Los Pinos Serves Up Fresh, Authentic Mexican Food

While casual taquerias abound in South San Francisco, finding authentic Mexican food made with quality fresh ingredients in a more formal dining setting can be a challenge. Fortunately, Los Pinos manages to combine the homemade taste of small taquerias with the inviting sit-down feeling of a full service restaurant.

Co-owners Jesus and John Sanchez have crafted the restaurant into a spot where locals can come enjoy freshly made entrees in a warm, friendly atmosphere. Jesus Sanchez, a South City resident for over two decades, credits his regular patrons for spreading the word about Los Pinos around town and keeping business lively.

A block off the main downtown drag of bustling Grand Avenue, Los Pinos sits on quieter Baden Avenue, with plenty of metered street parking available up and down the block. Its colorful yet casual ambiance welcomed me on an otherwise gloomy, drizzly Monday night. My companion and I were seated immediately in the back section, away from the drafty front door, where I discovered a detail so small but offering so much convenience that I suddenly wished I saw them in more restaurants: coat racks by each back table – just a touch of extra care that was to exemplify my meal at Los Pinos.

Hanging up my soggy sweater, I was promptly greeted by our friendly server, who took our drink orders and soon returned with a traditional margarita on the rocks (served generously in a pint glass) and the largest stein of horchata I had ever seen – "Huge, isn't it?" the woman at the next table commented upon seeing my shocked expression.

While the beverage portions were much bigger than I have seen at other Mexican restaurants, our food arrived in more customary portions. The first to arrive were the fajitas supremas, a sizzling platter of beef, chicken and shrimp tossed with onions and bell peppers in a delicious mild sauce. Along with the meat came a basket of four flour tortillas, which had a distinct homemade taste, and were soft but not too delicate to handle all the sauce dripping off the meat.

Next up were the chicken soft tacos, which were small, but so packed with tender, juicy cubes of spicy marinated chicken, that I found myself asking for extra tortillas just to sop up all the bits that fell out while eating them. Fortunately, our attentive server checked on us often, and was happy to bring out more.

Taking a break from the tacos, I moved on to the tostada, a slightly crispy tortilla piled high with rice, beans, lettuce, guacamole, salsa and sour cream. Essentially a simple dish, the main appeal of the tostada was the freshness of its ingredients. The salsa and guacamole tasted as if they had just been prepared, and the mounds of lettuce were crisp and bright green.

But my favorite dish of the night turned out to be a break from our otherwise meaty fare: the chile relleno, the Mexican classic – a green pepper cooked and stuffed with soft, melted fresh cheese. The tender, lightly breaded pepper was cooked to perfection – easily cut with a fork, and melting alongside the cheese in my mouth. Smothered in a not-too-spicy red sauce, the chile relleno was the perfect example of how far simplicity can go when done right.

Although pretty stuffed, we capped off the night with a rich, creamy flan, accompanied by a dollop of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. Amazingly enough, the biggest surprise was yet to come, as our bill arrived moments later: four dinner items, two drinks (one alcoholic) and dessert for two people came in at less than $50.

With its truly authentic tasting Mexican food, comfortable and accessible ambiance, and reasonable prices, Los Pinos makes for a great spot for family dining, or for dates. Its flat screen televisions and full bar also invite more casual crowds, like the friendly group of regulars taking in the baseball game at the table next to ours. Los Pinos, and its friendly staff and patrons, helped make a rather glum night in South City a little warmer.