Mexico and The Philppines are just over 8,500 miles apart, but Mestiza Taqueria, a new restaurant at the corner of Bryant and Fourth, has managed the bridge the distance.

Owner Deanna Sison Foster (Little Skillet, Victory Hall & Parlor and Farmerbrown) has partnered with chef and former Chopped Grill Masters champion Sophina Uong to create a new nature-themed eatery in the former location of Chavo's Mexican Restaurant.

Decked out with wood tables and lush greenery, SF Gate describes Mestiza as a "street-eats" casual eatery that blends a Mexican taqueria with flavor profiles from the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand.

"Mestiza" (Spanish for a person of mixed race) is a nod to the range of options available—from Filipino finger food like adobo empanadas and pork salpicao skewers, to refreshments like wine cocktails, cinnamon horchata and aguas frescas (cucumber-mint-lime and hibiscus ginger).

The menu also includes specialities like Filipino pork adobo (with tamari soy, ginger salsa cruda and green papaya achara), Thai red curry beef (roast shrimp powder, coconut flakes, basil and pineapple-arbol chile salsa) and carne asada, served in a taco, burrito or bowl.

Much like the interior space, the outdoor beer garden and patio continues the restaurant's nature theme with a floral mural by artist Jet Martinez. Come summer, Mestiza Taqueria will host a series of pop-up dinners in collaboration with SoMa Pilipinas, the Filipino Heritage District in SoMa.

Mestiza Taqueria is currently open for lunch Monday–Friday, from 11am–2pm. Following its soft opening, normal business hours will be Monday–Friday from 11am–10pm. 

Thanks to tipster Al M.! See something interesting while you’re out and about? Text Hoodline and we’ll see what we can find out: (415) 200-3233.