A crispy, golden Bernal Heights Chicken Crunch Bake made with phyllo dough, chicken, bacon, and cheddar, inspired by a San Francisco nomad kitchen view, punk rock energy, and a touch of playful UFO mystery. A heartfelt, make-ahead comfort dish with a crunchy cheese crust and storytelling rooted in food, memory, and imagination. treytaylor.com

A Nomad Kitchen Story (San Francisco, May 2026)

Some kitchens whisper.
This one had something to say.

Perched above San Francisco, right where the city stretches out into lights and lines and late-night stories, I found myself cooking in a real oven again—looking out toward Van Ness Avenue glowing like a ribbon through the city.

There’s a certain kind of healing that happens when you’re in someone else’s space…
especially when that space holds memories, laughter, and a little bit of ache.

So I did what I know how to do.

I cooked.

With a five-year-old, world-class wiggle machine of a Dachshund named Wrigley supervising every move (and yes… reporting all bacon activity), and the unapologetic pulse of Dead Kennedys blasting through the speakers, this dish came together loud, crunchy, and completely unplanned.

This one’s not delicate.
It’s not trying to impress anybody.

It’s honest food.
Made in a moment.
In a city that raised rebels and comfort in equal measure.

And yeah… this one’s got cheese.
This one was mine.

Bernal Heights Chicken Bacon Crunch Bake: View listening to 1980’s San Francisco punk rock!

🧾 Ingredients

4–5 chicken thighs, diced
1 full pack bacon, cooked and chopped
1 cup celery, finely minced
½ large onion, finely diced
1 carrot, finely minced
~6 cups sharp aged cheddar cheese, shredded
Fresh cilantro, chopped
Fresh thyme (the one that almost got away… but didn’t)
Green onions or chives, chopped
4–6 sheets phyllo dough (don’t go too thick)
Butter (for layering and pan)
Salt + cracked black pepper

✨ Optional finish:

Ranch dressing drizzle
A light zig-zag of Frank's RedHot

🔥 Instructions

1. Build the Base

In a pan, slowly sauté celery, onion, carrot, and thyme in bacon fat and butter. Let it soften and deepen—no rushing this part.

2. Cook the Chicken

Roast or sauté diced chicken until just cooked through. Combine with bacon and your vegetable base. Season well.

3. Layer the Magic

Butter a sheet pan generously
Lay down 2–3 sheets of phyllo, brushing each with butter
Add a thick layer of chicken mixture
Add a serious layer of cheddar
Sprinkle herbs
Top with 2–3 more buttered phyllo sheets

⚠️ Nomad Tip:
Don’t go beyond ~4 layers total. This isn’t about thickness—it’s about crunch.

4. Bake

350°F
35–45 minutes
Rotate halfway if your oven runs wild

Watch closely near the end…
because something beautiful happens.

Bernal Heights Chicken Bacon Crunch Bake without UFO’s.

🧨 The “Accidental Genius” Moment

The cheese.

It doesn’t just melt—it transforms.

It seeps into the phyllo, hits the pan, and creates this crispy, almost caramelized cheese crust along the edges and bottom.

Slightly burnt? Maybe.
Absolutely addictive? Without question.

That’s not a mistake.
That’s discovery.

🍽️ Serving Notes

Slice onto a clean white plate and let those layers show.

Then finish it like you mean it:
a soft drizzle of ranch…
and just enough Frank's RedHot to cut through the richness.

It’s hearty.
Savory.
A little wild.

Honestly? It eats like a pot pie that ditched the rules.

With love, music, food, art, and fun,

Tré Taylor, Wrigley & bleep the tattoo
San Francisco, California • May 2026

🐾 Wrigley’s Review

“Crispy. Meaty. Smells like I should be more involved in decision-making around here.”

🎸 Bleep’s Corner

“I don’t trust anything that crunchy unless it also has bacon.
…this checks out.” 🛸

Somewhere between the crunch of golden phyllo and the glow of the San Francisco skyline, things got… interesting.

Bleep the tattoo would like to officially note:
this view? Prime real estate. Not just for sunsets… but for visitors.

Now, nobody’s saying anything is landing on the fire escape tonight—but if disclosure does roll in a little sideways (as it tends to), Bleep’s prediction is simple:
we’re not alone… and when we start meeting new neighbors from “elsewhere,” it’s going to be equal parts awe, wonder… and what in the hell is that?

Naturally, the only reasonable response is to keep cooking.

Because whether it’s friends, family, or interdimensional dinner guests—
a Bernal Heights Chicken Crunch Bake with a crispy cheese edge is a solid first impression.

And if you happen to spot a beam of light over San Francisco while plating dinner…and disclosure happens, and no one belives one word NASA says,
just know Bleep called it.✨

🏙️🎸 Bernal Heights Chicken Bacon Crunch Bake 🐾