PG&E has finally turned on the power for the second TACOLICIOUS II and MOSTO in the Mission, and both businesses are officially open. (Owner Joe Hargrave can officially exhale, and now inhale.) There was a previous tablehopper hardhat feature with many details on the project, but let’s recap the highlights, shall we?
Tacolicious II features barstool and banquette seating at high tables and a bar, with cheerful and colorful cement tile floors (from Guanajuato), lots of natural light, a private dining room for all your fiesta needs, and plenty of warmth from all the wood elements. The flanking 30-seat patio room features a retractable roof with seating in bright orange chairs, and a mural of Dolores Park by Paul Madonna (he did the fab taqueria artwork at the original Tacolicious in the Marina).
The menu by chef Antelmo “Telmo” Faria will be similar to the Marina location—with carnitas tacos, guajillo-braised beef tacos, and shot-and-a-beer chicken tacos, all wrapped up in tortillas from La Palma—in addition to iron skillet-roasted mussels (a nod to Hargrave’s days at LuLu), and there’s the albacore tuna tostada inspired by Mexico City restaurant Contramar. Cocktails are made with fresh juices (check out the vintage juicers), and you can go classic with a margarita or try the spicy Pasión made with passion fruit and habanero-infused tequila. Open daily 11:30am-12am. 741 Valencia St. at 18th St., 415-626-1344.
Next door at Mosto, you are going to find a dimly lit bar with candle-lined walls, a banquette with high tables, and a ceiling made of over 3,000 glass Mason jars. There is a simple menu of seasonal botanas (snacks) inspired by Mexico CIty taco stands, and a not-simple tequila bar with over 300 selections. Yup, it’s going to be one of the country’s most comprehensive tequila and mezcal lists; all tequilas will be served with sangrita and a spicy pickle back. The concise cocktail list highlights some classics, like a Paloma, and a tequila sunrise made with housemade grenadine and fresh orange juice. Tequila makes you squirm? Well, there will be a single selection of every other kind of spirit (rum, vodka, etc.) in the “haters” section, all crafted in the San Francisco area, plus wine and beer.
You’re going to be all over the shaved-to-order al pastor tacos ($1.50), banana leaf-wrapped chicken tamales from Mrs. Reyes ($3), pescado del día (AQ), nopal y queso tacos ($1.50), and chicharrones by 4505 Meats. Open daily 5pm-12am. 741 Valencia St. at 18th St., 415-346-1966.
Tacolicious interior; photo by Tyler Gourley.
