Nopalito

I came here with a friend around 5:30pm on a weekday and there was no wait time. Any other time, it would probably be a good idea to call ahead to be put on the waitlist.
We shared a bottle of sangria and ordered a few snacky things.
The red wine sangria was good. We wanted to try the winter citrus sangria, but our server said that was seasonal.
$ 7 Totopos con Chile — tortilla chips, salsa de arbol, cotija cheese, onions, cilantro, crema & lime:
A little much for chips and dip, but the cotija makes it all better. Very satisfyingly salty and crunchy. Now I can understand how some people can eat an entire bag of chips in one sitting. I almost didn’t need the crema.
$ 11 Quesadilla Roja con Chicharrón — mulato chile-​corn tortilla, crispy pork belly, salsa cascabel, jack cheese, queso fresco, onion & cilantro:
We cut this in half to split. After biting into it, I wouldn’t have minded ordering another one. The pork belly was ok, but there wasn’t much of it. Every bite was of this fried quesadilla was filled with crunch from the crispy shell to the chicharróns inside.
$ 21 Carnitas — braised pork, orange, bay leaf, milk, cinnamon, beer. Cabbage salad, pickled jalapeño, salsa de tomatillo:
The pork was delicious and juicy, but it was a little small to share.
Cinnamon Mexican Wedding Cookies:
I was happy to see these arrive with the bill. They’re one of my favorite cookies, but could’ve used more powdered sugar in my opinion.
The food was quite good and the server was nice. Think of elevated Mexican cuisine with nice presentation. I’d rather not pay these prices for Mexican food though. The taste was there, but when I factor in price and the amount on the plates, I’d give it close to a 7.5÷10.

I had lunch there on Sunday the food was good but some reason they charged my credit card 191.82 when I asked them to charge only 25 the rest we paid with cash. I’m hoping they don’t rip me off and fix the wrong charge on my card.

My favorite restaurant in the city. Outstanding cocktails, authentic Mexican cuisine. Particularly excellent are the carnitas and pork belly quesadillas.
Getting in can be a problem, I highly recommend waiting at Vinyl wine bar around the corner (or calling ahead). At least the place doesn’t take reservations so you can go on short notice.
Nopalito’s take on a bloody mary is wonderful.

We ate lunch here yesterday. Starting with the housemade beverage hibiscus-​valencia orange, we liked it because it wasn’t overly sweet. Just slightly sweet, which is what we like. We had the Ensalada de Lechuga y Manzanas, which had the perfect blend of delicious flavors (loved the smokiness of the smoked jalapeño-​lime vinaigrette dressing) & different textures (perfect crispy peanuts & lightly crunchy tortilla strips). mmmm Next we had the Quesadilla con Repollitos de Bruselas… also delicious. The brussels sprouts were shaved ultra-​thin & the carmalized onions make this dish extra yummy.
The décor is nice, modern & clean, and it compliments the modern organic, sustainable menu. The staff is friendly & attentive.
The prices are a bit steep, but it’s the price we pay in SF for organic, sustainable, delicious food.

Call ahead and put yourself on the waitlist!
I implore you to get your own quesadilla roja w/​chicharron (it’s ok to abandon the sharing is caring rule)…I immediately regretted splitting with my friends!
Carnitas and carne asada were amazing — tender, flavorful, excellent quality
Ceviche had a vibrant burst of acidity with just the right balance of heat and salt
Overall Thoughts
Refined Mexican fare that’s worth every penny

It’s like where hipsters go to get Mexican food.
I’m not sure how this place gets 5 stars but in my book if you balance price and food for brunch/​lunch it really fell short.
From our missing waiter who left us in the back garden for a hour and didn’t check on us, to the bland food.
Now I know how pets feel when you leave them outside in the cold with a small portion of food and don’t play with or check up on them. We were completely abandoned.
I felt like Jack Nicholson in The Shining, left out to freeze in the cold.
The fish tacos at $ 15.00 with tip and tax which is just crazy. Like lunatic asylum crazy. Even if it was farm raised by nuns or something it was plain boring and expensive. I could have gone to any taqueria and gotten the same tacos for $ 3. These tacos didn’t even have guacamole or salsa or anything. I mean my high school had more toppings on their tacos then this place.
My friend’s sandwich wasn’t very tasty and once again for $ 15 with tax and tip just plain crazy.
Tempted to give this place 2 stars but I’ll round it up to 3 stars.

Perfect place for Mexican food!
One thing you should know about me is my love for soup. I love all kinds of soup, for any occasion.
The soup (Pozole) at Nopalito definitely is one of my favorite soups in SF. The porky, spicy, deliciousness is perfect for any cold winter night. I love how you can add more or less spice, or onions, or tortilla chips to personalize the soup to your liking. Amazing!
The Carne Asada con Nopales was bomb as well. Perfect with the cactus and tortillas to make your own little tacos!
No guacamole the day we went — but that’s because Nopalito only uses seasonal ingredients.
Get the sangria!

