West of Pecos

No negatives about this place. Staff was friendly. I love that they do brunch until 3pm so I had the coffee rubbed brisket with over easy eggs and potatoes — the combo was really good. I didn’t look too much at the drink menu and stuck with Corona but I did see some giant draft beers being poured. When you get your check that the bar, they bring you a shot of frozen margarita which hit the spot on the way out.

Probably my most frequented restaurant in the Mission. Love the atmosphere. Delicious food. Good cocktails at the bar. Always great service.

Disclaimer: I know nothing about what «authentic» tex-​mex or Mexican food is supposed to taste. All I care about is good food, good service, and how I feel after the experience is over. While a fourth thing I care about ($$$) hurt a little here, Pecos gets the 5 star and review.
Traveling from NJ in San Fran for the first time, phone’s dead, long day of touristing with a 9 ½ month old son, and hungry. Dire straights here. This place looks decent so we give it a shot. The staff is so welcoming that we go with it. Manager (Lisa) offers to charge phone in office. Overall, she and the staff were super attentive.
My green chile burger was amazing. Whatever wife got was great. Staff was great with my son. Bread pudding and churros were delicious. Will return and recommend every time.

Not authentic Mexican, but there’s no shortage of that to me found in the Mission. But this fresh take with a focus on local ingredients is really very good. At reasonable prices. We’ve been there twice now on our visits to SF and would recommend it. I love the fish tacos and the crabamole, made with fresh Dungeness crab. My husband digs the lobster enchiladas.

As a West Texan ex-​pat living in the Bay Area, I was conflicted about checking out West of Pecos. In the four years I’ve lived in Berkeley every «Tex-​Mex» place that I have tried here has been a disappointing simulacrum of the real thing. I had no expectations that West of Texas would be any better than those places. Nevertheless, even the most remote possibility of a wonderful Tex-​Mex meal was enough to entice me to give this place a try.
When I think of food west of Pecos, I picture: warm, crispy tortilla chips served with spicy salsa, refreshing margaritas with fresh lime juice, a (visibly and audibly) sizzling skillet with well-​seasoned fajita meat, grilled onions and peppers, refried beans, rice, and sweet puffy sopapillas with honey. Sounds amazing right? In fact, you are probably looking at flights to El Paso after reading this. Anyway, the SF West of Pecos, wasn’t able to live up to those lofty standards. However, their attempt at Southwestern cooking is nothing to scoff at.
My girlfriend and I arrived at the restaurant around 6 pm on a Friday night. The place was packed, so we put our names on the waiting list. I like that they take your phone number and text you when your table is ready. After a 15 minute wait at the bar, we were seated.
I was excited to see that West of Pecos carries Shiner Bock, a beer that is a staple of any decent establishment. We each ordered a bottle ($ 4) as well as chips and guacamole ($ 10).
That’s a pretty high price for guac considering that the portion was deceptively small. They stacked chips under the serving bowl, so it would seem like there was more guac than there actually was. What seemed like a deep bowl, was actually a shallow dish. In terms of taste, the guac was fine, but nothing special.
I should note that they do not offer complimentary chips and salsa, which is a crime in most parts of Texas. They also up-​charge for beans and rice for entrees which is also illegal throughout the state. I’m being facetious, but seriously, your restaurant wouldn’t last longer than a month in Texas if you did either of these things.
Fortunately, the main dishes really redeemed the restaurant. I ordered the flank steak fajitas ($ 21), and while my skillet was not sizzling as it was brought to me (it’s a simple trick to do; just Google it) the steak was nicely seasoned, and the array a sauteed peppers and onions was exceptionally tasty. I liked the corn tortillas too. Overall, it was a satisfying fajita plate.
My girlfriend ordered the Hatch green chile burger with bacon ($ 15). The burger was juicy and cooked perfectly. The Hatch peppers had a nice smoky taste, but didn’t bring any noticeable amount of heat to the burger. That’s a shame, because it would have been balanced well by the rich garlic mayo sauce. The fries, which were more of potato wedges, were just fine.
Our service was good up until we had finished our meal. After that our server disappeared for a while, and we waited about 20 minutes before receiving the check. She seemed to be cognizant of this though, and she surprised us by comping our beers, which was really nice of her to do.
In the end, I was actually pretty impressed with the food and service at West of Pecos. It’s not on the level of the food back home, but it is definitely the best Tex-​Mex that I have had in the Bay.

