El Tucán Tacos & Beer

Part traditional cantina (the drinks!) and part taqueria (the birria!), El Tucan Tacos and Beer’s small street front hides its true size. Situated across from a cluster of warehouses on a quiet street off of Francisco Boulevard East in San Rafael, the Mexican restaurant’s back patio faces the San Rafael Yacht Harbor. No matter where you sit, music in the style of rancheras or corridos wafts over the tables, and a Tucan Mojito or Tropical Breeze cocktail is as sunny as the family-friendly vibes. Pacifico is just one of eight beers on draft and Guinness makes an appearance on the bottle list amidst Corona, Modelo Especial and 805. 

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We recommend starting with the tacos section of the menu ($4 each). Choose your protein – everything from chorizo and carnitas to veggie and pollo asado) and a plate of onion and cilantro-topped, 100% gluten-free goodness appears. Red Tacos ($6 each) come with pico de gallo and cole slaw mix, while Baja-style Tacos ($8 each) come with pickled onions. Ask for Chips & Salsa ($4) and a long platter arrives, Mexico City-style, with three salsas and an added bowl of escabeche vegetables. 

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Sit towards the front door on game days, where TVs will surround you, and out back on sunny Sundays, where picnic tables and string lights add to the festive feeling.