I’ve been to Nopalito a few times now (both locations) and I always walk away feeling satisfied :) Nopalito is in the category of food I like to call «New Mexican.» It’s not really your traditional, Southern California taste of homemade tacos, enchiladas, tamales etc. It’s a bit more garnished, fancy, and fried… hence it’s own category of New Mexican. It’s dang tasty and amazing though. For starters, they serve you a tiny cup of fried deliciousness (fried garbanzo beans).
LOCATION
–I LOVE and miss the Inner Sunset. So many good places to eat all concentrated in one happy little area. This is great especially when you have to wait for a table to open up. My party of 4 came on a Saturday afternoon (around 1pm) and were told that the wait would be about 30 – 45 minutes. (We ended up getting seated closer to 20! woohoo!) No worries, we decided to walk around and ended up buying some ice-​cream first :)
–Inside is tiny and cozy, like most restaurants in SF.
–It’s common to see a few groups of people waiting outside for their turn to be seated. I would encourage going early or at unusual dining hours. When we left around ~2:30pm there was hardly any line outside.
–Yes, they have restrooms
MENU
–Totopos con Chile. These chips are the bomb. Super tasty with a good punch of spiciness. Beware of the FRESH sour cream if you are lactose (my fiancé learned that the hard way) but it’s absolutely the best! This is a must-​try if this is your first time at Nopalito. We end up ordering this every time anyways :)
–Quesadilla Roja con Chicharron. This looks more like a crispy taco than a quesadilla but it’s so good. The chicharron is well flavored, tender, and juicy.
PROS
–They call/​text you when a table opens up so you are free to roam around the Inner Sunset
–Very friendly staff. My friend complimented the fried garbanzo beans and they gave us a second cup :) They also pre-​package them for sale too!
Muchas gracias Nopalito para tu comida muy deliciousa! Will be back for morrre!

We had just visited the California Academy of Sciences and we were hungry! Since we already had a parking spot, we just walked to Nopalito (easily 7 minute walk away) — my sister-​in-​law and brother-​in-​law had been here a year ago and wanted to go back. We had a 45 minute wait for lunch — but boy, was it worth it! This place easily made my top 5 list of best eats in 2015!
We ordered a selection of items — the best way to experience this varied menu. We got the fish tacos, which were on special that day, along with the quesadilla con repollitos de bruselas (brussels sprouts quesadilla!), quesadilla rosa con chicharron (quesadilla with chicharron), taco arable estillo puebla (taco with marinated pork), rolled tacos with sweet potatoes (easily my favorite!), tamale de amarillo con calabaza and a side of Mexican rice. They brought dishes in waves — two dishes at a time — so we could enjoy before moving on to the next «course.» Portion sizes are moderate so I think ordering more than less is a good idea! The quesadillas were easily the most filling items on the menu so it was great that they served that to us last.
The atmosphere was casual and service was friendly and quick. A great mix of people — the place was hopping with activity and so many people waiting outside for a table. I’ll definitely be back the next time we visit Golden Gate Park.

Best meal I’ve ever had, period. Better than my two other favorite fancy Mexican spots, Oyamel in Washington, DC and Tacolicious (various Bay Area locations).
We waited outside for 45 minutes and I was hangry.
We shared:
The totopos con chile: best Chilaquiles I’ve ever had sans egg. That chile though, gives you an amazing slow burn of spice to your palette. I’m pretty sure it made the rest of the dishes taste better because we kept coming back to it.
Salad: can’t remember what it was called but it had a delicious smoky dressing on it and the lettuce leaves were so unbelievably fresh. Avocado, onions and more of those deep fried garbanzo beans. We were ready to lick the plate.
Large pozole: best version I’ve had in a long time. If you like your pozole more soupy and less like stew this is the one for you. Garnish of Mexican oregano, chipotle spice, lime, onions and tortilla chips are served as garnish. Although there were just small bits of meat in it, it was perfect for a cold SF day.
Quesadilla con Roja chicarron: not sure if this is the exact name but this pork quesadilla is THE BEST THING IVE EVER TASTED! My friend and I agreed the next time we come here we’re going to order 3. The homemade tortilla, cheese, salsa and combo of meat and crunchy pork skin caused me to stop every Nopalito staff member who walked by the tell them how delicious it was! Even though they already know. They brought it out last because, you know, save the best for last.
Normally, I only give 5 stars if the food and service is near perfect. Our waiter had no personality but all the other staff were amazing. There was a couple sitting outside and various staff came to check on them multiple times. No one checked on us or asked how our food was, which I thought was weird.
Last, I wish they would tell you more about your dish when they drop it off but the food is so bomb it really speaks for itself. Trying to figure out how I can squeeze in another trip here before I leave.

