It might be freezing and rainy, the economy might still suck, but it looks like the sun will come out tomorrow—or next year, rather—in the form of margs and tacos. We can't argue with that.
Oddly, while SF has long been known for its stellar taquerias, until Mijita came along, few people had taken to serving up tacos up with some San Francisco values (the LSO thing—or local, sustainable, organic). Now, we've got Nopalito and Chilango, but come 2010, we're going to get Traci Des Jardins' Mijita #2 and Tacolicious, the Thursday Ferry Plaza Market stand owned by Joe Hargrave and our own Sara Deseran, is taking over the Laiola space on Chestnut at Fillmore, come February.
On the menu at Tacolicious? An assortsment of ceviches and tacos (including their signature chorizo and potato and guajillo-braised short rib), plus albondigas and tortilla soup. There's going to be a salad deemed the "Marina Girl", chile con queso, the popular T-Lish prix fixe (a beer + a shot of tequila + a taco = $10), and a nod to Contramar in Mexico City and their tuna tostada (sustainable tombo tuna tostada with avo and fried leeks). The bar program will include a wide variety of tequila, Mexican beer and all cocktails will be served by the chupitos (shots), glass or pitcher. Another growing trend: A flat-screen TV will be installed for special viewings of big games such as the Superbowl and the World Cup (and if Joe has his druthers, any speech given by Obama). Fans of the pan con chocolate, never fear: It will remain on the menu. Hours? From noon to midnight, seven days a week.
Mijita #2, which in March is taking over about a third of the Acme Chophouse space when it's remodeled and reopened (the other 2/3 will be a pubcentric restaurant called Public House), is revving up their engines a bit as well with menu that's similar to the Mijita in the Ferry Building (housemade tortillas, a great albondigas soup, great carnitas) but different, including a rotisserie for authentic tacos al pastor (please put pineapple in the tacos too!) as well as what they're calling "super tacos," which is like a taco with the works. From what I can gather, the Mijita space will be open to the Public House space so, in essence, the same dining group can choose to eat at either restaurant—at the same table. There will also be a big to-go business for all the worker bees about those parts.
Des Jardins is a busy woman. Today also happens to be the opening of Manzanita, her restaurant at the new Ritz-Carlton in Lake Tahoe. No tacos on her California menu at Manzanita, though; you'll have to drive back to SF for a taste of that.
