After being closed for a seismic upgrade and renovations—while Van Ness Avenue continues to be torn up and a complete disaster—~HELMAND PALACE~ has reopened. The dining room got an update, as well as the exterior. Show them some support and head in for their famed kaddo! The restaurant has been open since 1971. 2424 Van Ness Ave. at Green.
Breakfast tacos are a holy grail, and especially Austin-style breakfast tacos, the benchmark! Fortunately for us, ~TACOLICIOUS~ has just launched a weekend brunch menu of six kinds of breakfast tacos, and they even took an R&D trip to Austin. You’ll find the Tejana, with migas (with crispy tortilla strips cooked into egg), roasted poblano, and a creamy, emulsified jalapeño salsa, inspired by the popular Salsa Dona at Taco Deli (this was one of our absolute favorites); El Gabacho, with scrambled egg, avocado, and crazy-delicious bacon jam they make in-house, which I told them they need to start selling stat; and Que Chido, with fried egg, bacon, and crispy hash browns with a salsa roja (great texture).
You can get fancy with La Fresa (filet mignon and fried quail egg with salsa macha, so good with the beef!), and there’s a vegan offering, and a classic El Mexicano with scrambled egg, housemade chorizo, and potato. The flour tortillas (with some corn) were on point, and Tacolicious really rocks the salsas. I say bring a friend, order all six, and split ‘em up like we did! Tacos are $4.50 for 1, $16 for 4, and $36 for 10.
You can perk up with their horchata and cold brew combo, and I felt somewhat healthy with my jugo verde (kale, pineapple, and mint juice), until I took another bite of the bacon jam. Ha! There are brunch cocktails, including a michelada, always a winner. Served Sat-Sun 10am-3pm. At the Mission District location at 748 Valencia St. only for now; the Marina location will launch the taco menu and 10am weekend brunch on January 25th.
There have been some changes over at ~1760~, which has a new menu format that is a three-course tasting menu for just $39. A new region or culture or cuisine will drive the rotating menu every three months or so, with some comfort food inspiration too. Right now, they’re starting with Tuscany, serving three courses of wintertime dishes, with an additional pasta course available for $10, and the option for wine or cocktail pairings. (If you desire a vegetarian option, they will be complete dishes, not just the original dish with the protein removed.) If you have some 1760 favorites, fret not, because the bar menu will remain à la carte!
Meet the new lineup of breakfast tacos at weekend brunch at Tacolicious on Valencia. Photo: Gregory Wells.
