Pica Pica: The third branch of this growing fast-casual Venezuelan chain is about to open in the Castro at 970 17th Street (look for a mid-January opening with a broader menu and seating), but the Mission and Napa branches are already accepting orders for hallacas, a traditional Venezuelan holiday dish that’s considered a close cousin to the Mexican tamal. Pica Pica's hallaces ($10 each), a corn-based dough filled with three-meat stew that’s wrapped in a plantain leaf and steamed, are available both in store and mail delivery only during the month of December. To get ordering info, check out the website.
Mijita: Traci des Jardins' (Jardinière) Ferry Building location will be selling homemade tamales in bulk throughout December. The chicken-based tamales, served with tomatillo salsa, can be ordered in quantities of six ($18) and 12 ($30). Orders made before noon will be available for pick up the next day at 3 PM. Note, the tamales will also be featured on the daily menu at the Ferry Building Mijita but the tamales are not for sale at the AT&T location. To place an order, email Kevin@mijitasf.com or call 415-399-0814.
Copita: It’s not available to go, but a tamale trio will be one of the nine holiday-inspired a la carte dishes showcased during the nine-day Las Posadas or Pilgrimage celebration at Joanne Weir’s Sausalito cantina running from December 16 to December 24. The tamale trio platter (roasted chicken verde, red pork adobo and black bean, with plantain and mole rojo, $20) will be served on December 17th. The nightly Los Pasados specials and holiday-inspired cocktails are only available during dinner service. For reservations or to see the rest of the holiday menu, check out the website or call here 415-331-7400.
