El Mil Amores quickly became a Mission darling breakfast spot soon after opening its doors in 2023, with folks lining up bright and early for fat tres leches pancakes and chilaquiles.
Just a month or so ago, Chef/Owner Andrea Becerra took over the space where Regalito Rosticeria had operated since 2006, famed for its roast chicken and other Mexican fare.
Fans of El Mil Amores are happy to have another, larger spot to get their favorite Mexico City-inspired brunch dishes, but also to have lunch and dinner menus added. (Not to worry, the original EMA remains open, helmed by Becerra’s stepfather.)
The interior hasn’t changed very much as far as I could tell, although it appears there is no longer counter seating. But the long, communal table that faces the sweet little patio is still there, and hopefully it will be open to parties large and small, as it used to be.
We started with the obligatory guac and chips, but also got the queso fundido with chorizo to start:
The guacamole was tasty, although just this side of too salty. But the shining star was the queso served with house-made tortillas. The lovely creaminess of the spiced queso and Mexican chorizo, with its blanket of burnished cheese on top, was richly addicting.
We knew we were spoiling our appetites for the rest of the meal, but we didn’t care, and ordered a second basket of tortillas to scoop. In truth, I could have made a meal of this dish alone.
A friend ordered the carnitas.
The carnitas was oddly under-seasoned but, since it came piled high with the salty guac, it almost didn’t matter. However, the meat was also a bit dry, and my friend deemed it good, but not the best he’d ever had. I had to concur. The rice and beans that came with all our mains were excellent versions of each.
My other dining companion had the birria.
Beef birria, in this case. My friend enjoyed her dish, although I found it a little too cinnamon-forward. Still, it’s a soulful dish that could be wonderful with just a little tweaking.
I ordered the costillas en chile quemado:
These little pork riblets were quite tender, not at all dry, and I enjoyed the charred, slightly bitter taste of the “burnt” chile sauce, which played nicely with the tomatillos. But honestly, none of us were able to come near finishing any of our dishes after that luscious fundido. Not a bad problem to have, as we all got leftovers to take home.
Service was friendly and attentive, though I missed some of the warmth I’d encountered at the original El Mil Amores. However, they’d just opened, and I’m sure they’ll get that homey vibe going here soon, too.
The Regalito EMA offers chicken guisado, mole, cochinita pibil, salmon adobo, fish tacos and their famous molcajete CDMX, a giant stone bowl full of steak, pork, chicken, sausage and cheese in a burnt chile sauce, as well as vegetarian items and their usual decadent breakfast fare.
As a nod to the former tenants, the Pollo Regalito is still on the menu. To drink, there are aguas frescas made in-house, and beer and wine, although the wine seemed to come only in sangria form, so far.
Prices are reasonable for the quality of food, especially considering you’ll probably have enough to take home for dinner part two.
Great to have another family-owned and run restaurant in the neighborhood. Stop in and say bienvenidos a la hermanita!
Regalito El Mil Amores (Instagram)
3481 18th St.
San Francisco
415-503-0650
I was so bummed when Regalito Rosticeria closed! I walked in one night and the lights were brighter. I asked and found out about the change. I left and have not been back since. So sad. RIP Regalito Rosticeria.