San Jalisco

901 S. Van Ness Ave./20th St., 2 blks. E of Mission St., in Mission District, (415) 648-8383. B-L-D daily; $.

exterior of San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District

The cheerfully decorated San Jalisco Mexican restaurant features lacy cutout papers hanging from the ceiling, miscellaneous decorative items on the walls, and colorful tables and chairs hand-painted with animals.

interior of San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District

skeleton lady decor at San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District

Service begins with housemade chips and salsa. Breakfast is popular here and available through lunch. Favorite items include four kinds of chilaquiles (the Veronica with chorizo and nopales (prickly pear cactus) is very good), nopales con huevos, and huevos rancheros. Lunch specials weigh in at $10.95 and come with rice and beans.

chips and salsa at San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District

lunch specials menu at San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District

I ordered the crispy flautas topped with guacamole and sour cream, while my dining partner chose the enchiladas. We were both pleased. More items that sound particularly interesting include rolled tacos, enchiladas mole, sopes, shrimp items, and burritos in various sizes--poquito, grande, mucho. Pozole--a hearty soup of pork and hominy for which the restaurant is well known--is available on Fridays and Saturdays. Birria en caldo--a goat stew with a tangy tomato base for which they are also well known--is available on the weekends. Micheladas (spiced Mexican beer) served in large frozen glass mugs are yet another item patrons rave about, and sangria is also an option. In general, this place is usually full to the brim because the prices are low, the chips are plentiful, and the drinks are strong. Solo diners will welcome the congenial bar seating.