Came here for a birthday brunch with two girlfriends. I reserved via Unilocal and asked that they set the table with a simple birthday message and we arrived to find a nice card at the table reserved for us outside.
To start with we ordered the cheese dip and biscuit. The cheese dip was amazing as cheese dip usually is, and the biscuit was warm and came with a delicious spicy butter along with strawberry jam.
For our entrees we ordered coffee-​rubbed brisket hash, eggs benny and pork belly tacos. The brisket hash was my favorite — it had a delicious salsa verde and a ton of potatoes and brisket. I would say that the pork belly tacos were probably my least favorite — it was really just scrambled eggs and bacon in a tortilla. It was still good, just the least unique out of the dishes. I generally judge my brunch spots based on whether or not the food they offer is something I could easily make.
Everything on the menu sounded so good, we’ll definitely be back. I appreciate tasty brunch spots that also take reservations!

The happy hour deals are great! $ 5 guacamole, queso chorizo dip, $ 3 for two tacos, $ 5 wings. Everything we ordered tasted good but unfortunately nothing stuck out. Everything seemed to lack an extra pinch of salt or flavor. However the cocktails were good and strong.

How West of Pecos’ Made Us Happy:
1) Spacious bar area and a cool, Western vibe.
2) Great $ 2.50 Happy Hour tacos! The Honey Duck was the fave and the Black Bean one was surprisingly good also.
3) Hawt housemade habenero sauce for Hubby.
4) Damn good guacamole. Loads of avocado with bits of corn and tomato in the mix. (If only there were loads of garlic too…)
5) Churrrrros! The chocolate and cajeta sauces were knife-​lickingly good.*** The churros to sauce ratio was off though as the three churros were kind of small and doughy in the middle.
***

When my friend suggested West of Pecos for a meal, I was skeptical because I don’t really enjoy tex-​mex. But I really liked West of Pecos (at least for lunch)! I tried their pork belly tacos which were really good… they’re breakfast tacos so there’s egg and avocado, but the pork belly is what made it stand out. Such a good alternative to bacon! It seemed so flavourful and when I finished my taco I just wanted to eat more…
I also tried their eggs benedict which was much more normal (not in a bad way, I was just so happy from the tacos). It’s your standard eggs benedict that you’d expect from any brunch place.
Try their house made habanero sauce, it’s good!

West of Pecos can be an enjoyable experience if you order the right things. Here’s a quick summary of my preferences:
The Not So Good: green chile mac n cheese, side of rice and beans, chicken enchilada mole
The Good: West of Pecos fish tacos with the sauce, chopped harvest salad with chicken, fried green tomatoes
The green chile mac n’ cheese smelled so good when it first came to the table, but the disappointment started at the first bite. It is extremely bland. Since the restaurant is labelled on Unilocal as Tex-​Mex, I had particular expectations for the rice and beans. The rice was green and the black beans had an off taste. Altogether, it was a bit bland too. The chicken mole was unexciting.
Now for the good dishes I tried, they were REALLY GOOD. The West of Pecos fish tacos were loaded with lots of fried fish and the sauce added a nice tangy flavor. The tacos were delicious with my Modelo. The fried green tomatoes were crispy and paired nicely with the lemon aioli. Lastly, the chopped harvest salad with chicken was absolutely amazing. If there’s anything I’d come back for, it would most definitely be for this salad! There was just a great balance with the crunchy jicama, soft lettuce, smooth avocado, and slight bitterness from the queso fresco.
Customer service was great and the outside seating with the heat lamp was perfect for a chilly night when I was there.

