Taqueria Dos Amigos Y Mercado Undergoes Renovation, Will Reopen Without Market

Taqueria Dos Amigos Y Mercado Undergoes Renovation, Will Reopen Without Market

Photo: Walter Thompson/Hoodline

Walter Thompson
Published on July 01, 2015

Closed since May, Taqueria Dos Amigos Y Mercado (1342 Irving St.) is undergoing renovations to reopen solely as a Mexican restaurant, without the market component. To create a larger dining area, the restaurant's owners are converting its former grocery space into new seating.

Taqueria Dos Amigos opened in 2013, on the former site of a Russian grocery store. In its previous configuration, the taqueria had about six or seven tables, with refrigerated cases lining two walls and a food prep and salsa bar on one side of the store. Without the mercado, the taqueria, which already has a beer and wine license, will have significantly more space to accommodate diners.

Yesterday afternoon, a construction crew worked behind papered-over windows to remove flooring where a refrigerated food case once stood. The drop ceiling has been removed to expose a skylight, and new drywall will be hung before the restaurant is tricked out with improved lighting and decor. According to a man outside who identified himself as an owner, the renovated restaurant will occupy about 3,500 square feet once the work is completed.

With only eight eateries between Cole Valley and 19th Avenue that specialize in fast-casual Mexican fare, the Inner Sunset's burrito aficionados have limited options. Even so, as Dos Amigos' Foursquare page attests, "people have mixed feelings about this place." Yelp reviews cite inconsistent hours and food quality, while others complained that the space still bore signs of being a Russian market and delicatessen. The person we spoke to said the taqueria's menu will remain largely the same when it reopens. 

According to the owner, the goal is to complete construction over the few weeks, with the new restaurant opening next month. When the renovated Dos Amigos is open for business, we'll post an update.