"Nice" Mexican in SF

[Nyleve]

Can anyone recommend a somewhat nicer (you know what I mean) Mexican place with good food and decent vegetarian options? Price isn't important. Anywhere in town is fine.

[vulber]

really? no mentions of mamacita?

[Joan Kureczka]

While it's an informal little place, I love Papito -- especially the Friday and Saturday specials (one appetizer, one main and one dessert) which are among the best Mexican dishes I've had. Plus the weekend posole (Sat and Sun).

[dubbfoolio]

Try Don Pisto's in North Beach. Classy, delicious, reasonably priced.

[BernalKC]

thronged and maddeningly loud, too.

[Dan Wodarcyk]

La Condesa, St. Helena....no where near the city but the best upscale Mexican I've had outside of Frontera Grill....deep tequila list, which many of the above do not have

[chuckl]

I like Nopalito

[Caitlin McGrath]

Chilango is very good for vegetarian options, and is very good overall, I think. The focus is on antojitos, but it' not a taqueria and has lots of choices for a nice lunch or dinner. If you are staying downtown, it's an easy trip on the F Market streetcar line, too.

ETA: Website, http://www.chilangorestaurantsf.com/C...

[L C]

I think that Tropisueno is only a step above Chevy's. Chilango and Nopalito are much better choices for good food. Colibri is not your typical Mexican place. It's like a Spanish tapas bar, but the cuisine is from central Mexico. Love the complimentary handmade tortillas with 3 sauces. It's one of the few places where the guacamole is prepared tableside. Not many vegetarian options and almost everything has melted cheese. The new Tacolicious on Valencia has problems with food quality when they're swamped. I guess the new kitchen staff is not used to the fast pace yet.

[poser]

I know San Bruno is in outer Siberia, but Don Picos beats every restaurant mentioned so far. My opinion, for what it's worth.

[bcd2825]

Colibri

http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/...

[Calvinist]

Tacolicious might fit the bill, although I haven't been myself. Now that they have a Mission location I mean to try it.

http://tacolicioussf.com/

[JellyDoughnut]

Do yourself a HUGE favor and drive to Oakland. You won't be disappointed.
Tamarindo is great.

[Ruth Lafler]

Or take BART -- Tamarindo is an easy walk from 12th Street.

[tjinsf]

Tacolicious is a miss both in terms of tex mex, quality of food and atmosphere. Oddly it's a good place if you have kids or if you drink tequila not so much if you are uncomfortable drinking tequila around babies. The food is pretty bland and whitewashed.

But if food isn't the focus and you want a seat down place to drink with a little bit of food it will fit the bill.

[Nyleve]

Ok thanks. Following that other thread I was intrigued by La Mar. Any recent comments? Menu looks interesting. Thanks.

[Robert Lauriston]

La Mar is Peruvian.

[Nyleve]

Yes I realize that. Just looking for some recent feedback about the place. We've got our other dinners nailed down but was looking for one more. I thought Mexican would be good since we're from a part of the world where Mexican is rather dire. But then that Peruvian menu looked interesting so I was wondering about it.

[Robert Lauriston]

La Mar is nicer than any Mexican place I can think of. La Costanera's another upscale Peruvian place worth checking out. I like Mochica (same chef as Costanera), it's nice but not as upscale. I'm not sure how good any of those places are for vegetarians except that La Costanera's yucca balls are great.

[L C]

If looking for a nice Peruvian place try Limon, they have 3 locations. Their menu has some vegetarian options. The South Van Ness location specializes in roasted chicken. In my opinion, Limon makes the best version of lomo saltado.
Mochica is a cozy little Peruvian restaurant, love the beef heart anticuchos, but not many vegetarian options. Service is usually great, so maybe they could make something special for u.

[mariacarmen]

What is their third location? I just found out last week from the chef (pool plying buddy) that they were just opening a new one on 3rd St., sorta China Basin-ish? is it already open? and that the Limon on Valencia is becoming a Limon Rotisserie. That change may have already happened.

[hyperbowler]

New one in Bayview:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/limon-rotisse...

(Radio Africa Kitchen and Brown Sugar Kitchen are slated to open there soon too)

[L C]

Not China Basin. Further down south, the new Limon is in the Bayview district. And yes, it's already open. 5800 3rd street is a BMR project with many other merchants, including a Fresh & Easy Market.

That area now has many good eateries. Just across 3rd street, a few blocks down Carroll st. is the Smokin Warehouse BBQ takeout window. Really excellent beef or pork baby back ribs and beef brisket - open until 7pm.

[mariacarmen]

sorry, i did mean Bay View, thanks! I've heard of the BBQ place, but yeah, the only time i went by there to look for it, it was closed. that was awhile ago.

gentrification!

[escargot3]

I enjoyed a great meal at La Mar about 5 months ago -- perfect from start to finish.

[Nyleve]

Thanks everyone. I know it's not Mexican but after consulting with my cohorts I've booked La Mar. It sounds pretty interesting. Will report.

[Robert Lauriston]

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/711891