Chicano Nuevo
Mexican restaurant · Bernal Heights ·
Real Baja California cuisine from a chef that is ACTUALLY FROM BAJA
Real Baja California cuisine from a chef that is ACTUALLY FROM BAJA
"A long-gestating Bernal Heights restaurant from a chef who built his reputation through residencies and stints at notable Bay Area kitchens; while the permanent menu is still being finalized, guests can expect the same bold, celebratory flavors that earned the pop-up acclaim — including a tamale negro that was named a Best Dish in 2024." - Dianne de Guzman
"Now entering the homestretch of opening its first permanent location at the base of Bernal Heights on Mission Street, Chicano Nuevo—originally a pop-up that began in the Excelsior at what was then the Broken Record—is returning to the Excelsior while also taking over the Halfway Club menu on Sundays and Mondays through July 15, serving items such as Mexi-Szechuan wings, carne asada fries, and much more." - Paolo Bicchieri
"As they ready a permanent Mission Street location for their Baja-style pop-up Chicano Nuevo, owners Abraham Nuñez and Courtney Fujita announced via Instagram a takeover at Magpie on 16th Street on May 5 and 6, with further details to come." - Paolo Bicchieri
"Eating Abraham Nuñez’s tamale negro is like watching a movie that exceeds expectations: the beef tongue stuffed inside is rich and tremendously deep with sherry braise shining in each morsel, Cheddar and Gouda add sharp creaminess that forms a holy trinity with the Baja-style crema, and pickled peppers and white onions bring another layer of bright acidity. Nuñez has been taking over Evil Eye’s kitchen on Sundays and Mondays to build hype for an imminent Mission Street opening, and dishes like his shrimp-rolled taquitos and titanic carne asada fries show he’s a sky-bound cook bringing punks and barflies to the clouds." - Lauren Saria
"After a long tease since August 2022, Chicano Nuevo is making its final push toward a permanent space and will start a residency at Evil Eye, operating Sundays from 3 to 9 p.m. and Mondays from 5 to 10 p.m., giving me a chance to sample Abraham Nuñez’s Baja cuisine in a regular, two-days-a-week slot." - Paolo Bicchieri