San Francisco's Mexican offerings are unparalleled. By Chad Montano/Getty Images
Californios
Chef-owner Val M. Cantú’s nightly tasting menus offer modern, fine-dining interpretations of Mexican cuisine using bountiful ingredients from around the Bay Area—think oroblanco granita with Pop Rocks, beef tongue with a quenelle of avocado puree and a ridiculously delicious foie gras ice cream that comes studded with pear and showered with tortilla chip crumbs. 355 11th St., 415.757.0994, californiossf.com
Colibri Mexican Bisto
Tucked away in the Presidio, Colibri Mexican bistro boasts authentic Central Mexican cuisine in a charming, turn-of-the-century cantina setting. The mouthwatering recipes come from Merida, Yucatan and span Yucateco chicken wings with a habanero, tomatillo and cilantro sauce to perfectly pan-seared duck breasts slathered in rich green mole. 50 Moraga Ave., 415.678.5170, colibrimexicanbistro.com
Resplendent environs at Elena's. Courtesy of Elena's
El Buen Comer
Mexico City’s Isabel Caudillo owns El Buen Comer, a colorful neighborhood cafe serving up homestyle Mexican entrees and shared plates. The heart of the menu is the guisados—earthy,slow-cooked sauces stewed with meat and veggies and served alongside rice and beans—a staple of Mexico City home cooking. 3435 Mission St., 415.817.1542, elbuencomersf.com
Elena's Mexican Restaurant
Mexican cuisine meets California ingredients at Elena’s Mexican Restaurant. The family-run locale dishes up simple, classic fare, from comforting tortilla soup and Dungeness crab enchiladas to housemade pork tamales and a whole Branzino, inspired by childhood trips to visit abuelita in San Bartolo Morelos. 255 W. Portal Ave., 415.622.4440, elenasmexican.com
Elena's serves up tempting Mexican cuisine. Courtesy of Elena's
Loló
Loló in the Mission is known for its inventive Jaliscan-Californian small plates. Guests frequently nosh on favorite items like the tempura-fried fish tacos, house empanadas with portobello mushrooms, chicken tinga tostadas and pork carnitas nachos. Be sure to take a gander at the resto’s expansive agave and mezcal selections. 974 Valencia St., 415.643.5656, lolosf.com
Lucho's
Spice up your mornings and afternoons with Lucho’s Yucatan-region-inspired brunches and lunches. Our go-to? The resto’s signature cochinita pibil, pork marinated in red achiote paste then slow-roasted in banana leaves, is featured in the Lucho’s omelet alongside caramelized onions and cheddar cheese. 2675 Ocean Ave., 415.347.7416, luchos.net
Tacolicious has three delicious locations around the Bay Area. By Ashley Ann Photos
Nopalito
Since 2009, chef-owner Gonzalo Guzman has been bringing his mother’s recipes from the small village of El Aguila in coastal Veracruz to the Bay Area. Try the seared arbol chile-marinated trout with tomatillo and serrano sauce paired with braised butter beans and tortillas alongside a boozy beverage from the tequila, mezcal and aqua fresca-centered menu. 306 Broderick St., 415.437.0303, nopalitosf.com
Otra
From the husband-and-wife team behind Son’s Addition in the Mission, Otra in the Lower Haight showcases fresh masa, bold flavors and traditional Mexican cooking techniques. The dinner menu spans quesabirria tacos, spicy pork pozole and roasted achiote chicken, while brunch sees salsa macha deviled eggs and huevos rancheros. 682 Haight St., 415.500.2774, otrasf.com
Sample tasty tacos from one of the many high-end Mexican hot spots around SF. By Christine Siracusa
Puerto Alegre
It’s a party at Puerto Alegre, known for its Mexican street eats and lively mariachi music. The pozole verde is a must, made with a special blend of chicken, pork, hominy, ham and bacon in a green stew with chiles and tomatillos, and is best washed down with a tequila-forward margarita (or two!). 546 Valencia St., 415.255.8201, puertoalegresf.net
Tacolicious
What was once a simple stand at the Thursday Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market has expanded into three Bay Area brick-and-mortars, and for good reason. Boasting San Franciscan cuisine that pays homage to Mexico, Tacolicious serves up Coca-Cola-braised carnitas, shrimp fajitas, beer-braised chicken and the famous Marina Girl salad. Multiple locations, tacolicous.com
