Mamacita

This place has a great happy hour! $ 3 beers and $ 6 margs.
The food is delicious as well and highly discounted for happy hour! The gorditos and carnitas tacos were delicious.

It’s been a while since a restaurant has caught my delight enough to garner a Unilocal review. For the record, I like almost all taco trucks, taquerias and Mexican restaurants, particularly if there’s a selection of salsas, moist meat, and fresh tortillas.
Saturday date night, and we opted for an impromptu drive up the peninsula to SF. I ordered enough for a small dinner party, enough to sample all the flavor profiles. In order from #SoGoodThisShouldBeIllegal to #NearlyAJoeyDoesn’tShareFoodMoment:
La Nortena (ensalada) — featuring a gorgeous beet-​stained dressing and crisp chickpeas!
Gorditas — chipotle crema, need I say more?
Sopa Azteca — hearty avocado chunks, be still my heart.
Carne Asada Tacos — the arugula is a perfect, peppery complement
And the only item in the #WastedCalories category:
Queso Fundido
Drinks? Micheladas (very clamato-​y), margaritas, and Espolon Reposado Tequila. Life is pretty darn complete. Like things spicy? Try the La Fiebre.
Even better than the food, though, is the people-​watching. 5 stars. I’m sure those servers have stories to tell, because in the hour or so I was there, I had the time of my life just observing our neighboring tables. To our right, a couple that was clearly having an early Valentine’s dinner, with the world’s least fussy baby I have ever not laid eyes on (sleeping mode: expert, as this was essentially a noisy bar). Mom was vehement about demanding a sample of the blood orange margarita. Clearly, how else would she know if she liked it? To our left, the most bizarre love-​quadrangle in which one man sitting across the table feverishly declared all the things «her husband» did not do. Her, referring to not the female friend directly across, but the woman she was linking arms with (next to said female friend). All this while the second man at the table was mostly absent, visiting the john. While I was busily tucking into each of the dishes that we tetrissed onto our tabletop, I was racking my brains, trying to deduce if the absent second man was «her husband.» Unfortunately, the gorditas took my breath away and then I was distracted by the contents of my sopa. I’d go back for the food, but the telenovela-​like atmosphere was simply intoxicating.
Closest comparison? Reposado in downtown Palo Alto. But the drama can’t be beat here.

Came here with a group of four and had the mahi mahi tacos, carne asada tacos, chips and guac, churros dessert, and some cocktails (Paloma was wonderful). Food was great, as was the service, but very overpriced ($ 18 for 3 tacos and $ 10 for chips and guac!).

We came to Mamacita for dinner and while they lost our online reservations, they were able to seat us within 20 minutes or so. While we were waiting for our seats, we went to the bar and had a few drinks. The drinks at the bar were really good.
The food was hit and miss. The gorditas we ordered were bland, but the chicken enchiladas and tacos we ordered were really good.
Overall, the drinks were great and the food was so-​so. I would try this restaurant again future.

Solid food. Good environment. Great Happy hour. But there is one crazy rule. You can’t add protein to salad? Whaaaat??? And we couldn’t even order a side of meat to put in the salad. Chef’s choice is a bad choice

Dropped in tonight to show off the spot to my daughter and I made a huge mistake: I ordered the «Flautas» (flutes) in red sauce or something like that. She followed me with the same order. If you’ve lived in Mexico, like I, then the ones they prepare are unlike those in Mexico and thus I was completely nonplussed by Mamacitas. When you put something into a sauce that has little or no flavor you’re off to a bad start. Then when you ask for something ‘picante’, you know, a sauce that’s got some bite, forget about it, Mamacitas doesn’t even come close. One important question: how can you prepare Mexican food without onions, a touch of chile serrano, chilpotle or jalapenos? Impossible. Not a bit in their sauces, nothing in the guacamole, incredible. It was kind of like going to see a Star War’s movie with no spaceships.
And as for the sopa Azteca that my wife had, no way is it a crème soup like that what is made in Mexico. Fine to want to interpret another dish, but you should make some attempt to conserve the core value of what it should be. And the dinky bowl is over priced.
Next time I will order what I know is good: the tacos. As for their sauces and guacamole, no flavor, no pizzazz, nada. It was me, looking for something that wasn’t to be. Oh well, next time you go to Mexico order «flautas», deep fried, filled with chicken or meat, which you eat with your hands and a hot sauce to make them tingle all the way down. They’re crunchy and to die for. Next time in Mexico City that’s what I’m going to order. Salud!
Service is tops. Ambiance fine, but that isn’t why I eat out and pay a lot of money to do so.

Great menu with a variety of beef, pork, poultry and seafood dishes. The pato tacos are delicious as is the carnitas entrée. The chorizo con queso starter is a good choice. The bartenders make strong margaritas in the Tommy’s style. Best Mexican food on Chestnut.

