Elena’s is a Mexican restaurant in West Portal that opened in February. It’s from the Duggan family, which also owns the Italian American restaurants Original Joe’s, Joe’s of Westlake, and Little Original Joe’s which is also in West Portal.
More info from Eater SF:
It’s in a very nice space with high ceilings, gas lamps, and an open kitchen in the back.
I sat at the bar, which is first come, first served. To drink, I had an Elena’s Margarita ($13) but with mezcal instead of tequila.
To eat, I had the Dungeness Crab Enchiladas ($39), which were very good. They were two large corn tortillas filled with a healthy amount of sweet Dungeness crab, covered with a tangy and creamy tomatillo sauce. The rice and beans that came with were fine - the refried pinto beans, which were topped with cheese, could have used a little more oomph. There was also some lettuce, tomato, and crema as garnish. I was initially thinking of getting an appetizer, but I’m glad I didn’t as the plate was quite filling.
For dessert I had a Carajillo ($16), a cocktail with tequila, Tia Maria, vanilla, and espresso. I’m a bit apprehensive of large ice cubes in coupe glasses, but this was a pretty good Carajillo.
And also a Café de Olla Cheesecake ($14). This was a slice of cheesecake from noted local cheesecake maker Zanze’s Cheesecakes (which is now also owned by the Duggans after the original owners retired last year), flavored with coffee and spices used in Café de Olla. The cheesecake was as light as a feather and delicious.
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Interesting - I didn’t know that. I miss Zanzes, will have to order it when I try Elena’s.
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Yeah it was sold last year:
https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/restaurants/article/zanze-cheesecake-original-joes-17831845.php
It’s now available as a whole cheesecake at Little Original Joe’s which is also a retail store, and I also see it on the dessert menu at Original Joe’s.
And they have a website now:
https://www.zanzes.com/
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I had dinner at Elena’s recently at the bar.
Free chips and salsa - the chunky tomato salsa was nice.
OAXACAN OLD FASHIONED ($16)
Tapatio reposado tequila, Rayu mezcal, house made bitters blend. served over a large ice cube
To drink, I had an Oaxacan Old Fashioned, which was a good rendition.
CHILE COLORADO ($29)
guajillo pork stew, white corn rice, refried pinto beans, choice of corn or flour tortillas
I tried their chile colorado, which was quite good. The pork was nice and tender, and the red sauce had a lot of chile flavor. The beans and rice I think still can use a little bit of oomph, maybe just some salt. The flour tortillas that came with were also good, and soft.
TRES LECHES ($14)
sponge cake, whipped cream, cinnamon
And for dessert I had the tres leches cake, which was very good. The cake was super soaked with the milks.
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Feels like you are in San Diego or something, big beautiful space with high ceilings, gas lamps, and nice booths with plenty of elbow room. Like their Westlake/Original Joe’s restaurants, the portions are large, the service is great and the vibe is festive - lots of birthday celebrations around us.
Maracuya - mezcal, ancho reyes, passion fruit, agave, lime - delicious.
The chips are really good, thin, crispy not greasy, and the generously refill them together with the mild salsa.
Shrimp A La Diabla had perfectly cooked plump shrimp in a spicy tomato/butter sauce, spicy but nothing crazy. Salad was a bit overdressed. Choice of corn or flour handmade tortillas. The corn tortillas are delicious, warm and pliable.
Tres Leches cake was excellent, not crazy sweet like they sometimes can be.
Zanze’s pumpkin cheesecake was nice and light. I miss popping in to buy a whole one.
We also had the churros, but I would pass on those, slightly dry and served with a mild chocolate sauce. Guacamole was good. I had a bite of the chicken Tinga empanadas which were quite good. They are on the appetizer menu but you get three and are sizable enough as an entree if you don’t want some of the bigger plates.
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I didn’t know that Zanze’s cheesecake was still available. Can you only get it at restaurants? Thanks.
Only at Original Joe owned restaurants. Pacific Cafe at Geary/34th no longer has it on their menu.
It was perfect.
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