Little fried fish
$$$, Reservations, Full Bar, Wine Bar, Happy Hour, Modern, New American, Western Addition
"This reminds me of a fish I used to have as a child in Catemaco. They hold their crispiness really well, and combine nicely with the aioli."
ChefGonzalo Guzman
San Francisco
About Gonzalo Guzman
Gonzalo Guzman is a cookbook author and chef/co-owner of Nopalito. Raised in what he calls a "box" of a house in Veracruz, Mexico, he prepared his first meal, a pot of beans, at the age of six. Its nearly impossible to ignore his work ethic, his humility, and his total dedication to excellent food that reflects the Mexico that Nopalito’s chef is proud to hail from.
Accolades
- Three StarsSan Francisco Chronicle
- 100 Things to Eat (carnitas, caldo tlalpeño)7x7 magazine
- ChefsFeed WinnerOne of the Best Things to Eat in SF
Where I Go Out
Braised Short Ribs
"I worked here a long time ago and was amazed by the tenderness of the short ribs. I love going back to have this dish again and again."
Pasta with squid ink
$$$, Wine Bar, Pizza, Italian, Mission
"As a chef always looking for new things, I like weird stuff like pig ears. Their pasta with squid ink is amazing."
Spanakopita
$$$, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Greek, Cocktail, Mediterranean, Financial
"I like the crunchiness combined with the creaminess of the feta cheese and braised leeks. I used to make thousands of mini ones for events."
Chai tea
$$, Reservations, Café, Tea Room, So Ma
"I'm not into the tea world or anything like that, but someone pushed me to have this chai and I was surprised by how delicious and tasty it was."
Smoked linguini with clams and bacon
$$$, Italian, Outdoor Seating, Full Bar, Wine Bar, Lower Pacific Heights
"I love seafood—really anything that comes from the ocean—and I'm in love with this combination of seafood and pasta, since I love pasta as well."
At My Venues
Ceviche
$$, Full Bar, Outdoor Seating, Mexican, Panhandle
"Ceviche at Nopalito is hands down one of my favorite dishes in SF. Even better when it's on a warm day. Try it with one of their micheladas!"
Pozole rojo
$$, Outdoor Seating, Full Bar, Mexican, Happy Hour, Inner Sunset
"Sick days can't be sick days. And that's why they invented pozole."
Totopos con chile
$$, Outdoor Seating, Full Bar, Mexican, Happy Hour, Inner Sunset
"Their homemade chips manage to stay very crispy even after being tossed in árbol chili sauce, onions, cilantro and cotija cheese—and then served with crema. I want these right now! And don't forget the margarita."
Carnitas
$$, Full Bar, Outdoor Seating, Mexican, Panhandle
"It's crispy, yummy pork and the marinated cabbage that comes with it is delicious."
Quesadilla roja con chicharrón
$$, Outdoor Seating, Full Bar, Mexican, Happy Hour, Inner Sunset
"I don't think I've ever eaten at Nopalito where I didn't order at least one of these. It's especially great for lunch if you're a bit hungover."
Totopos con chile
$$, Outdoor Seating, Full Bar, Mexican, Happy Hour, Inner Sunset
"They make their own thick and crunchy corn tortilla chips then drench them in a spicy salsa de arbol. They put cotija cheese on top with crema and lime. This is my favorite snack food, period."
