergio on a recent mission to cure his hunger. First stop: Lower Haight, where we chowed down at his favorite taqueria in the city, Cuco's Mex/Salvadorian Restaurant.

The DJ conversed in Spanish with the small woman behind the counter before ordering the chicken taco plate, a dish he often gets. We sat, scarfed, and chatted about what was next on the agenda.

​

"I have the biggest sweet tooth," Sergio admitted. And so we packed up and ventured out to the Inner Richmond--6th and Clement to be exact--for the Toy Boat Dessert Cafe.

​

"I've been coming here for ten years," said Sergio, as he greeted his buddy behind the counter and peered into the glass case of desserts.

We found a booth in the corner, and he pointed at a row of dusty KISS action figures hanging above the register. "I remember the first time the owner put those dolls on display, now look at them."

​

Our Colombian-brewed coffees (an homage to Sergio's Colombian roots) and caramel cheesecakes arrived seconds later, and disappeared in record time. He filled me in about the changes that have overtaken Clement Street--his top neighborhood to spend time away from his home in the Inner Sunset.

The cheesecakes caught up with us pretty quickly; soon after they were gone, we were slouching in the booths. Time to hit the road.

​

Before riding away, Sergio excitedly showed us his scooter. It's his one-year-old baby, and it has changed the way he gets around the city.

Afternoon recap: CuCo's (488 Haight St.); Toy Boat Dessert Cafe (401 Clement St.)

Follow us @SFAllShookDown.