As noted in the Scoop: NICO’S TACOS has shuttered. What they didn’t report is who is taking it over: none other than the very busy Pete Mrabe of Don Pisto’s. He will be opening PISTO’S TACOS in its place on Thursday May 2nd, and taking all but one or two of the tacos off the menu at Don Pisto’s. He said it’s getting too hard for the busy upstairs kitchen to keep up with the taco orders along with everything else—look for a new “taqueria” section on the Don Pisto’s menu, which will have one or two tacos, and other dishes, like street corn. There will now be a raw bar, with more oysters, ceviches, and cured and smoked items as well.
At the new 35-seat taqueria, Mrabe will be serving small, spicy, street-style tacos with charred meat, about 10 meats in all, from lengua to grilled chicken to suadero (brined and braised brisket) to al pastor. Most of the tacos will ring in at $2, with a few at $2.80. All the tacos will come with two hand-pressed tortillas, and there will also be a smaller version of the Pisto’s burger (for $4), burritos on handmade flour tortillas for $5.50, housemade tamales, and about 40 beers (plus micheladas and potent wine-based margaritas). Hours to start will be nightly 5pm-11pm; lunch coming soon. 1310 Grant Ave. at Vallejo.
More North Beach news: owners of Vicoletto, Francesco Covucci and Peter Fazio, are taking over the Steps of Rome Caffe location, according to the Inside Scoop. They will be opening IL CASARO PIZZERIA AND MOZZARELLA BAR (casaro means “cheesemaker/dairyman” in Italian), serving Italian mozzarella, burrata, plus pizzas and panuozzo, a sandwich made with pizza dough. 348 Columbus Ave. at Grant.
Tacos at Don Pisto’s (photo from website).
