Richie Nakano Returns With Tex-Mex Wing Wings Pop-Up Tonight

Richie Nakano Returns With Tex-Mex Wing Wings Pop-Up TonightPhoto: Andrew Dudley/Hoodline
Jennie Butler
Published on June 30, 2015

Nine months after Richie Nakano of Hapa Ramen held his final ramen pop-up at Wing Wings, he'll return to his old stomping grounds for a new Tex-Mex pop-up tonight. This is Nakano’s first public culinary venture since the opening of Hapa Ramen's brick-and-mortar location in the Mission and subsequent messy departure from the restaurant he helped build.

According to Nakano, he and Wing Wings owner Christian Ciscle recently realized just how much they love cheap Tex-Mex go-to's like crunchy ground beef tacos, queso and seven-layer dip. So they put together a simple, affordable menu with their favorites (think backyard birthday party in the 'burbs).

“We’ve done fancy taco pop-ups before, but we wanted to get away from that style and do something fun and affordable,” Nakano said. “Just chill fuckin’ Lower Haight shit.”

From 6pm-10pm tonight, expect hard-shell tacos (one for $3 or two for $5), chicken chimichangas ($6), nachos ($5 plus $2 for meat) and “6.33 layer” bean dip ($4). Micheladas ($5) and sangria ($6) will help wash it all down.

It's unclear whether the pop-up will follow in Hapa Ramen's footsteps to become a regular Tuesday night fixture in the neighborhood, so stay tuned and keep your eye on 422 Haight St.