San Francisco: Andale (August 2012)

The Andale restaurants took root in Mexico’s high country, in the small semi-desert town of San Jose de Gracia, two hours from Guadalajara. This family business, started with three friends — Luis, Ignacio, and Pedro — each with deep ties to their parish that is really just one large tribe going back three or four generations. They came to the Bay Area to join our cousins, uncles, and aunts, and were lucky to fall in love with restaurant work. What better way to live life than amongst good food, good people, and good times? It’s in their bloodline, their heritage. When they opened our first Andale in 1987, they asked Ignacio to make what his abuelita (his little grandma) made on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, through the week and for special celebrations. They are proud to maintain the tradition of operating a family kitchen with their unique ability to present their Mexican culture and food experience.