Absolutely unorganized place
Hostess got our name and put us on the wait list. After waiting for about 15 minutes another group just walked in and was seated immediately with no waiting or even being asked if they are next by a sporadic waitress. And NO they had no reservations.
What’s the point of a waiting queue?!
As reconciliation we were offered to be seated out in the back without anyone there on the cold patio. And that’s in December.
Umm thanks but no thanks. Really weird place.
Did I mention the food there is $ 11 per taco?! Umm I’m glad we went to Pacific Catch instead.

I finally had the chance to dine at Nopalito. I sat at the bar first while I waited for my friend to arrive, and I perused the beer list. The bartender was really friendly and advised on my beer choice according to my described preferences. I had the Moonlight Brewing Death and Taxes CA black lager — spot on good! I like beer that is medium-​bodied and smooth — perfect!
We ordered a few plates to share, but the highlight was definitely the ceviche with red onions and olives — very fresh, citrus-​y and great tasting!
Service was friendly and quick. It’s a nice casual, comfortable dining place to catch up with your friends, plus it is kid-​friendly. There is a patio in the back (probably best for lunch time or warmer evenings), but we chose to sit in the main dining area this time.

I dig this place. I feel bad saying that since this is the location of the previous establishment Bistro 9. Deep down I feel like I’m cheating on Bistro 9 just by dining here.
Regardless, the food is damn good. My bff took me here for my birthday lunch. She ordered everything and it was all top notch. The totopos chips were good but wayyyyyy too spicy for my sensitive palate. Don’t get me wrong — I still ate them because they’re addictive! But after 5 – 6 chips I was done.
The Tamal was one of the best I’ve ever tasted. Perfect masa and meat balance. Moist, tender and flavorful. Order this.
WHOA! The quesadilla roja kicked ass! Whoever came up with this flavor combination is genius. When I ate little bites of crispy pork belly it warmed my heart. Such a soulful dish.
We ordered a few other things; none of which names I can remember but all very good. It’s easy to say that everything on the menu is great. Love going to restaurants where you can’t make a mistake and order the wrong dish because all the dishes are spot on! YUH!
The finishing touch are the little spiced cookies served at the end of the meal. They’re crumbly, with a good nutty bite and yummy flavor. Service was attentive without being intrusive. The décor was upscale without being overly pretentious. I’ll be back!

Mo-​le, mo-​le, mo-​le!
Feeling hot, hot, HOT!
Somehow The Merrymen song just popped up in my head when I saw that mole.
And when it came, I had the hots for that mole. A luxuriously thick, dark brown sauce of chilies, chocolate and nuts poured over chicken enchiladas. We just wrapped up my friend’s garden ceremony at the park and it was a chilly morning so the mole warmed me up through and through. While everyone on Unilocal raves about the quesadilla roja con chicharron with its crunchy pork belly, I feel the mole is underrated.
We shared an appetizer which was perfectly portioned for 4 people and our industrious server took care of us very well: clearing plates, refilling water and chips when needed, entertaining us with small talk. The ceviche con aceitunas verdes was such a lip-​puckering delight. Who would’ve thought that the addition of olives and capers can put a different spin on ceviche? it was a welcome change to the traditional Peruvian version I’m used to.
By the way, cocktails anyone? Big sister Nopa does cocktails fairly well, so it wasn’t a surprise that the brunch booze here is top notch too. Stick with spiked Mexican coffee if you want a sweet, hot drink or go with the Killer Bee (mezcal, lemon, honey) if you want something smokey and citrus based. I loved the Blanco Rojo with tequila and Campari, it maybe a bit bitter for some, but I needed something heavy to complement my rich mole dish.
Just know that this is not a traditional Mexican restaurant. Also, know that your cool hipster server with tight pants and a man bun is much better dressed than you. However, be assured that Nopalito delivers on fresh Mexican food using the best seasonal ingredients that California has to offer.
Needless to say, doesn’t that make you feel hot, hot, HOT?

After seeing guy feiri being here, it was a must I have to try. I’ve been keeping up with him and places he’s been to and none of them was a disappointment.
The food here is pretty tastey. We order few different dishes here. Each dishes bad it’s unique taste and not the same ingredients for each dish which is good. I mean I feel like Mexican food, you can only do so much to it. The prices itself is a little steep tho. $ 22 for a carne asada plate? Very overprice. $ 11 for quesadilla ?!? Another over price dish. And .50 cents per sauce, which I wasn’t inform of before asking for it. So my check had $ 6 extra for sauces.
Overall if you want high end Mexican food, come here but I prefer mom and pops taqueria over this.

