Around the World in 80 Days - San Francisco

If you wanted to travel from Yokohama, Japan to San Francisco like Phileas Fogg had in the book 80 Days Around the World you might be surprised to find out that the length of time to travel that distance hasn’t changed much since 1872. Todays journey would take about 20 days with a wide arc running through Alaska, Canada or both. ​

San Francisco is where Fogg and Passepartout begin their journey across the United States by train and they take a train for good reason. The Canadian transcontinental railroad wouldn’t be around until 1885 and the American highway system wouldn’t exist until 1926. So, the American rail really was the fastest route. ​

The journey across the States was filled with as much adventure as the rest of his visits and the pair would hit several cities including Salt Lake City, Medicine Bow, Omaha, Chicago and New York City.

So, what would Fogg do with his Toastilla when in San Francisco? Clam chowder of course!

Toastilla’s Clam Chowder

We know what you’re thinking here, and believe us, we didn’t think this would work either. But, with a little creativity we actually pulled off a Toastilla Clam Chowder recipe. The hashbrowns help to soak up some of the chowder, but hold in the flavor and the avocado adds a little more creamy California to the recipe. As they say in Northern California, “It’s hella good!”

Ingredients

• Tortilla - and yes, if you look hard enough you can find sourdough tortillas.
• Can of chunky clam chowder
• Cooked hash browns
• Thinly sliced avocado
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions
What makes this work is blending the cooked hashbrowns and clam chowder so that it is both creamy, yet not too soupy. So we recommend cooking the hashbrowns until slightly crisp, and then add clam chowder until your personal creaminess is achieved. We both like to have a good amount of hash brown, but also have a friend who tried this recipe and used hardly any potato at all.

While we were as surprised as the next person, there are actually sourdough tortillas out there. Admittedly, we didn’t try them. More because of time than anything else, because they are definitely on our grocery list. Anyway, start with a tortilla, and layer thin slices of avocado, topped with the clam chowder and hashbrown mix. Fold and toast. ​

Why avocado? Well, for starters it’s as San Francisco as clam chowder and sourdough. Second, it adds a bit more creaminess and texture to the Toastilla. It really is a great addition. ​

So, enjoy your short stay in San Francisco. Phineas and friend will see you on the flip side 4,000 miles away in New York!