For the tequila savvy, the 40+ tequila styles and flavors available to try add freshness to the task of ordering the 100% blue agave spirit. For the rest of us, there is a margarita menu where the options range from fun (Purple Haze infused with butterfly pea flowers) to the house Copita margarita, crafted with fresh lime juice and agave nectar. The giant ice cube, a connoisseur’s touch, melts slowly, the better for sipping and savoring.
In partnership with that fine tipple, the menu of smallish plates incorporates seasonal, mostly organic and house made ingredients of upscale pedigree. Mindful of corn’s culinary importance to Mexican cuisine, some staff are dedicated solely to the preparation of the tortillas. Tacos – we’re partial to the el pastor – shine bright and the ceviches are legendary for their freshness and flavor. No meal here is complete without a plate of buñuelos, served warm with Oaxacan chocolate sauce tipped with just enough chile to bring the heat to a new, unexpected place.
Don’t Miss: Mexican Truffle Empanadas, 24-hour Carnitas, Halibut Crudo
While the bar is a see and be seen place (and the perfect perch to order a signature Mezcal Negroni and watch the action), the back deck is sought-after for its just-right vibes.
Sip a refreshing Pepino margarita while savoring a bowl of guacamole with house made chips or, for the adventurous, chapulines. Chef Michael Siegel’s revamped menu offers treats in every section. The classic Ahi Tostada is dressed with cucumber and salsa macha while Veggie Quesadilla is amped with hoja santa, wild mushrooms, and tomatillo salsa. Molcajete is Instagram-friendly, the cauldron sizzling as it arrives tableside. All that’s left to decide is what color tortilla to enjoy with your meal – white or blue?
Don’t Miss: Chile Relleno, Pork Belly Chicharrón, Kill Bill Margarita
Step inside to take a gander at the muralled walls, spackled with images of well-known Mexicans such as Pedro Infante and Emiliano Zapata alongside black and white images of earlier generations of famous folk.
You can get the House Mole Enchiladas at brunch, which explains why it’s hard to get a table midday. We’re partial to pairing a Pambazo sandwich with a Dos Amigos Citronage Margarita, the muddled fresh orange juice and orange liqueur updating the drink in the freshest way. A Taco Salad Bowl is as norteño as it gets but why not try chicken-stuffed Flautas or Enmoladas with mole? That’s where the flavors shine brightest. Everything tastes even better on the sunny patio.
Don’t Miss: Enmoladas, Alambres, House Chile Verde, Dos Amigos Citronage Margarita
Did you know that Mamita’s Michelada is made with Worcestershire and Maggi? The umami combo lifts even higher with fresh lime and jalapeños, a Mexican kiss of global flavors. Horchata Colada riffs on the original, replacing pineapple with lime to balance the drink’s coconut base.
While you sip at the bar, consider where to dine: Three separate dining areas mean three opportunities to choose the colorful Mexican décor you wish to dine amidst. Fans flock to the patio on warm afternoons but the vibiest spot (other than the ceramic-tiled bar) is the main dining room, where Day of the Dead statuettes, olla sculptures, and colorful paintings cast the warmth of the Mexican sun on diners. You can’t go wrong with any of the tacos, but if you need something a little less prone to drips, go for a mushroom quesadilla scented with thyme and epazote or steak fajita torta, piled high with griddled peppers and onions.
Don’t Miss: Margarita Flight, Sopecitos with Chicken Tinga, Cochinita Pibil
For more than 40 years the popular bar area is the place to be to watch the game while enjoying one of the more than 150 tequilas.
The all-day menu is loaded with favorites like Super Nachos or the meatier Nachos Magníficos, Chino Chicken Salad, and Signature Sizzling Fajitas (we like the blackened shrimp). The dining room is often packed with families at large tables, the back patio is cozy and quiet, and the front patio beckons with cushy lounge sofas and chairs, and flickering fires in fire pits. The “el Tri” enchiladas – three enchiladas napped in sauces that reflect the colors of the Mexican flag – are a must for newbies, a satisfying reminder that large plates of family-friendly fare and a welcoming vibe add up to a Marin classic.
Don’t Miss: Skinny Burrito, BBQ Shrimp, Signature Sizzling Fajitas, Organic Margarita
Straw-bedecked lamps and murals of maidens with flowers in their hair gaze at tables flanked by traditional cantina chairs for a retro-fabulous Mexican vibe.
Spend some time with the drinks menu – the list goes deep into Mexican-made spirits, as well as aperitifs and digestifs – you can still order a Classica margarita with lime and agave or un Beso del Diablo with mezcal and whiskey as needs must. Yes, there are burritos at lunch but at dinner, the restaurant goes all-in on masa. Lean in and try a traditional Mayan spread of Sikil Pak made with pumpkin seeds, mole poblano with cacao nut-chili sauce, or Pozole Rojo. No matter what you choose, the tortillas will be fragrant, savory and made of corn.
Don’t Miss: Mezcal Flights, Platano Macho, Quesadilla de Flores de Calabaza
Over here, adorned with folk art, a small bar designed to sip agave cocktails. Through the French doors, on the patio, tables sized for families of all sizes. On every table, a color-splashed vinyl cloth. On the walls above, bamboo wainscoting and pictures of Cuba.
Swoop into your seat for Taco Tuesday when $5 dollar tacos and $7-dollar draft beer and El Jimador blanco tequila shots are on offer for the happiest of hours. We’re partial to the Watermelon Margarita, its chile-salted rim complementing the sweet drink within. Named for the restaurant’s owner, Matteo Cake is a savory masa mouthful, a fresh take on sopes. Red Snapper Tostada skews sweet with sweetened cabbage slaw, corn and papaya. For something more savory, try the Veggie Enchiladas. The tomatillo and olive combo satisfies every part of your palate.
Don’t Miss: Chicken Mole Tamale, Jackfruit Pastor Tacos, Veggie Enchiladas