Wandering around the mission on a sunny Saturday morning and I ended up at West of Pecos for brunch. I was more than happy to stay once I arrived. The place has a great vibe — with the bushels of chili peppers hanging from the ceiling and the friendly staff — I enjoyed my time there.
The brunch menu takes classic American brunch and gives it a bit of a Mexican spin. First off I tried the bloody mary, which I was a bit apprehensive about (made with interesting ingredients). However, the combination they came up with (which I cannot remember) tasted just great! To eat, we had the pecos eggs benny (comes with a side salad and home fries) and the pork belly breakfast tacos (no side). Both were delicious!
West of Pecos does not have outdoor seating, but there are tables by the windows, which is almost as good. The perfect spot to grab a drink or a meal, anytime of the day.

Came for brunch/​lunch.
Next time: order squash enchilada (dinner only), guacamole with crab, fish tacos optional.
I like those better than the fried chicken, mushroom taco, and cornbread.
Limited menu but still a lot of the favorites.
Pro tip: the same fried chicken on the menu is still available, it just is under the breakfast/​eggs section and served with churros (like a play on chicken and waffles), but you can skip the churros and syrup.
Pro tip #2: they can do carrots instead of chips with the guacamole.
Pro tip #3: ask for the house made habanero sauce.

Served on top of soft, warm flour tortilla, the Pork Belly Breakfast Taco from West of Pecos is topped with a thick piece of maple-​glazed, caramelized pork belly, cheesy scrambled egg, pico de gallo, chipotle aioli, and a creamy slice of avocado with a sprinkle of shredded cheese. West of Pecos can accommodate those with dietary restrictions (i.e. gluten free, vegetarian, etc.). As an added bonus, if you are lucky, you might get a chance to meet Tyler MacNiven, the restaurant’s quirky, flamboyant owner who also won Season 9 of The Amazing Race!

My girlfriend and I had just had a very disappointing meal nearby. Wanting to drink that disappointment away, we stopped by West of Pecos for a round. It was Thursday, January 28^th at 8pm. We walked in and sat at a high top in the bar area.
*La flama verde (spicy): tequila, lime, cucumber, genepy, jalapeño ($ 11) x2
*Puebla old fashioned: reposado tequila, ancho reyes chili liqueur, bitters, orange peel, smoked ice ($ 12) x2
I got the old fashioned. A fun play on the cocktail, with tequila as the main liquor. I really wanted to try one of their tequila drinks, but I wanted the flavors of something dark and smokey. This did the trick! My gf liked her cocktail as well. I had a sip and while it was light and refreshing, it definitely had a spicy kick!
Since we were taking up a table, we ordered the Queso & chips: house-​made chorizo ($ 10). Cheesy and oh so flavorful! Gooey cheese and chorizo are one of my favorite combinations. This one dish was so much better than the meal we were trying to forget.
My gf and I were having so much fun, we ended up talking and getting two rounds of drinks. I love the vibe of this place. Dark, fun and bustling, but you can still have a conversation and enjoy the company of whoever you are dining with.
Great bar area. If the queso is any indication of their food, I’d love to come back for dinner one day.

What’s the difference between Cal-​Mex & Tex-​Mex?
I’m not entirely too certain, but for being a Californian, I actually do like Tex-​Mex better. *braces for haters*
I go to Texas most every year and every time I come back to California, I’m disappointed that Tex-​Mex is nearly impossible to find around here, and the Cal-​Mex is never as good. Come on guys!
So when I saw that there was a Tex-​Mex restaurant right here in the heart of the Mission, I knew I had to go.
Arriving the first thing I noticed was the large space and warm atmosphere. Light made of chilies hang from the ceiling. There is a bar area that is more lively to the right, and then more intimate and cozy booths to the left. I sat down and just adored all the artwork and paintings.
As for the menu, only ²⁄₆ of the menu is food. The rest are drinks! Cocktails on the front, beer on the back, spirits on the 2^nd to the last. Food is on the 2&3 page. I can’t believe I can drink some good ol Shiner Bock! And it’s only $ 3 during Happy Hour! I will have to come back for that.
I ordered the RoadRunner, which is a Mezcal cocktail. Very smokey with a hint of spice. A great drink to sip on.
As for food, there are a ton of vegetarian options, and vegan food can be made with a bit of modification.
I ordered the taco, without any cheese or cream. It is a crispy taco topped with sauteed mushrooms, beans, and pomegranate. This was really good, though a bit pricey at $ 5 for 1 taco and no sides or garnishes.
I also ordered the side of Maple roasted Brussel Sprouts. These were my favorite here! Crispy brussel sprouts that is sweet and salty. It is so good to just pop these into your mouth or top my taco with it.
In terms of prices, it is a bit high. $ 13 and I ate 1 taco and a small plate of brussel sprouts. I was just full enough, but felt like I could’ve eaten a little more.
Maybe this place is worth it during Happy Hour.
But the food is well prepared and full of flavor.
Tex-​Mex food at Cali prices. Whodathunk.

