I was looking back on my old posts yesterday and realized that I talk about Toma in almost every post but I never really explained what it is!
In mid-December, my boyfriend opened a restaurant in San Francisco in the coveted Marina district. A lot of blood, sweat and tears have went into the place and I’m so proud every time I drive by it. This picture is before it even opened; I tried to find a more recent one (there’s chairs and dividers that spruce up the place now) but I guess I haven’t taken one lately.
The food is considered modern mexican, all the recipes are family recipes from Durango and Obregon in Mexico. The difference is that all the meats are premium and grass fed and they buy all the produce locally as well. The tortillas for the tacos are house-made every morning, which is something that is practically unheard of!
Toma has multiple meanings in Spanish, essentially it means to drink, to consume or to take. It can be used as a verb (ella toma, she takes) or as an expression (ยกToma!, take that!).
He recently started introducing specials, which are made in a limited quantity every morning and sells out usually by the afternoon.
Monday- Chile Colorado
Tuesday- Chicken Mole
Wednesday- Camarones de Ajo
Thursday- Chile Verde
Friday- Barbacoa
Sat/Sun- Pozole
The specials are some of my favorite things there, you can put them in tacos, burritos, or in a bowl. Sometimes I will be bummed to find out that they sold out before I can get there.
Since I want to continue with the Friday Five, I’ll post my five favorite things from his restaurant!
1. Torta
A torta is a Mexican sandwich, the bread is usually a sandwich roll (which they call bolillo) with your choice of meat. I really like it with carne asada (steak) and a guacamole spread in it.
2. Salsa
One of my favorite things about Toma are their salsa, each one is a family recipe that’s been perfected over time. My favorite one is the back right hand side that we call Rico’s. It’s a subtle but after-spicy habanero flavor. It goes on perfectly with cilantro and onion (mandatory at a Taqueria!) and a dash of lime.
3. Burritos
The one pictured above is actually a wet burrito, which is topped with enchilada sauce. My favorite burrito, which I named myself as the Tara special (Chi refuses to acknowledge it), is a half steak half chicken burrito with beans, rice, cilantro, onion, avocado and sautรฉed mushrooms. I don’t get it every time because it’s a handful to make, but when I do, I turn into the happiest girl ever!
4. Guacamole
Sometimes you have to look back and enjoy the smaller things in life, such as plain ol’ guacamole and chips. If you have noticed, I kind of have an obsession with avocados. If it fits, it sits on top of my food and it honestly goes with everything.
5. Tacos
(Shrimp)
(Steak, Mushroom, Chile Verde)
(Chicken)
There’s a reason tacos are at the end of my list. You always save the best for last, right? Growing up in California, I can say I have eaten my fair share of tacos. Without sounding biased, I honestly (swear on my life) think that these are one of the best tacos I have ever had in my life. I can seriously eat these tacos every day without any regret. The tortillas are hand made, so they taste really fresh and fluffy. What’s really good is to put one of the specials I was talking about earlier in here, and top it off with cilantro, onion, lime and Rico’s.
If you’re ever in the neighborhood, let me know and try to stop by! I’m sure we can do you a favor. ๐
This weekend Chi is going to Vegas, so I’ll be spending Memorial Day a little low key and hanging out with friends I’ve been putting off until school was done.
What’s your favorite Mexican food? Any fun plans for Memorial Day?
Bean and cheese enchiladas are my weakness!
And how cool that your bf took a leap of faith and opened his own restaurant. I don’t even know him but am so proud! ๐ The food looks delicious! Enjoy your low key weekend!
Thank you Parita, have a good weekend!
Um, so, can we just import Toma and/or Chi to Ohio? All of this food looks and sounds so heavenly. I love that all the meats are premium and grass fed and they buy all the produce locally! Any restaurant who does that and cranks out delicious food is a total win in my book.
On Saturday, one of my best friends from middle school will be in town. I haven’t seen her since last year, so I’m super excited to spend a few hours with her! Other than that, my weekend will be pretty low-key. ๐
We can, but I will sure miss him!
Mexican food is basically my favorite. It’s just SO good and they usually have lots of great vegetarian options! this place sounds delicious ๐
No big plans, just hanging out with friends this weekend!
Mexican, Italian and Chinese are my trifecta!
The restaurant looks great! Living in Texas, I LOVE Mexican food! We have it all the time in my house, so Mexican food is always in the weekend plans! I would love to visit the restaurant some day! (May have just added another thing to my bucket list!)
Have a marvelous weekend! xx
Come by and we’ll give you yummy food! ๐
oh wow!! i’ve been wanting to visit san francisco for a while, and when i come will definitely be making a trip to toma!! looks unbelievably good!! have a great weekend girlie, happy friday ๐
That’s so cool that he owns his own restaurant! It looks like a great place. Wish I could try it!
That is SO cool that he has his own restaurant! That guac looks SO good! I love that he buys all of the produce locally, too!
Sweet jesus that guac looks good