Mexican restaurant Don Pisto’s is saying goodbye to North Beach. The 14-year-old restaurant will permanently close on June 23, they announced on Instagram, as first spotted by Tablehopper.
But this isn’t the end for Don Pisto’s — in 16 months, the restaurant will reopen in Baja California.
“We would like to thank all of our loyal guests, amazing neighbors, and friends we’ve made along the way,” read Don Pisto’s Instagram post. “We would like to give a special thanks to all of our amazing employees and restaurant industry friends in North Beach for all the support. It was a great 14 years and we hope to see you all at our new location in Baja.”
SFGATE could not reach Don Pisto’s owner Pete Mrabe for comment in time for publication.
Don Pisto’s opened in 2010, making waves with its guacamole-topped hamburguesa and bottomless brunch. In 2018, former San Francisco Chronicle food critic Michael Bauer praised Don Pisto’s for its unique take on Mexican food, particularly a 2-pound lobster cooked in pork fat and served with tortillas, beans and rice.
“I know of no other Mexican restaurant that offers a hamburger, but then again I know of no other Mexican restaurant like Don Pisto’s in North Beach,” Bauer wrote.
Mrabe also owns Asian fusion spot Chubby Noodle, which has locations in North Beach and Cabo San Lucas. When Chubby Noodle moved from the Marina to its current North Beach location in 2019, Mrabe caught some flack from investors. They claimed they were squeezed out of the relocation, reported Eater at the time. That same year, a former colleague filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against Mrabe and Chubby Noodle, although it was eventually settled.
Source : Sfgate