Tin Cactus Mexican Restaurant Opens on Belden Place | Eater SF

"In the former Sauce space on Belden Place a hard-drinking, loosely Mexican-inspired cantina called Tin Cactus will open on Friday, November 8. Owners Franz Meis and chef Fred Turner (originally from Vermont), joined by bartender Johnny “Love” Metheny, are offering a menu of standards—chips with salsa and guacamole, tostadas, quesadillas, tacos, larger plates with rice and beans and tortas at lunch—alongside standout items like Dungeness crab tostadas, hamachi crudo, and short rib ropa vieja. The kitchen makes corn tortillas by hand, though many plates lean toward Mexican-inspired fusion (pineapple shrimp tacos, duck confit quesadillas) and even a Caesar salad. Much of the focus is on booze: six Mexican lagers on draft, 20 mezcals, 36 tequilas, and cocktails ranging from flavored margaritas to piña coladas and vodka classics. Designer Michael Brennan dressed the space in warm colors with longhorn skulls, milagro statues, a Nacho Libre painting and tin cactus décor; seating is split between roughly 60 indoor and 30 outdoor spots. Service hours will be lunch Monday–Friday 11:00–2:30 and dinner Monday–Saturday from 4:00 to close, with early and late happy hour deals." - Becky Duffett