Nopalito, the bustling little hermana to Nopa's well-loved Californian establishment, is about to get another sibling restaurant in the Inner Sunset. As the ever-vigilante and always hungry Tablehopper reports this afternoon, the purveyors of locally sourced Mexican cuisine will be taking over Bistro 9's old home at 9th Avenue and Lincoln. Naturally, with a second, bigger space comes new opportunities to for the staff to expand their ever-changing menu as well. Marcia at Tablehopper dishes:

The larger kitchen means the masa and other items will probably be made at this location for both restaurants; and there’s a basement, which will allow more room for nopa and Nopalito’s whole animal program. There’s also talk of a smoker, and possibly a grill in the outdoor patio space (which won’t be used for seating).

In case you need a reason to get excited about an N-Judah-adjacent upscale Mexican joint, may we please remind you that the carnitas marinated in beer, bay leaves and cinnamon is not only worthy of three stars from Michael Bauer, but it also happens to be one of the best pieces of pork we've laid on our taste buds in recent memory. (Pork tends to make us black out though.) It doesn't hurt that it's conveniently available to-go, as well, if dining in well-appointed and lively environments is not your thing.

Tablehopper puts the opening date for the 9th Avenue location a couple months out - in October or November of this year.

[Tablehopper]
[Bauer]