San Francisco: Matador

8minutestonoon
Mar 25, 2016
2 min read

679 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94102 | 415.923.8146 | http://www.matadorsf.com

It's Friday and during Lent, meat is a no no. I was going to have sushi at Ryoko's. It was crowded but didn't feel like waiting. So, I decided to try this new spot in my neighborhood, Matador. It's your usual Mexican fare - - mostly tacos. The menu is not extensive but has a variety of food that could appease your palette. The interior is quite small. This place used to be Sugar Cafe which I frequented. The fireplace is gone but they feature a screen showing western films.

The place was full and hip hop music playing in the background of Friday night conversations. I sat at bar for a party of one.

I started with a Green Michelada to quench my thirst which consists of Mexican beer (Tecate), tomatillo, cilantro, cucumber, lime and salt. It's pretty tasty packed with Mexican flavors.

Since I couldn't have meat, I got the Pescado tacos. They give you 2 per order. The tacos are filled with ahi tuna, citrus red cabbage, soy chipotle reduction, roasted tomatillo salsa and flour tortilla. The tacos were decent but I detest when runny juices spill out of the taco as I take a bite so I didn't enjoy it as much. The presentation lacked a bit. I was expecting some kind of sexiness to match the ambiance it's trying to portray.

Next, I have the roasted Brentwood corn off the cob, crema Mexicana, queso cojita, chile de árbol and fresh lime juice. Coctel De Camaron Estilo Veracruz. This appetizer came after my tacos which kind of annoyed me. The appetizer had fresh Mexican Wild Shrimp, avocado, jicama, cilantro, lime, clam juice and avocado oil with a side of tortilla chips. It had 4-5 fat pieces of shrimp which I liked but was drenched in a weird tasting hot sauce overpowering the components. I wished they pulled it back abut and kept it simple and fresh looking.

The last thing I ate was Esquite. Thank god for this side dish! It was what I was expecting. The side dish is roasted Brentwood corn off the cob, crema Mexicana, queso cojita, chile de árbol and fresh lime juice. Simply delicious!

I'll have to come again and try other things. Overall, it was just ok for me.