The Dogpatch is the place to be, and chef Michael Gaines has come at the right time.
Gaines, previously of Manresa and Khin Kao, is a long-time chef but a first-time restaurateur. Never mind his novice status—the chef has combined nods to his childhood days on the Balboa coast with his mad skills in the kitchen to cook up a restaurant that evokes all the relaxed vibes we could want out of a Mexican eatery.
Here jungle-green tiles and turquoise woodwork just barely camouflage against an assortment of lush palm fronds and ferns; and mountainous blended margaritas and a smorgasbord of tacos make for the ultimate vacation-inspired dinner. You can all but feel the sand between your toes.
Chef Gaines serves up a mouth-watering fried chicken torta that's out of this world, bursting with layers of avocado, black beans, red onion, lettuce, cotija crumbles, and chipotle mayo.
(Photo by Sarah Chorey)
Tacos not on your diet? Dig into the filling salad of little gems, cucumber, and red onions, topped with salty cotija cheese, pepitas, and a spread of avocado slices.
(Photo by Sarah Chorey)
Fish taco lovers will find a dish that's more than worth their time here. The delectable grilled fish taco is packed with cabbage, cilantro, jalapenos, lime, and an absolutely perfect chipotle mayo.
(Photo by Sarah Chorey)
Vegetarians will go nuts for the huevo taco filled with black beans, pickled red onion, cotija, cilantro, salsa verde, and a runny fried egg.
(Photo by Sarah Chorey)
For those looking to enjoy a tropical libation, the menu offers a number of drinks that will make you feel like you're on vacation. Choose from classics like the Paloma, or specialty cocktails like the Baja Ha Ha (vodka, suze, ginger, passionfruit, and lime).
(Photo by Sarah Chorey)
In the blended margarita is basically a towering boozy slushee—a perfect storm of tequila, lime, agave, and ice.
(Photo by Sarah Chorey)
The refreshingly fruity El Marinero (mezcal, rum, aperol, pineapple, and lime) is one of Glena's signature drinks.
(Photo by Sarah Chorey)
Save room for dessert and snag a churro covered in cinnamon sugar for your journey home.
(Photo by Sarah Chorey)
The menu offers five different kinds of tacos including a delicious, savory-sweet al pastor taco with grilled pork shoulder, charred onions, cilantro, pineapple, and salsa verde.
(Photo by Sarah Chorey)
Not a single dish is to be missed. Get a spread of everything and share with friends and fam.
(Photo by Sarah Chorey)
Definitely start with the classic Mexican appetizer of perfectly deep fried chips, chunky guacamole with a hint of lime, and a trio of salsas.
(Photo by Sarah Chorey)
Opened by chef Michael Gaines (Kin Khao) and his wife Stephanie, the casual Mexican eatery feels right at home in Dogpatch.
(Photo by Sarah Chorey)
Designer Wylie Price made a luscious haven out of a little space with various shades of green, both on the walls and in the palms and ferns that bring the place to life.
(Photo by Sarah Chorey)
The interior feels subtly tropical and totally chill, inspired by chef Gaines childhood in Southern California's Balboa Island.
(Photo by Sarah Chorey)
// Open daily; 632 20th St. (Dogpatch), glenassf.com
