Oakland's Cenaduria Elvira to Reopen
What happened
Cenaduria Elvira, an Oakland restaurant known for its Jalisco-style tostadas, is reopening in a new location near Jack London Square. The restaurant had previously closed, and its return brings its authentic regional Mexican cuisine back to the area.
Why it matters
- The restaurant originated in 2020 as a weekend pop-up in owner Elvira Varela's backyard in Oakland's Jingletown neighborhood. - Its new brick-and-mortar location is at 468 3rd Street in the historic Western Pacific Depot building near Jack London Square. - The signature dish, the tostada raspada, gained national recognition with a mention in a 2023 New York Times list of best dishes in America. - Varela imports the unique tostadas directly from an aunt in Zapotlanejo, Mexico, her family's town of origin; they are made by spreading masa over a stone mill before being dried and fried. - In addition to tostadas, the restaurant's torta ahogada, a sandwich "drowned" in tomato sauce, was named the best in the Bay Area by a San Francisco Chronicle critic. - The new, larger location features an airy dining room with high ceilings and woven lanterns, an outdoor patio, and an expanded menu that includes beer and new appetizers.
Key numbers
- - The restaurant originated in 2020 as a weekend pop-up in owner Elvira Varela's backyard in Oakland's Jingletown neighborhood.
- Its new brick-and-mortar location is at 468 3rd Street in the historic Western Pacific Depot building near Jack London Square.
- The signature dish, the tostada raspada, gained national recognition with a mention in a 2023 New York Times list of best dishes in America.
Quick answers
What happened in Oakland's Cenaduria Elvira to Reopen?
Cenaduria Elvira, an Oakland restaurant known for its Jalisco-style tostadas, is reopening in a new location near Jack London Square. The restaurant had previously closed, and its return brings its authentic regional Mexican cuisine back to the area.
Why does Oakland's Cenaduria Elvira to Reopen matter?
The restaurant originated in 2020 as a weekend pop-up in owner Elvira Varela's backyard in Oakland's Jingletown neighborhood. Its new brick-and-mortar location is at 468 3rd Street in the historic Western Pacific Depot building near Jack London Square. The signature dish, the tostada raspada, gained national recognition with a mention in a 2023 New York Times list of best dishes in America. Varela imports the unique tostadas directly from an aunt in Zapotlanejo, Mexico, her family's town of origin; they are made by spreading masa over a stone mill before being dried and fried. In addition to tostadas, the restaurant's torta ahogada, a sandwich "drowned" in tomato sauce, was named the best in the Bay Area by a San Francisco Chronicle critic. The new, larger location features an airy dining room with high ceilings and woven lanterns, an outdoor patio, and an expanded menu that includes beer and new appetizers.
