Nopalito - Broderick

The story of Nopalito began long before our 2009 opening. It started in the small village of El Aguila in the coastal city of Catemaco in Veracruz, Mexico, where chef/owner Gonzalo Guzman first learned to cook from his mother Alicia. As the eldest of three, Gonzalo worked in the fields, learning to grow corn, beans, chiles and tomatoes, and preparing meals for his family. From a very young age he established a connection with the land and developed a deep appreciation for the ingredients, traditions and techniques of Mexican cooking. After leaving home at the age of 13, Gonzalo lived in Puebla and Mexico City before coming to San Francisco. 12 years and many restaurants later, Gonzalo met future partners Laurence Jossel, Allyson Jossel and Jeff Hanak and the dream of Nopalito took shape. Nopalito would combine traditional, from-scratch Mexican cooking with the vibrant, local ingredients of the Bay Area. The beverage program would center around tequila, mezcal and fresh aguas frescas, and the hospitality would emulate the warmth of Mexican culture.