Welcome to Elena’s.
Brought to you by the family behind San Francisco’s Original Joe’s, Elena’s celebrates a family’s love for Mexican food coupled with California-inspired elements and classic Mexican-American dishes. A homage to co-owner Elena Duggan’s daughters and their Mexican heritage, this concept is a true labor of love - inspired by the girls’ annual visits to San Bortolo Morelos, Mexico and growing up in California.
“We wanted to celebrate my daughters’ Mexican heritage much like we celebrate our Italian heritage with Original Joe’s, but it needed to be done in a way that felt thoughtful, familiar, and comfortable—a way that will make not only my daughters feel like they’re at home, but for all our guests to feel that same warmth and love, through both the food and the atmosphere.”
The foundation of the menu draws inspiration from Catherine and Julia’s yearly summer trips to visit their family in San Bartolo Morelos - a small, humble mountain town outside of Mexico City - where they learned from their Abuelita to appreciate the beauty of a freshly made tortilla and tamale. Those items are at the heart of the menu - striking a balance between what they’ve grown to love about their Abuelita’s home-cooked Mexican food and signature Mexican-American favorites. The result - simple and classic dishes made with clean and bold ingredients.
Abuelita knows best.
“I really wanted to create a space that felt like home… I wanted it to be welcoming, warm, lively, and comfortable, while also balancing elements of Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende that I have grown to love. There is so much understated elegance in Mexico and I really wanted to bring that sophistication and femineity into the space.”
Approachable elegance.
With an upscale urban sensibility in mind, Elena Duggan designed the restaurant to achieve a Mexico-meets-California ambiance that seamlessly blends casual comfort with modern sophistication. A thoughtful selection of Mexican-made art pieces and tableware brings a special vibrancy and authenticity into the space. From hand-etched glassware by Rose Ann Hall Designs from San Miguel de Allende, plateware by Anfora from Pachuca, and curated art pieces from Sierra de Tenango and Jalisco, there is a touch of Mexico everywhere you turn.
