If you're a fan of the neighborhood Mexican spot Nopalito, we've got some tasty news for you.
Check out any article about Nopalito and you're sure to notice the name Jose Ramos, who helped launch the much-loved restaurant alongside co-chef Gonzalo Guzman back in 2009. Since departing Nopalito two years he's stayed busy, first with Sabrosa, then with the launch of Nido in Oakland earlier this year. But despite having three quality Mexican restaurants under his belt, Ramos is pursuing a new dream: a mobile pop-up restaurant and farmer's market stand.
The new venture will be called "Media Naranja", a term of endearment which translates to "half orange" and is used to signify one's better half. Ramos and his wife Elizabeth Tinajero are launching the project together, and plan to make everything from scratch, including all hot sauces, queso fresco, chorizos, and corn tortillas.
In addition to handing out paper plates stacked high with tacos they'll also offer traditional Mexican dishes that aren't commonly known in the US, such as enchiladas placeras and cecina, and all ingredients will be seasonal, organic and locally-sourced.
Jose and Elizabeth are both lifelong lovers of food. "When I was a kid I used to watch my mom make tortillas," Jose told us. "Every time she took a break I jumped in to help her. I remember hanging out at marketplaces as a kid, always trying to help. I loved being there. I never thought I'd be a chef. When I came to America I wanted to work in kitchens, so I started as a dishwasher."
Elizabeth grew up in a small town in Mexico. "I remember going to the fields with my parents and picking up wild tomatillos" she told us. "I always enjoyed cooking, learning and sharing food with my family, neighbors and friends. When I moved to the US at 10 years old, I cooked meals for my extended family and potlucks." Her love for food and cooking eventually led her to the Culinary Institute of American in New York.
Together, the pair are aiming to showcase home-cooked meals made from scratch. "We're not going to be a taco truck," says Jose. Instead, they want to display their cooking skills and be transparent about what ingredients they're using. "We want to show people where food comes from."
The $20,000 Kickstarter goal will largely go towards the kitchen equipment needed to take this show on the road, including a taco cart, trailer, market stand, coolers, and pots and pans.
Perks for donating include free tacos, sangria, home-delivered meals for five, and exclusive tickets to their launch party. So if you're a fan of Nopalito's Mexican fare and want to see more from Jose and and Elizabeth, you can help their ideas become reality by checking out their Kickstarter here.
In the meantime, you can always satisfy your cravings by stopping by the original Nopalito location at 306 Broderick St. for an order of what are arguably the best carnitas in the city.
