Señor Sisig Debuts New Brick-And-Mortar Restaurant

The Bay Area’s Filipino-Mexican restaurant opens its first cantina & bar in Oakland
SEÑOR SISIG DEBUTS NEW BRICK-AND-MORTAR RESTAURANT IN OAKLAND, CA
Photo: Official

On Friday, April 14th, 2023, Filipino-fusion Señor Sisig will open the doors to its newest brick-and-mortar cantina-style restaurant in Oakland, California.

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Starting as a single food truck in San Francisco thirteen years ago and expanding to fast-casual restaurants in the Mission District, Ferry Building, and Oakland; owners Evan Kidera and Gil Payumo will introduce their third physical storefront cantina and bar concept that will be taking the place of the original Oakland location.

Based on traditional delicacy and authenticity, the friends incorporate their families’ backgrounds and dishes from their upbringings as an inspiration for Señor Sisig unique burritos, tacos, and more.

Señor Sisig’s new Oakland location will provide the same Filipino and Mexican fusion fare as they always have, but with a new feel and fresh additions. The restaurant features its grab-and-go favorites and fast-casual experience, but with a new sit-down, cantina environment and a full bar to encourage a space for visitors to gather and share. The menu, spearheaded by Chef Payumo, will include the classics and vegano menu and in addition, offer shareable bonuses and Oakland exclusives. One new plate is the build-your-own Lechon Kawali pork belly tacos with shrimp chips, Sisig barbeque sauce, creamy habanero salsa, and pickled red onions. Another is the Sisig Lumpia topped with tomatillo salsa, pico de gallo, and a three-cheese blend to create a Filipino twist on taquitos. The dish was designed in partnership with The Lumpia Company, an Oakland restaurant owned by Chef Alex Retodo and rapper E40.

“Creating Señor Sisig was a labor of love that blossomed from cooking with my father as a child, and to see it continue to flourish and grow keeps my fire and entrepreneurial passion ignited,” says Chef Payumo in a statement.

Along with the full bar comes an ample new drink menu that includes specialty cocktails as well as a selection of tequila, mezcal, highballs, and beer. The cocktail menu was curated to stay true to the brand ethos, using both Filipino and Mexican flavors that will pair with the special menu items and classics. Highlights include an array of margaritas: Calamansi Lime, Guava and Grapefruit, Tamarind and Chili, and Padan and Pineapple. As an ode to the Bay Area staple, the menu also offers the Ube Hennchata which is a mixture of Hennessy and the Señor Sisig Ube Horchata.

Derived from several team tastings, the tequila list will include blanco tequila, mezcal, raicilla, and aguardiente makers. General Manager David Upton, a tequila enthusiast with seasoned experience in the craft, assisted in curating the list that features small batch, women-owned, B corp brands that are entirely additive-free and pair flawlessly with the Señor Sisig menu, like the sustainably-made artisanal tequila brand Mijenta.

Designed to embrace an inviting atmosphere and showcase a colorful interior of Bay Area-inspired art by local artist Aaron Kai, “the new spot was made to build community and make the Town proud,” says Señor Sisig CEO, Evan Kidera in a statement.

Featuring a roll-up front exterior window to create an open-air feel, Kidera hopes to extend the vibe from the city streets into a place to gather the family for a meal, enjoy a sports game with friends, or grab a cocktail with coworkers. Kidera had his eye on the new location since 2017, watching its growth from a dirt floor to a restaurant space with a full kitchen, waiting for the right time to call it home. After a highly successful run at the location across the street and a complete revamp of the new space to embody Sisig style, the upcoming opening is a significant milestone in the company’s history.

“As a San Francisco native, I’m grateful for the opportunity to expand, humbled by the continued support from the community, and honored to represent the brand and city across the Bay Area,” says Kidera.

Señor Sisig is located at 330 17th Street, Oakland, CA 94612 and hours of operation are: Sunday – Thursday: 11am – 9pm and Friday & Saturday: 11am – 10pm.

Lisa Hay

Lisa Hay

Lisa is a staff reporter for What Now Media Group. She covers new restaurant, retail, and real estate openings across all of our markets. A true foodie, this Air Force veteran has lived all over the world — from Aviano, Italy to Nairobi, Kenya — but her favorite spot is NOLA for its rich history, architecture, culture, and of course, its good eats.
Lisa Hay

Lisa Hay

Lisa is a staff reporter for What Now Media Group. She covers new restaurant, retail, and real estate openings across all of our markets. A true foodie, this Air Force veteran has lived all over the world — from Aviano, Italy to Nairobi, Kenya — but her favorite spot is NOLA for its rich history, architecture, culture, and of course, its good eats.

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