Ku’u up – More Comida Yucateca in San Francisco

[Melanie Wong]

The façade for the new Yucatecan restaurant, Ku’u up, in the Mission promised “Maya Cuisine”.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniewong/6945705922/

I’d hustled over here after reading the February 27 morning’s missive from Tasting Table.
http://www.tastingtable.com/entry_detail/sf/7436/A_Yucatecan_soup_to_stop_for.htm

Sidewalk signs promoted Yucatecan dishes.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniewong/6945707386/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniewong/6945709410/

And here’s what the menu looked like:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniewong/6945714736/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniewong/6945712958/i
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniewong/6945716546/

A basket of chips and salsas hit the table with the menu. Decent salsas, especially the green avocado-tomatillo one, but stale chips, unfortunately.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniewong/7091786873/

I asked if there might be something more fiery. This pot of habanero salsa came out, and the waitress warned me to use just a tiny bit. As hot as promised and earns bonus points for roasted complexity.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniewong/6945720000/

The Brazo de reina was reheated and tasted warmed-over. Stiff masa, dried out in spots, and rubbery hard-boiled eggs at the center were the main distinguishing characteristics. On the positive side, the tomato salsa tasted remarkably fresh for the time of year. My Sandia agua fresca had a tinny, metallic note, the only time a watermelon drink has ever tasted “cooked”.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniew...

Not such a good first outing, perhaps I would have been better off sticking to the relleno negro, panuchos and salbutes. What else have ‘hounds tried here?

Ku'u Up
2052 Mission St. (at 16th St)
San Francisco
415-621-5510

[elise h]

We had:
1. cochinita pibil-stewed pork with achiote and citrus. Ok
2. Tzic-shredded beef, radishes, onions, with black bean puree. Ok
3. Pipian-pork with pumpkin sauce. Very bland

Portions were huge and prices very reasonable. However, I prefer the fresher and more interesting flavors at Poc Chuc.

[Melanie Wong]

Thanks, elise! The two other dishes I was hot to try are the papadzules and the pipian. You've saved me from at least one other strike-out.

[grayelf]

Would it be possible to repost the link to your "menu2" photo -- it seems to be broken. Many thanks.

[Melanie Wong]

Aha, one stray character. Here you go,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniew...

[Melanie Wong]

Found this coupon for a free panucho or salbut with purchase of entree, expires April 22, 2013.
http://coupons.sfweekly.com/offers/59...