Mamacita: Best Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco

Mamacita, in my opinion, is the best Mexican restaurant in San Francisco. Every time I eat there, I leave happy, full and a little drunk. Mamacita is located smack dab in the middle of the Marina district on Chestnut. The restaurant is one long narrow room, nicely decorated with hanging metal lights, cool art and warm tones. The restaurant tends to get crowded and loud on the weekends and it can be so loud sometimes that you have to scream across the table but that's part of its hip and happening vibe and the food is worth it.

Mamacita serves tapas style dishes and yummy sides. I've eaten just about everything on the menu and loved it all. However, I am sad that they discontinued my favorite dish, a polenta cake with baked clams and chorizo in a cast iron little pot. The flavors in the dish were so mouthwatering delicious, I hated sharing it. Some of my favorite plates are: Callos de Mula- pan seared scallops with butternut squash mole and brussel sprout chorizo hash, classic Carne Asado Tacos made with Meyer Ranch skirt steak, Camaron al Pastor Tacos- prawn tacos with grilled pineapple, and Tamales de Puerquito- house-made banana leaf steamed pulled pork tamales.

The restaurant has a full bar but it's small. The sangria is delicious and goes down way too easy. For tequila connoisseurs there is a tasting "tequila flight" and a large selection of tequilas all reasonably prices. The bar also has "Hora De Feliz" weekdays (happy hour for the non-Spanish speakers) until 6:30 with drink and food specials.

Mamacita is my favorite go-to restaurant. It's great for large groups and a perfect spot to for out of town guests. It can get a bit pricey. Small plates cost from $8 to $18 with 80% of the menu $12 or more.