In the former Squat & Gobble space at 3600 16th Street (underneath Lookout), a new Castro food option debuted in the last week. It's the second location of Bonita Taqueria Y Rotisserie, a concept which debuted several years back in the Marina from the same owners as Squat & Gobble.
The menu is divided into rotisserie chicken plates (which landed the first location on SFist's list of the best roast chickens in town), and fairly standard taqueria fare, though there are some unique dishes as well. In place of the required al pastor we have Bonita's mini version, dubbed "pastorcito," and in addition to fajitas, tacos, and burritos, there's a fajita-esque spin on the quesadilla dubbed the "Friscodilla," which also has roasted corn in it. From the rotisserie, you can a tasty marinated half bird with sides like Mexican-style rice, black beans, Mexican coleslaw, and some delicious fried hashbrowns called Crispy Bonita Potatoes. For the keto folk, the chicken can be ordered with lettuce cups on the side instead of tortillas, and there are burrito bowls too.
Also setting Bonita apart from nearby taqueria competitors are fresh mahi-mahi tacos, and elote (street-food corn topped with chili flakes and cojita cheese).
Like Squat & Gobble, it's a counter-order situation. And the brunch menu is set to debut this weekend (Friday to Sunday) with a delicious-sounding Hangover Burrito, huevos rancheros, and more. For now, the place is open for lunch and dinner, and brunch may be eventually offered daily.
Beer and wine (including buckets of beer for the table) are available, as are micheladas, faux margaritas (with agave wine), sangria, and agua frescas.
Squat & Gobble lasted 22 years in the space, holding on to a loyal brunch clientele. But owner Issa Sweidan decided to close it last month, explaining to Hoodline that it had a "good run" but it was time for a change. He and son JJ decided to open a second Bonita location, following on the first one on Chestnut Street that debuted in 2014. (Squat & Gobble still maintains two other locations in the Marina and West Portal.)