Average food for an above average price. It’s very loud at night and the prices are not worth the amount of food you get. The $ 20 enchiladas are three small tacquito-​sized bites that leave you hungry an hour later. Chips are way too salty and the guacamole and salsa is average, but not worth the $ 10 you’ll pay.

Not sure why mamacita has 3.5 stars. My guess it’s been reviewed by a bunch of marina haters, so I’ll go on the record and defend mamacita’s honor once and for all.
My girlfriend and I like to sit bar side most Saturday nights and never have we had anything but incredible evenings. The Eric bartending duo coupled with Jess make sitting down at this restaurant nothing short of awesome.
An unreal selection of mescal and tequila are a plenty. The pork shoulder, chicken tacos, chilaquiles are not to be missed. Honestly, this is some of the better «gringo» Mexican food I’ve had in my life.
Service — 5 stars.
Drinks — 5 stars.
Food — 5 stars.
Bring your friends from out of town as it’s always lively and the food and drink always deliver.
Ask for the astronaut shot. You’ll be impressed.

Quick and dependable. Can’t go wrong with any of the tacos. Chips and salsa always good. The cocktails are fun and delicious!

Oh my gosh I talk about Mamacita way to much… I ordered the best enchiladas (Rojas Sencillas) I have ever had in my entire life. I do not think I will ever get over them. They changed my life. I did have to wait about 30 minutes for a table but it was sooo worth it! Great food. Even my picky brother found something he loved! I cannot wait to go back to San Francisco. with a large part being that I love this restaurant!

I should have come to this place earlier.
Outstanding decoration and ambience. Great service and really good food.
I tried the guac, mahi tacos and black beans — excellent!
They also have a great selection of tequilas and drinks. I strongly recommend trying the Jamaican Sour, a version of Hibiscus Pisco Sour.

The food is decent. For 17 dollar tacos I would expect it to be amazing. Had the carne asada tacos and guacamole. Food came fast. The drinks were really good. Prob come back for drinks.

Having heard positive reviews from my friends, I decided to take my brother to dinner here for his 21^st birthday. To be honest, I walked in with total skepticism because I’m from Modesto where the Mexican food is cheap, authentic, delicious, and abundant. By the end of my meal, I can conclude that Mamacita indeed lives up to the hype– if you are willing to pay the price!
What we ordered–
Chips and Guacamole $ 10: The chips were crispy and light, with just enough salt where you aren’t constantly asking for water refills. The guacamole was chunky and fresh, super yummy! Our waitress was really attentive and refilled our chips basket whenever we ran low. The house salsa was also really tasty, and not spicy which was good for a whimp like me :)
Ceviche de Camaron $ 16: Just meh. I’m obsessed with ceviche so maybe I just have really high standards. The serving was small, with more veggies than shrimp, and the «saladitas» crackers it came were bland. In fact, my brother and I preferred ignored the crackers and paired the ceviche with the chips instead. Would not order again given the price.
Pollo Taqueria Tacos $ 16: YES YES YES. SO MUCH YES. Crispy shell filled with gooey white cheese, mole, topped with shredded juicy chicken and fresh lettuce. My entrée came with 3 tacos, and I was more than full by the 2^nd taco. Took the 3^rd one to go. MUST ORDER.
Carne Asada Tacos $ 17: My brother’s dish, he happily ate all 3 so I can only assume it was delicious :)
In short, Mamacita serves delicious Mexican food with a fresh California twist. The service was on point despite it being a busy night. Knocking off a star for the high prices and for the fact that they didn’t do anything special for my brother’s birthday. I mentioned to the waitress that he was turning 21 tonight and she said that I could buy him a dessert and they would put a candle on it. C’MONN REALLY? I just shelled out over $ 70 for dinner for two and you can’t afford a complimentary dessert? –_​_​_​–

Four years later, and this is still one of my go-​to spots for dinner.
I often bring friends from out of town here, and they always enjoy the unique blend of Mexican-​inspired cuisine and California fresh ingredients, and the quality of food. I held a birthday dinner here for 10 two years ago, and the service and quality of food was great, as always.
Keep up the good work, Mamacita!

Great Mexican food! Separate menu for vegetarians :)
Came here for date night and was happy to learn there is a separate menu for vegetarians. My date informed me, which was super sweet. We ended up splitting the kale salad and got some guac and chips, too. Guac was fantastic, especially since we hadn’t eaten since breakfast! For our actual dinner, my date ordered the chicken tacos, and I ordered the veggie tacos. Both were yummy! The kale salad was pretty good but I wasn’t a huge fan of the dressing. Next time, I would probably just say dressing on the side. My tacos were good.
I really wanted to try their drinks (since I LOVE Spanish drinks), but we already had two drinks in us before we got there, so we decided to keep it chill and just get food to sober up lol… again, hadn’t eaten much all day…
The place is trendy and popular. I was sad once I left, though, because I lost my sunglasses here and they definitely did not turn up once I called the restaurant to ask.
Would return!