My 5 stars is based off the brunch menu only. Although I did look around at other tables and their food looked amazing.
Walked in on a Sunday afternoon and had no issue Getting a table. It was packed, but no crazy lines. Also the place is roomy so you can go to the bar and wait. The service was attentive and good.
I got the American breakfast which comes with eggs, biscuit, and home fries. The biscuit is delicious. It’s huge fluffy and crispy on the outside. No need to add butter or jelly on it because it’s so good. Now if you want a life changing experience get the croissant French toast. Holy moly it was the best breakfast food I have ever experienced! First off it’s huge. Secondly it’s amazing! Not to sweet and not to cinnamon based flavor like some French toast. We opted for the butter and fruit on the side and it was worth it because the French toast is so damn good!
I left stuffed satisfied and can’t believe I’ve been missing out on such good brunch.

Wow what a brunch. We toured all over the city looking for a good brunch place on our first visit to San Fran and we saw this one on Unilocal.15 min later on an Über pool we got here and we had one of the best brunch food we ever had!
My girlfriend and I got the American breakfast which was good but the crown jewel was the croissant french toast. Devine. Nothing can’t describe how enjoyable was that experience.
In a nut shell go there and order it!

I never really hang out in The Mission district so when my friend suggested we do that for a change, I was definitely on board. We settled on a place close to some of the shopping on Valencia and so glad we did!
This place is super nice and consistent with the Tex-​Mex theme. Blue walls and dark wood around the place offer a more modern feel while the weathered looking table tops remind you of the Lonestar type tradition. Our service was ok. Not a lot of visits to the table but that’s because they were super busy. It didn’t bother me at all though, they were cordial. Here’s what I had for dinner:
–Started with the queso and chips, topped with house-​made chorizo for $ 9. This was a classic dish and super good! the queso was a little more runnier than I’d prefer but thank goodness the flavors were there! I liked the nice touch of chorizo on top to seal the deal
–For dinner, I got the West of Pecos Fish Tacos for $ 15. 3 tacos stuffed with beer battered wild Alaskan cod, avocado, chipotle aioli and cabbage. First off, what a beautiful plate! Lots of amazing vibrant colors. Then you bite into it and WOW, has to be one of the best fish tacos I’ve had, probably due to the fresh ingredients. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this!
I love this city. There are so many gems around town and for the Mission, I would consider this to be one. Those fish tacos will keep me coming back time and time again. Go check them out!

They used to have better salsa. The new version? Meh, I could skip it.
Cornbread (served in a little griddle) with honey and buttah? Excelente.
Macaroni and cheez? Good.
Cocktails? Interesting. I usually have wine tho.
Brunch? Had the huevos rancheros. Barely ok. The rice and beans need work.
The sopaipillas? Epic, as in drizzle that honey on that thang and order me seconds, please.

Mohave margarita is my favorite! I would go back just for the drink itself. Thus the reason I am giving out 4 stars. Food is OK right here. I got the kale salad it was kind of weird with some hard shell taco, beans and guacamole underneath. My friend didn’t like his Primm #1 unfortunately.
Staff is really helpful and I liked the atmosphere as well. We sit by the windows to it was great to people watch.