A great Mexican restaurant in the neighborhood for when you are craving Mexican but also want a more refined dining experience with a little twist of something different for your palate. I’ve been here for brunch and for dinner and both times enjoyed the food and service. There is usually a small line but the longest I’ve had to wait before getting seated is twenty minutes. I like how you can buy a bag of their deliciously salty and slightly spicy roasted garbanzo beans to take home.

Ventured into San Fran to get delicious Mexican food that I won’t find in DC, and Nopalito did not disappoint!
The service and food was amazing. The meal starts off with some crunchy spiced chickpeas, which is a good alternative to chips and salsa because it’s something to nibble on that won’t fill you up before your meal.
A friend and I split the ceviche, Huarache con Suadero y Chorizo, and the Quesadilla Roja con Chicharrón. Ceviche was fresh and a fairly large portion. The Huarache and Quesadilla were both very rich, but very delicious. The crispy pork rinds in the Quesadilla were an excellent touch.
PRO TIP: Get the house made Almond Horchata mixed in with tropical fruit (for me, it was persimmon), and you won’t regret it! Literally one of the best non-​alcoholic beverages I have ever tasted.

I love love love this place. The food is SO good and it’s a great experience. The service is wonderful and the staff is very well trained and awesome. This place has procedures perfected. I appreciate the whole package here (including the clean bathroom).

I’ve been to Nopalito a couple of times, and it’s one of the my favorite restaurants in the 9^th and Irving area, esp. when I crave fancy Mexican. I love the octopus ceviche and carnitas. The carnitas are normally very juicy (other than one time when the meat was dry), and the salsa is delicious (note they charge you if you want more sauce). Fish tacos on purple corn tortillas and margaritas are good too. I need to try their strawberry horchata next time! They also serve complimentary spiced garbanzo beans at the beginning of your meal and complimentary Mexican wedding cookies at the end of the meal so I usually leave stuffed.
Dishes that I tried once and won’t order again were the carne asada and chicken mole. The carne asada was decent and tender, but similar to steak that you can get at other restaurants for half the price. I’ve been searching for good dark mole and ordered the mole chicken during my first visit. The server saw that our small table had no room so she didn’t bring out the mole until we finished another dish to make room. By then the mole was no longer hot. It was a red mole with a sweet, tangy bbq taste instead of the nutty, bold flavor I wanted. I’m curious if it would’ve been better served hot but haven’t ordered that dish again after being disappointed the first time.

I went to Nopalito for dinner with a few friends after spending some time at Nightlife at the CA Academy of Sciences. Unfortunately for me, I came in only with a mild appetite so I didn’t really order anything too heavy. I did want to make sure that I ordered the one dish that I saw them make on TV which was their Quesadilla Roja con Chicharron.
Quesadilla Roja con Chicharron –
Mulato chile-​corn tortilla, crispy pork belly, salsa cascabel, jack cheese, queso fresco, onion and cilantro
This was a nicely fried quesadilla and the pork belly was good. The only minor gripe I have about it is the portion size. Pretty small for the price compared to any quesadillas you get at even the best taquerias out there. Luckily since I had a mild appetite, it was satisfying enough.
I know I’ve only been here one time and only tried one menu item, but I don’t see myself coming back here on my own time, unless I’m forced to tag along with a group that decides to eat here. I didn’t really see anything on the menu that I’d really want to come back to try. Maybe if I go back another time and with a bigger appetite, hopefully it’ll get a higher rating, but not anytime soon.

Esta muy lindo y liempio y hipster pero la comida no es tan mexicana como crees y los precios smeatan bastante altos. Ordene los tacos de pescado al pastor, una michelada y el side de frijoles pintos.
Si te gustan las micheladas como en Mexico no pidas las de aqui. No tienen limon ni salsas, solo le ponen un mix que basicamente sabe a chile verde. Guacala. Y te la cobran a 6 dolares. Ahorratelos.
Los tacos de pescado si estan muy ricos. Sugerencia para el restaurante: ponganle mas pescado porq es mucha tortilla para el contenido.
Los frijoles son de buena calidad y no saben dulces como todos los frijoles que sriven aqui en estados unidos PERO los sirven sin caldo!!! Osea te sirven los frijoles secos, no son molidos solo son bolitas de frijoles sin caldo. Basicamente le quitan toda la esencia al frijol. Mejor pedi que me los dieran para llevar para ponerles caldo y quesito o de plano molerlos.
Al final de la comida te dan un polvoroncito. Es un buen detalle.
El lugar es muy lindo pero no es la comida a la que estas acostumbrada.