One of the best Mexican food in SF. Great place to get together with friends.
You can close your eyes and point a food on their menu with no worries.

I can’t believe its taken me THIS long to try this place! The atmosphere is solid for a night out. They also have an extensive cocktail list which i LOVE. Cocktails will run you around ~$ 10 dollars a drink, which is pretty normal.
My issue isn’t particularly with the food itself, but the price point for an average Mexican restaurant in the city. $ 10 for guac and chips? Really? I ordered the Chilaquiles and it was delicious but I asked for an extra side of jalapenos and that was an extra $ 2 which they failed to tell me when I asked for it.
I’ve tried better Mexican restaurants in the city, so this one isn’t at the top of my list…

To me, this is one of the best restaurants in the Marina hands down.
We came here on Friday at 7pm, and with no reservation we were seated in less than 10 minutes. It was right before rush hour it seemed.
Our server was nice and attentive, our meal and drinks were awesome.
We had:
Jamaican Sour — awesome. With just two, I was a bit tipsy. Happy tipsy
Queso fundido — melted cheese noms, perfect for sharing
Duck tacos — star of the meal. Yummy crispy duck inside house made corn tortillas. It works
Sizzling carnitas — nice BUT i wish the carnitas were more like «carnitas» and less like pork shoulder chunks.
Overall, great experience, love the décor, the ambiance, food and drinks. Will definitely be back!

So we live in Davis and come to SF frequently. Been going to Mamacitas since it opened. We love it. The drinks, food, atmosphere are all great. We have been there for happy hour as well as late into the night dinners. Yesterday arrived into the City just in time for happy hour. Had the Cadillac Margarita and it was fantastic. All our food choices great, as usual! Place was totally packed by 6 p.m., and it was a Monday evening. But this review is for «Eric» and to give him a shout out. He was the man at the check in «station» as you entered Mamacita’s. What a nice guy! Perfect person to have at the «entry» point. Lots going on with so many customers but he was cool, calm and pleasant. Makes me like this place even more!!! (Tried to go on the home website to let owners know what a great asset Eric is… but, alas, no place to write «comments».)

I love a hole in the wall Mexican spot but definitely don’t mind a little fancy cocktail with my tacos. I had a couple of Blood Orange Margaritas at the bar while waiting for a table. It is packed on a regular night! The hostess was great at finding us in the bar area and keeping us posted on a table though. Once seated my table ordered up a storm. The favorite of the night: Flautas with short rib! If only this were a main entrée versus a starter. I could eat this and only this all night and be content. The tacos were average. i prefer it without all the upscale fluff. Great place overall in the Marina. It’s loud in there but has a great vibe.

Had to get as much Mexican food before I left SF and Mamacita did the job. Came here for an early dinner on a Saturday night and got seated immediately. My friends say that there’s usually a wait if you go later.
One of the best guac I’ve had. Rich, creamy texture with the right blend of flavors. I wish they gave a little more chips though. For my entrée, I ordered the carne asada tacos… one order comes with 3 tacos. This was a recommendation from the waitress and it was one of the best tacos I’ve had. Not too messy, steak cooked perfectly, sauce was on point.
Huge fan of this place. Definitely will be back for during my next trip to SF =)

My brother, mom, i were browsing around Marina district last night and my mom saw a customer who sat the outside tables of this restaurant eating tacos which got my mom craving for tacos. So ended decided to come here for dinner.
When we first walk in, the restaurant was pack. The hostess was nice enough to let us sit at the table that was already reserve as long we get out at a certain time. It does get noisy with the among of people there. I guess it was a Saturday night. This place has that modern, trendy, romantic feel because of the low dim light.
Nicole, our waitress, was nice. She was able to help us out whats good since i wasnt sure what i wanted to eat while my mom and brother decided with the tacos… check on us once in a while even though the restaurant was busy.
The food we got were guacamole, ceviche de camaron, gemas sencillas (this is the enchiladas), barbacoa de chivo taco (which has goat meat, and carntias taco. The taco come in 3. Even though their dishes dont look a lot but it can get you full for sure. The tacos and enchiladas had plenty of meat/​sauces. All the food that we got were very tasty and yummy. Even though the foods are good, i just dont like the price. Its quite pricy which is the only reason for not giving a 5 stars. But i guess its okay for the marina district.
Other then that, we enjoy the food and the atmosphere at this restaurant