Roosevelt Tamale Parlor

Roosevelt Tamale Parlor
2817 24th St. (York St.), 415 648-2690
Open 10am–9:30pm, Sunday to 9pm, closed Monday.

Over 20 years ago a young doctor friend advised us to eat at Roosevelt’s Tamale Parlor, but not to worry about the low price or the bare decor. He was right. Now, over a generation later, the same advice would be good. The ownership has changed recently (the restaurant dates from 1922), but the cook — who has been there for over 20 years — is now a part-owner. The menu has remained the same, and the portions are still large.

Small, a la carte menu includes chile beans $3.50, refried beans $3.50, chips and salsa $1.75, salsa 75 cents, flour tortilla 35 cents, corn quesadilla $2.60, with beef or chicken $4.00, corn quesadilla with beans and rice $5.70, burrito $4.95, enchilada with beef, chicken, or cheese $2.75, with chorizo $3.75, taco with bean, beef or chicken $2.75, with chorizo $4.50, tamale with chicken or pork $3.65, tostada $3.65, with chorizo $4.50, fried cheese $5.25, pork super tostada $6.50.

Soup. Menudo, chicken, or pozole $3.25 small, $6.25 large.

Hot plates. Chile Colorado or chile verde $7.00.

Combinations with beans and rice include beef enchilada, beef taco, and chile relleno $9.95, all beef or all chicken enchilada, taco, and tamale $9.95, all cheese enchilada, taco, and chile relleno $9.95, burrito, tostada (any meat), with flour tortilla $10.50, taco, enchilada, and burrito (any meat), or chile relleno $10.50.

Treats for the Hungry include cheese omelette $6.25, chile relleno with beans and rice $6.95, huevos Mexicana $6.95, huevos rancheros with beans and rice, or with chorizo, beans and rice $6.95, “Gallina a la Plaza” $8.95, beefsteak ranchero with beans and rice $9.25, mole poblano $9.25.

Dinners, served with beans and rice include carne asada burrito $8.95, chile verde or Colorado burrito $7.50, beef enchilada with chile or refried beans $6.50, sour cream beef enchilada $6.50, cheese or chicken enchilada $6.50, beef or chicken taco $6.50, pork or chicken tamale $6.75, beef or chicken tostada $6.75.

House Specials include flautas (rolled tortilla stuffed with chicken, beef, or cheese, topped with guacamole, beans, and rice) $6.95, chimichanga. beef or chicken, with beans and rice $6.95, enchilada ranchera ( chicken enchilada served in green sauce, with sour cream, beans, and rice ) $6.95, chilaquiles tapatios (fried, chopped tortilla, cooked with cheese and special house sauce ) $6.95, entomatada (green peppers enchilada topped with sour cream, beans, and rice ) $7.25, nepales con huevos (cacti with eggs) $6.25.

House Specials (dinner only) include Enchilada Jalisco with chicken or shredded beef with red, spicy sauce $7.25, Enchilada Vera Cruz with chicken or cheese in a dark mole sauce $7.25.

Beverages. At present, no wine or beer; they are waiting for a license. Soft drinks are $1.20, hot or iced tea 80- cents with two refills.

Dessert. Flan, when available, $1.25.