Mamacita - Marina

Our good friend Elliot (and friend of the owners!) scored us a table at "Little Mama" one night and thank god, cuz there were more marina-ites jammed in there than there are people jammed around the sample tables on a Sunday at Costco. People, it's not for your entire MEAL, it's a "sample"! Move along.

Back to Mamacita, what a madhouse! Pick-up city, too. I mean how can it not be when you're basically dry-humping, or being dry-humped, just trying to snake your way through the crowds to the bar.  Seems like the crowd is a slightly older (note - we didn't say more mature) and richer Taco Tuesday crowd if ya know what I mean.

The drinks? FAB. Great ritas, great tequilas...packed a punch. We had our favorite, basic Hornitos version (no salt for me, salt for Johnnie), but the Pomegranate ones are supposed to be killer too.

The food? You know what we love people...good chips & salsa and small plates!! Super-fresh tortilla chips and perfectly-spicy salsa, Hell even the guac was good and neither of us are fans of the avocado. Next - the Niman Ranch meatballs. They come on a bed of cumin-scented whipped potatoes and a super-tasty charred tomatillo chipotle sauce. The tacos come 3 at a time. We had the carnitas and the carne asada. Cow whores that we are, the pork was actually better - more tender and paired with some type of parmesan-like cheese and a zingy chili sauce. 

We'll go back soon and have more different plates, too bad we made such pigs of ourselves with the chips. Then we'll report back atcha, loyal VinDiviners.

Bottom line: We're damn glad we had an 'in' or we may have starved to death waiting for a table. And we've heard that even if you call ahead for a resie, count on waiting an additional hour or so before you actually get your table. Don't hate the player, hate the game - 'cuz people just don't wanna leave! Secondly, unless you are in the mood for a scene (it is the Marina) you may want to go elsewhere - but if you have your game on, you'll have a blast! Oh yeah, pack your earplugs;)

Mamacita
2317 Chestnut St.
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 376-1629