Nopalito To-Go Window

"At Nopalito’s casual takeout window, located across the street from the park, zero in on the totopos topped with tender, crispy carnitas—the dish lives rent-free in our minds, and the entire thing is finished off with a dollop of crema, and sprinkled with cotija, onions, and cilantro. It’s exactly what we want for a quick lunch, or a snack to share while we sit at the park and pretend to read. This place also does a pretty good rice bowl. " - julia chen 1

"If you’re not ready to dine-in at a restaurant yet, but still want to make an appearance in the Real World, there are lots of restaurants that have perfected the art of takeout over the last year. Exhibit A: Nopalito’s To-Go Window in the Mission. They opened last summer as a takeout-only window, and quickly added a parklet - and the best part is, it’s steps from Dolores Park. Meet a friend there, take your colorful rice bowl or totopos topped with carnitas to Dolores, and eat it in the grass while you discuss houseplant lifespans and the intricacies of Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett’s relationship." - julia chen 1

"Nopalito’s new takeout window in the Mission has some items you can’t get at their Lower Haight location - like a rice bowl, and totopos with their excellent carnitas. And if you’re in desperate need of a midday sugar rush, they also have soft serve from Bi-Rite with toppings like palanquetas and polvorones. The takeout window is steps from Dolores Park, where you can eat it all in a socially-distanced chalk circle and dogwatch until your next call." - julia chen 1, lani conway

"Norte54 is a pop-up Mexican bakery at the Mission Farmers Market, Nopalito, and Grand Coffee that’s serving up creative floral and fruity takes on Mexican pan dulce. Instead of just the usual chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry conchas, this place taps into more unique flavor combinations like blueberry conchas, orange blossom swirl buns, and tres leches with blueberry, lemon whip, and an elderflower soak. Aside from pan dulce, other treats they offer include abuelita’s chocolate chip cookie that tastes just like Mexican hot chocolate, and the alegria granola with amaranth and pumpkin seeds. You can pre-order a box online or order a la carte in person—the pastries on the menu always vary, but since everything is a hit, you simply can’t go wrong." - Ricky Rodriguez

"Don’t panic. While Nopalito’s Inner Sunset location has closed, Broderick is still very much open, as is this new and very timely takeout window in the Mission. While you’ll spot many of Nopalito’s greatest hits on the menu, there are some Mission-exclusive dishes (hello, totopos con carnitas) that entirely justify the trip. For a hearty, outrageously tasty lunch on-the-go, the plato completo con pollo might just be the best rice bowl ever: Tomato-y rice, pinquito beans, pickled onions, and chicken under a shower of cilantro and lime. Afterwards, walk it off around the neighborhood with a spiced coffee in hand. Images courtesy of Nopalito. "